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Record Solar Power Capacity Reached Globally in 2023

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In 2023, the world added 347 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy, marking a 74% increase from the previous year. This rapid growth was driven by the falling costs of solar panels and supportive government policies, as noted in a report by IRENA and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Key Contributors China played the biggest role in this solar energy boom, contributing 63% of the new capacity, which amounted to 216.9 GW. Other leading countries, like the United States, Germany, Brazil, India, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Australia, added a total of 83.4 GW. Europe alone increased its solar energy capacity by over 54 GW, while the US added about 25 GW. Employment Growth The surge in solar energy also led to a sharp rise in jobs. Global employment in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector grew to 7.1 million jobs in 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022. Most of these jobs were in China, which accounted for 4.6 million positions. Europe had around 757,500 solar jobs, mainly in
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Southern Africa Culls Elephants Amid Severe Drought Crisis

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Southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in over a century, causing serious food shortages. Countries like Zimbabwe and Namibia have started wildlife-culling programs to address the growing food insecurity caused by this environmental crisis. What is Causing the Drought? The drought in southern Africa is mainly due to the El Niño weather pattern, which has caused much less rain than usual in the region. Climate change is making this problem worse by making droughts like this more frequent and severe. Government Responses In response to the hunger caused by the drought, Zimbabwe has decided to cull (or kill) 200 elephants. The meat from these animals will be given to poor communities. Similarly, Namibia has allowed the culling of 723 animals, including elephants, hippos, and zebras, from its national parks. This is meant to help provide food during the crisis. Conflict Between Wildlife and Humans As the drought worsens, both humans and animals are struggling to find food and w
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Butterfly Migration Thrives In Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats

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Tamil Nadu recently saw a massive migration of butterflies from the Danainae sub-family, specifically the species called ‘tigers and crows.’ These butterflies moved from the Eastern Ghats (a mountain range in India) toward the Western Ghats. This migration in 2023 was much larger than in the previous year. Butterfly Sub-family The Danainae sub-family includes well-known butterflies like:Blue Tiger Dark Blue Tiger Double-branded Crow Common Crow These butterflies typically follow a two-part migration pattern. First, they fly toward the hills before the northeast monsoon (which brings rain), and then they return to the plains after the southwest monsoon (another rainy season). Migration Pattern The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) has been tracking this butterfly migration since 2013. Every year, they see a large number of butterflies emerging in the last week of September. The butterflies usually start migrating early in the morning and continue until the evening. On peak days, hundr
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Oldest Eyeliner Discovered in Turkey’s Ancient Prehistoric City

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Archaeologists have recently found the oldest known kohl stick, a type of ancient eyeliner, at an archaeological site called Yeşilova Höyük in Turkey. This discovery shows that people have been using makeup for more than 8,000 years. The Discovery The kohl stick is made from a green serpentine stone and has traces of black paint on its tip. It is more than 8,200 years old, making it the earliest evidence we have of people using cosmetics. Zafer Derin, the lead archaeologist, explained that kohl has been used in many different cultures throughout history. Kohl was commonly used in places like Egypt, the Levant (eastern Mediterranean), and Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). It was not just for looking beautiful but also had medicinal purposes. The presence of this kohl stick suggests that even 8,200 years ago, women in the Aegean region of Yeşilova cared about enhancing their appearance. Physical Details of the Kohl Stick The kohl stick is about 10 cm long and 1 cm thick. It is finely shape
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“Ocean-24” Russia and China Massive Naval Exercises

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Russia and China have started a large-scale naval exercise called “Ocean-24” in the Sea of Japan. This military collaboration is a clear sign of closer ties between the two nations and could indicate shifts in global power and alliances. Size of the Naval Drills The “Ocean-24” exercises from September 10 to 16, 2024, and are considered the biggest in the last 30 years. Here are the key details about the forces involved: 400+ warships (including submarines and support vessels). 120+ aircraft, such as planes and helicopters. About 90,000 military personnel.These operations are not limited to the Sea of Japan but also cover the Pacific, Arctic, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. Strengthening the Russia-China Military Alliance China’s participation in “Ocean-24” shows the growing military partnership between Russia and China. By working together in this large exercise, they are demonstrating their ability to coordinate complex military operations. Strategic Objectives of the Exerci
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Union Cabinet Approves Next Generation Launch Vehicle

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The Union Cabinet of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This decision is a big step for India’s space exploration goals and sets the stage for future projects, like building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) and a crewed mission to the Moon by 2040. What is the NGLV? The NGLV is a new, advanced rocket system that will improve India’s ability to launch missions into space. It is a key part of India’s plan to expand its space program and take on larger, more complex space projects in the future. Payload Capacity One of the most important features of the NGLV is its ability to carry a much heavier load into space. It can carry up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is three times more than what India’s current LVM3 rocket can handle. This makes it possible for India to launch bigger satellites and more ambitious space missions. Cost Efficiency Even though the NGLV can carry a
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Technology alone is never enough for true productivity

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Technology continues to change how we work, and gen AI is the latest, greatest disruptor. But real productivity happens only when companies holistically rethink how they do business. As generative AI (gen AI) grips the attention of business, corporate leadership can support their companies’ growth most by prioritizing the needs of their workers while simultaneously standardizing the use of cutting-edge tech. In this episode of the At the Edge podcast, economist and Stanford professor Erik Brynjolfsson speaks with McKinsey’s Lareina Yee about how gen AI differs from previous technological innovations, why it will likely augment more jobs than it replaces, and why keeping humans in the loop is essential. An edited transcript of the discussion follows. For more conversations on cutting-edge technology, follow the series on your preferred podcast platform. Why gen AI is spreading faster than previous technologies Lareina Yee: Erik, let’s start with your research, which over the last three
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