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INSIDE:
- CSE rating of the cement industry released
- Join the CSE waste & water researcher network
- Editorial: A new deal
- News: Government action taken report on pesticides
- News: Bureaucrats who hid information head Right To Information (RTI) commissions
- Reporter's diary: Hitting the jackpot
- Gobar times: Glaciers - The crystal ball for climate
- Books & Films
- Jobs: Marketing managers, copy editors & reporters

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Cement industry ratings released
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The results are out. CSE's rating of the cement industry challenges the conventional wisdom on this important industry. The cement sector is a darling of the stock market, the country's second-largest taxpayer and a forms a major part of GDP. The industry also poses many environmental challenges including mining, green house gas emissions and waste reuse. The rating shows how 41 companies, including the big names of the industry - Associated Cement Corporation, Gujarat Ambuja, Grasim Industries and Ultra-tech limited compare.

The green rating is based on a complete life-cycle analysis - from sourcing of raw materials to product disposal.

The top three companies are:
- Madras Cement Limited - Alathiyur Works
- Gujarat Ambuja Cements Limited - Gujarat
- JK Lakshmi Cement

Report card and more information:
http://www.cseindia.org/programme/industry/report_card.htm

From Down to Earth.
Read 'No Concrete Plan' the story with the inside scope on the rating:
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/cover.asp?foldername=20051231&filename=news&sid=60&sec_id=9

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Waste and water researcher network
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CSE needs volunteers to help document the use of water in Indian cities and the subsequent waste generated. We want to understand from where cities get their water; how much; who uses it; and where it finally ends up. We need your help - include your city in the project. It does not matter if your city is big or small. In the plains or in the mountains. The fact is that your city is using water. And it also generates waste. The riddle is, where does this waste go?

For more information:
R K Srinivasan: e-mail:rksri@cseindia.org
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org

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Editorial: A new deal
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Read this editorial online:

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More in Down To Earth magazine
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Show me the water
The Greater Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Project has a problem. In six years there won't be enough water. With the debate dominated by privatisation rhetoric, the plan has yet to answer many basic questions. Where will the water come from? How much will reach the consumer? What will happen to the sewage?

An in-depth analysis of this "model" water distribution plan:
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20051231&filename=anal&sec_id=7&sid=1

Action taken - pesticides remain
It's been almost two years since the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report that tried to get "freedom from pesticide residue" in beverages after found contamination in samples of Coke and Pepsi. The government has just released its action taken report on the committee' s recommendations - revealing only in-action

Read complete story:
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/Full6.asp?FolderName=20051231&FileNAme=news&sid=3&sec_id=4

Read CSE press release:
http://www.cseindia.org/aboutus/press_releases/press_20051208.htm

Employment Exchange - Right To Information Act
Read complete story:
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20051231&filename=news&sec_id=4&sid=4

Reporter's diary: Hitting the jackpot
Read complete story:
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20051231&filename=news&sec_id=50&sid=12

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Gobar Times: A down to earth supplement
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Moving mammoths
Glaciers are like giant barometers that reflect and record all changes in the earth's atmosphere. They tell us how the climate has changed in the past and how it might change again. The bad news is, if they are the "crystal balls" to read the future, they predict a horribly alarming scenario for Planet Earth. Why?

Read the complete article>>
http://www.gobartimes.org/20051231/gt_covfeature.htm

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CSE films and books
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A fresh look at water: A package of five CSE publications covers the theoretical and practical aspects of water policy, management and implementation in India.

"Making Water Everybody's Business" and "Dying Wisdom" analyse the technologies, traditions and policies of water management. The "Water Harvesters' Manual", "Wastewater Recycling Manual" and "Tanks of South India" give you all you need to practically implement urban water harvesting and wastewater management.

Order online at (secure gateway)
http://csestore.cse.org.in/store1.asp?sec_id=1&subsec_id=20

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The Rain Catcher
CSE's latest film is a clear and comprehensive resource guide. It answers all your questions about rainwater harvesting and documents successful case studies ranging from slums to sports stadiums. Covers policy dimensions, products, technologies and maintenance issues across India.

VCD & DVD. Region code free-PAL:
http://csestore.cse.org.in/store1.asp?sec_id=4&subsec_id=27

For questions contact>>
films@cseindia.org

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CSE is hiring!
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Business Development Manager. Preferably an MBA with an understanding of e-marketing and direct selling. Will lead a team selling information products - training programmes, publications and advertising space.

Only professionals with at least five years of experience need apply.

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Copy editors. Down to Earth, our a fortnightly news magazine requires resourceful individuals with excellent communication and rewriting skills, a basic understanding or willingness to deal with scientific issues. 5 years of experience working in a similar capacity in the publishing industry. Working under high pressure and meeting challenging deadlines will be the norm.

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Junior Researchers with experience of 1-2 yrs, to research and report on issues related to groundwater and community based water management. Requires extensive travel across the country.

To learn more about this and other opportunities at CSE>>
http://www.cseindia.org/joinus-index.htm

Email resume to: Jagdeep Gupta jgupta@cseindia.org

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Subscribe to Down To Earth magazine
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Tap into a tradition of fiercely independent environmental journalism. Pay for the print edition and get free access to the Web edition. Browse 10 years of research and exclusive features in our comprehensive online archive.

More Informations

E-mail: subscribe@downtoearth.org.in

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