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From Bonn to Belém, global climate talks inch forward amid deep divides

“There were fears that including trade measures in the JTWP discussion would overtake all other discussions on just transition. Luckily, a draft text was produced with other elements championed by civil society, and this will be negotiated at Belém,” says Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager of the Climate Change Programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-profit organisation based in New Delhi. The annual two-week Bonn Climate Change Conference concluded on June 26 with some progress but also exposed the deep divisions between parties at a time when the impacts of global warming are intensifying. The mid-year meeting, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is meant to address the technical and scientific aspects of climate negotiations and shape the agenda for the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. The meeting was delayed by nearly two days due to disagreements over the agenda, as developing countries demanded formal discussions on the climate finance obligations of developed countries and the impacts of unilateral trade measures such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The familiar divide among parties, particularly around finance and ambition for emissions reduction, continued and affected progress on several other agenda items. Despite this, Bonn witnessed substantial progress on items such as the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Just Transition Work Programme. The 2025 meeting was held in the shadow of the last-minute climate finance agreement pushed through by the Azerbaijan presidency at COP29 in Baku last year that left many parties frustrated – a sentiment that carried over to the Bonn conference. On June 24, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) expressed its frustration, saying, “Climate change and its devastating impacts are accelerating, why are we not acting at least at equal pace?” At the close of the session, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group echoed similar frustration over attacks on science stating, “It is alarming that the reflection of scientific fact is being challenged. That the mere mentioning of 1.5°C seems to be a red flag is an extremely concerning development.” The group noted that current efforts are off track and called for more ambitious mitigation goals. The mood was summed up during the closing plenary when U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said, “We have a lot more to do before we meet again in Belém (COP30). There is so much more work to do to keep 1.5 alive, as science demands.” Progress on just transition and adaptation The Bonn climate change conference, SB62, saw progress on two key negotiation items: the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). For the first time, negotiators produced a draft decision and an informal note on the JTWP, which will be further discussed at COP30 in Belém. The note outlines possible approaches to financing, capacity building, and technology transfer to support developing countries in implementing just transition strategies. It also encourages countries to integrate just transition considerations into their national climate plans, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and long-term low-emissions development strategies (LT-LEDS). This marks an initial step toward embedding social equity and labour issues within the core planning frameworks of the Paris Agreement, says Jonas Kuehl, a policy advisor at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), an independent think tank. The JTWP text connects climate finance to the broader social and economic aspects of just transition. It includes references to human rights, gender equality, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable groups. These references broaden the scope of climate finance and indicate that resources must also support social protection, reskilling, and inclusive planning, not only infrastructure, emission reductions, and adaptation, says Kuehl. The latest JTWP document also includes language on unilateral trade measures. Developing countries have pushed for discussionS on such measures, which they have said are imposed in the name of climate action. They argue that these policies limit their ability to respond effectively to climate change. Developed countries, however, argue that such issues should be addressed in trade forums such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Experts view the inclusion of trade measures in JTWP as a positive development, but caution that it should not overshadow other critical aspects of just transition. “There were fears that including trade measures in the JTWP discussion would overtake all other discussions on just transition. Luckily, a draft text was produced with other elements championed by civil society, and this will be negotiated at Belém,” says Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager of the Climate Change Programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-profit organisation based in New Delhi.

Curbs in place, but capital still struggles to end single-use plastic items

July 3 is International Plastic Bag Free Day. However, across Delhi, single-use plastic (SUP) bags, including those prohibited since 2018, are being used by shopkeepers and customers. Disposable cutlery and drinking straws made of plastic have also resurfaced in the marketplace. Despite restrictions imposed three years ago in July on single-use plastic, plastic items, particularly low-quality polythene bags below 50-micron thickness banned in 2018, continue to be extensively used without consequences. While several initiatives were undertaken to encourage the use of alternative materials, the ban continued to be ineffective. Delhi Pollution Control Committee officials remained unresponsive to queries about the confiscation of illegal plastics and polybags, and even a Right to Information application failed to obtain official statistics. "In May, information was sought through DPCC on illegal plastic seized, FIR filed, areas inspected, etc. A few days ago, the reply we received said that ‘no such information is available with them'," said Amit Gupta, a Delhi-based environment and RTI activist. "It shows that agencies are not serious," he emphasised. In a similar RTI filed by an activist in July 2024, DPCC replied that a compensation of Rs 16.4 lakh was collected over the past three years. However, that reply, too, failed to share details of cases registered against storing, selling or manufacturing banned plastic. In Feb this year, an order by National Green Tribunal pointed out that 35 industrial units in Bawana and Narela industrial areas were found manufacturing single-use plastic items and were later closed. Independent analysts have some numbers to share. According to Plannex Recycling, an organisation that deals with waste management and recycling, the city generates approximately 1,113 tonnes of plastic waste daily, with about 871 tonnes processed or recycled, leaving around 242 tonnes unprocessed every day. "This unprocessed waste contributes to environmental issues, including pollution of the Yamuna and clogging of drainage systems. Specifically, single-use plastic constitutes a significant portion of this waste," said CEO Yuvraj Bhardwaj. "In 2023, Delhi's SUP waste was estimated at 1,117 tonnes per day, projected to rise to 1,158 tonnes per day by 2026. Despite efforts to manage this through waste-to-energy plants and recycling, about 20% of plastic waste still ends up in landfills," he added. According to a report by Centre for Science and Environment, plastic bags are the most common type of SUP used for shopping and carrying groceries and other items. Experts cite various reasons for the ban violation. "More than 120 countries across the globe have banned some kind of single-use plastic. However, most of the countries are struggling with implementing these bans due to the inconsistencies in the national and regional laws," said Siddharth Ghanshyam Singh, programme manager at CSE. "A global ban on the most problematic single-use plastic items, such as carry bags, will help in improved implementation, cost savings for local and national govts, and take us a step closer to a single-use plastic-free planet," he added. Singh pointed out that a report by Earth Action indicated that bans and phase-outs on the most problematic plastic products could result in a net saving of $8 trillion between 2025 and 2040 for govts of 73 countries responsible for 90% of the total plastic consumption, including India. "A ban is not a ban unless it is enforced in both letter and spirit. The continued presence of banned single-use plastic bags in markets across India is not just a policy failure; it is an environmental and legal breach," said environment activist Bhavreen Kandhari. "Despite clear prohibitions under the Plastic Waste Management Rules and repeated complaints from citizen groups such as Warrior Moms to pollution control boards nationwide, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent." Meanwhile, local market representatives cite the lack of cheaper alternatives as the major reason. "No reliable and cheap substitute has been provided by govt. Thus, packaging for most of the goods continues with plastic materials. It creates a mess, no doubt, especially due to poor redressal and mass use by street vendors, but they use it because it's openly available. Go to Sadar market; it's full of vendors and manufacturers," said Nitin Gupta from Kamla Nagar Trader Association.

बेहतर पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट के बिना अधूरा है समाधानः एक्सपर्ट्स

एक्सपर्ट के अनुसार उम्र पूरी कर चुकी गाड़ियों की जो संख्या बताई जा रही है, उस पर संदेह है। इसलिए इस कदम का प्रदूषण पर कुछ व्यापक असर पड़ेगा, ऐसा नहीं लग रहा है। CSE ( सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट ) की डीजी सुनीता नारायण के अनुसार सबसे बड़ा सवाल तो यही है कि नियमों के बावजूद यह गाड़ियां अभी तक चल कैसे रही हैं? दूसरा पहले दिन कम गाड़ियां पकड़ी गई है। ऐसा लग नहीं रहा है कि इतनी अधिक गाड़ियां अपनी उम्र पूरी करने के बाद सड़कों पर चल रही है। दूसरा यह कि यह गाड़ियां अगर चल भी रही है तो इनका इस्तेमाल कौन कर रहा है? क्या उनके पास यह विकल्प है कि वह नई गाड़ियां खरीद सकें ? क्या राजधानी के पास इन लोगों को पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट देने का विकल्प है? उम्र पूरी कर चुकी गाड़ियों का प्रयोग कम कर रहे लोग एनवायरोकैटलिस्ट (Envirocatalyst) के फाउंडर और लीड एनालिस्ट सुनील दहिया ने कहा कि सीएनजी के समय भी पुरानी गाड़ियों को किट लगाने की छूट दी गई। लेकिन उसका इतना लाभ नहीं मिला। इस समय भी इस दायरे में आने वाली गाड़ियों की संख्या उतनी नहीं है जितना अनुमान लगाया जा रहा है। इसलिए इससे प्रदूषण पर खास असर नहीं पड़ेगा। इंटरनैशनल काउंसिल ऑन क्लीन ट्रांसपोर्टेशन के मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर अमित भट्ट ने बताया कि उम्र पूरी कर चुकी गाड़ियों का इस्तेमाल लोग काफी कम कर रहे हैं। ज्यादातर गाड़ियां एक ही जगह पर पार्क है।

Used Cars In Delhi Now Available For Throwaway Prices: Mercedes-Benz Available For Just Rs 2 Lakh

This policy has sparked widespread debate among citizens who feel penalised despite responsible ownership practices, amidst rising costs associated with purchasing newer models within similar segments today. Meanwhile, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reports that vehicles contribute over half of Delhi's local emissions. Posters at Delhi fuel stations now declare, "Fuel will not be dispensed to 'end of life' vehicles." This is part of the Delhi government's strategy to combat air pollution by banning fuel for older vehicles. Petrol vehicles over 15 years and diesel ones over 10 years are affected. As a result of this, used cars in Delhi are now available for throw-away prices. To make the full use of this opportunity, used car dealers across the country are flocking in to buy these 'end of life' used cars at cheap rates and resell them with sizeable profit in other states. Read more at: https://www.drivespark.com/four-wheelers/2025/used-cars-in-delhi-available-at-cheap-rates-fuel-ban-public-concern-user-plight-politics-072929.html

Delhi HC issues notice on petrol pump owners' plea against fuel ban on overage vehicles

The crackdown follows the alarming ndings by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), whose November 2024 analysis found that vehicles contribute 51 per cent of pollution from all local emission sources in Delhi -- making them the single largest source of air pollution in the city The Delhi High Court has agreed to examine a plea challenging the city government’s policy to penalise and prosecute the petrol pump owners if they refuel ‘end-of-life’ (EoL) vehicles -- petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. A bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice and sought responses from the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on the plea led by the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association. petrol pump owners and their attendants with an additional responsibility of implementing Motor Vehicles Act -- without them being necessarily equipped or authorised under the law to carry out such a responsibility. The plea will likely be heard next on September 8. To reduce emissions and improve air quality in the national capital, which frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, the Delhi government has begun enforcing strict new rules on EoL vehicles. According to directives issued by the CAQM, all petrol pumps across the National Capital Territory (NCT) will deny fuel to old vehicles identied through AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. AI-enabled cameras installed at petrol stations will automatically identify outdated vehicles using number plate data. Once recognised, these vehicles will be agged in the system to prevent fuel issuance. The crackdown follows the alarming ndings by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), whose November 2024 analysis found that vehicles contribute 51 per cent of pollution from all local emission sources in Delhi -- making them the single largest source of air pollution in the city

India Can’t End Coal Yet, But Must Clean Up Its Power Sector: CSE Report

India’s electricity demand is rising fast, and coal is still the main source of power. But coal-based thermal power plants are also the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the country. A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says the country should not focus on ending coal use, but on making coal power cleaner. Coal Still Fuels Country “Electricity generation is responsible for 39 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in India, and coal-based thermal power plants play a major role in this,” said Sunita Narain, director general of CSE. “It is not possible to completely stop coal in a country like India, but it can be decarbonised, that is, made carbon emission-free.” CSE released the report, titled Decarbonising the Coal-based Thermal Power Sector in India, during a Round Table discussion attended by senior officials, industry leaders, and researchers. The report says it is not practical to move away from coal completely. Instead, India should reduce emissions from coal in a planned and targeted way. Narain pointed out that India has achieved 46.3 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources like solar and wind. But power from these sources still forms only about 12 per cent of actual electricity generation, because it is not consistent or reliable. “It is for this reason that strong and strategic measures for emission reduction from coal-based power plants would be critical to reducing overall emissions from the sector,” she said. Cutting Emissions Without Cutting Coal The CSE report warns that if current trends continue, emissions from the coal-based thermal power sector could increase from 1,076.7 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 1,332.7 million tonnes by 2031-32. If coal continues to provide around 73 to 75 per cent of electricity, emissions could go as high as 1,838 million tonnes by 2031-32. The Round Table included officials from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), GRID India, NTPC, Tata Power, Adani Power, civil society groups, and researchers. They discussed the challenges and possible solutions for reducing emissions from coal power plants. Ashok Lavasa, former environment and finance secretary, said the focus has changed. “The conversation has shifted from eliminating coal to focusing on just transition. Over the past 30–40 years, the climate discourse has shown the limits of a one-dimensional energy view and highlighted the need for energy security.” Ramesh Veeravalli, a technical member of CERC, said research is needed for better technology. “Research on full and cost-effective carbon capture, utilisation and storage is a critical lever for decarbonising the sector.” Rajiv Porwal, director of system operations at GRID India, stressed flexibility and cost. “We need grid flexibility to decarbonise the coal sector. Until affordable large-scale storage is available, thermal plants must stay flexible. For now, the focus should be on least-cost solutions.” The CSE report looked at the performance of power plants based on their technology and carbon emissions. The findings were surprising. Eight coal plants that are over 25 years old are among the top-performing units. In contrast, 49 plants that are less than 20 years old are among the worst-performing. The study also found that 95 sub-critical units under 25 years of age are working at lower efficiency than the national average. The report also found that super- and ultra-supercritical plants, which are more efficient, are underused. In 2022-23, 14 out of 72 supercritical units and 8 out of 20 ultra-supercritical units operated at less than 50 per cent capacity. Sub-critical plants, which are less efficient, had the highest average plant load factor at 68 per cent. Supercritical plants had 62 per cent, and ultra-supercritical only 54 per cent. This shows that newer, more efficient technologies are not being used to their full potential. What Can Be Done? CSE suggests three main steps to reduce emissions by 2031-32. First, improve the efficiency of the existing power plants. Second, increase power generation from super- and ultra-supercritical units. Third, co-fire coal with biomass—mixing up to 20 per cent biomass in the fuel. Parth Kumar, programme manager for industrial pollution at CSE, said, “All of this together could bring down the emissions to 900 million tonnes by 2031-32, which is a 32.4 per cent reduction from the business-as-usual scenario.” He added, “The quantum of this reduction would be higher than the combined emissions of the iron and steel and cement sector in India.” CSE also recommends changes in how the power sector works. These include linking emission performance to how power is dispatched, revising power purchase agreements, using the coal tax (cess) for cleaner technology, and improving electricity demand forecasting. Nivit K Yadav, programme director for industrial pollution at CSE, said even young power plants that perform poorly should be included under renovation and modernisation schemes. “Many units, even after using domestic coal with sub-critical technology, rank among the best-performing ones in the country. This points to the possibility of achieving low emissions even with plants that are older and use domestic coal,” he said. The report makes it clear that coal will remain part of India’s energy system for the near future. But some steps can be taken now to make it cleaner and reduce its impact on the environment. The message is simple: Don’t end coal, fix it.

Decarbonising the coal-based thermal power sector in India can lead to over 30 per cent reduction in GHG emissions: CSE

“Electricity generation accounts for 39 per cent of India’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) are a major contributor. But in a country like India, the focus cannot be on “ending” coal, but on decarbonising it”: said Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). She was speaking at a Round Table meeting where CSE released its new report, Decarbonising the Coal-based Thermal Power Sector in India . Though India has increased its non-fossil electricity capacity from a negligible base to nearly 46.3 per cent of its total installed capacity by March 2025, the generation and supply of electricity from renewables (solar and wind) remains intermittent and limited to a share of around 12 per cent. “It is for this reason that strong and strategic measures for emission reduction from coal-based power plants would be critical to reduce overall emissions from the sector,” said Narain. The CSE Round Table brought together all the major stakeholders including Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), GRID India, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Tata Power, Adani Power etc with think tanks, civil society and academia to discuss the pathways for decarbonising thermal power plants in India and the associated issues and challenges. Besides Narain, the other key experts and stakeholders who addressed the participants were Ashok Lavasa , former secretary of the Union ministries of Finance and Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ramesh B Veeravalli , member (technical), CERC; Ajay Sharma , executive director (engineering), NTPC; and Rajiv K Porwal , director (system operations), GRID India. Based on the projections of the National Electricity Plan, the CSE report estimates that in a business-as-usual scenario, emissions from the TPP sector would go up to 1,332.7 million tonne (MT) by 2031-32 from 1,076.7 MT in 2022-23. Considering the share of coal power not going down as expected in recent years, the study also projects a scenario that if coal share continues to remain between 73 to 75 per cent, the emissions could go as high as 1,838 MT. Speaking at the meeting, Ashok Lavasa said: “The conversation has shifted from eliminating coal to focusing on just transition. Over the part 30-40 years, the climate discourse has shown the limits of a one-dimensional energy view and highlighted the need for energy security.” According to Ramesh Veeravalli, “research on full and cost-effective carbon capture, utilisation and storage is a critical lever for decarbonising the sector”. Rajiv Porwal made a case for flexibility and low-cost solutions: “We need grid flexibility to decarbonise the coal sector. Until affordable large-scale storage is available, thermal plants must stay flexible. For now, the focus should be on least-cost solutions.” The CSE study has benchmarked the power generating fleet technology-wise, based on its CO 2 emission intensity. Some interesting findings: Eight older units above 25 years of age were among the top performing units 49 units below the age of 20 years were among the least performing 95 sub-critical units below 25 years of age operate below the national average efficiency of the sub-critical fleet. The study has also highlighted the under-utilisation of super and ultra-super critical plants with 14 out of 72 super critical and eight out of 20 ultra-super critical units operating under 50 per cent plant load factor as of 2022-23. In terms of overall average PLF among the three technologies, the sub-critical fleet has the highest average PLF (plant load factor) of 68 per cent, compared to 62 per cent in the case of super critical and 54 per cent for ultra-super critical fleets — which are the reverse of their efficiency orders. The CSE report suggests three major technological levers for decarbonising the sector by 2031-32: Improving the efficiency of the existing fleet to benchmark levels Increased generation from super and ultra-super critical plants Accelerating biomass co-firing to 20 per cent. According to Parth Kumar, programme manager, industrial pollution, CSE: “All of this together could bring down the emissions to 900 MT by 2031-32 — which is a 32.4 per cent reduction from the business-as-usual scenario.” Adds Kumar: “The quantum of this reduction would be higher than the combined emissions of the iron and steel and cement sector in India.” The report recommends systemic changes to current mechanisms such as, considering emission parameters for merit order dispatch, revisiting the structure of power purchase agreements, re-purposing coal cess for decarbonisation and strengthening electricity demand forecasting in India. Says Nivit K Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution CSE: “We also recommend that non-performing younger plants should be included under the renovation and modernisation policy. Many units, even after using domestic coal with sub-critical technology, rank among the best performing ones in the country. This points to the possibility of achieving low emissions even with plants that are older and use domestic coal.”

More than 100 illegal waste sites flagged in Haryana Aravallis, citizens demand ‘No-Go-Area’ designation

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had tested samples of the solid waste from the Bandhwari landfill dumped in one of the Aravalli forest areas near the landfill and found a high concentration of pathogens and toxic metals.” Demanding the declaration of ‘No-Go-Area’ zones for waste dumping, burning and landfills, over 100 geo-tagged locations across five districts of Haryana, Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari and Charkhi Dadri, have been highlighted in the second part of the State of the Haryana Aravallis: Citizens’ Report. The Aravalli mountain range, estimated to be over two billion years old, is under serious threat due to rampant violations, according to the report submitted by the ‘People for Aravallis’ group to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Neelam Ahluwalia, Founder Member of People for Aravallis, said the report underscores how illegal industrial waste burning continues in several villages despite a blanket ban imposed by the Nuh Deputy Commissioner in early May this year on open waste burning within the ecologically fragile Aravalli region. “The report highlights how, in direct violation of the blanket ban imposed by Nuh Deputy Commissioner in early May this year on open waste burning within the ecologically fragile Aravalli region, alleged illegal industrial waste burning continues in Khori Khurd, Khori Kalan, Sonari, Gurnawat, Rangala, Naharpur, Sewka and other villages in Tauru, which is resulting in severe air, soil and groundwater pollution,” she said. “It also throws light on the pollution being caused in the eco-sensitive Aravalli region as a result of the infamous Bandhwari landfill and a landfill site near ITI Colony on the old Sohna-Alwar road, where mixed waste is being dumped daily. Regular fires at both landfill sites in the Gurugram Aravallis emit dangerous toxins, as organic waste, e-waste, plastic, chemicals and hazardous waste are all burnt together, adding to Delhi-NCR’s and Haryana’s air pollution, heat index and climate sensitivity,” she claimed. ADVERTISEMENT She further said, “The report also highlights how, over the last few years, hazardous solid waste from the Bandhwari landfill and other kinds of waste have been dumped in mining quarries and forest areas across many locations in the Gurugram and Faridabad Aravallis, contaminating the soil, surface and groundwater in NCR’s lifeline for clean air, water recharge and wildlife habitat. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had tested samples of the solid waste from the Bandhwari landfill dumped in one of the Aravalli forest areas near the landfill and found a high concentration of pathogens and toxic metals.” “Dumped waste lying in 100-plus locations across five districts of the state where the Aravalli range runs, as mentioned in the report, must be removed from these eco-sensitive areas immediately and disposed of in a responsible manner. It is critical to establish a mechanism for strict monitoring and accountability, which is completely lacking at this point, in order to bring any positive change to the current extremely dismal health of the Aravallis,” she said. Neelam added, “We urge the government to constitute Aravalli Protection Task Force Committees in all the Aravalli districts, headed by the DC of each district under the supervision of the Chief Secretary. Strict accountability with severe consequences is a must to ensure that government officials do their job without neglect and in a proactive manner to safeguard the Aravallis, so that our cattle, wildlife and people in the Aravalli districts in Haryana can live with dignity, without gasping for breath, drinking toxic water and being sick.”

Microplastic Crisis: Plastic You Throw Away Is Now In Your Heart, Brain And Baby’s Milk

Using sediment samples from Delhi's Yamuna River, a recent Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study reported the highest concentration of microplastics of all surveyed locations, at 800 microplastic particles per kilogram. We live in a plastic world; this is not just social commentary, but an alarming biological truth. From that steaming chai you are drinking from a takeaway cup to the “fresh” vegetables wrapped in cling film, there is an unwanted trespasser in our food, our water, and yes, our bloodstream. Microplastics are tiny, dangerous hitchhikers in the packaging of modern living. What Are Microplastics, Anyway? Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres, essentially the glitter of pollution, with less glam and far more fatal flaws. They come as either primary (like the microbeads put into face scrubs) or secondary microplastics (which are formed when larger pieces of plastic decay, like your old flip flops). They are made from common polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE)—the same stuff that makes plastic bags, bottles, disposable utensils and almost every other convenience object that we don't think twice about. From Yamuna to Your Dinner Plate Using sediment samples from Delhi's Yamuna River, a recent Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study reported the highest concentration of microplastics of all surveyed locations, at 800 microplastic particles per kilogram. That’s not just an environmental warning bell; it’s a blaring siren for public health. These particles are not content to just float around. They embed. In the riverbed. In fish. In crops. And finally, in you. The Beer Bottle Problem (Yes, Even Glass Ones) Think you’re being fancy sipping from a glass bottle? Think again. A French study recently revealed that drinks like beer, soda, and lemonade in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles or cans, up to 100 particles per litre. Why? Because of the paint on the caps and microscopic friction. Basically, your glass bottle is shedding microdandruff into your drink every time you twist it open. Water fared slightly better, with sparkling variants showing lower contamination. But still, not zero. Ticking Cardiovascular Time Bomb? Microplastics aren’t just stomach-churning, they may be heart-breaking. Literally. The WHO pegs cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as India’s top killer, responsible for 27% of total deaths in 2016. While stress and lifestyle factors are well-documented villains, scientists are now investigating whether these tiny plastic particles are playing a more insidious role in clogging your arteries. Studies show microplastics can be found in human arteries, brain, liver, lungs, heart, and even the placenta. They cause oxidative stress and inflammation, key ingredients for developing atherosclerosis, where your arteries turn into traffic-jammed plastic highways. Microplastics have even been found in human semen and mothers’ milk. Think about that. In one 2024 study, people with microplastics in their carotid arteries were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die from any cause within three years as those without. Let that statistic sink in (if your bloodstream isn’t already too clogged). What doctors have to say: Dr Tarun Kumar, Interventional cardiologist, Associate director of Medanta Medicity, told ETV Bharat, “Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 millimetres, and they originate from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include cosmetics, while secondary sources result from the degradation of larger plastic materials. These particles are extremely harmful to the human body, primarily because they trigger oxidative stress and inflammation. When oxidative stress and inflammation persist, they can increase the risk of serious health issues such as heart attacks, skin cancer, respiratory diseases like asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer, and skin irritation, including redness. In pregnant women, microplastics can disrupt endocrine function, potentially leading to miscarriages and other complications. Even before causing major illnesses, microplastics can present early warning signs such as fatigue, skin redness, irritation, gastric bloating, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Over time, they can lead to heart disease and even cancer. He added, “As for detoxifying the body, the first and foremost step is to reduce plastic use in daily life, especially in our diet. Avoid heating food in plastic containers, refrain from using plastic for food storage, and try not to eat from plastic-wrapped or packaged items. Even glass containers can sometimes be contaminated with microplastic particles, so be cautious. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical. This includes avoiding canned and processed foods, increasing your intake of natural fibre, especially from chia seeds, flaxseeds, and psyllium husk, and consuming plenty of antioxidants through fruits and vegetables. Hydration is equally important, as liver health plays a key role in detoxification. Emerging research also suggests that infrared saunas may help eliminate microplastics through sweat. Other advanced techniques, like blood filtration, are being explored but are not yet widely available. Until then, adopting a clean, fibre-rich, antioxidant-loaded diet is our best defence to maintain a healthy body and minimise the toxic effects of microplastics.” Dr. Krishan Rajbhar, Senior Consultant, Allergy Specialist, Delhi, “The burning issue today is microplastics, which have made their way from rivers into our bodies—even into mother’s milk. This has largely happened due to our careless and excessive use of plastic in daily life. Multiple studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in human breast milk, raising serious concerns about early-life exposure. While plastics are widely used because they are cheap and easily available, their devastating long-term effects are often overlooked. He added, "When we heat food in plastic containers or wrap hot food in plastic, harmful chemicals leach into the food and subsequently enter our bodies. Over time, these microplastics can accumulate in organs like the liver, nervous tissue, and may impair brain function or cognitive development. Alarmingly, recent research has also detected microplastics in semen samples, indicating potential links to declining fertility. Studies have further revealed that pre-term infants have nearly double the amount of microplastics per gram of body weight compared to full-term babies, highlighting a serious reproductive and developmental risk. I strongly urge the public to use plastic judiciously, or ideally, eliminate it from daily use. Plastics are not just polluting our environment, they are contaminating us as human beings.” India’s Research Gap, and the Urgent Need to Fill It Despite the global alarm, India has not yet conducted definitive studies on microplastic cardiotoxicity in humans. Without large cohort studies accounting for local exposure levels, diet, pollution, and lifestyle factors, the exact health burden remains speculative. But let’s be clear: lack of data doesn’t mean lack of danger. As Vikrant Tongad, an environmental conservationist, told ETV Bharat, “This disturbing evidence of microplastics in the Yamuna is yet another reminder of how deeply our pollution crisis has penetrated, not just into our rivers, but into our bodies.” Your Ketchup Packet Is Plotting Against You Micro- and nanoplastics are not picky eaters; they’re everywhere. Recent studies found them in beer, canned fish, rice, tea bags, salt, take-out containers, and even deli meats. Repeated washing, exposure to sunlight, and even opening and closing plastic bottles shed these particles into the contents. In one study, washing a melamine bowl 100 times led to a significant release of microplastics. And every time you tear open that juice box or uncap that bottle of soda, you’re contributing to the spread. Toxic Toppings: The Chemicals You Didn’t Order It’s not just the plastics themselves; over 3,600 chemicals leach into food during processing, packaging, and storage. Of these, 79 are known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and genetic mutations. That innocent-looking cling wrap is now starting to feel like biohazard tape. David Andrews from the Environmental Working Group said, “This study should raise alarm bells. What’s less clear, and deeply concerning, is just how significant food packaging is as a source of exposure.” Yamuna’s Microplastic Crisis: The Local Face of a Global Catastrophe Rajesh Paul, another environmentalist, says, “The presence of 800 microplastic particles per kilogram in Yamuna's sediment is not just an environmental red flag, it’s a public health emergency.” Manu Singh warns of deeper implications, “Microplastics in human tissues, including breast milk, suggest endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, and immunotoxicity. Yet India has no formal regulatory thresholds. That’s a dangerous gap.” Nature’s Detox: How Okra and Fenugreek Might Save Us Hope grows in curious places. Like your sabziwala’s cart. Scientists have found that sticky plant extracts from okra and fenugreek can remove up to 90% of microplastics from polluted water. Rajani Srinivasan and her team dried these extracts into powders and found they outperform synthetic polymers like polyacrylamide. In real-world tests from Texas water bodies: Okra worked best in the ocean water Fenugreek excels in groundwater A 1:1 mix performed best in freshwater “Utilising these plant-based extracts in water treatment will remove microplastics and other pollutants without introducing additional toxic substances,” says Srinivasan. Let that sink in: the same slime that thickens your bhindi sabzi could clean your drinking water. What Can You Do (Apart from Panicking)? While you can’t entirely plastic-proof your life, here are some damage-control steps: Carry reusable cloth bags Switch to stainless steel or glass bottles Say no to single-use plastic cutlery Don’t microwave food in plastic containers Read food labels for packaging info Also, yell at your local representative. Seriously. As Deeney, an environmental expert, puts it, “We need systemic action to reduce plastics production and pollution. Individual efforts alone won’t solve this.” Treaty on the Table This August, at the INC-5.2 summit in Geneva, the treaty drafting committee is expected to finalise the world’s first Global Plastic Treaty. More than 175 nations will be discussing a legally binding instrument to combat global plastic pollution. Meanwhile, India itself foresaw the imminent plastic pollution crisis and has enacted a ban on single-use plastics since 2022 (while promoting the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle), yet the widespread adoption of these plastic reduction techniques remains inconsistent, and consumers are often oblivious to it. According to S. N. Mishra, Professor at TERI SAS, “The Yamuna is a flowing sewerage nowadays. Fish mistake microplastics for food, and microplastics end up in our bodies. This causes hormonal disruption, inflammation, and possibly cancer.” While there are necessary systemic interventions, individuals can contribute by: Avoid heating food in plastic food containers Restricting the amount of ultraprocessed packaged foods they consume Using metal or ceramic containers Supporting environmentally conscious brands Joining together with citizen groups and/or NGOs to advocate for progressive policies like expectations for brands, or increased emphasis on systematic plastic reduction. Microplastic contamination is not a potential future issue; it is a current historical health crisis that is ongoing. As the production of plastic dramatically increases, the burden on our bodies and ecosystems increases proportionally. We can no longer view plastic pollution as primarily a waste management issue; instead, we need to treat this emergent concern as the public health disaster that it is. ViKrant Tongad reminds us of the seriousness of the crisis: “We are already in the crisis. The time to act was yesterday." Dr Rajat Sharma, RDA President, GTB Hospital, said, "Researchers have found traces of microplastic in human blood with possible routes of entry through ingestion and inhalation. It has also been found in drinking water and food items. Vehicular tyre abrasion is one of the leading causes of inhalation of microplastics. Researchers have speculated disturbances in reproductive health, endocrinal imbalances, and carcinogenicity by a variety of plastic materials like phthalates, Bisphenol-A (BPA) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).” Meet Ghonia pulmonologist. Microplastics are increasingly being recognised as a potential health hazard. Once inhaled or ingested, these particles can lodge in tissues, especially the lungs, and trigger chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation. Emerging evidence suggests a link between long-term microplastic exposure and lung fibrosis, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer, though large-scale human studies are still ongoing. Inhaled microplastics, in particular, may act similarly to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), known to increase heart attack risk and respiratory illnesses. Currently, there are no specific symptoms unique to microplastic exposure. However, persistent cough, breathlessness, unexplained fatigue, allergic-type respiratory symptoms, or worsening of pre-existing lung conditions (like asthma or COPD) could be early indicators, especially in individuals with high occupational or environmental exposure." He added, "Systemic symptoms such as gut disturbances or inflammatory markers may also appear due to ingestion-related exposure. Recent studies have detected microplastics in placentas, amniotic fluid, and breast milk, raising concerns about maternal-fetal transfer. Animal studies and early human data suggest these particles may interfere with hormonal signalling, impact embryo implantation, and alter immune development in newborns. Long-term effects on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and childhood development are areas of active investigation, but the early findings are concerning. At present, there is no proven medical treatment or detox to eliminate microplastics from the human body. However, a diet rich in antioxidants (like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids) may help counteract inflammation caused by these particles. Supporting gut health through fibre and probiotics might also reduce gastrointestinal absorption. But prevention remains more effective than a cure. What concerns me most is that microplastics are not only inhaled into the lungs but appear to translocate into the bloodstream and reach multiple organs, potentially triggering chronic inflammation that drives respiratory disease, cardiovascular issues, even cancer.” Young Innovators Take on Microplastics with Low-Cost, Scalable Filtration Model A group of high school and undergraduate students, working under the guidance of IIT researchers, have developed a prototype to detect, filter, and potentially upcycle microplastics, a growing environmental and health hazard. Their solution uses everyday materials like muslin cloth and activated carbon, aimed at capturing microplastics from water sources and even household appliances like washing machines. Prassan Panwar, a student from SNVP International School, Pune, detailed their methodology, “We began by collecting and analysing water samples, including from the Yamuna. Using stereo microscopy, we identified microplastics and sorted them by colour and polymer type. Our prototype filters water using a 90-micron muslin layer along with granulated activated carbon. The difference in clarity between contaminated and filtered water was visibly stark, proving our system’s effectiveness.” Samvit, an 11th-grade student, explained the urgency behind their innovation, “Microplastics are a huge issue. They’re everywhere: pen caps, bottle caps, packaging. What's shocking is that 210,000 microplastic particles enter our environment from a single laundry load alone. That’s not just water pollution, it’s marine damage, food chain contamination, and a health crisis. Our prototype tackles this using a dual system: physical filtration through muslin cloth, which traps particles due to its fine porosity, and chemical absorption using granulated activated carbon (GAC). This combination makes our solution both efficient and scalable.” Vanya Raina, a Class 12 student at DAV Public School, spoke about their fieldwork experience, “To understand the real impact, we worked alongside PhD scholars at the NRAM lab of the Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi. We collected Yamuna water samples from Vijay Nagar and found disturbing evidence of microplastics, especially plastic netting used in vegetable packaging. These plastics make their way into crops irrigated by the river and eventually into our food. We even analysed soil samples from Jahangirpuri, and through stereomicroscopy, we found complex plastic structures, some breaking down to nanoplastics under one micron in size.” Raina added, “Microplastics have been detected in human blood, brain, and even mother’s milk. Particles smaller than 5 microns can transform into nanoplastics, which cross cell barriers and infiltrate vital organs like the heart and brain. These aren't just pollutants, they’re carcinogenic. Studies suggest up to 35% of cancer-related deaths could be linked to plastic exposure.” Archisha Sharma, a first-year B.Tech student at IP University, highlighted the model’s versatility, “Our filtration technique can be adapted for washing machines, household water systems, or even scaled up for municipal water treatment plants. But we didn’t stop there. We also looked at how to upcycle the trapped microplastics. Under guidance from a PhD scholar, we tested reusing the contaminated water, after rinsing the filters, to create concrete tiles. These microplastics get locked into the tile matrix and don’t leach back out. It’s an example of building a circular economy from waste.”

Make Aravalli range a ‘no-go’ zone for landfills, burning & dumping of waste in Haryana, report recommends

A 2022 Centre for Science and Environment study has found high levels of pathogens and heavy metals in the area near Bandhwari landfill, raising serious ecological concerns. Severe environmental degradation and a public health crisis triggered by the “illegal” dumping and burning of waste in the expansive Aravalli range in Haryana are among the concerns flagged in a recent report titled ‘The State of the Haryana Aravallis: Citizens’ Report – Part 2’, which was released on Tuesday. Prepared by the People for Aravallis, a nonprofit, the report was submitted to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday. It recommends making the entire range in Haryana a ‘no-go’ zone for landfills, burning, and the dumping of waste. It further suggests conducting independent studies to properly assess the damage caused by such practices. The first part of the report, released on May 30, was primarily concerned with the damage caused by the large-scale illegal mining and deforestation in the area, while the second part is focused on waste dumping and its ramifications in the region. The report identifies over 100 geo-tagged locations across Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari, and Charkhi Dadri districts where alleged illegal waste disposal has contributed to the contamination of soil, groundwater, and air. The range, 692 km in length, spanning from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan, is home to diverse wildlife. Highlighting the need to protect the ecological region, the report underlines that the range supports a wide range of species, including leopards, hyenas, and over 200 bird species. The report points out that in Nuh’s Tauru region, villages like Khori Khurd and Khori Kalan host illegal units that burn industrial waste from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. This was despite a May 2025 order prohibiting open burning of all types of waste, including solid, liquid, and organic, in the Aravalli region of Nuh. Further, the report flags that waste burning, which involves plastics and chemicals, releases toxic gases, worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. The Bandhwari landfill in Gurgaon and a dump near the ITI Colony at the Sohna-Alwar road contribute to the degradation. A 2022 Centre for Science and Environment study has found high levels of pathogens and heavy metals in the area near Bandhwari landfill, raising serious ecological concerns. Neelam Ahluwalia, founder-member of People for Aravallis, cited weak monitoring as a trigger facilitating waste dumping and burning. “We need an Aravalli Protection Task Force Committee in each district, led by the Deputy Commissioner and overseen by the Chief Secretary, to ensure accountability”, she underlined. According to Brahim Khal of the Jal Biradari social movement, the chemical-laden waste in Tauru villages pollutes groundwater, harms people, cattle, as well as wildlife. To curtail this, he proposed 24/7 checkposts and drone surveillance along the Nuh-Rajasthan border, with the footage shared publicly for transparency. Dr Shyamala Mani, a waste management expert, urged the enforcement of the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules, emphasising source segregation, composting, and recycling to reduce landfill reliance. While adding that landfills should be moved outside eco-sensitive areas, she also called for a ban on single-use plastics in the Aravalli districts.

ओवरएज गाड़ियों को पहचानने वाले AI कैमरे की कार्यशैली पर उठे सवाल

पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि यह फैसला लंबे समय तक प्रदूषण पर लगाम लगाने में मदद करेगा। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की निदेशक सुनीता नारायण कहती हैं, “दिल्ली जैसे महानगर में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषण पुराने वाहनों से ही होता है। इस फैसले से न सिर्फ हवा की गुणवत्ता में सुधार होगा, बल्कि लोग इलेक्ट्रिक या कम प्रदूषण वाले वाहनों की ओर प्रेरित होंगे।” दिल्ली में वायु प्रदूषण से लड़ाई को लेकर सरकार ने एक बड़ा और कड़ा कदम उठाया है। राजधानी में 1 जुलाई 2025 से 15 साल पुराने पेट्रोल और 10 साल पुराने डीजल वाहनों को पेट्रोल-डीजल देने पर पूर्ण प्रतिबंध लगा दिया गया है। लेकिन इस फैसले को लेकर जहां एक ओर पर्यावरणविद इसे साहसिक और जरूरी कदम मान रहे हैं, वहीं आम जनता और पेट्रोल पंप संचालक इससे जुड़ी तकनीकी खामियों और अव्यवस्था को लेकर असंतुष्ट नजर आ रहे हैं। दिल्ली सरकार ने नियम लागू करने से पहले आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस (AI) आधारित कैमरों और स्पीकर सिस्टम को राजधानी के करीब 400 पेट्रोल पंपों पर स्थापित किया था। इन कैमरों को दिल्ली परिवहन विभाग के डेटाबेस से लिंक किया गया है। जैसे ही कोई ओवरएज (नियत समय सीमा पार कर चुका) वाहन पेट्रोल पंप पर प्रवेश करता है, कैमरा उसकी नंबर प्लेट को स्कैन करता है और स्पीकर से अलार्म बजने लगता है। स्पीकर पर यह घोषणा होती है कि वाहन की उम्र पूरी हो चुकी है और उसे ईंधन नहीं मिलेगा। लेकिन जमीनी हकीकत कुछ और ही बयां कर रही है। दिल्ली पेट्रोल डीलर्स एसोसिएशन (DPDA) के अध्यक्ष निश्चल सिंघानिया ने बताया कि राजधानी के कई पेट्रोल पंपों पर स्पीकर सिस्टम अब तक नहीं लग पाए हैं, जिससे अलार्म की व्यवस्था ठीक से काम नहीं कर रही। उन्होंने यह भी बताया कि तकनीकी खामियों के कारण कुछ वैध वाहन भी गलती से ‘ओवरएज’ घोषित हो गए और वाहन चालकों को बेवजह परेशानी का सामना करना पड़ा। कुछ वाहन चालकों ने शिकायत की कि सरकार ने बिना किसी पायलट प्रोजेक्ट या ट्रायल के अचानक यह नियम लागू कर दिया। कई जगह कैमरा वाहन की नंबर प्लेट को पहचान ही नहीं पाया तो कुछ जगह साउंड सिस्टम काम नहीं कर रहा था। एक वाहन चालक अजीत कुमार कहते हैं, “मेरी कार अभी 14 साल 9 महीने पुरानी है, लेकिन सिस्टम ने इसे 15 साल पार दिखा दिया। पेट्रोल नहीं मिला और मुझे काफी अपमानजनक अनुभव हुआ।” नियम लागू होते ही दिल्ली ट्रांसपोर्ट डिपार्टमेंट ने एक्शन में आकर पुराने वाहनों की धरपकड़ शुरू कर दी। मंगलवार को राजधानी में करीब 20-25 पुराने पेट्रोल और डीजल वाहन जब्त किए गए। विभाग के अधिकारियों ने बताया कि यदि कोई वाहन पहली बार जब्त किया गया है, तो उसे छुड़ाने का एक मौका मिलेगा, लेकिन शर्तों के साथ। बाइक मालिक को 5000 रुपये और कार मालिक को 10000 रुपये का जुर्माना भरना होगा। साथ ही एक शपथ पत्र भी देना होगा जिसमें वे यह वचन देंगे कि दोबारा यह गलती नहीं होगी। लेकिन यदि वही वाहन दूसरी बार पकड़ा गया, तो उसे स्क्रैप कर दिया जाएगा — यानी दोबारा सड़क पर लौटने की कोई संभावना नहीं। दिल्ली में प्रतिबंध लागू होते ही गाजियाबाद, नोएडा, गुरुग्राम और फरीदाबाद के पेट्रोल पंपों पर वाहनों की भीड़ बढ़ गई। पेट्रोल डीलर्स का कहना है कि ओवरएज वाहन अब दिल्ली के बाहर पेट्रोल-डीजल भरवा रहे हैं। इससे न सिर्फ दिल्ली के सीमाई इलाकों में ट्रैफिक बढ़ा है, बल्कि सुरक्षा और निगरानी की नई चुनौती भी पैदा हो गई है। हालांकि राहत की बात यह है कि दिल्ली सरकार के इस फैसले का असर आसपास के राज्यों पर भी दिखने लगा है। हरियाणा और उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार ने संकेत दिया है कि 1 नवंबर 2025 से गाजियाबाद, नोएडा, गुरुग्राम और फरीदाबाद में भी ऐसे ही प्रतिबंध लागू कर दिए जाएंगे। यानी कुछ महीनों बाद दिल्ली के बाहर भी ओवरएज वाहनों को ईंधन नहीं मिलेगा। पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि यह फैसला लंबे समय तक प्रदूषण पर लगाम लगाने में मदद करेगा। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की निदेशक सुनीता नारायण कहती हैं, “दिल्ली जैसे महानगर में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषण पुराने वाहनों से ही होता है। इस फैसले से न सिर्फ हवा की गुणवत्ता में सुधार होगा, बल्कि लोग इलेक्ट्रिक या कम प्रदूषण वाले वाहनों की ओर प्रेरित होंगे।”

युद्ध का काला धुआं उखाड़ रहा है पर्यावरण की सांसे, आने वाले समय में जीवन होगा और मुश्किल

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट में लम्बे समय से वायु प्रदूषण पर काम कर रहे विवेक चटोपाध्याय कहते हैं कि युद्ध में विध्वंसक हथियार इस्तेमाल किए जा रहे हैं। हथियारों से निकलने वाला धुआं और प्रदूषक तत्व आसपास की हवा और पानी को तो प्रभावित करते ही हैं हमले की वजह से जो इमारतें ध्वस्त होती हैं उनसे निकलने वाले पर्टीकुलेटेड मैटर लम्बे समय तक हवा में बने रहते हैं। नई दिल्ली, विवेक तिवारी। युद्ध का धुआं अब केवल बारूद, युद्ध के मैदान और खंडहर इमारतों तक सीमित नहीं है। यह पर्यावरण की सांसों को भी उखाड़ रहा है। ईरान-इजराइल युद्ध की बात हो या रूस-यूक्रेन जैसे लम्बे समय से चल रहे संघर्ष की, इन वैश्विक टकरावों ने न सिर्फ हजारों ज़िंदगियों को लील लिया है, बल्कि हमारे पर्यावरण को भी गहरे घाव दिए हैं। मिसाइलों के विस्फोट की गूंज और टैंकों की गरज के बीच, ग्रीनहाउस गैसों का उत्सर्जन तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। विशेषज्ञ चेतावनी दे रहे हैं कि युद्ध के कारण हो रहा यह पर्यावरणीय नुकसान वर्षों के लिए पृथ्वी के संतुलन को बिगाड़ सकता है। ऐसे में आने वाले दिनों में हमें ज्यादा हीटवेव भरे दिन, बाढ़, सूखे आदि जैसी प्राकृतिक आपदाओं का सामना करना पड़ सकता है। युद्ध में दागी जा रही मिसाइलें और बमों के चलते वायुमंडल में बड़े पैमाने पर कार्बन और अन्य खतरनाक ग्रीन हाउस गैसों का उत्सर्जन बढ़ रहा है। आने वाले समय में ये उत्सर्जन धरती को गर्म करने के साथ ही पूरी दुनिया में वायु पदूषण के एक बड़े संकट के रूप में सामने आ सकता है। कॉन्फ्लिक्ट एंड एनवायरनमेंट ऑब्जर्वेटरी संस्था की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार दुनिया भर में सेनाएं ग्रीनहाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन के 5.5% हिस्से के लिए जिम्मेदार हैं। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक यूक्रेन पर रूस के आक्रमण के पहले तीन सालों में 230 मिट्रिक टन CO2 उत्पन्न हुआ। ये ऑस्ट्रिया, हंगरी, चेक गणराज्य और स्लोवाकिया के संयुक्त वार्षिक उत्सर्जन के बराबर है। वहीं युद्ध में इस्तेमाल किए जा रहे हथियारों के चलते हवा में सल्फर डाई ऑक्साइड और अन्य खतरनाक गैसों का स्तर भी तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। एक अन्य रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक इरान इजराइल युद्ध में लगभग 35,000 टन कार्बन का उत्सर्जन हुआ। ये लगभग 8,300 कारों के पूरे साल के उत्सर्जन के बाराबर है। ऐसे में युद्ध के दौरान इतने बड़े पैमाने पर किया जा रहा ग्रीन हाउस गैसों का उत्सर्जन पर्यावरण के संतुलन को बिगाड़ सकता है। ईरान-इजराइल युद्ध हो या रूस-यूक्रेन युद्ध इनमें इस्तेमाल होने वाले हथियारों में बड़े पैमाने पर हैवी मैटल, कई तरह के केमिकल और बारूद का इस्तेमाल किया गया है। भारी गोलाबारी और मिसाइलों के इस्तेमाल से ये खतरनाक तत्व उस इलाके में बड़े पैमाने पर फैल जाते हैं जो स्थानीय प्रदूषण का बड़ा कारण बनते हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट में लम्बे समय से वायु प्रदूषण पर काम कर रहे विवेक चटोपाध्याय कहते हैं कि युद्ध में विध्वंसक हथियार इस्तेमाल किए जा रहे हैं। हथियारों से निकलने वाला धुआं और प्रदूषक तत्व आसपास की हवा और पानी को तो प्रभावित करते ही हैं हमले की वजह से जो इमारतें ध्वस्त होती हैं उनसे निकलने वाले पर्टीकुलेटेड मैटर लम्बे समय तक हवा में बने रहते हैं। इस हवा में सांस लेने वालों को कई तरह की मुश्किलों का सामना करना पड़ सकता है। हमनें दोनों ही युद्धों में देखा कि एक दूसरे को कमजोर करने के लिए दोनों देशों ने दूसरे देश की ऑयल रिजर्व या ऑयल फील्ड पर हमला किया। इस रिजर्व तेल में लगने वाली आग के चलते जो तेल साल भर इस्तेमाल हो सकता था वो कुछ ही घंटों में जल गया और उससे निकले धुएं के चलते कई मिट्रिक टन कार्बन डाई ऑक्साइड व अन्य खतरनाक गैसें हवा में पहुंच गई जो ग्रीन हाउस गैसों के प्रभाव को बढ़ाएगी। एक तरफ जहां पूरी दुनिया ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के खतरे को देखते हुए लगातार प्रयास कर रही थी कि गैसों के उत्सर्जन को कम किया जा सके वहीं दूसरी तरफ आज दुनिया हथियारों की होड़ में लग गई है। हाल ही में नाटो ने अपने बजट को बढ़ाने की बात कही है। ऐसे में दुनिया भर में आने वाले समय में हथियारों का उद्योग और तेजी से बढ़ेगा और इस उद्योग के बढ़ने से एक तरफ हथियार बनाने में गैसों का उत्सर्जन होगा और जब इन हथियारों का इस्तेमाल होगा तो उससे अलग उत्सर्जन होगा। कुछ सालों पहले संयुक्त राष्ट्र ने युद्ध से पर्यावरण को होने वाले नुकसान का अनुमान लगाने के लिए कुछ नीतियां बनाई थीं। लेकिन आज तक कोई ऐसी रिपोर्ट पेश नहीं की जा सकी जो चर्चा का केंद्र बनी हो। गौर से देखा जाए तो आज संयुक्त राष्ट्र भी ग्लोबल वार्मिंग और पर्यावरण संरक्षण के मुद्दों के मोर्चे पर कमजोर पड़ता दिख रहा है। लंदन की क्वीन मैरी यूनिवर्सिटी के वरिष्ठ प्रवक्ता बेंजामिन नेइमार्क अपने एक शोधपत्र में कहते हैं कि हमने बहुत स्पष्ट रूप से देखा है कि सेनाएँ और युद्ध सामग्री पर्यावरण को किस हद तक नुकसान पहुंचा सकते हैं। दुनिया भर में सैन्य बल हाइड्रोकार्बन के सबसे बड़े उपभोक्ताओं में से हैं। कई सेनाओं की ग्रीन हाउस गैसों की उत्सर्जन क्षमता कुछ छोटे देशों के बराबर हैं। लेकिन जलवायु परिवर्तन में उनके समग्र योगदान के बारे में बहुत कम जानकारी है। इस पर बात भी नहीं होती है। जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क कन्वेंशन (यूएनएफसीसीसी) के तहत सभी देशों की रिपोर्टिंग जिम्मेदारियाँ अलग-अलग हैं, जलवायु परिवर्तन पर पेरिस समझौते के बाद से, सैन्य उत्सर्जन की रिपोर्टिंग की आवश्यकता अब जरूरी होती जा रही है। 2021 में ग्लासगो में COP26 जलवायु सम्मेलन में, सैन्य उत्सर्जन को ट्रैक करने या UNFCCC को व्यक्तिगत सरकार के सैन्य उत्सर्जन की रिपोर्टिंग के लिए एक नेटवर्क विकसित किया गया था। दुर्भाग्य से, बहुत कम देश अपने सैन्य उत्सर्जन को किसी पारदर्शी या व्यवस्थित तरीके से रिपोर्ट करते हैं, ऐसे में ग्रीन हाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन की रिपोर्टिंग बहुत असंगत हो जाती है। उन्होंने कहा कि गाजा में युद्ध के अपने हालिया अध्ययन में हमने कुछ मोटे अनुमान लगाए जो बताते हैं कि ईरान-इज़राइल युद्ध के पहले पाँच दिनों में जेट ईंधन, रॉकेट फायर और बैलिस्टिक मिसाइलों ने 35,000 टन से अधिक CO2 जारी किया। यह एक साल में चलाई गई 8,300 कारों या 20,000 टन कोयले के जलने के बराबर है। युद्ध छोटा हो या बड़ा विनाश लेकर आता है। भारतीय सेना के पूर्व लेफ्टिनेंट जर्नल मोहन भंडारी कहते हैं युद्ध हमेशा विध्वंसक होता है। रूस और यूक्रेन युद्ध हो या ईरान और इजराइल युद्ध, बड़े पैमाने पर विध्वंसक हथियारों का इस्तेमाल हुआ है। इन हथियारों में लेड और सल्फर जैसे तत्व बड़े पैमाने पर इस्तेमाल होते हैं। ये इंसानों के लिए तो घातक हैं ही प्रकृति के लिए भी घातक हैं। वहीं दूसरी तरफ बमों और मिसाइलों के चलते हजारों लोग मारे गए हैं। इन लोगों के शवों के चलते भी स्थानीय तौर पर जो प्रदूषण होता है उससे बड़े पैमाने पर बीमारियां फैलती हैं। पूरा माहौल ही विषाक्त हो जाता है। अमेरिका सहित पूरी दुनिया के जिम्मेदार मुल्कों को ये समझना होगा कि अपनी ताकत और कुछ आर्थिक फायदों के लिए वो जिन युद्धों को प्रोत्साहित करते हैं आने वाले समय में उन युद्धों के प्रदूषण के चलते उनके बच्चों को भी बाढ़, सूखे और खतरनाक बीमारियों जैसी मुश्किलों का सामना करना पड़ेगा। युद्ध ग्लोबल वॉर्मिंग में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं। आज भारत में तेजी से पिघलते ग्लेशियर एक बड़ी चिंता का कारण बन चुके हैं। पर्यावरणविद अनिल जोशी कहते हैं कि हर युद्ध में बड़े पैमाने पर ऊर्जा निकलती है। ये ऊर्जा ग्लोबल वार्मिंग को बढ़ाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती है। धरती की बढ़ती गर्मी पूरी दुनिया पर असर डालती है। युद्ध के चलते बढ़ते ग्रीन हाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन के चलते हुई ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के चलते जो मुश्किलें अगले एक दशक में आती वो इन युद्धों के चलते अगले कुछ सालों में देखी जा सकती हैं। अगले कुछ सालों में हीटवेव के दिनों की संख्या बढ़ सकती है। वहीं असामान्य मौसम की भी घटनाएं बढ़ेंगी। एक बम जहां गरता है उस जगह के आसपास की हवा, पानी और जमीन सब तबाह कर देता है। और उससे निकला प्रदूषण पूरी दुनिया के प्रदूषण को बढ़ाता है जिसे हम ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के नाम से जानते हैं। इन समस्याओं को देखते हुए हमें स्थानीय तौर पर कई उपाय करने होंगे ताकि आने वाले समय में कुछ राहत मिल सके। हमने उत्तराखंड में कुछ ऐसे सफल प्रयोग किए हैं। हमने एक गांव के करीब जंगल में एक हेक्टेयर में करीब 300 छोटे गड्ढों खोद कर प्रयोग किया। समय के साथ इन गड्ढों में पानी भर गया। आज इन गड्ढों की वजह से पूरे जंगल में नमी रहती है। इससे एक तरफ जहां जंगल में आग नहीं लगती वहीं जंगल में नए पौधे अपने आप उग आते हैं।

Looking To Scrap Your End-Of-Life Vehicle In Delhi? Check Documents Needed, Discounts Available

According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released in November 2024, vehicles remain the top polluters in Delhi, making up more than half (51 per cent) of the pollution from all local emission sources. July 1 marked a crucial milestone in the Capital’s fight against air pollution as petrol pumps stopped providing fuel to end of life vehicles (EoL) which have exceeded the life span of 10 years for diesel vehicles and 15 years for petrol vehicles. The move, which is in accordance with the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Transport Department along with the Delhi Police and traffic personnel, will affect around 62 lakh vehicles (61,14,728) in Delhi alone. NDTV reported that there are 27.5 lakh overaged vehicles (as of March 2025) in Haryana, 12.69 lakh in Uttar Pradesh and 6.2 lakh in Rajasthan. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released in November 2024, vehicles remain the top polluters in Delhi, making up more than half (51 per cent) of the pollution from all local emission sources. Authorities said the end-of-life vehicles will be identified by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras set up at 498 fuel stations. Once it is established that the vehicle is beyond the permitted life span, the fuel station operator will be alert and the vehicle number will be shared with enforcement agencies who will further impound and scrap it.

War's Toxic Smoke Choking Global Environment, Experts Warn Of An Inevitable Rise In Hardships

Vivek Chattopadhyay, who has long been working on air pollution at the Centre for Science and Environment, says that destructive weapons are being used in war. T The smoke of war is no longer limited to gunpowder, battlefields and ruined buildings. It is also choking the environment. Whether it is the Iran-Israel war or the long-running conflict like Russia-Ukraine, these global conflicts have not only taken thousands of lives but have also inflicted deep wounds on our environment. Amidst the echo of missile explosions and the roar of tanks, the emission of greenhouse gases is increasing rapidly. Experts are warning that this environmental damage caused by war can disturb the balance of the earth for years. In such a situation, in the coming days we may have to face more heatwave days, natural disasters like floods, droughts. The missiles and bombs being fired in war are leading to a large-scale increase in the emission of carbon and other dangerous greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the time to come, these emissions, along with heating the earth, could emerge as a major crisis of air pollution worldwide. According to a report by the Conflict and Environment Observatory, militaries around the world are responsible for 5.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. The report states that in the first three years of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 230 metric tons of CO2 were generated. This is equivalent to the combined annual emissions of Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Meanwhile, due to the weapons used in the war, the levels of sulfur dioxide and other hazardous gases in the air are also increasing rapidly. According to another report, the Iran-Israel conflict resulted in the emission of approximately 35,000 tons of carbon. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of about 8,300 cars. In such a situation, the large-scale emission of greenhouse gases during war can disturb the balance of the environment. Whether it's the Iran-Israel war or the Russia-Ukraine war, the weapons used in them have extensively involved heavy metals, various chemicals and gunpowder. Due to heavy shelling and the use of missiles, these hazardous elements spread widely in the area, becoming a major cause of local pollution. Vivek Chattopadhyay, who has long been working on air pollution at the Centre for Science and Environment, says that destructive weapons are being used in war. The smoke and pollutants from these weapons affect the surrounding air and water and the particulate matter released from the buildings demolished in attacks remains in the air for a long time. Those who breathe this air can face various health problems. We have seen in both wars that to weaken each other, both sides attacked the other country's oil reserves or oil fields. The fires in these oil reserves burned away oil in just a few hours that could have been used for a whole year. The resulting smoke released many metric tons of carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases into the air, which will increase the greenhouse effect. On one hand, the whole world is making continuous efforts to reduce gas emissions in view of the threat of global warming, while on the other hand, the world is now engaged in an arms race. Recently, NATO has spoken of increasing its budget. In such a scenario, the arms industry will grow more rapidly worldwide in the coming times. The growth of this industry will lead to gas emissions during arms production, and when these weapons are used, there will be separate emissions. A few years ago, the United Nations had formulated some policies to assess the environmental damage caused by war. But to date, no such report has been presented that has become a center of discussion. If observed closely, the United Nations also appears to be weakening today on the front of global warming and environmental protection issues. In his research paper, Benjamin Neimark, a senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, says that we have seen very clearly the extent to which armies and war materials can harm the environment. Military forces worldwide are among the largest consumers of hydrocarbons. The greenhouse gas emission capacity of many armies is equivalent to that of some small countries. But there is very little information about their overall contribution to climate change. It is not even discussed. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the reporting responsibilities of all countries are different. Since the Paris Agreement on climate change, the need to report military emissions is now becoming essential. At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021, a network was developed for tracking military emissions or for reporting individual government's military emissions to the UNFCCC. Unfortunately, very few countries report their military emissions in any transparent or systematic way, making the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions very inconsistent. He said that in our recent study of the war in Gaza, we made some rough estimates which suggest that in the first five days of the Iran-Israel war, jet fuel, rocket fire, and ballistic missiles released more than 35,000 tons of CO2. This is equivalent to 8,300 cars driven for a year or the burning of 20,000 tons of coal. Whether a war is small or large, it brings destruction. Former Lieutenant General of the Indian Army, Mohan Bhandari, says that war is always destructive. Whether it is the Russia-Ukraine war or the Iran-Israel war, destructive weapons have been used on a large scale. Elements like lead and sulfur are used extensively in these weapons. These are fatal for humans and are also fatal for nature. On the other hand, thousands of people have been killed by bombs and missiles. The bodies of these people also cause local pollution, leading to the spread of diseases on a large scale. The entire atmosphere becomes toxic. Responsible countries around the world, including America, must understand that the wars they encourage for their power and some economic benefits will lead to pollution, and in the future, their own children will have to face difficulties like floods, droughts and dangerous diseases. Wars play a significant role in global warming. Today in India, rapidly melting glaciers have become a major cause for concern. Environmentalist Anil Joshi says that a large amount of energy is released in every war. This energy plays a significant role in increasing global warming. The Earth's rising temperature affects the whole world. Due to the global warming caused by the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from war, the difficulties that were expected in the next decade could be seen in the next few years. In the coming years, the number of heatwave days may increase. At the same time, incidents of unusual weather will also rise. Wherever a bomb falls, it destroys the air, water and land in the surrounding area. And the pollution released from it increases the pollution of the entire world, which we know as global warming. In view of these problems, we will have to take several local measures so that some relief can be found in the coming times. We have conducted some such successful experiments in Uttarakhand. We experimented by digging about 300 small pits in one hectare of a forest near a village. Over time, these pits filled with water. Today, because of these pits, the entire forest remains moist. On one hand, this prevents forest fires, and on the other, new plants grow on their own in the forest. (This article was translated for The Daily Jagran by Akansha Pandey.)

Nine projects in India produced ‘problematic’ carbon credits in 2024, says report

Nine “problematic” projects in the hydropower, solar, and wind energy sectors, which together accounted for 7.7 million retired credits in 2024, were located in India. “Additionality mostly boils down to the investment viability of a renewable energy project,” said Trishant Dev, Deputy Programme Manager of Climate Change at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), who did not contribute to the Corporate Accountability report. An analysis of the global voluntary carbon market found that despite efforts to improve their integrity, millions of carbon credits retired in 2024 were unlikely to result in additional emissions reductions. Nine out of the 47 largest projects which produced “problematic credits” were located in India, the report, released by the civil society organisation Corporate Accountability, found. The voluntary carbon market (VCM) allows companies to trade carbon credits in an effort to drive down emissions. In the VCM, each carbon credit represents a reduction of 1 tonne of carbon dioxide or its equivalent. These reductions are supposed to be “additional,” meaning they would not have occurred without the support of funding from carbon credits. In simple terms, if a project would have come up in a business-as-usual scenario without being financed by carbon credits, the project does not have additionality. According to the report by Corporate Accountability, however, 80% of carbon credits issued from 47 of the biggest projects “could not be reliably counted on to deliver the promised emissions reductions.” This, despite reforms introduced into the VCM to improve transparency and accountability of projects promising reductions. These shortcomings include credits being non-additional, non-permanent, over-crediting or having a risk of leakage (where reductions achieved are counteracted by emissions elsewhere). The voluntary carbon market “still cannot be relied on to deliver the promised (and urgently needed) global emissions reductions,” the report noted. Projects not additional The report shortlisted 47 projects out of the top 100 which were rated by BeZero, a carbon rating agency that assesses the quality of carbon projects based on their likelihood of achieving the removal or avoidance of one tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent. “The 47 projects assessed in this research alone equated to nearly one quarter of all retired credits in the VCM in 2024. So, assessing these projects allows us to assess more generally how effective the VCM is at reducing emissions, and how effective any attempts at plugging the holes have been thus far,” Rachel Rose Jackson, Director of Research and International Climate Policy at Corporate Accountability, told Mongabay India over email. Of the approximately 207.8 million offsets credits which were retired in 2024, around 47.7 million credits were found to be problematic by Corporate Accountability. These credits were issued from 43 projects (out of the 47 that were assessed), whose likelihood of emissions reductions ranged from moderate to very low. Nine “problematic” projects in the hydropower, solar, and wind energy sectors, which together accounted for 7.7 million retired credits in 2024, were located in India. “Additionality mostly boils down to the investment viability of a renewable energy project,” said Trishant Dev, Deputy Programme Manager of Climate Change at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), who did not contribute to the Corporate Accountability report. “When a project is paid for by the project developer or by other means, it’s wrong to claim additionality by saying that the project would not have existed had it not been for the carbon market. However, whether this is the case varies from project to project,” he added. A report by the CSE from 2023 found that for several renewable energy projects, the carbon market paid for only 3-4% of the project’s costs, casting doubt on their additionality.