Down To Earth

5 stars for saving electricity

RBI bags certificates for its energy efficient buildings

Energy fixing

Bureau of Energy Efficiency says it is likely to meet Plan target. Experts say claims far from truth

High risk

Problem: Tall buildings risky in high seismic zones; Status: Hill-stations are getting concretised and growing vertically; Challenge: Use local construction material; regulate traffic

Energy conservation is a moving target

A decade has passed since the Energy Conservation Act was enacted in 2001.

EU to certify buildings for energy efficiency from 2006

As per a new directive, the eu will certify buildings for energy efficiency from 2006 onwards. The European Climate Change Programme, established in 2000 to meet Kyoto Protocol targets, has identified the construction sector as providing the largest potential for carbon dioxide emission reduction.

Buildings already account for up to 40 per cent of the eu's energy consumption. And southern European countries are buying more air-conditioning units, further disturbing the energy balance.

Lies, Damn Lies and Endosulfan

KUSHAL P S YADAV blows the lid off dirty tactics adopted to give clean chit to endosulfan

Endosulfan Conspiracy

A link was established between the unusually high incidence of deformities and diseases in Padre â€' a village in Kerala’s Kasaragod district â€' and endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide.

BIS standards for drinking water

he BIS drinking water specification (IS 10500:1991), which is a voluntary standard, was drawn up in 1983. It was last revised 17 years ago. A revision initiated in 2003, is still in its draft stage.

Light on mercury

Regulations to check mercury pollution take backseat as Centre promotes fluorescent light

Coke in hot water

The Kerala High Court has ordered status quo to be maintained on the cancellation of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Limited's licence to operate its bottling plant at Plachimada in Kerala. The licence had been cancelled by the Perumatty gram panchayat in Palakkad district of Kerala, following complaints that the company was creating water scarcity in the area by overexploiting groundwater.