The coastal winds of Tamil Nadu swept across the lush green fields, carrying with them the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable future. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the turbines that dotted the landscape turned steadily in the breeze, their blades slicing through the air like symbols of progress. In this southern state, a renewable energy revolution was taking root—one that would power not only the homes of millions but potentially reshape the future of global energy.

This transformation is not just a story of Tamil Nadu; it is the story of India, a nation rapidly advancing toward its renewable energy goals, with states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka playing a pivotal role in that progress. In October 2024, India’s renewable energy capacity soared past the 200-gigawatt (GW) mark, solidifying the country’s position as a global leader in clean energy. This milestone marks a critical point in India’s journey, as it works toward its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

As of 2024, Tamil Nadu boasts a renewable energy capacity of 23.7 GW, much of it derived from its wind farms. These wind corridors, stretching across the coastal plains, are among the most productive in the world. The state is also a major player in solar energy, leveraging its abundant sunlight to complement its wind resources and create a well-rounded renewable energy mix.

Tamil Nadu’s approach to renewable energy reflects a larger national trend. India, with its vast land, diverse climates, and abundant natural resources, is uniquely positioned to lead the global renewable energy revolution. The country’s total renewable energy capacity has surged by 24.2 GW in just a year, reaching 203.18 GW by October 2024. With wind, solar, hydro, and bioenergy resources contributing to this capacity, India is moving steadily toward its goal of energy independence and environmental sustainability.

Harnessing the Winds of Change

From sprawling solar farms in Rajasthan to the wind farms off Tamil Nadu’s coast, India has carefully cultivated a diverse renewable energy portfolio. The surge in renewable capacity includes an impressive 92.12 GW of solar power, 47.72 GW of wind energy, and 46.93 GW of hydroelectric power. With the addition of bioenergy resources, including biomass and biogas, which contribute 11.32 GW, India’s renewable energy landscape is not just growing—it’s evolving into a robust, multifaceted powerhouse.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that India accounted for a substantial portion of the 16.2 million jobs in the global renewable energy workforce.

This progress is not just about reducing India’s reliance on fossil fuels—it’s about securing the country’s energy future. In 2024, non-fossil sources, including nuclear power, now account for nearly half of the total installed electricity generation capacity, a figure that marks an essential step in India’s journey toward energy security and global environmental leadership.

The Winds of Change: How Renewable Energy is Powering Job Creation

But India’s renewable energy revolution isn’t just about the environment—it’s also driving economic growth. In 2023, the sector created over 1 million jobs, with hydropower and solar power leading the way in employment opportunities. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that India accounted for a substantial portion of the 16.2 million jobs in the global renewable energy workforce. In particular, hydropower alone provided over 450,000 jobs, while solar energy employed approximately 318,600 people, a number that continues to grow.

As India’s renewable energy sector expands, so too does the potential for more green jobs. From construction and installation to operations and maintenance, the job opportunities created in this sector are helping to power not just the economy, but the livelihoods of millions of people across the country.

Leading the Charge: India’s Global Climate Commitment

India’s renewable energy achievements are a testament to its unwavering commitment to addressing the global climate crisis. Under the Paris Agreement, India has made bold promises to reduce its emissions and transition toward a low-carbon economy. By 2030, the country has committed to cutting its emissions intensity by 45% compared to 2005 levels, and to sourcing 50% of its cumulative power capacity from non-fossil sources.

These targets align with India’s long-term strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. The nation’s efforts are rooted in the principle of equity, recognizing that the fight against climate change must account for the differing capabilities and responsibilities of countries around the world.

India is not just a participant in the global effort to fight climate change—it is emerging as a leader. The country’s growing renewable energy sector is proving that it’s possible to combat climate change, secure energy independence, and create millions of green jobs in the process.

India’s Renewable Leaders

While India’s renewable energy revolution is a national effort, certain states have emerged as leaders in driving the country’s green energy push. Rajasthan, with its vast land and abundant sunlight, leads the way with 29.98 GW of installed renewable capacity. Gujarat follows closely with 29.52 GW, bolstered by the state’s aggressive solar and wind energy policies. Tamil Nadu, with its coastal wind corridors, contributes 23.7 GW, while Karnataka rounds out the top four with 22.37 GW.

These states are not just providing energy—they are setting the stage for India’s renewable energy future, serving as models for other regions to follow.

The Road Ahead: A Green Energy Future

As India celebrates the achievement of over 200 GW in renewable energy capacity, the country stands at the threshold of even greater accomplishments. With its eyes set firmly on the target of 500 GW by 2030, India is positioning itself not only as a leader in renewable energy but also as a key player in the global fight against climate change.

Government initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the PM-KUSUM(Prime Minister’s Scheme for Farmers’ Energy Security and Upliftment )scheme, and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program for solar photovoltaic modules are all part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its renewable energy capacity and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

India’s renewable energy journey is far from over—but the path ahead is clear. By continuing to invest in solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy, India is not just meeting its energy needs; it is setting an example for the rest of the world to follow.

In the fight against climate change, every gigawatt matters. And India is proving that, when it comes to renewable energy, the world can count on it to deliver.

The critical importance of early warning systems in disaster-prone regions took center stage at the “Early Warning to Early Action – A Multi-Hazard, Multi-Stakeholder Approach: Learning from Coastal Ecosystems” convening held in Odisha, India. Organized by Reliance Foundation and the United Nations India, the event marked the beginning of a series of global discussions aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response, particularly in the Global South.

This convening brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other nations across the Global South to share knowledge and explore innovative solutions for effective early warning systems (EWS). The event focused on Odisha’s leadership in disaster management, particularly in coastal areas, where the impact of extreme weather events is acutely felt. Experts from national disaster management agencies, the UN, academia, and NGOs participated in in-depth discussions on improving early warning and early action systems.

Suresh Pujari, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Odisha, underscored the state’s proactive role in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. He highlighted the need for better integration of disaster prediction and information analysis for more accurate early warnings, a call echoed by many throughout the convening. “Odisha is committed to further strengthening early warning systems, and we are excited to collaborate with the UN, Reliance Foundation, and other partners in advancing this cause,” Pujari said.

The convening served as a platform to showcase Odisha’s leadership and its successful implementation of early warning systems that have saved lives during cyclones, floods, and other extreme events. Reliance Foundation’s CEO, Jagannatha Kumar, emphasized the importance of impact-based forecasting to ensure that early warnings translate into actionable outcomes at the local level. “As climate change drives more frequent and severe natural events, our early warning systems must evolve to ensure they effectively reach and protect vulnerable communities,” he said.

One of the most pressing areas of discussion was the integration of socio-demographic data with meteorological information to enhance the precision and relevance of early warning messages. This multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder approach aims to future-proof disaster preparedness strategies by using technology, innovation, and local knowledge to create a more resilient disaster response system.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, highlighted the significance of the convening in the context of the UN Secretary-General’s call for “Early Warning for All” worldwide. He stressed that the knowledge and practices shared by Odisha’s disaster management experts are invaluable not just for India but for other countries in the Global South that face similar challenges. “The UN remains committed to strengthening early warning systems and building community resilience through collaboration with the Government of India, Reliance Foundation, and our civil society partners,” said  Sharp.

The Odisha convening is the first in a series of such events, designed to document best practices, foster innovation, and produce actionable policy outcomes that will save lives and livelihoods across disaster-prone regions. By bringing together global experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, the series aims to drive forward a more resilient and disaster-ready future for communities worldwide.

As the world continues to grapple with the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters, the convening’s discussions are a timely reminder of the importance of early warning and early action systems in reducing disaster risk and protecting vulnerable populations globally.

When we think of slow and steady, the image of a tortoise often comes to mind. But behind that unhurried gait lies a remarkable creature capable of defying time itself. The tortoise is among the longest-living animals on the planet. Their extraordinary lifespan has fascinated biologists and storytellers alike, leading us to wonder: how do these creatures live so long? Is it the giant tortoises of the Galápagos or the smaller, land-dwelling species that hold the key to longevity? Let’s take a deeper look.

A Life of Patience and Persistence

The tortoise’s slow walk is not just a quirky trait — it’s a life philosophy, ingrained in their very survival. These creatures are not in a race against time, they are its patient conquerors. Some species of tortoises can live well over a century, and in the case of the Giant Tortoise (known for its immense size), individuals have been documented living for more than 200 years. But why is it that these ancient reptiles live so long, while their cousins, the turtles, tend to have shorter lifespans?

In terms of lifespan, tortoises—especially the giant tortoises—lead the pack. A giant tortoise can outlive many other creatures, including their ocean-dwelling cousins, the turtles. While turtles generally live between 50 to 100 years, giant tortoises surpass this, sometimes even living beyond 150 years. In fact, Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living on Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic, holds the record as the world’s oldest living land animal at 189 years old. Jonathan, who was born in 1832, has outlived all of his peers, continuing to thrive on the island where he was discovered.

The Science Behind Their Longevity

The secret to the tortoise’s longevity lies deep within its biology. While there are several factors that contribute to their long lives, two of the most significant are evolutionary adaptations and cellular processes that are finely tuned to conserve energy and maintain health over decades.

From an evolutionary perspective, tortoises face fewer natural threats in their environment compared to faster, more vulnerable animals. For many species of tortoises, survival has been less about outpacing predators and more about outlasting them. Many tortoises lay multiple eggs, often many more than a single clutch, and they continue to reproduce over several decades. This “quality over quantity” approach to reproduction ensures that their genes continue to thrive, while their individual lifespans stretch out.

Moreover, tortoises tend to have slower metabolic rates compared to other animals. Their bodies conserve energy by keeping their metabolic processes at a steady, slow pace. This “slow burn” strategy is key to their extended lifespans. A slow metabolism means that fewer cellular processes are damaged by the wear and tear of daily life, which translates into fewer health issues in old age.

One of the most fascinating aspects of tortoise longevity is the role of their telomeres. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that prevent them from fraying and tangling. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten slightly. In most organisms, as the telomeres shorten, cells lose their ability to divide, eventually leading to aging. However, in tortoises, the telomeres wear down at an unusually slow rate, allowing their cells to divide without the usual detrimental effects seen in other animals. This slower rate of telomere shortening helps them avoid age-related diseases such as cancer and ensures that their cells remain healthier for longer.

Furthermore, some studies have revealed that tortoises are capable of a process called apoptosis—a form of programmed cell death—where damaged or dysfunctional cells are destroyed before they can cause harm. This controlled form of self-destruction in damaged cells helps prevent the formation of tumors and other age-related diseases, which is another reason for the tortoise’s impressive lifespan.

The Giants of the Tortoise World

When we talk about longevity in tortoises, we cannot overlook the giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands and the Seychelles. These remarkable creatures have not only captured our imagination but have also become living symbols of resilience and endurance.

The Galápagos Giant Tortoise, for instance, can live over 150 years, and some individuals have even outlived the scientists who studied them. They were once thought to be heading for extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have stabilized.

In India, a rare breed of tortoise known as the Aldabra Giant Tortoise has been known to live up to 255 years. This species, although not as well-known as the Galápagos counterparts, is another testament to the wonders of nature’s design.

Turtles, which are often found in aquatic environments, tend to live shorter lives, averaging about 30 to 50 years

But what about other, lesser-known giants? In Kasaragod, Kerala, India, a giant soft-shell turtle species was discovered in May 2021, which lives in freshwater, weighing over 100 kilograms! These giant creatures are living proof of the astonishing adaptability and longevity that nature has to offer.

The Mystery of Tortoises and Turtles

While all tortoises are technically land-dwelling creatures, there is an interesting distinction between tortoises and turtles. Turtles, which are often found in aquatic environments, tend to live shorter lives, averaging about 30 to 50 years. Tortoises, on the other hand, tend to have larger bodies, longer necks, and more robust shells. Their heavy, often plant-based diet plays a role in the additional years they add to their lifespan.

A surprising discovery made in the Seychelles in recent years has sent shockwaves through the scientific community: certain tortoises, once thought to be herbivorous, have been seen eating birds and other small animals. This has raised questions about the adaptability of tortoises in changing environments and has piqued the interest of researchers studying their survival strategies.

What Lies Ahead?

Despite all that we know about these extraordinary creatures, there is still much to discover. Researchers continue to study tortoises, particularly the giant species, to learn how their unique biological traits could benefit human medicine, particularly in the fight against aging and diseases like cancer. The discovery of their telomere dynamics, coupled with the ability to prevent cell damage through apoptosis, could one day revolutionize the way we approach longevity and healthcare.

For now, we can only marvel at the tortoise’s timeless existence, its slow, steady journey through the ages, and the lessons it teaches us about patience, resilience, and the secrets of life’s most enduring creatures.