Down To Earth Marks 35 Years Covering India's Environmental and Social Crises

Down To Earth magazine enters its 35th year of publication with a focus on development that is inclusive and therefore sustainable, covering themes from hereditary poverty and India's geography of disadvantage to extreme weather threats to farmers and a forecast super El Nino expected in the latter half of 2026. The issue also examines labour unrest in north India's industrial belt, the risks of El Nino-driven climate impacts, and international science policy debates around athlete genetic testing and rising atmospheric CO2.

The issue's coverage of poverty highlights structural barriers rooted in caste, geography and forest dependence, with reportage from communities where drought, famine and displacement define generational experience. Labour coverage examines weaker job creation, stagnant pay and a more unequal growth path in north India's industrial belt, alongside energy-related distress triggering reverse migration. Extreme weather during pre- and post-monsoon months is framed as an emerging agricultural threat across India.

The anticipated super El Nino in the latter half of 2026 is described as raising concerns about adverse climatological impacts in a world already experiencing accelerated warming, with India expected to see below-normal rainfall in the upcoming southwest monsoon with immediate consequences for farmers. This confluence of geopolitical energy disruption and climate stress creates compounding risks for agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods that Down To Earth identifies as central to its coverage mandate.

The issue also covers science policy debates, including concerns that forcing premier technology institutes to research ancient wisdom fosters fraudulent science and retards development, and examines the International Olympic Committee's new genetic-testing mandate for female athletes, which it says fails a fairness test. A commentary on rising atmospheric CO2 levels explores how changes in blood chemistry from elevated CO2 may affect human physiology and carry potential for future genetic priming — connecting atmospheric science to public health discourse.

Key figure — 35th year of publication