This paper uses annual variation in climate to examine the impact of temperature and precipitation on national economies. We find three primary results. First, higher temperatures substantially reduce economic growth in poor countries. Second, higher temperatures appear to reduce growth rates, not just the level of output.

Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change has shown that the earth temperature has increased by 0.74 degree C between 1906 and 2005 due to increase in anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. It is estimated that crop production loss in India by 2100 AD could be 10-40% despite the beneficial effects of higher CO2 on crop growth. Dynamics of pests and diseases will be significantly altered.

This recent study by SANDEE examines the link between stream flow, agricultural water use and economic returns to agriculture. Attempts to simulate the likely impacts of regeneration of a degraded forest catchment on stream flow and the consequent impact on irrigation tankbased agriculture in a downstream village.

IMD's long range forecast for the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole and over different homogenous regions except northwest India have been accurate. However, the seasonal rainfall over northwest India and rainfall during July for the country as a whole have not been accurate.

The hydrogeological environment in the Nagapattinam district has been subjected to pollution considerably. The eastern part of the district being tail end of the canal system, and due to inferior quality of ground water, the agricultural prosperity in the eastern part attained a set back. The agricultural lands are brought under aquaculture use.

Moderate increases in temperature and nitrogen from atmospheric pollution actually improve forest productivity. After more than 20 years of research in the northern hardwood forests of Michigan, scientists at Michigan Technological University's School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science have reached this surprising conclusion.

The depression over Bay of Bengal moved slightly towards north-east and lay centered 370 km south-south-east of Paradip on Saturday. The system is intensifying and will move in a north-north-easterly direction. Weather office said the depression is likely to progress towards West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts.

Parul Bhardwaj / New Delhi October 27, 2008, 0:35 IST

Higher

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: So far, four lives have been lost and 697.13 acres of farm land affected ever since the North- East monsoon set in the State, according to the Monsoon Calamities Cell opened here.

Two people died each in Malappuram and Palakkad districts on Friday and their bodies had been recovered.

Normal life in Barisal region became paralyzed as mid to heavy downpour without intervals and gusty winds continued until this report due to stormy weather prevailing over the region since early Saturday night.

Barisal weather office recorded 80 millimeters rainfall in 10 hours since 6:00 am Saturday morning with 10 to 15 nautical mile wind speed per hour and 95%-100% humidity.

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