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Punjab is the epicenter of stubble burning in India. Although the majority of residents are aware of the harmful effects of burning crop waste, it is still a widespread practice, with serious consequences for health, household expenditures and the environment. One of the most notable findings was that migrant agricultural workers, who stay in the region only during seed cultivation time, reported better health than the residents of the stubble burning areas. This suggests that exposure to stubble burning may play a significant role in deteriorating the health of the local population." Koustuv Dalal, project leader, senior health economist and professor of public health, at Mid Sweden University The report "Insights and Realism of Stubble Burning in India: Health Economics Analyses" results from a collaborative project between Mid Sweden University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar. The project, funded by the Swedish Research Council, has deepened the understanding of the social, economic, environmental and health consequences of stubble burning in Punjab, India. "Our research shows that stubble burning has far-reaching consequences for air quality and people's quality of life. We discovered that the health-related quality of life is so low in the region that the results indicate a need for extensive efforts to improve both health and the environment", says Professor Koustuv Dalal. The research studies, conducted in four districts of Punjab, measured emissions from stubble burning and analyzed its effects on water and soil quality. In addition, focus groups and interviews evaluated the residents' health, economy, awareness, and perception. The report states that stubble burning can be linked to a number of health problems, such as coughing, breathing problems, allergic reactions, cancers, and indigestion problems. Students report that they are affected in their daily activities, and infertility in the core areas of problem areas of the region has increased significantly. Related Stories Heart health benefits soar with regular sleep schedules, research finds Research links COVID-19 vaccines to temporary facial palsy in over 5,000 patients New research explores how antimicrobial exposure affects Parkinson’s disease risk In addition to the health effects, a majority of families report spending more than 10 per cent of their household expenditure on health care costs, underscoring very high financial burdens. "It is critical that policy makers and communities in Punjab adopt a holistic approach to preventing stubble burning. Our research points to the potential of alternative methods such as subsidized machinery, development of markets for straw as raw material and diversification of crops, especially Basmati rice production", says Professor Dalal. With the report, the researchers hope to help create community engagement and increase capacity to reduce the harmful effects of stubble burning in Punjab and other regions of India. "By combining technical solutions and society-driven awareness, one can take a step towards cleaner air and better health for future generations. The study has immense importance in the current scenario as the stubble burning is increasingly becoming a global problem igniting more greenhouse gases", concludes Professor Koustuv Dalal. Mid Sweden UniversityDefiant David Gray insists he won't walk away from Hibs as he declares 'the players are with me'Is Outlook down? Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issues
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ATLANTA (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become profitable. It's unclear whether the administration can complete the loan before Donald Trump becomes president again in less than two months, or whether the Trump administration might try to claw the money back. Trump previously vowed to end , which are worth up to $7,500 for new zero-emission vehicles and $4,000 for used ones. Rivian when it went public and began producing large electric R1 SUVs, pickup trucks and at a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois, in 2021. Months later, the California-based company announced it would build a second, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Atlanta, near the town of Social Circle. The R1 vehicles cost $70,000 or more. The company plans to produce R2 vehicles, a smaller SUV, in Georgia with lower price tags aimed at a mass market. The first phase of Rivian’s Georgia factory is projected to make 200,000 vehicles a year, with a second phase capable of another 200,000 a year. Eventually, the plant is projected to employ 7,500 workers. But Rivian was unable to meet production and sales targets and rapidly burned through cash. In March, the company said it would pause construction of the Georgia plant. The company said it would begin assembling its R2 SUV in Illinois instead. CEO RJ Scaringe said the move would allow Rivian to start selling the R2 sooner and save $2.25 billion in capital spending. Since then, German automaker Volkswagen AG said in June it would invest $5 billion in Rivian in a joint venture in which Rivian would share software and electrical technology with Volkswagen. The money eased Rivian's cash crunch. Tuesday's announcement throws a lifeline to Rivian's grander plans. The company said its plans to make the R2 and the smaller R3 in Georgia are back on and that production will begin in 2028. “This loan would enable Rivian to more aggressively scale our U.S. manufacturing footprint for our competitively priced R2 and R3 vehicles that emphasize both capability and affordability,” Scaringe said in a statement. The Energy Department said the loan would substantially boost electric vehicles made in the United States and support Biden’s goal of having zero-emission vehicles make up “As one of a few American EV startups with light duty vehicles already on the road, Rivian’s Georgia facility will allow the company to reach production volumes that make its products more cost competitive and accelerate access to international markets,” the department said in a statement. The loan includes $6 billion, plus $600 million in interest that will be rolled into the principal. The money would come from the Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to make fuel-efficient vehicles and components. The program has focused mostly on loans to new battery factories for electric vehicles under Biden, but earlier helped finance initial production of the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, two pioneering electric vehicles. The loan program, created in 2007, requires a "reasonable prospect of repayment" of the loan. Under Biden, the program has announced deals totaling $33.3 billion, including $9.2 billion for for Ford’s electric vehicles. Democratic , who has been a vocal supporter of electric vehicle and solar manufacturing in Georgia, hailed Tuesday's announcement as “yet another historic federal investment in Georgia electric vehicle manufacturing.” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to support the loan in July. “Our federal manufacturing incentives are driving economic development across the state of Georgia,” Ossoff said in a statement. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is to make Georgia a center of the electric vehicle industry. But the Republican has had a strained relationship with the Biden administration over its industrial policy, even as some studies have found Georgia has netted more electric vehicle investment than any other state. Kemp has long claimed that manufacturers were picking Georgia before Biden's the Inflation Reduction Act, was passed. Efforts to bring Rivian to Georgia predated the Biden administration and "our shared vision to bring opportunity to Georgia will remain no matter who resides in the White House or what party controls Congress,” Kemp spokesperson Garrison Douglas said Tuesday. The loan to Rivian could rescue one of the Kemp administration's signature economic development projects even as Biden leaves office. That could put Rivian and Kemp in the position of defending the loan if Trump tries to quash it. State and local governments offered Rivian an incentive package in 2022. of the Georgia site mounted legal challenges. State and local governments spent around $125 million to buy and prepare the nearly 2,000-acre (810-hectare) site. The state also has completed most of $50 million in roadwork that it pledged. The pause at Rivian contrasts with rapid construction at Hyundai Motor Group’s and battery complex near Savannah. The Korean automaker said in October in Ellabell, where it plans to eventually employ 8,500. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this story.