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Cse In News

Africa: Recycling of acid battery, glass, cashew, e-waste could reduce 8.7 million tonne of CO₂ – Report

A new report released by an India-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said Africa can reduce its emissions significantly if it recycles this waste by initiating and encouraging industrial waste circularity. The CSE report indicates that 100 per cent recycling of just four types of industrial waste – lead acid battery, glass waste, cashew waste and e-waste – could reduce 8.7 million tonnes of CO₂, which is a 2 per cent reduction in total GHG emissions from the continent. Industrial waste contributes 30-40 per cent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Africa. This was contained in a report, titled ‘ Africa’s Wasted Potential: Unlocking industrial waste in circularity ’, released in Lagos on Tuesday at a pan-Africa workshop jointly hosted by CSE and Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Speaking at the workshop, the Manager of Industrial Pollution at CSE, Ishita Garg, said: “The CSE report uncovers the unexplored potential of industrial waste, a resource often ignored. Africa’s circular economy efforts have remained focused on plastic and municipal waste, and industrial waste has largely been overlooked. This report emphasises the urgency of addressing this issue and demonstrates how circular solutions can drive both economic growth and environmental sustainability.” Garg said: “The report stresses on the need to prioritise industrial waste and treat it as a resource and a development opportunity. By adopting circular practices, industries can lower raw material costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce their GHG emissions while creating job opportunities.” He pointed out that, “While Africa is projected to double its GHG emissions by 2050 in a business-as-usual scenario, scaling up circularity practices could present a significant opportunity to cut GHG emissions at both country and continent level” While the opportunities are clear, the report also sheds light on the barriers that hinder progress on the ground. One of the major roadblocks in enhancing industrial waste circularity in Africa is the absence of comprehensive waste inventories on the type and quantity of industrial waste generated. He pointed out that, “While Africa is projected to double its GHG emissions by 2050 in a business-as-usual scenario, scaling up circularity practices could present a significant opportunity to cut GHG emissions at both country and continent level” While the opportunities are clear, the report also sheds light on the barriers that hinder progress on the ground. One of the major roadblocks in enhancing industrial waste circularity in Africa is the absence of comprehensive waste inventories on the type and quantity of industrial waste generated. The report says many African countries that are experiencing rapid industrialisation lack data on industrial waste generation, including figures on recycling, reuse and disposal, making it difficult to track material flows and identify opportunities for circularity. “The absence of such information has resulted in dumping of waste like slag, fly ash, plastic, glass, paper, etc. which are otherwise easily recyclable. “Having a waste inventory is a crucial first step towards industrial waste circularity and absence of such essential information questions the handling and management of industrial waste. Without reliable data, policies and interventions fail to address the actual scale of industrial waste challenges,” she said. Other factors that make large-scale adoption of industrial waste circularity difficult include the limited financial support for circular practices, insufficient industrial waste management infrastructure, and gaps in the policy framework. The CSE’s report also highlights the absence of industrial waste targeted goals and actions in circular economy policies of many African countries, underscoring a major barrier to large-scale implementation.

Fact Check: CSE Report Warning Of Cancer Risk From Bread Dates Back To 2016, Misleadingly Shared As Recent

A 2016 news bulletin based on CSE’s study is being shared with a misleading claim, claiming it to be recent. The CSE report from 2016 stated that 84% of tested samples contained harmful chemicals like potassium bromate and iodate, which are classified as potential cancer-causing agents. A video clip from Hindi news channel Aaj Tak’s bulletin is being widely shared across social media platforms. In this clip, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is cited as stating that 84% of tested samples failed quality checks, revealing the presence of harmful chemicals like potassium bromate and iodate, both linked to serious diseases, such as cancer. The video clip’s continuous circulation in recent days has led many to believe it is a recent report. In its investigation, Vishvas News found this claim to be misleading. The viral video is not recent but dates back to 2016, when CSE published a report stating that traces of potassium bromate/iodate were found in the bread sold in Delhi. The report classified potassium bromate as a category 2B carcinogen (potentially cancer-causing), which is banned in many countries. However, it is still used in India. What is viral? Social media user ‘GK Bohra Parthasarathy‘ shared the viral video clip with the caption, “The bread which is sold in the name of pav roti, double roti is so dangerous, please be careful.” Many other users across different social media platforms have also shared this video clip with similar claims. Investigation A keyword search led us to the original report, published on Aaj Tak’s official YouTube channel in 2016. This report, dated May 24, 2016, is based on a study by the CSE, which claimed that traces of potassium bromate, potassium iodate or both were found in 84% of bread and bakery samples collected from Delhi. According to the report, potassium iodate can lead to thyroid issues, increasing the risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and elevating the risk of cancer. Following this report, the government ordered an investigation. The then Health Minister JP Nadda acknowledged the report and urged the people not to panic. He directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take necessary to take appropriate action. The report also includes a statement from Chandra Bhushan, the then head of CSE, but is no longer associated with CSE. According to a Hindustan Times news report dated September 20, 2019, he resigned after 22 years from CSE. According to his LinkedIn profile, Chandra Bhushan is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the International Forum for Environment Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST). During our investigation, we found the original study report on the CSE website, published on May 23, 2016. Based on this report, many news organisations covered its findings at that time. You can find the related news reports here. On May 26, 2016, The Times of India reported that the then All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) director, MC Mishra, addressed concerns over the presence of potassium bromate and potassium iodate in bread. He stated, “There may be some risk in it, but nobody eats a whole packet of bread every day…most people eat one or two loaves of bread every day, so there is no need to worry about it in the long run, as FSSAI has also said.” We contacted India Today Fact Check’s Executive Editor Bal Krishna regarding the viral video clip. He confirmed that this report dates back to 2016. Additionally, an analysis of the profile that shared the viral video suggests that the content aligns with a specific ideology. Conclusion: A 2016 news bulletin based on CSE’s study is being shared with a misleading claim, claiming it to be recent. The CSE report from 2016 stated that 84% of tested samples contained harmful chemicals like potassium bromate and iodate, which are classified as potential cancer-causing agents.

Delhi’s air was toxic for 56% of the days in last 5 years, AQI no reliable measure—CAG report

Delhiites breathed toxic air for 1,195 days out of 2,137 days in the last five years, putting residents at risk of severe health ailments and vulnerabilities, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAQ) on the city’s pollution has highlighted. The report, which was tabled Tuesday afternoon before the Delhi Assembly, also pointed at some glaring gaps like no information about vehicles in pollution monitoring and data collection by agencies. For over 56 percent of days in the last five years, it found, the air quality remained in the ‘poor’ to ‘severe’ category. On the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scale, an AQI of 50 or below is considered ‘good’; ‘satisfactory’ when it is between 51 and 100; ‘moderate’ between 101 and 200; and ‘poor’ when it is between 201 and 300. Anything between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’; while it is marked ‘severe’ when AQI is above 400. “This report has pointed out various shortcomings in the effort made by the Government in controlling vehicular emission such as lack of information regarding the type and number of vehicles plying on Delhi roads and assessment of their emission load, shortage of public transport buses and public transport for last mile connectivity so as to reduce the use of private vehicles, not implementing of less polluting alternatives,” it read. Apart from locational disadvantage, which makes Delhi vulnerable to dust and smoke from neighbouring states getting trapped in their airshed, it is also a victim of government apathy. Increased vehicular movement, open fires, and road and construction dust are issues that the government agencies have not been able to manage. In winter, the capital’s woes only become worse. Its internal sources of pollution are teamed with stubble burning smoke from the neighbouring Punjab and Haryana, cracker smoke from Diwali and bonfires. The cold weather further traps these pollutants closer to the ground, making breathing tough in Delhi. “While there has been a year-on-year reduction in pollution levels in Delhi over the last few years, this reduction is slow and not enough when the health of residents is at stake. Clearly, the action by agencies is not enough,” Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, told ThePrint.

'India Can be An Example In War Against Climate Change': Germany's Special Envoy

“India can be the example,” for many countries in this war against climate change, Gerhard Schlaudraff, deputy special envoy for international climate action, Germany, said today. Yes, there is the challenge of economic growth during the “transition” to a green society, but India, in recent years, had brought electricity to millions, not to speak of adding 20 gigawatts in renewable energy in recent years. And that success could be an incentive for other countries to replicate, he added. Schlaudraff spoke of the new geopolitical environment, possibly a reference to the Trump administration’s decisions on climate change. “We believe in science” and that global warming was “man made,” adding that “additional government elements” were necessary as was a reform in international financial architecture. He spoke of technological cooperation and mentioned, importantly, that “investment (presumably, Western in developing economies) was the oxygen for green energy transition.” During the discussions, Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment spoke of a “green inclusive idea,” the lower cost of generating renewable energy and certain important decisions to be made: electric buses to be preferred to electric cars.

AQI down from last year, Gurgaon breathes cleaner air in March

Gurgaon: The city recorded better air quality this March compared to the same period last year but remained ‘moderate'. The average air quality index (AQI) stood at 183, down from 189 in March 2024. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, this makes it the third cleanest March since air quality monitoring began in the city in 2016. The average index for the month was 210 in 2016, 231 in 2017, 215 in 2018, 169 in 2019, 237 in 2020, 213 in 2021, 204 in 2022, and 152 in 2023, revealed CPCB data. Experts attribute this year's improvement to stronger winds, which helped disperse pollutants. However, despite the progress, the city did not experience a single ‘good' air day. March saw two ‘satisfactory' days, 15 ‘moderate' days, and 13 ‘poor' days. Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, "The average wind speed reached 25kmph this March, compared to less than 10kmph in previous years. This helped clear pollutants, but still, the city witnessed very few ‘satisfactory' air days and no ‘good' ones. The persistent presence of high PM2.5 and PM10 levels suggests local pollution sources remain a major concern." The HSPCB highlighted vehicular emissions, suspended road dust, and waste burning as primary pollution sources. "We are taking stringent action against violators and have instructed municipal corporations to intensify dust mitigation efforts. Fire tenders have also been deployed to control waste fires," said Vijay Chaudhary, regional officer, Gurgaon (south). Meanwhile, air quality slightly worsened on Monday, with AQI rising to 162 from 128 the previous day, though it remained in the ‘moderate' category. The concentration of PM2.5 -- toxic particles that can enter the bloodstream via the lungs -- was the highest in Gwalpahari (289 µg/m³), followed by Teri Gram (259 µg/m³) and Sector 51 (245 µg/m³). Teri Gram also recorded the highest PM10 levels at 310 µg/m³, followed by Sector 51 (287 µg/m³) and Gwalpahari (233 µg/m³). This data was unavailable for Vikas Sadan. CPCB's permissible limits for PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 µg/m³ and 100 µg/m³, respectively. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good', 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory', 101 and 200 ‘moderate', 201 and 300 ‘poor', 301 and 400 ‘very poor', and 401 and 500 ‘severe'.

बढ़ते वाहन, घटती रफ्तार ट्रैफिक का संकट भारत में बढ़ता ट्रैफिक एक गंभीर समस्या बन चुका

भा रत में बढ़ता ट्रैफि क एक गंभी र समस्या बन चुका है। बढ़ती जनसंख्या , शहरी करण और अवस्थि त या ता या त णा ली के का रण मुख शहरों में ट्रैफि क जा म आम हो गया है। इससे समय की बर्बा दी, आर्थि क नुकसा न, पर्या वरण दूषण और स्वा समस्या एं बढ़ रही हैं। ट्रैफि क जा म का एक मुख का रण सा र्वजनि क परि वहन की कमजो र स्थि ति है। दि ल्ली मेट्रो , मुंबई लो कल और को लका ता मेट्रो जैसे कुछ सफल उदाहरण मौ जूद हैं, लेकि न अधि कां श भा रती य शहरों में सा र्वजनि क परि वहन सी मि त और अवस्थि त है। दि ल्ली में सा र्वजनि क परि वहन के उपयो ग के सम्बंध में सेंटर फॉ र सा इंस एंड एनवा यरनमेंट की रि पो र्ट के अनुसा र, 2013 से 2018 के बी च दि ल्ली में बसों की रा इडरशि प में 16.9ति शत की गि रा वट दर्ज की गई है। नि जी वा हनों पर बढ़ती नि र्भरता ट्रैफि क जा म को और गंभी र बना रही है। लंदन और सिं गा पुर ने सा र्वजनि क परि वहन को इतना भा वी बना दि या है कि नि जी वा हनों का उपयो ग सी मि त हो गया है, जबकि भा रत में स्थि ति उलट है। हा लां कि , कंजेशन चा र्ज जैसे उपा य भा रत में वहा रि क प से चुनौ ती पूर्ण हैं क्योंकिक्योंकि सा र्वजनि क परि वहन अभी पर्या नहीं है और डि जि टल टोलिं ग सि म पूरी तरह वि कसि त नहीं आ है। सड़क ढां चे की अपर्या ता भी ट्रैफि क समस्या को बढ़ा रही है। भा रत का सड़क नेटवर्क वि में दूसरा सबसे बड़ा है, जि सकी कुल लंबा ई 62,15,797 कि लो मी टर से अधि क है, लेकि न इनमें से अधि कां श सड़कें संकरी , जर्जर और अति मण से भा वि त हैं। जा पा न और दक्षि ण को रि या में सड़क रखरखा व यो जना एं इतनी वस्थि त हैं कि ट्रैफि क जा म बत कम हो ता है, जबकि भा रत में सड़क परि यो जना ओं की धी मी गति के का रण यह समस्या वि करा ल प ले रही है। भा रती य अर्थवथा को भी ट्रैफि क जा म के का रण भा री नुकसा न उठा ना पड़ता है। बो न कंसल्टिं ग गु्रगु् प की रि पो र्ट बता ती है कि दि ल्ली , मुंबई, को लका ता और बेंगलु जैसे चा र मुख भा रती य शहरों में ट्रैफि क जा म के का रण हर सा ल लगभग 1.47 ला ख करो ड़ पये का नुकसा न हो ता है। यह नुकसा न ईंधन की बर्बा दी, उत्पा दकता में कमी और स्वा सम्बंधी भा वों के का रण हो ता है। टॉमटॉम ट्रैफि क इंडे के अनुसा र, बेंगलु के लो ग सा ला ना औसतन 132 घंटे ट्रैफि क जा म में बि ता देते हैं, जो उत्पा दकता के लि ए बड़ा नुकसा न है। पर्या वरण दूषण भी ट्रैफि क जा म की एक गंभी र परि णति है। दुनि या के 20 सबसे दूषि त शहरों में से 13 भा रत में हैं। ट्रैफि क जा म के का रण वा हनों से नि कलने वा ले का र्बन उर्जन में भा री वृद्धि हो ती है, जि ससे वा यु गुणवत्ता खरा ब हो ती है और स्वा समस्या एं बढ़ती हैं। ची न ने इस समस्या से नि पटने के लि ए इलेक्ट्रि क वा हनों को प्रा थमि कता दी है और सा र्वजनि क परि वहन को अधि क ऊर्जा -कुशल बना या है, जबकि भा रत में इलेक्ट्रि क वा हन अभी भी बड़े पैमा ने पर अपना ए जा ने की क्रि या में हैं। भा रत में 2023 के अंत तक लगभग 6,586 सा र्वजनि क ईवी चा र्जिं ग स्टेशन उपल थे, जबकि ची न में यह संख्या 6 मि लि यन से अधि क थी । ईवी अपना ने की गति चा र्जिं ग इंफ्रा स्ट्रर, बैटरी उत्पा दन और नी ति समर्थन पर नि र्भर करती है। इस समस्या के समा धा न के लि ए कई भा वी रणनी ति यां अपना ई जा सकती हैं। सबसे पहले सा र्वजनि क परि वहन णा ली को मजबूत करना अनि वा र्य है। अधि क शहरों में मेट्रो नेटवर्क, इलेक्ट्रि क बसों और सा इकि ल ट्रैक को बढ़ा वा देना चा हि ए। भा रत में हा ई-ऑक्यूपेंसी व्ही कल लेन का प्रा वधा न कि या जा सकता है, जि ससे एक से अधि क या त्रि यों वा ले वा हनों को प्रा थमि कता मि ले और का र-पूलिं ग को प्रो त्सा हन मि ले। सड़कों के बुनि या दी ढां चे में सुधा र भी आवक है। फ्ला ईओवर, मल्टी-लेवल पा र्किं ग और स्मा र्ट ट्रैफि क सि ल जैसी सुवि धा एं वि कसि त की जा नी चा हि ए। कृत्रि म बुद्धि मत्ता और बि ग डेटा का उपयो ग करके ट्रैफि क को भा वी प से बंधि त कि या जा सकता है। भा रत में अभी तक केवल कुछ ही शहरों जैसे बेंगलु और पुणे में एआई आधा रि त ट्रैफि क मैनेजमेंट ला गू आ है, जबकि ची न और जा पा न में यह णा ली पहले से ही उत है। इसे देशभर में ला गू करने के लि ए आवक तकनी की और शा सनि क बदला वों पर ध्यान देने की आवकता है। हा लां कि इसका चरणब का र्या यन जरी है। का र्य-समय में बदला व और वर्क फ्रॉ म हो म को बढ़ा वा देना भी एक वहा रि क समा धा न हो सकता है। यदि वि भि क्षेत्रों के का र्या लय और स्कूलों का समय अलग-अलग कि या जा ए, तो ट्रैफि क लो ड को वि भा जि त कि या जा सकता है। हा लां कि , यह समा धा न केवल आईटी और कॉ र्पो रेट सेर तक सी मि त रहेगा , जबकि फैक्ट्री , सर्वि स सेर और खुदरा उद्यो ग के संदर्भ में भी इस पर चर्चा हो नी चा हि ए। फ्लेक्सि बल ऑफि स टाइमिं ग नी ति ला गू कर ट्रैफि क पी क टाइम को नि यंत्रि त कि या जा सकता है। इलेक्ट्रि क वा हनों के उपयो ग को भी प्रो त्सा हि त कि या जा ना चा हि ए। पेट्रो ल और डी जल वा हनों की तुलना में इलेक्ट्रि क वा हनों का उपयो ग बढ़ा ने के लि ए चा र्जिं ग इंफ्रा स्ट्रर को मजबूत करना आवक है। भा रत में ईवी बैटरी नि र्मा ण, चा र्जिं ग स्टेशन वि स्तार और सरका री नी ति यों के भा व पर अधि क ध्यान देने की आवकता है। भा रत को वैश्वि क अनुभवों से भी सी खने की जरत है, लेकि न केवल सतही तुलना करने के बजा य वहा रि कता पर ध्यान देना आवक है।

Traffic Mismanagement Bleeds India’s Economy, Wastes Fuel, Chokes Cities: CSE Report

A report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted the growing traffic congestion in Delhi and its large impact on commuter experience, economic productivity and environmental pollution. The report states that, on weekdays, traffic congestion reduces average speed by 41% during morning peak hours and by 56% during evening peak hours. Even on weekends, the reduction is significant, with morning traffic going down by 27% and evening traffic going down by 42%. Economic and Productivity Loss The report estimates that traffic congestion creates a considerable economic productivity loss, especially for workers of various skill levels. An unskilled worker could lose between Rs 7,200 - Rs 19,600 each year, skilled workers could lose up to Rs 23,800, and a highly-skilled worker could lose Rs 25,900. The economic equivalent of the time loss equals nearly 12% of the worker’s monthly take-home pay, indicating a serious cost of time loss due to commuting delays. Anil Chhikara, Former Deputy Commissioner, Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, told ETV Bharat, “Around 3% of India's GDP is waste due to cows standing in traffic. Metropolitan cities have become congested due to traffic, whose fuel consumption is 10% waste. Where vehicles stand in traffic, a chamber of pollution is formed, which contains gases like carbon monoxide and sulphur oxide, which can be measured. This chamber contains VOC, a volatile organic composition, which has particles like benzine, aldehyde, which is increasing the air quality. If the average speed during peak hours is 30 km/hr, then it is very good. The speed of vehicles is inversely propositional to pollution. The difference between our country and foreign countries is that we are not managing the traffic. The traffic light was applied on the course and it was reduced to 2-3 minutes in which a person gets his turn 3-4 times, so 10 minutes are wasted in completing the journey.” Additionally, congestion-related economic losses in Delhi are projected to reach USD 14.7 billion by 2030, due to pollution and wasted fuel. Fuel losses, because of traffic congestion alone, could cost millions of dollars daily, exacerbating the already severe air quality problems facing the city. The impacts of traffic congestion on pollution have a direct correlation, because emissions from stopped vehicles can be 3 to 7 times greater than free-flowing traffic. Large quantities of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are emitted, affecting local air quality and health risks for local residents. Rise of Motorisation and Problems of Public Transport Motorisation in India has surged since 2000, with the number of new vehicles doubling every 5-6 years. Although the pandemic ended the upward trajectory for a period, motorisation rebounded quickly and in 2023-24, an average of 58,000 new motor vehicles were registered each day, where 52,000 were private vehicles. In Delhi, on average, there were 6.4 lakh vehicles registered in the same period as above, and on average, new vehicles were registered every day, with approximately 1,750 being new vehicles. There has also been considerable momentum regarding electrification, and since 2015-16, the share of electric vehicles in total new registrations is 6.5% of all registrations. The issues with the dominance of foreign vehicles, however, still exist. The modal share of private traffic in Delhi went from 27% in 1994 to 48.2% in 2018, and average trip length increased from 6 kilometres in 2007 to 10.9 kilometres in 2018, showing both increased trip lengths and increased dependence on roadways. Metro and Public Transport Decline The number of commuters on the Delhi Metro has not reached initial expectations. The daily average ridership during 2019-20 was around 27.79 lakh riders per day, compared to an expected ridership of 53.47 lakh. While, on one hand, the number of metro commuters has increased by 67.5 percent from 2011 to 2020, on the other hand, bus ridership reduced by about 24.6 percent during the same period, indicating mode switching among commuters. However, are more people riding the metro, or has the trip frequency increased? The increase in total metro ridership does not necessarily mean more trips since the total is made up of multiple interchanges for each rider. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is developing a proposal for a multi-storey parking lot in Tikona Park, Tis Hazari Court, which is one of the most congested areas in Delhi. This works with an expectation that the facility can accommodate 500 vehicles, thus addressing the severe parking scarcity and reducing traffic bottleneck. In other parts of the city, similar works, such as the parking space on Gandhi Maidan and Nigam Bodh Ghat parking, have been successful in congestion relief. "The parking will significantly reduce the traffic congestion near Tis Hazari Court, one of the most congested areas of the national capital," an MCD official stated. "The construction of the parking space will provide a significant convenience to the residents." Impact of SUV Growth on Traffic Congestion One of the reasons for an increase in congestion is the phenomenon called ‘car bloat.’ This staggering increase in passenger vehicles, especially SUVs and pickup trucks, is furthering the congestion related to roadways. A study published in 'Transportmetrica' found that a growing demand for SUVs contributed to a 9.5% reduction in freeway capacity from 1995 to 2019 in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Larger vehicles take up more space, require larger deceleration distances, and block road visibility contributing to increased congestion. "If you’re in a short car and you want to be able to anticipate what’s ahead, you’re going to give somewhat more headway with the vehicle in front of you," said researcher of the report, Levinson. Traffic Issues Near Schools Morning and afternoon rush hours outside schools have become chaotic due to heavy traffic, illegal parking and excessive honking. In response, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued directives for all government and private schools to implement strict measures to curb traffic congestion and noise pollution. Schools are required to conduct awareness programs and coordinate with local police to address parking violations. "Traffic jams around schools have been a persistent issue, with countless complaints from parents and residents about vehicles blocking entrances and constant honking," said a senior official from the education department. "Schools should be sanctuaries of safety not just within their walls but also in the spaces children navigate daily. The incessant noise and traffic congestion not only disrupt concentration but pose serious safety risks, especially for students crossing busy roads." However, school authorities face challenges in enforcing these regulations. Many schools lack designated drop-off zones, and municipal infrastructure support remains inadequate. "We don't have the authority to impose fines or tow illegally parked vehicles. Many parents drop off and pick up children in cars, often parking temporarily near the school. Restricting this often leads to unpleasant confrontation with parents," said Principal of Amity International School. She added that awareness campaigns may not bring the desired change. "Our school, located near a busy shopping complex and residential area, faces severe traffic congestion during peak hours. We've repeatedly urged the municipal corporation to cover open drains to expand parking space. We advise parents to use carpools and avoid unnecessary honking, and have designated separate gates for private drops, vans, and buses. Assigning traffic police at peak hours would ease the situation." A mother of two children said, “Every morning feels like navigating a battlefield. Cars are double-parked, the honking never stops, and I constantly worry about the risk of an accident," she said. "If the new rules are enforced properly, it will make mornings less stressful." A principal of a Delhi school said regulations without sufficient infrastructure support are unlikely to achieve anything. "The real issue lies in the lack of proper traffic management around schools. The focus should be on creating designated drop-off zones, improving road infrastructure, and ensuring that traffic police are present at peak hours," she said.

Heat is on, blame high-rises

The surge in high-rise constructions in the city, particularly in Gachibowli, Madhapur, and Kokapet, thanks to the relaxed floor space index (FSI) policy, is significantly contributing to the ‘urban heat island (UHI)’ effect Hyderabad. The core urban areas are 1.9°C warmer than peri-urban areas due to trapped heat (heat retention) by high-rises and dark roads.Peri-urban areas cooled by 12.3°C at night while it was 9.7°C in the city core areas. Hot nights pose severe health risks by preventing recovery from the daytime heat, causing prolonged bodily stress due to more urban heat island effects in the night. The growing intensity of UHI effects in Hyderabad and other urban areas was highlighted in the socio economic survey report tabled in the recent Assembly session, which referred to the ‘Urban Heat Stress Tracker-Hyderabad’ published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

CCCFS, GMet train religious leaders on weather forecast interpretation

The Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS), in partnership with the Ghana Meteorology Agency (GMet), has trained 15 religious leaders from Christian and Muslim communities on how to interpret weather forecasts as part of the global Early Warning for All (EW4All) campaign, which aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response at the community level. The virtual training, conducted via Zoom, equipped the religious leaders with the skills to understand and effectively communicate weather forecasts provided by GMet. The training aimed to help the leaders to ensure weather forecast information is reached to their congregations to take necessary precautions against extreme weather events. “The importance of weather forecasts cannot be overstated, especially in a time when changing weather patterns are affecting our daily lives,” Executive Director of CCCFS, Engr. Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen said. He stated that religious leaders are key influencers in their communities, and by equipping them with the knowledge to understand and relay weather information. “We are ensuring that more Ghanaians, particularly those in vulnerable regions, can adapt and take necessary precautions against extreme weather events.” In recent years, extreme weather conditions have severely impacted many communities in Ghana, particularly affecting schoolchildren living near rivers, streams, and coastal areas. CCCFS plans to extend the initiative to train teachers across the country, further strengthening community resilience and preparedness. The training was facilitated by Senior Meteorologist at GMet, Joshua Asamoah, who emphasised the need for collaboration between meteorological services, community leaders, and the public. “Through training and knowledge-sharing, we can build a well-informed society that is prepared for the challenges posed by climate change,” he stated. Expanding climate resilience efforts CCCFS has been at the forefront of climate resilience and adaptation efforts in Ghana. The organization has previously trained journalists, farmers, and religious leaders on climate-related topics. In July 2020, CCCFS, through its Non-Profit Journalism Project, GJESHA, partnered with Down To Earth and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India to train 10 journalists on climate change reporting. In 2022, it further trained 20 journalists on interpreting weather forecasts to enhance their ability to communicate climate information effectively. More than 100 farmers have also benefited from similar training programmes, with WhatsApp groups established to provide continuous learning on weather forecasts and climate trends. In 2022, it further trained 20 journalists on interpreting weather forecasts to enhance their ability to communicate climate information effectively. More than 100 farmers have also benefited from similar training programmes, with WhatsApp groups established to provide continuous learning on weather forecasts and climate trends. CCCFS has made progress through in-kind contributions, including technical expertise, training resources, and digital platforms that facilitate knowledge-sharing. However, as the organization looks to scale its impact, it recognises the urgent need for broader collaboration with government agencies, development partners, and private institutions to expand its reach and sustainability.

Hyderabad Real Estate Growth: Skyscrapers Contribute to Rising Heat

Hyderabad is experiencing an increase in the urban heat island (UHI) effect, particularly in areas like Gachibowli, Madhapur, and Kokapet, due to the rise in high-rise buildings. This surge in construction is a result of the relaxed floor space index (FSI) policy, which has led to higher buildings in the city. As a result, the core urban areas of Hyderabad are now 1.9°C warmer than the surrounding peri-urban areas because of heat being trapped by high-rise buildings and dark roads. The situation worsens at night. While the peri-urban areas cool by 12.3°C, the city core cools only by 9.7°C. These hot nights, caused by the urban heat island effect, pose significant health risks. They prevent the body from cooling down properly, causing stress and potential long-term health problems. The growing urban heat island effect was highlighted in the socio-economic survey report presented during the recent Assembly session. The report referred to the “Urban Heat Stress Tracker-Hyderabad,” published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which tracks this rising issue. To combat the UHI effect, experts suggest expanding green infrastructure, such as increasing tree cover, creating rooftop gardens, and using reflective building materials. Other measures include widening streets, improving ventilation, preserving water bodies, and maintaining open spaces. The FSI policy, which ranges from 6 to 13, has contributed to increased real estate development but also intensified the city’s heat issue. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) approved 74 high-rise buildings and several commercial towers in 2023-24. Hyderabad needs to balance growth with measures to reduce heat stress and create a more sustainable environment.

बढ़ते वाहन, घटती रफ्तार: देश में ट्रैफिक की समस्या

भारत में बढ़ता ट्रैफिक एक गंभीर समस्या बन चुका है। बढ़ती जनसंख्या, शहरीकरण और अव्यवस्थित यातायात प्रणाली के कारण प्रमुख शहरों में ट्रैफिक जाम आम हो गया है। इससे समय की बर्बादी, आर्थिक नुकसान, पर्यावरण प्रदूषण और स्वास्थ्य समस्याएं बढ़ रही हैं। 2011 की जनगणना के अनुसार, भारत की शहरी जनसंख्या 31.16% थी, जो विश्व बैंक के 2022 के अनुमान के अनुसार शहरी जनसंख्या 2020 तक बढ़कर 35% हो चुकी है। शहरीकरण की यह गति आने वाले वर्षों में और तेज होगी, जिससे महानगरों में वाहनों की संख्या भी बढ़ेगी। दिल्ली में 2023 तक लगभग 1.2-1.3 करोड़ पंजीकृत वाहन थे, जो कई यूरोपीय देशों की कुल वाहन संख्या के बराबर हैं। ट्रैफिक जाम का एक प्रमुख कारण सार्वजनिक परिवहन की कमजोर स्थिति है। दिल्ली मेट्रो, मुंबई लोकल और कोलकाता मेट्रो जैसे कुछ सफल उदाहरण मौजूद हैं, लेकिन अधिकांश भारतीय शहरों में सार्वजनिक परिवहन सीमित और अव्यवस्थित है। दिल्ली में सार्वजनिक परिवहन के उपयोग के सम्बंध में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 2013 से 2018 के बीच दिल्ली में बसों की राइडरशिप में 16.9% की गिरावट दर्ज की गई है। निजी वाहनों पर बढ़ती निर्भरता ट्रैफिक जाम को और गंभीर बना रही है। लंदन और सिंगापुर ने सार्वजनिक परिवहन को इतना प्रभावी बना दिया है कि निजी वाहनों का उपयोग सीमित हो गया है, जबकि भारत में स्थिति उलट है। हालांकि, कंजेशन चार्ज जैसे उपाय भारत में व्यवहारिक रूप से चुनौतीपूर्ण हैं क्योंकि सार्वजनिक परिवहन अभी पर्याप्त नहीं है और डिजिटल टोलिंग सिस्टम पूरी तरह विकसित नहीं हुआ है। सड़क ढांचे की अपर्याप्तता भी ट्रैफिक समस्या को बढ़ा रही है। भारत का सड़क नेटवर्क विश्व में दूसरा सबसे बड़ा है, जिसकी कुल लंबाई 62,15,797 किलोमीटर से अधिक है, लेकिन इनमें से अधिकांश सड़कें संकरी, जर्जर और अतिक्रमण से प्रभावित हैं। दिल्ली और मुंबई में 30-40% सड़कें अवैध पार्किंग और अनधिकृत निर्माण से बाधित रहती हैं। जापान और दक्षिण कोरिया में सड़क रखरखाव योजनाएं इतनी व्यवस्थित हैं कि ट्रैफिक जाम बहुत कम होता है, जबकि भारत में सड़क परियोजनाओं की धीमी गति के कारण यह समस्या विकराल रूप ले रही है। भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था को भी ट्रैफिक जाम के कारण भारी नुकसान उठाना पड़ता है। बोस्टन कंसल्टिंग ग्रुप की रिपोर्ट (2018) बताती है कि दिल्ली, मुंबई, कोलकाता और बेंगलुरु जैसे चार प्रमुख भारतीय शहरों में ट्रैफिक जाम के कारण हर साल लगभग 1.47 लाख करोड़ रुपये का नुकसान होता है। यह नुकसान ईंधन की बर्बादी, उत्पादकता में कमी और स्वास्थ्य सम्बंधी प्रभावों के कारण होता है। टॉमटॉम ट्रैफिक इंडेक्स के अनुसार, बेंगलुरु के लोग सालाना औसतन 132 घंटे ट्रैफिक जाम में बिता देते हैं, जो उत्पादकता के लिए बड़ा नुकसान है। पर्यावरण प्रदूषण भी ट्रैफिक जाम की एक गंभीर परिणति है। दुनिया के 20 सबसे प्रदूषित शहरों में से 13 भारत में हैं। ट्रैफिक जाम के कारण वाहनों से निकलने वाले कार्बन उत्सर्जन में भारी वृद्धि होती है, जिससे वायु गुणवत्ता खराब होती है और स्वास्थ्य समस्याएं बढ़ती हैं। चीन ने इस समस्या से निपटने के लिए इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों को प्राथमिकता दी है और सार्वजनिक परिवहन को अधिक ऊर्जा-कुशल बनाया है, जबकि भारत में इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन अभी भी बड़े पैमाने पर अपनाए जाने की प्रक्रिया में हैं। भारत में 2023 के अंत तक लगभग 6,586 सार्वजनिक ईवी चार्जिंग स्टेशन उपलब्ध थे, जबकि चीन में यह संख्या 6 मिलियन से अधिक थी। ईवी अपनाने की गति चार्जिंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर, बैटरी उत्पादन और नीति समर्थन पर निर्भर करती है। इस समस्या के समाधान के लिए कई प्रभावी रणनीतियां अपनाई जा सकती हैं। सबसे पहले सार्वजनिक परिवहन प्रणाली को मजबूत करना अनिवार्य है। अधिक शहरों में मेट्रो नेटवर्क, इलेक्ट्रिक बसों और साइकिल ट्रैक को बढ़ावा देना चाहिए। भारत में हाई-ऑक्यूपेंसी व्हीकल लेन का प्रावधान किया जा सकता है, जिससे एक से अधिक यात्रियों वाले वाहनों को प्राथमिकता मिले और कार-पूलिंग को प्रोत्साहन मिले। सड़कों के बुनियादी ढांचे में सुधार भी आवश्यक है। फ्लाईओवर, मल्टी-लेवल पार्किंग और स्मार्ट ट्रैफिक सिग्नल जैसी सुविधाएं विकसित की जानी चाहिए। कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता और बिग डेटा का उपयोग करके ट्रैफिक को प्रभावी रूप से प्रबंधित किया जा सकता है। भारत में अभी तक केवल कुछ ही शहरों (जैसे बेंगलुरु और पुणे) में एआई-आधारित ट्रैफिक मैनेजमेंट लागू हुआ है, जबकि चीन और जापान में यह प्रणाली पहले से ही उन्नत है। इसे देशभर में लागू करने के लिए आवश्यक तकनीकी और प्रशासनिक बदलावों पर ध्यान देने की आवश्यकता है। हालांकि, इसका चरणबद्ध कार्यान्वयन जरूरी है, पहले टियर-1 शहरों में, फिर टियर-2 और टियर-3 शहरों में विस्तार किया जा सकता है। कार्य-समय में बदलाव और वर्क-फ्रॉम-होम को बढ़ावा देना भी एक व्यवहारिक समाधान हो सकता है। यदि विभिन्न क्षेत्रों के कार्यालय और स्कूलों का समय अलग-अलग किया जाए, तो ट्रैफिक लोड को विभाजित किया जा सकता है। हालांकि, यह समाधान केवल आईटी और कॉर्पोरेट सेक्टर तक सीमित रहेगा, जबकि फैक्ट्री, सर्विस सेक्टर और खुदरा उद्योग के संदर्भ में भी इस पर चर्चा होनी चाहिए। फ्लेक्सिबल ऑफिस टाइमिंग नीति लागू कर ट्रैफिक पीक टाइम को नियंत्रित किया जा सकता है। इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों के उपयोग को भी प्रोत्साहित किया जाना चाहिए। पेट्रोल और डीजल वाहनों की तुलना में इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों का उपयोग बढ़ाने के लिए चार्जिंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर को मजबूत करना आवश्यक है। भारत में ईवी बैटरी निर्माण, चार्जिंग स्टेशन विस्तार और सरकारी नीतियों के प्रभाव पर अधिक ध्यान देने की आवश्यकता है। भारत को वैश्विक अनुभवों से भी सीखने की जरूरत है, लेकिन केवल सतही तुलना करने के बजाय व्यवहारिकता पर ध्यान देना आवश्यक है। नीदरलैंड में साइकलिंग को प्राथमिकता देकर ट्रैफिक कम किया गया है, लेकिन भारतीय शहरों में इसे अपनाने की व्यवहारिकता पर विचार करना होगा। जापान में रेलवे और बुलेट ट्रेनों पर अधिक जोर दिया गया है, जिससे सड़क ट्रैफिक में कमी आई है। भारत में भी हाई-स्पीड रेल सिस्टम और सार्वजनिक परिवहन के उन्नयन से ट्रैफिक समस्या का हल संभव हो सकता है। हालांकि, हाई-स्पीड रेल प्रोजेक्ट अभी शुरुआती चरण में है, इसलिए भारत में मेट्रो नेटवर्क विस्तार और इंटरसिटी ट्रेनों की सुधार योजना पर अधिक ध्यान देना चाहिए। यदि सही कदम उठाए जाएं, तो भारत की यातायात व्यवस्था को अधिक कुशल, सुचारु और पर्यावरण-अनुकूल बनाया जा सकता है।

Winter gone, but AQI ‘poor’ in Gurgaon for 3rd straight day

Gurgaon: The city's air quality index was on Thursday ‘poor' for the third straight day this week, despite being outside the winter pollution cycle and March being a relatively cleaner season. Experts said one of the main culprits is likely open burning of garbage, which has become a year-round problem in the city since its waste management crisis began manifesting in garbage piling up along roadsides. One of the city's stations, Teri Gram, recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 344, or ‘very poor', on Thursday. The AQI at Sector 51 station was 251 (‘poor'), and at Gwal Pahari, it was 240, also ‘poor'. Data from the city's fourth station in Vikas Sadan was not available. Gurgaon, overall, recorded 24-hour average AQI of 274, a steady deterioration from 263 and 206 the previous two days. In comparison, Delhi's AQI was relatively lower, at 249, and Noida's was ‘moderate', at 176, on Thursday. Air quality was the worst in Ghaziabad, at 311, ‘very poor'. A Met department official said air quality was poor even though brisk winds, with speeds up to 20-30kmph, were blowing over the region. "These winds can contribute to the dispersion of pollutants, but they also stir up dust, which adds to air pollution," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. Residents said they have gotten used to living with year-long air pollution, especially in localities near DLF area, IFFCO Chowk, sectors 9, 10, 51, 65 and 86, Sadar Bazar and Udyog Vihar – all hotspots of open waste burning. "I wake up every morning to the smell of burning plastic, and my children start coughing before they even leave for school," said Sangeeta Biswal, a resident of Sector 85. Biswal said she keeps all windows in her house shut, but the smoke from garbage piles on fire still seeps in. "This isn't how we should have to live, especially when it's not even winter," she said. Doctors said long-term exposure to air pollution worsens existing respiratory issues, causes irritation in the eyes and other health problems. "Large-scale burning of trash releases toxins like dioxins, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Severe respiratory distress can be triggered by these emissions, especially in individuals who suffer from lung conditions like bronchitis, COPD or asthma. Although it is not winter, residents are falling victim to more respiratory illnesses, persistent coughs, sore throats, and dyspnea," said Dr Arunesh Kumar, senior consultant for respiratory medicine at Paras Health. Dr Kumar said youngsters and children aren't immune to the adverse effects of air pollution. "Irritation to eyes, in the throat, headaches, fatigue and even skin rashes are common symptoms. High particulate matter enters deep into the lungs and incites inflammation, reduces lung function and increases susceptibility to infections," he said. Experts said Gurgaon is in the midst of a public health crisis and response to mitigate pollution must not be limited to winter, when the problem is more visible because of smog. "Immediate enforcement of waste disposal regulations, improved collection systems and public awareness campaigns are needed to address the issue before air quality deteriorates further as summer approaches," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment. Asked about open waste burning, officials of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board said they have forwarded complaints of open waste burning to MCG to carry out checks and impose fines on those violating the norm. "We are conducting close monitoring of the hotspots for garbage burning. As per the GRAP, first-time offenders will be fined Rs 5,000 and violation for a second time will lead to a 20% hike in penalty. Open waste burning is a big contributor to air pollution in the region," a senior HSPCB official said. MCG joint commissioner for Swachh Bharat Mission could not be reached for a comment till Thursday evening. In June 2024, Haryana govt declared what it called ‘solid waste exigency' in Gurgaon. This allowed for implementation of a Solid Waste Environment Exigency Programme (SWEEP), under which teams of district administration, MCG and GMDA were formed to monitor cleanliness drives across the city. Months earlier, Gurgaon put up its worst show in central govt's Swachh Survekshan rankings, finishing 140th out of 446 Indian cities, the lowest it fell to since the exercise began in 2016.

पर्यावरण के अनुकूल प्रथाओं को अपनाने के लिए किया प्रेरित

पीएमश्री राजकीय वरिष्ठ माध्यमिक पाठशाला बाल हमीरपुर में वीरवार को ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम पर कार्यशाला का आयोजन किया गया। कार्यशाला प्रदेश विज्ञान, प्रौद्योगिकी एवं पर्यावरण परिषद (हिमकोस्टे) व प्रारंभिक शिक्षा विभाग हमीरपुर के सहयोग से आयोजित हुई। कार्यशाला का शुभारंभ प्रारंभिक शिक्षा विभाग हमीरपुर के उपनिदेशक कमल किशोर भारती ने किया। कार्यशाला में हमीरपुर जिले के 30 इको क्लब प्रभारी शिक्षकों ने भाग लिया। प्रशिक्षण सत्रों का नेतृत्व नई दिल्ली स्थित सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट से विषय विशेषज्ञ नीरज कुमार ने किया। उन्होंने कहा कि ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम स्कूलों को पर्यावरण के अनुकूल प्रथाओं को अपनाने और स्थिरता को बढ़ावा देने के लिए प्रेरित करता है। कार्यशाला में विशेष रूप से डिप्टी डीईओ वंदना धीमान, सुपरिंटेंडेंट ग्रेड वन कश्मीर सिंह, जिला विज्ञान पर्यवेक्षक हमीरपुर राजेश गौतम, प्रधानाचार्य मुश्ताक मोहम्मद, वरिष्ठ वैज्ञानिक सहायक रिशव राणा व विज्ञान संघ के जिला प्रधान विकेश कौशल शामिल रहे। कार्यशाला में जीवन के मुख्य घटकों जैसे भूमि, जल, ऊर्जा और खाद्य पदार्थों का संरक्षण पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया गया। विषय विशेषज्ञ ने शिक्षकों और छात्रों को पर्यावरण संरक्षण से संबंधित क्रियाशील योजनाओं में शामिल होने और अपनी क्षमताओं पर ध्यान केंद्रित कर राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर प्रतिस्पर्धा करने के तरीकों पर जानकारी उपलब्ध करवाई।

US is back with a vengeance

THIS IS not the time for energy transition, this is the time for energy addition,” said the US energy secretary Chris Wright to cheering applause. He was speaking at one of the largest energy conferences, ceraweek, at Houston last month, and the room was overowing with energy company heads and other experts. Attending the week-long conference, it was clear to me that our world has changed. Still, it is important to understand what and why this complete rejection of climate change policies is happening in a world that is warming rapidly with catastrophic weather impacts. This is not the time to bury our heads in the sand and think that the Donald Trump administration’s energy policy will not lead to massive changes in their world and ours. What is its reasoning for this shift? First, the gross national debt of the US has reached $36 trillion; interest payments are larger than what the country spends in defence. So, the answer is to “re-industrialize” and not “deindustrialize”, in the words of the US energy secretary. This thrust on onshore manufacturing will require more energy and more energy infrastructure. Second, China has taken the lead in many new areas, from supply chains and manufacturing of electric vehicles to solar. The Trump administration says it must not lose the Articial Intelligence (AI) race to China. This means building energy-intensive data centres at a pace not seen before. The country has some 5,000 data centres today which consume 3 per cent of its grid-based electricity. This is expected to increase exponentially, and data centres are projected to consume 8-12 per cent of the electricity by the end of the decade. All of this means more generation of electricity. Till now, as the country had reached its peak growth levels, electricity demand had more or less stagnated. Now it is expected to increase. Then, what will be the source of this “new” power generation? The Trump administration says it cannot depend on renewables to supply this electricity. Wright told the audience that renewables only met 3 per cent of US energy demand in spite of the huge investment, and so energy transition is not real. This, of course, is misleading because in terms of electricity generation, renewables have now overtaken coal in the US, contributing to 15-17 per cent of the electricity in the past year. But if total energy is taken as the measure, including the consumption of oil in transport and industry, the share of renewables in the energy mix decreases. But this is not semantics for the Trump administration. It is convinced that there is a need for reversing the previous administration’s energy policies that were “myopically focused on climate change”. It also says this has led to increased cost of electricity, adding to the burden of households (again, there is no data on this but then the game is about perception and persuasion). So energy growth will be from the fossil fuel natural gas (there is even talk of coal) and the US administration is fast-tracking all that is needed to increase its production and generation. This will add to emissions of greenhouse gases, but as the energy secretary said, carbon dioxide, unlike carbon monoxide, is not a pollutant. Climate change is just a footnote in the US' plans I am writing all this not to depress you, but to make it clear that we must not live in a fool’s paradise. This new brown-energy policy of the world’s largest historical polluter and second highest greenhouse gas emitter annually will have horrendous ramications. What should we do? Let’s continue to discuss this. DTE @sunitanar

Circular economy key to sustainability

Industrial waste circularity can make a huge difference to the way we manage waste and reduce carbon emissions. By 2030, it can help reuse 750 million tonnes of industrial waste; conserve over 450 million tonnes of natural resources; and reduce 50-60 million tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent New Delhi: Building and practising a circular economy is not just about managing waste efficiently – it has a potential to lead to substantial conservation of natural resources as well as reduction in carbon emissions, says a new report on industrial waste circularity by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A circular economy an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way. The report – Good Practices in Industrial Waste Circularity -- has estimated the potential of circularity of different industrial wastes in various applications by 2030 and the associated benefits in terms of natural resource conservation, reduction in carbon emissions and cost economics. According to it, there is a potential for utilising about 750 million tonne (MT) of various types of wastes in industries (steel slag, RDF, flyash, red mud, biomass, hazardous waste etc). Circularity can also help conserve more than 450 MT of natural resources like coal and gypsum, while the potential of reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) lies in the range of 50-90 MT. Speaking at a National Dialogue based on the CSE report on the subject here today, CSE director general Sunita Narain said: “Industries contribute over 30 per cent of India’s GDP, and are significant consumers of natural resources and generators of waste. They are also major sources of pollution and carbon emissions. Circularity has emerged as a critical focus area globally and nationally, emphasising on the principle that waste is not merely waste, but a valuable resource. This model promotes the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of existing materials and products to extend their lifecycle. Narain went on to say: “A new approach is needed in management of industrial waste. We must avoid simply transferring toxins from one place to another. Instead, waste from one industry should become a resource for another. Industrial activity should not contribute to pollution but instead follow a path of responsible circularity. CSE’s work in this field highlights that it can be a game-changer, making a significant impact on resource use in the country.” The Dialogue has been organised to explore how circularity can serve as a tool not only for effective waste management but also for achieving co-benefits such as decarbonisation, cleaner air, resource conservation, and cost optimisation. Presenting the findings of the CSE study, Shobhit Srivastava, programme manager, industrial pollution, CSE said: “Many Indian industries are already taking steps to improve circularity – they have a number of good practices that need to be scaled up. States like Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka have taken initiatives towards circularity, but more states need to follow their example.” Highlighting the circularity potential of industrial wastes, the CSE report says that out of 52.5 MT of steel slag estimated to be generated by 2030, about 35.3-41 MT can be used in cement making. Similarly, out of 437 MT of fly ash expected to be generated by 2030, roughly 208-231 MT can be used in the cement sector. Using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement industries and co-firing biomass in thermal power plants can help reduce CO2 emissions in the range of 46.6 to 85.6 MT of CO2e by 2030, says the report.

इस साल पड़ने वाली गर्मी पर आई बड़ी खबर, खतरे में आ सकती हैं फसलें!

देश में गर्मी की शुरुआत ही हुई है और अभी से कई राज्यों में तापमान आसमान छू गया है. मौजूदा समय में कई जगहों पर दिन में हीटवेव (Heatwave Alert) के साथ-साथ रात के तापमान में भी काफी बढ़ोतरी देखी गई है. इस बीच मौसम विभाग ने आने वाले दिनों में पारा चढ़ने का अनुमान लगाया है. न राज्यों में दिखा प्रकोप भारत में आमतौर पर मार्च से मई के बीच गर्मी का मौसम माना जाता है. लेकिन इस साल गोवा और महाराष्ट्र में गर्मी के मौसम ने फरवरी के आखिरी दिनों में ही दस्तक दे दी थी. ऐसा पहली बार हुआ है. यह फरवरी 125 सालों में सबसे गर्म रही है. मौसम विभाग के अनुसार, जब मैदानी इलाकों में अधिकतम तापमान कम से कम 40 डिग्री सेल्सियस या सामान्य से 5 डिग्री ज्यादा होता है, तो उसे हीटवेव मान लिया जाता है. ओडिशा, झारखंड, गुजरात, महाराष्ट्र और तेलंगाना के कुछ हिस्सों ने मार्च महीने के दौरान हीटवेव का सामना किया है. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के अनुसार, 11-23 फरवरी के दौरान 22 राज्यों में कम से कम एक बार रात का तापमान सामान्य से 3-5 डिग्री ज्यादा रहा. आगे कैसा रहेगा तापमान? मौसम विभाग के मुताबिक, इस गर्मी में देश के ज्यादातर हिस्सों को सामान्य से ज्यादा हीटवेव का सामना करना पड़ सकता है. रात का तापमान भी सामान्य से ज्यादा रहने की उम्मीद है. हालांकि, रिपोर्ट में यह नहीं बताया गया है कि 2025 की गर्मियां 2024 से ज्यादा खराब होंगी या नहीं, जो 1901 के बाद से रिकॉर्ड की गई सबसे ज्यादा गर्मी थी.