Plastics as a product have inevitable advantages in all spheres on the globe but need judicious disposal management to address the menace and to avoid soil & air pollution. Use of plastics in agriculture has been termed as “Plasticulture” wherein components/products/equipment are integrated to form an application such as micro-irrigation systems, polyhouses, plastic mulches, crop covers, etc. to generate more quality and enhanced cultivation of the product with limited resources such as water in per unit area. India being an agrarian driven economy where more than 70% of the population is directly or indirectly related o agriculture contributes not only to suffice the food basket but also to produce more which could provide remunerative income to the Indian growers as India being a varied agro-climatic country can produce almost all agriculture/horticulture produce. Developing field oriented and in-situ experimental details through well-knitted dedicated 22 Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs) and having focused approach by providing financial assistance under the flagship schemes to the beneficiaries have throttled the adoption of these applications in last two decades with global footprints in leading the productivity of many crops. Joint ventures of the leading agriculture/horticulture product related companies have also boosted the growth of these technologies and had put India to a self-sufficient Agri/Horti producer despite climate resilience and recurring droughts. These applications have not only provided food production sustainability but also have generated employment opportunities to the rural youth besides the upliftment of the Indian growers. Dedicated missions, policies and extensive government support across the country have proved to be a milestone in the agriculture history of the country. Thus we could see and also can say that the next Green Revolution in India could only be achieved through plasticulture applications & technologies in providing and managing the inputs in a precise and regulated manner by use of these technologies.

Giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis or C. merkusii Schott) is an important crop at atolls and mountainous islands in Micronesia. In the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) with four states (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap), the population is threatened with food insecurity.  Foremost is abandoning their taro patches damaged by recurrent wave surges and salt-water intrusion. 
To ensure security of this food source, 43 cultivars from Pohnpei and 30 cultivars from Chuuk were collected and grown in a swamp with an average salinity of 1,300 ppm (0.13 %) to identify salt-tolerant varieties.  For two years, these seedlings were monitored for plant height, number of petioles and leaves, monthly corm diameter increment, leaf damages, leaf width and length, seedling survival and sucker number. The 43 cultivars were grouped into 15 clusters based on their morphological characterization. These clusters were soaked under high water salinity level using ocean water averaging 53,000 ppm (5.3.%) for seven hours to determine their responses to salinity including losses in biomass, corm masses, root number and length. Two cultivars were identified with more than 2-cm monthly diameter growth and more than 80% survival rates under natural swamp condition. From the 7-hour soaking experiment, few cultivars were identified with minimal root damages. This study recommended root number before and after soaking in highly saline water as a practical indicator in identifying a salt-tolerant giant swamp taro cultivar.

A decision support system namely DOMIS (Design of Micro Irrigation Systems) was developed for standardizing the designs of Drip, Sprinkler and Micro Sprinkler irrigation systems. The decision support system was developed using standard formulae with richness of knowledge and expert opinions. Flexibility and simplicity of use make the DSS DOMIS a superior tool for designing micro irrigation systems. The DSS provides knowledge, expert opinion and necessary data on crops, soil, water and climate in the form of default options at different interactive stages of the software. The DSS also allows the user to make appropriate changes in the parameters provided by the DSS, if the user so desires. DSS-DOMIS suggests most optimal layout plan for main, sub-main and lateral pipes with appropriate sizes of different components including pipes, pumping system, filters and fertilizer application systems. The web based system has been hosted on the net with domain name http://domis.iari.res.in.  Besides the design of micro irrigation systems, the DSS provides complete list of concerned state and district officials, approved micro irrigation system suppliers and the general information about the district, different government schemes and their implementing agencies all over the country. The decision support system will be useful for industry, farmers, students, researchers and policy makers. The DSS is available for use or free on line and the author will appreciate the feedback and suggestions from the users for its further improvement.

We live in an emblematic era. We have never been here before and if we do not come together with common purpose and an indefatigable strive to make this planet a better place to live in, it would surely not keep us long. This paper is an attempt to critically dissect India’s journey as a developing country in combating climate change with the help of sustainable development. The objective pursued herein is to identify and share replicable takeaways for developing countries which endeavour to strike a balance between their economic aspirations and obligations to posterity. The research is constricted to the examining policy decisions and steps undertaken by India in an attempt to fulfil its obligations under the Paris Agreement. It shall include a comprehensive analysis of its Biennial Update Report(s) and National Communication to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Forestry Sector. In order to understand this journey, Governance, Policy Decision and other paradigm shifts are assimilated, observed and analysed so as to bring-forth a better understanding of what has worked and why. India faces challenges in economic development, which have to be met with the limited resources available, with minimal externalities and in the presence of large uncertainty with respect to climate. One of the growing and accepted approaches to overcome this development paradox is adoption of sustainable development paradigm, which entails development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. On 30th June, 2008, India announced and launched its National Action Plan on Climate Change - NAPCC.  The NAPCC, guided by the principles of sustainable development aligns the environmental and economic objects. The NPACC identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also resulting in co-benefits in terms of addressing climate change. There are 8 National Missions which form the core of NAPCC.  These 8 National Missions along with their objectives are mentioned herein under: A concerted effort is made to analyse in detail exhaustively and categorically the ripple effect of these Schemes on the ground in terms of measurable improvement.  Followed by a critical evaluation as to if the steps undertaken have successfully accomplished its objectives. If yes, whether the success model can be replicated by other developing countries and if not, what can developing countries learn from India’s humble experience? A special focus is also maintained on other incidental steps undertaken to combat climate change while also discussing the most effective innovative and sustainable Governance solution that can easily be adopted by a developing country in its race to economic prosperity.

The geophysical contexts of different areas of Bangladesh are diverse and distinctive from location to location. Each of the areas has distinct characteristics and varied livelihoods pattern. The recent climate change has made different communities of Bangladesh vulnerable to frequent disasters. The impact of climate change has also been visible at river-adjacent communities. So, enhancing community resilience is very important to make the community people capable to cope with climate change and ensure sustainable livelihoods for the future. If the community people become resilient, then they can come back in their previous usual situation within a very short period after any type of disaster. The Khasbarashimul community is a flood-prone community situated in the Sirajganj district of Bangladesh on the bank of Jamuna River with having Brahmaputra delta characteristics. Most of the community people are marginalized, and agriculture and day-laboring are the main means of their livelihood. Almost every year, a flood occurs and causes tremendous losses to property and livelihoods. The study has aimed to identify the flood vulnerability due to climate change on the Khasbarashimul community people and their livelihoods. The study has been conducted at the participatory observation approach using both qualitative and quantitative research perspectives. The study has identified some of the local and indigenous community resilience techniques which the community people usually used to practice by their own knowledge and experiences. Some of the other resilience techniques have also been suggested to make community people more resilient to disasters and flood risks resulting from climate change.

The study investigated the impact of several concentrations of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on growth performance and biochemical properties of marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta. It is known that selenium (Se) effects may range from toxic to essentially micronutritive, both within a narrow concentration span. Thus, SeNPs might act as sources of Se, particularly due to being less toxic than sodium selenite (Na2SeO3). We have proved that their lower doses can increase algal biomass without any toxic cellular effect. The concentrations of chlorophyll A, total lipid and protein content, as well as composition of fatty and amino acids were determined in Dunaliella tertiolecta cultured under a wide range of different SeNPs concentrations for up to 14 days. Lower SeNPs not only positively impacted the biomass increase, but also chlorophyll a concentrations, as opposed to higher SeNPs concentrations. Total protein content and productivity were similar at all tested SeNPs concentrations, while fatty acids had higher content of unsaturated fatty acids in all tested samples. The results provide an insight into the effects of SeNPs on Dunaliella tertiolecta, which may lead to a set of various novel biotechnological applications.

A great variety of organisms inhabiting seas and oceans are rich sources of fatty acids (FA). Marine biogenic lipids are vastly provided from the bivalves, which can successfully be farmed and enhanced. This work is focused on seasonal variation of fatty acid content and relative ratios of the specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 to n-6) in European flat oysters from the Adriatic Sea. Farmed seafood are natural products and are subjected to normal seasonal variations in composition that can affect nutritional functional properties. Increased understanding of these compositional variations is of interest for the industry for labeling and for health purposes. Also, there is a gap in the area of the links between consumption of Croatian aquaculture seafood and their benefits for human health. The aim of this research is to overcome this gap by identification of unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6) of native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) and to identify benefits that could be used to promote this seafood. Our research shows that the highest values of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids occur in the winter and spring. Because of the potential for national health benefits and consequent reduction in health costs, this work supports harvesting of oysters for unsaturated fatty acids extracts as a national health priority and economical prosperity.

A great variety of organisms inhabiting seas and oceans are rich sources of fatty acids (FA). Marine biogenic lipids are vastly provided from the bivalves, which can successfully be farmed and enhanced. This work is focused on seasonal variation of fatty acid content and relative ratios of the specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 to n-6) in European flat oysters from the Adriatic Sea. Farmed seafood are natural products and are subjected to normal seasonal variations in composition that can affect nutritional functional properties. Increased understanding of these compositional variations is of interest for the industry for labeling and for health purposes. Also, there is a gap in the area of the links between consumption of Croatian aquaculture seafood and their benefits for human health. The aim of this research is to overcome this gap by identification of unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6) of native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) and to identify benefits that could be used to promote this seafood. Our research shows that the highest values of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids occur in the winter and spring. Because of the potential for national health benefits and consequent reduction in health costs, this work supports harvesting of oysters for unsaturated fatty acids extracts as a national health priority and economical prosperity.

As the current frequency of climate impacts is expected to increase in semi-arid regions of Ghana, smallholder farmers will require access to new and relevant information to adapt successfully. Institutional support is increasingly gaining attention for effective and successful adaptation; however, there is limited knowledge of the specific roles of both formal and informal organizations in implementing adaptation strategies in semi-arid regions. Using the Lawra and Nandom Districts as case studies, the various roles of existing institutions in adaptation strategies were examined. A total of 135 household questionnaires, six focus group discussions (FGDs), 20 in-depth interviews with farmers, and seven key informant interviews from institutions evaluated climate risks and impacts, adaptation responses of farmers and the functions of the different institutions in supporting these adaptation strategies. The majority of respondents observed that irregular and unpredictable rainfall (77%), high temperature and extreme heat (56%) and rainfall irregularities during the growing season (55%) as the main changes in the past 10 years. Major agricultural adaptation strategies identified were changing of planting dates (100%), planting of different varieties of the same crop (51%), planting of trees (35%) and seasonal migration by the local farmers (21%). There is high dependence by the smallholder farmers on formal institutions’ resources to adapt, especially for developing/ building the local capacity, rather than on local innovations within the communities. This is mainly due to the lack of knowledge about climate change risks and adaptation strategies and limited or no access to financial resources. Government-led adaptation is considered to be more sustainable than NGO-led programs although it comparatively lacks specific mandates and financial resources. Continued support by formal institutions will, therefore, enable the development of more effective agricultural adaptation initiatives.

The present study describes the alternation of periods of global warming with periods of global cooling at planetary scale. As our planet travels through the universe spinning around the Sun, the solar disk also spins around the Sun making one change of zodiac sigh at about 2000 years. For 12 zodiacal signs a complete cycle is made at 24000 years. Today our data show the temperature it’s at its peek of the last 10000. Since we know 10000 years ago it was colder, the phenomenon which describes this change is the presence of the solar disk in the plane of the movement of the Sun around the centre of galaxy. Sun leaves behind it a trace of thermal heat and when planets spin they accumulate part of this heat when they pass behind the Sun, loosing it when they move in front of the Sun facing the cold from the universe. But as the solar disk moves, in the same time with the Sun, when this angle becomes high enough, all planets no longer pass behind the Sun and they no longer accumulate thermal heat, so the temperature of our planet becomes lower. After a complete cycle of 12 zodiacal signs (24000 years) the temperature of the planet is the same. Periods of global warming and global cooling are a natural phenomenon which repeats itself at every 24000 years. On long term, as in our universe we have 3 types of rotations, the consequence of each one is the following:1st rotation, the planets spin in the solar disk. For Earth we have spring, summer, autumn and winter with a period of 1 year. 2nd rotation, the solar disk spins around a line which connects Sun and centre of galaxy. For Earth we have global warming and global cooling with a period of 24000 years. 3rd rotation, the solar disk spins around an axis perpendicular on the galaxy plane. For Earth we have a period of continuous warming lasting hundreds of thousands of years followed by periods of global warming and global cooling, with a total period difficult to be defined.

The cities across the globe face long-term challenges in ensuring the well-being of their inhabitants. With cities growing, the problems are also growing. More population pressure leads to intensive resource use and damage to the environment. These challenges are impact of climate change and are often compounded by pre-existing vulnerability. Urban resilience is the capacity of cities to function, so that the people living in cities survive and bounce back no matter what stresses or shocks they encounter. Thus, it is important to build up and strengthen national, regional and community level capacity. This particular paper highlights the attempts carried out to improve the resilience of climate change by strengthening the capacity building of identified six Indian cities (Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur Ujjain in different states of India) on urban climate change resilience city. The objective was to exchange information on capacity building along with knowledge networking among the Urban Local Bodies on UCCR. The aim was to generate debate that may help to arrive at contextualize options for the policies and impart knowledge to educate the aspirants that they can further implement the learning in their cities and put in practice. Here the solution couldn’t only be drafting of plans and coming up with ideas. But any successful implementation of the plans requires effective collaboration from root to top. Also one solution fits all concepts could prove to be inefficient in coping up with the climate change problem. Local  conditions are to be studied before implementing any plan, there are absolutely no boundaries to climate change, the best way to prevent its worsen effects is by being prepared and also being sensitive towards nature is the need of the hour.