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Cse In News

Cse In News

Science-wise: Here’s What it Will Take to Get A Solar Panel on Every Rooftop

It is sustainable, climate-friendly and can help slash your surging power bills. After nearly a decade-long campaign and a boom in the renewable energy market, rooftop solar panels haven’t yet become a popular choice for a majority of the Indian households. However, a new government scheme intends to change that. With a massive outlay of nearly Rs 75,000 crore, the new nationwide scheme aims to install rooftop panels over 10 million households in the country. If all goes as per plan, this may also help the government reach its long-drawn national target of 40 GW by 2022, now extended to 2026. But this would be a gigantic task. Rooftop solar power has been lagging in India, with just 7-8 lakh households added since 2015 contributing to an installation capacity of merely 11 GW. “This is just 27% of the actual target. India’s total solar capacity stands around 73.3 GW by the end of 2023. For India to make that giant leap, it has to inspire confidence among average middle-income consumers, who are still on the fence when it comes to investing in the new technology," says Binit Das, Programme Manager, Renewable Energy Unit, Centre for Science & Environment (CSE).

Red flags

A per the 'The State of India's Environment 2023' report, jointly released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth, Nagaland was amont the 11 States/Union Territories in the country that were yet the even start the process of remediating legacy waste.

What’s in Delhi’s landfills? Plastic, food scrap and tonnes of construction & demolition waste

Delhi’s garbage mountains — some of which are popular sites for shooting movies and web series — are now facing a peculiar problem. Despite the city having four dedicated plants to process construction and demolition (C&D) waste, a lot of it lands up at the Bhalswa, Ghazipur and Okhla landfills. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has now written to the Commissioner, directing him to investigate and take action against agencies tasked with disposing of waste. In September last year, in a bid to make Delhi garbage and debris-free, MCD had earmarked 158 locations to dump C&D waste. Mayor Shelly Oberoi, during a press conference Tuesday, revealed there are “major irregularities” with the process. Designated collection points help improve segregated collection — as directed by the C&D Waste Management Rules, 2016. However, Oberoi said despite setting up designated locations, MCD was unable to meet its intention of eliminating the C&D waste issue. According to a standing committee report from last December, Delhi produces approximately 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste per day. MCD sources, however, said that daily production now stands at around 7,000 tonnes per day. The MCD budget presented for the current fiscal year, meanwhile, says the civic body currently has plants with the capacity to manage 5,000 tonnes of C&D waste per day at Bakkarwala, Rani Kheda, Shastri Park, and Burari. According to a recent Center for Science and Environment report, Delhi has reported the highest generation in the country, followed by Ahmedabad, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad. Oberoi alleged that the issue persists despite adequate preparations as the concessionaires are mixing municipal solid waste with C&D waste from these points and sending it to landfill sites. This defeats the purpose of setting up designated C&D waste collection points. The material value of C&D waste is also lost in landfills, causing huge environmental and economic losses, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ study on Municipal Solid and Liquid Waste 2022. Three agencies are currently hired by the MCD to lift C&D waste from across Delhi to the C&D waste processing plants, which costs the MCD a monthly expenditure of Rs 1.1 crore (approx). “Preparations have been made to take strict action against the agency involved in such irregularities. A letter has been written to MCD Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti. Instructions have been given to get this matter investigated and strict action be taken against such agency-concessionaire,” Oberoi said.

Climate Crisis: A four-point primer for India’s young entrepreneurs scouting for green opportunities

There is a climatic problem affecting the world. The past 12 months have been the hottest ever, and there will be consequences both environmentally and economically if we don't make a course correction. But every crisis, despite its difficulties, presents opportunities for growth and innovation. For this reason, I brought together Sunita Narain, Mirik Gogri, Navroz Dubash, and Bhumi Pednekar, four climate experts, to discuss where and how today's entrepreneurs can collaborate to address climate change. We hope that today's twenty-something business owners will read this, use their imaginations, and develop long-term, viable solutions for the future. 1. Decentralised Energy’s Rural Potential One of the most promising opportunities for development lies in decentralised energy solutions that improve rural productivity and agriculture, which is the backbone of rural economies. Navroz rightly pointed out that some companies have demonstrated the immense potential of renewable energy in rural settings by providing solar-powered cold storage for medicines and vaccines, improving agricultural processing, and enhancing overall productivity. These initiatives emphasise the importance of not only technological innovation but also the establishment of institutional and social structures necessary for sustainable development. 2. Energy Transition India is in the process of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This shift provides a great opportunity for entrepreneurial innovation. The government is actively promoting the use of solar and wind energy, creating a favourable environment for developing and deploying new technologies that can harness these resources more efficiently. There are numerous opportunities available in this field. 3. Unsustainability of Li-Ion, Rise of Grid Storage Lithium-ion batteries have been at the forefront of technology in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, powering everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles. However, their long-term sustainability is questionable due to limited lithium resources, environmental concerns in lithium mining, and recycling challenges. This predicament presents a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs to explore and innovate in grid storage solutions. Grid storage technologies, such as flow batteries, compressed air energy storage, and thermal storage, offer promising alternatives. They can store energy more efficiently, for longer periods, and with less environmental impact. For entrepreneurs, this sector not only presents a chance to contribute to a sustainable future but also to tap into a market with immense growth potential, especially in a country like India where the demand for reliable and green energy is increasing. 4. Bioenergy and Waste Management Bioenergy and waste management are critical components of India's green revolution. The country's vast agricultural landscape and urban waste problems provide a unique opportunity to convert waste into energy. Entrepreneurs can innovate in biogas production, waste-to-energy technologies, and biomass energy solutions. These initiatives not only help manage waste but also contribute to the energy supply, supporting the national grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The Road Ahead To conclude, I would say the climate crisis is upon us and I encourage entrepreneurs to seek answers that work for India and work with our country’s unique strengths and challenges. Our journey towards sustainability is marked by frugal engineering and localised solutions that cater to the specific needs of our diverse population and it should continue to do so. Think local, think jugaad and do your bit. Nikhil Kamath is co-founder & head of trading at Zerodha. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

भारत ही नहीं, दुनिया के 65 देशों में किसानों के विरोध प्रदर्शन

दुनिया भर में किसान अपनी मांगों को लेकर विरोध प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं. फ़सलों के लिए वाज़िब दाम और कर्ज़ से छुटकारा इनमें सबसे प्रमुख मांग है. पिछले साल जनवरी से अब तक दक्षिण अमेरिका के 67 फ़ीसदी देशों में किसानों ने कई वजहों से विरोध प्रदर्शन किए. इनमें बेहतर निर्यात विनिमय दरों से लेकर करों में कमी करने की मांगें तक शामिल रहीं. यह मांग ऐसे समय में उठी है, जब अर्थव्यवस्था डांवाडोल थी और अर्जेंटीना में भीषण सूखा पड़ा था. इस सूखे से फसलों को नुकसान पहुंचा और किसानों के हालात बद से बदतर हो गए थे. ‘डाउन टू अर्थ’ की ख़बर है कि ब्राज़ील में, किसानों ने इसलिए विरोध किया क्योंकि उन्हें लगा कि आनुवंशिक रूप से संशोधित मक्का कृषि बाजारों में अनुचित प्रतिस्पर्धा पैदा कर रहा है. वेनेजुएला में, किसानों ने सस्ते डीजल को लेकर अपनी मांग सरकार के सामने रखी. कोलम्बिया में, धान किसानों ने अपनी फसल की अच्छी कीमतों को लेकर प्रदर्शन किए थे. यूरोप के करीब 47 फीसदी देशों में किसान प्रदर्शन के लिए मजबूर हुए हैं. इनके पीछे फसल की उचित कीमतों का न मिलना, बढ़ती लागतें, कम लागत वाले आयात और यूरोपियन यूनियन द्वारा जारी पर्यावरण नियम जैसे कारण जिम्मेवार रहे. उदाहरण के लिए, फ्रांस के किसानों ने सड़कों पर उतरकर कम लागत वाले आयात, सब्सिडी की कमी और उत्पादन की भारी लागत को लेकर विरोध प्रदर्शन किए. ऐसा ही कुछ उत्तर और मध्य अमेरिकी देशों में भी देखने को मिला, जहां 35 फीसदी देशों में किसानों ने विरोध प्रदर्शन किए थे. जहां मेक्सिको में, किसान अपने मक्के और गेहूं की कम कीमतों को लेकर नाखुश थे. वहीं कोस्टा रिका में, उन्होंने सरकार से मदद की मांग की है क्योंकि उनका आरोप है कि उद्योग कर्ज से जूझ रहा है. देश में पहली बार पुलिस ने ड्रोन से दागे आंसू गैस के गोले हरियाणा पुलिस ने पंजाब-हरियाणा सीमा पर शंभू बैरियर पर प्रदर्शन कर रहे किसानों पर जिस तरह से ड्रोन (यूएवी)के जरिए आंसू गैस गोले दागे, वह देश में पहली बार हुआ. अब तक देश के किसी भी पुलिस बल द्वारा आंसू गैस के गोले लॉन्च करने के लिए ड्रोन का इस्तेमाल नहीं किया था. हरियाणा पुलिस ने किसानों पर 2021 सार्वजनिक लिमिटेड कंपनी, ड्रोन इमेजिंग एंड इनफार्मेशन सर्विस ऑफ हरियाणा लिमिटेड (डीआरआईआईएसएच), द्वारा बनाए गए ड्रोन का उपयोग किया था. 2021 में हरियाणा सरकार की ओर से जारी एक प्रेस रिलीज़ के अनुसार ड्रोन को इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर परियोजनाओं के सर्वेक्षण, कृषि और बागवानी की मॉनिटरिंग और सुरक्षा के मद्देनजर संवेदनशील क्षेत्रों की निगरानी के लिए उपयोग किया जाना था. 2022 में बॉर्डर सिक्योरिटी फोर्स के टियर स्मोक यूनिट ने दंगों और अन्य भीड़ नियंत्रण स्थितियों को नियंत्रित करने के लिए ड्रोन-आधारित आंसू गैस को विकसित किया था, लेकिन इसे अब तक किसी भी राज्य पुलिस बल को नहीं बेचा गया है. एक अधिकारी ने ‘द हिंदू’ को बताया कि हो सकता है राज्य सरकार ने यह ड्रोन किसी निजी कंपनी से लिया हो.

जमीनी हकीकत: मौजूदा दौर में कितने कारगर व्यापार नियम

वर्ष 2024 में अलग तरह के वैश्वीकरण के लिए व्यापार नियमों में बदलाव करना होगा। यह ग्लोबल साउथ यानी विकासशहल देशों की अर्थव्यवस्थाओं और जलवायु परिवर्तन के खिलाफ लड़ाई के लिए बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण है। काफी अरसा पहले जब विश्व में संभावित जलवायु संकट को लेकर बहस छिड़ी हुई थी, उसी समय नए व्यापार समझौतों के लिए बातचीत हो रही थी। वर्ष 1992 के शुरू में जब रियो शिखर सम्मेलन में संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन (कॉप) को लेकर समझौता हुआ, उसी दौरान विश्व व्यापार संगठन (डब्ल्यूटीओ) अस्तित्व में आया और विभिन्न देशों के बीच मुक्त व्यापार के लिए वैश्विक नियम भी उसी समय बने। यह सरल समझौता था: जब सामान ऐसे देशों में बनाया जाएगा जहां श्रम लागत कम होने के साथ-साथ काम भी पर्यावरण मानकों के अनुरूप हो तो वहां विनिर्माण लागत अपने आप ही कम आएगी। इससे न केवल विकासशील देशों की निर्यात वाली अर्थव्यवस्थाएं समृद्ध होंगी, बल्कि विकसित देशों को भी फायदा होगा, जहां उपभोक्ताओं को सस्ता सामान मिलेगा और सेवाओं में तेज वृद्धि होगी। वैश्विक कारोबार में व्यापक बदलाव साल 2001 में उस समय आया जब चीन विश्व व्यापार संगठन में शामिल हुआ। चीन के पास व्यापक श्रमबल था। कोई ट्रेड यूनियन नहीं और पर्यावरण मानकों को लेकर भी सख्ती नहीं। साथ ही एक शक्तिशाली, स्वतंत्र फैसले लेने वाली सरकार सत्ता में थी। डब्ल्यूटीओ में शामिल होने के बाद वैश्विक कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड उत्सर्जन में चीन की हिस्सेदारी 1990 में 5 प्रतिशत से बढ़कर 2019 में 21 प्रतिशत तक हो गई। कारोबार में तो वृद्धि हुई, लेकिन वैश्विक समृद्धि का युग अभी नहीं आया था। व्यापार बढ़ने का मतलब था कार्बन-डाईऑक्साइड उत्सर्जन में वृद्धि होना। बीते 20 वर्षों में वैश्वीकरण के विचार का खूब शोर रहा। लेकिन इस विशाल योजना के समर्थक अब मुक्त वैश्विक व्यापार के विचार से मुंह मोड़ रहे हैं, जिसका प्रारूप इस तरह का था कि राष्ट्रीय सरकारों की ओर से सब्सिडी और प्रोत्साहन को खत्म किया जाएगा। सवाल यह है कि अब जलवायु जोखिम के साथ-साथ युद्धग्रस्त विश्व में नए वैश्विक नियम किस तरह से आकार लेंगे? आज सबसे अधिक गर्म मुद्दा चीन के प्रति अमेरिका का रुख है। इसे एक निरंकुश और अलोकतांत्रिक सत्ता के खिलाफ लड़ाई के तौर पर देखा जा रहा है। यह सत्य भी है, लेकिन वास्तविक मुद्दा भविष्य के लिए आवश्यक संसाधनों और प्रौद्योगिकियों पर नियंत्रण का है। इसमें हरित अर्थव्यवस्था भी शामिल है, जिसकी विश्व को सबसे अधिक जरूरत है। बैटरी की आपूर्ति श्रृंखला पर आज पूरी तरह चीन का प्रभुत्व है। यह विश्व के आधे से अधिक लीथियम, कोबाल्ट और ग्रेफाइट का प्रसंस्करण करता है। यही नहीं, चीन इस समय सौर ऊर्जा क्षेत्र का भी बादशाह बना हुआ है। अपने इस ‘दुश्मन’ से लड़ने के लिए अमेरिका ने सब्सिडी को लेकर अपने समस्त वैचारिक आग्रहों को दूर करने का निश्चय किया। अमेरिका में निम्न-कार्बन उत्पाद बनाने वाली कंपनियों को प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए मुद्रास्फीति न्यूनीकरण अधिनियम (आईआरए) बनाया गया है। इसी प्रकार यूरोपीय संघ ने कार्बन सीमा समायोजन तंत्र (सीबीएएम) के माध्यम से यूरोप में आने वाले सामान पर कर लगाने की अपनी अलग व्यवस्था गढ़ी है। मुद्दा यह है कि यदि पश्चिमी दुनिया चीन का प्रभुत्व खत्म करने के लक्ष्य पर आगे बढ़ेगी तो इससे हरित परिवर्तन की लागत बढ़ जाएगी और इसके लक्ष्यों को हासिल करने में और समय लगेगा। क्या यह दुर्लभ खनिजों तक पहुंच सुनिश्चित करने और श्रमबल तथा पर्यावरण मानकों की उच्च लागत के बावजूद अपना विनिर्माण उद्योग खड़ा करने जैसे लगभग असंभव लक्ष्य हासिल करने में कामयाब हो पाएगा? यदि ऐसा हुआ तो विश्व डी-ग्लोबलाइजेशन अथवा स्थानीयकरण की ओर लौटेगा, क्योंकि अपने प्राकृतिक संसाधनों, प्रौद्योगिकी और ज्ञान का अधिक से अधिक लाभ स्वयं लेने के लिए अधिकांश देश इसी नीति पर चल पड़ेंगे। यह भी हो सकता है कि प्रौद्योगिकी में कुछ ऐसा नया बदलाव हो जाए जो चीन के प्रभुत्व वाली आपूर्ति श्रृंखला को बेमानी कर दे। उदाहरण के तौर पर सोडियम-आयन बैटरी को लेकर चर्चा चल रही है, जो आने वाले समय में लीथियम बैटरी का स्थान ले सकती है या उसकी आवश्यकता को कम कर सकती है। स्थानीयकरण का एक और नुकसान यह हो सकता है कि इसके कारण हरित परिवर्तन की गति प्रभावित हो जाएगी। उदाहरण के लिए, आईआरए कानून के माध्यम से अमेरिका इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन बनाने वाले स्थानीय उद्यमियों को प्रोत्साहन दे रहा है। अब उसने यह नियम जारी कर दिया है कि जिन इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों में चीनी बैटरी लगी होगी, उन्हें सब्सिडी नहीं मिलेगी। यह भी कहा जा रहा है कि जो इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन चीन सरकार के साथ समझौते के तहत अथवा ऐसी कंपनियों द्वारा बनाए गए होंगे जिनका चीन अथवा वहां से नियंत्रित ऑपरेटर द्वारा निर्माण किया गया हो, वे भी आईआरए के तहत लाभ पाने के हकदार नहीं होंगे। कच्चे खनिज अथवा बैटरी उत्पादन सेगमेंट में चीनी प्रभुत्व को पूरी तरह या आंशिक रूप से खत्म करने की दिशा में बढ़ा गया तो इससे इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन परिवर्तन की प्रक्रिया लंबी खिंचेगी अथवा यह बहुत महंगी हो जाएगी। चीन की इलेक्ट्रिक कार निर्माता कंपनी बीवाईडी ने ईलॉन मस्क की टेस्ला को पीछे छोड़ दिया है। फाइनैंशियल टाइम्स की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक 2023 की चौथी तिमाही में बीवाईडी ने रिकॉर्ड 5,26,000 बैटरी चालित इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन बेचे, जबकि इस दौरान इसी वर्ग में टेस्ला की 4,84,000 गाडि़यां बिकीं। इसलिए स्थानीयकरण और तेजी से हरित परिवर्तन जैसे दोहरे लक्ष्यों को हासिल करना आज के चीनी प्रभुत्व वाले संसार में बहुत अधिक चुनौतीपूर्ण हो सकता है। यही स्थितियां भारत में हैं। हमने स्थानीय सौर ऊर्जा उद्योग की क्षमता बढ़ाने के लिए अधिक निवेश करने का फैसला किया है। यह सही भी है। केंद्र सरकार ने सोलर सेल और मोड्यूल निर्माताओं को वित्तीय प्रोत्साहन देने की घोषणा की है। साथ ही चीनी उत्पादों पर भारी आयात शुल्क लगा दिया है। अभी यह कहना मुश्किल होगा कि इससे भारत का महत्त्वाकांक्षी अक्षय ऊर्जा कार्यक्रम प्रभावित होगा, क्योंकि ऐसा हो सकता है कि घरेलू स्तर पर उत्पादन स्थानीय मांग को पूरा करने में सक्षम न हो और यह लागत प्रतिस्पर्धी भी न बन पाए। दूसरी ओर, अपने स्थानीय उद्योग को खड़ा करने के स्पष्ट फायदे हैं। धीरे-धीरे मुक्त वैश्विक व्यापार के बंद होने से भारतीय उद्योग के निर्यात के समक्ष भी मुश्किलें खड़ी होंगी। कुल मिलाकर कहें तो एक नया ही खेल चल रहा है। हमें यह देखने की जरूरत है कि क्या इस बार व्यापार के नियम इस धरती और यहां रहने वाले लोगों के लिए लाभदायक होंगे अथवा उन्हें नुकसान पहुंचाएंगे। (लेखिका सेंटर फॉर साइंस ऐंड एनवायरनमेंट से संबद्ध हैं।)

Revealed: the 1,200 big methane leaks from waste dumps trashing the planet

There have been more than 1,000 huge leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane from landfill waste dumps since 2019, the Guardian can reveal. Analysis of global satellite data from around the world shows the populous nations of south Asia are a hotspot for these super-emitter events, as well as Argentina and Spain, developed countries where proper waste management should prevent leaks. Landfills emit methane when organic waste such as food scraps, wood, card, paper and garden waste decompose in the absence of oxygen. Methane, also called natural gas, traps 86 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over 20 years, making it a critical target for climate action. Scientists have said emissions from unmanaged landfills could double by 2050 as urban populations grow, blowing the chance of avoiding climate catastrophe. A total of 1,256 methane super-emitter events occurred between January 2019 and June 2023, according to the new data. Pakistan, India and Bangladesh lead the list of nations with the most large leaks, followed by Argentina, Uzbekistan and Spain. Landfill emissions can be reduced by creating less organic waste in the first place, diverting it away from landfill, or at least capturing some of the methane that is being released from the landfills. Action to stem methane leaks slows global heating faster than almost any other measure and is often low-cost, with some measures even paying for themselves when the captured gas is sold as fuel. Methane emissions have accelerated since 2007 and cause a third of the global heating driving the climate crisis today. The acceleration has alarmed scientists, who fear it is the biggest threat to keeping below 1.5C of global heating and could trigger catastrophic climate tipping points. The rapid rise appears to be due to global heating driving more methane production in wetlands – a potential vicious circle that makes cuts of human-caused methane emissions even more urgent. Decomposing waste is responsible for about 20% of human-caused methane emissions. Fossil fuel operations cause 40% of emissions, and the Guardian revealed there were more than 1,000 super-emitter events from oil, gas and coal sites in 2022 alone, many of which could be easily fixed. Cattle and paddy fields cause the other 40% of emissions. Prof Euan Nisbet, a methane expert at Royal Holloway University of London, said: “Big landfills make a great deal of methane but it doesn’t cost much to bulldoze soil over a stinking, burning landfill. It’s not rocket science.” Microbes in the soil convert methane into CO2. “Then it’s lost 97% of its greenhouse impact,” Nisbet said. Carlos Silva Filho, president of the International Solid Waste Association, said the global methane pledge made by 150 countries to cut 30% of methane emissions by 2030 could not be achieved without tackling emissions from the waste industry. “Cutting methane is the only solution to meet the global 1.5C temperature target,” he said. “If we really focus on reducing methane emissions from the waste sector, it is a gamechanger.” About 40% of the world’s waste still goes to unmanaged dumps. Antoine Halff, a co-founder of the company Kayrros, which provided the satellite image analysis to the Guardian, said: “Waste is a big source [of methane] and in countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh it’s not only a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions but it’s also a lost opportunity to tap a fuel resource that could help meet the country’s energy needs.” The satellite that Kayrros uses orbits the planet 14 times a day and provides global coverage, giving the location of a leak to within about six miles. Higher-resolution satellites that orbit less frequently can pinpoint the waste facilities responsible. Trash mountains Delhi, the capital of India, has had at least 124 super-emitter events from city landfills since 2020. Dr Richa Singh, of the Centre for Science and Environment in the city, said that while methane leaks from the global oil and gas industry were getting significant attention, the waste sector also required “urgent intervention”. India is extremely exposed to the impacts of the climate crisis, making methane cuts especially important, she said. Furthermore, cleaning up landfills would end the fires and serious air and water pollution they cause.

Pollution levels in danger of rising again during the 2020 lockdown: CSE

There is an increase in pollution levels this year, as in 2020, during the difficult period of the pandemic, several phases of lockdown were imposed, which had a positive impact on pollution. This is revealed by a new analysis of regional pollution trends conducted by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE). This analysis of real-time air quality data for the period 2019-2021 shows that the decline in pollution which was driven by the difficult lockdown phases of the pandemic in 2020, was earlier in 2021, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research department at CSE. Already warning of bounce again with rising levels. However, in many cases the pollution level is still lower than in 2019. As a result, India’s eastern states – Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha – are now feeling the brunt of rising air pollution, the study showed. The winter smog that engulfs North India in early November starts moving eastwards in late December and early January, affecting Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. Avikal Somvanshi, Program Manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE, said, “Air quality monitoring has begun to expand to provide more up-to-date and realistic information on air quality in these states. There are serious concerns about missing data and gaps, which make proper risk assessment difficult. Data availability in some stations of Bihar and Odisha is so low that trend cannot be assessed. Quality control of data is essential. Disclaimer: This is a news published directly from IANS News Feed. With this, the News Nation team has not done any editing of any kind. In such a situation, any responsibility regarding the related news will be of the news agency itself.

A decade under Modi: Environmental protections diluted, Cheetah project falters

Forests In its 2014 manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party promised to protect India’s existing forests and wildlife reserves. In its 2019 manifesto, it claimed to have added about 9,000 sq km of forest cover. Data from India’s State of Forest Reports bears this out. According to the reports, prepared by a government organisation, between 2015 and 2022, India added 12,294 sq km of forests, significantly higher than the 6,966 sq km added between 2005 and 2013. But remote sensing data does not tally with the figures cited in the government reports. Experts have pointed out that commercial plantations like coffee and rubber have been included in the category of forests. In 2016, the Modi government introduced a new law to raise more funds for compensatory afforestation, or plantations that compensate the loss of forests for development activities. While the funds available for afforestation increased tremendously – from around Rs 2,900 crore in 2009-’12 to around Rs 51,000 crore in 2019-’22 – they remain underutilised. Moreover, an investigation by Scroll found that several of these plantations simply did not exist on ground. In 2023, amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, were criticised for changing the definition of forests in a way that would strip away protection for 28% of India’s forests. Environmental governance India’s environmental regulations have been amended more frequently under the Modi government compared to previous governments. In March 2020, a draft Environment Impact Assessment notification came under widespread criticism for allowing projects to operate without prior environmental clearances and for diluting other safeguards. While the draft EIA has not been implemented, the environment ministry has issued office orders which mirror its controversial provisions. In its manifestoes, the BJP promised to ensure “speed and effectiveness” in the grant of environment clearances for industrial and infrastructural projects. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of wildlife, forest, environment, and coastal zone clearances increased 21 times, from 577 to 12,496. Moreover, the average time for the grant of an environmental clearance also reduced from 600 days before 2014 to 162 days in 2017. Experts, however, point out that fast-paced clearances reduce the time for discussions on the environmental impacts of projects and thereby lower environmental safeguards. Wildlife In the world’s first intercontinental wildlife translocation, India brought 20 African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to a national park in Madhya Pradesh in 2022 and 2023. The death of seven adults and three cubs has sparked widespread criticism of the project. Himalayas The BJP promised to give Himalayan states a “green bonus” – or payment for the ecological services provided by the mountain range, such as water and climate regulation. The bonus has not materialised so far. In 2015, the government established the National Mission on Himalayan Studies to provide grants for research in the Himalayan states. The annual budgetary allocation for the mission has fallen from Rs 64 crore in 2015-’16 to Rs 48 crore in 2020-’23. Ganga In 2014, the Modi government launched the flagship Namami Gange Programme with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga river. The programme has been marked by significant implementation delays. Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh used only 7% of the allocated budgets in 2022-’23. The programme has had limited impact: 71% of the monitoring stations on the river reported alarming levels of faecal coliform, the presence of which indicates presence of human or animal faecal matter in the water. Air pollution The BJP promised to bring down air pollution levels. In 2019, the Modi government launched the National Clean Air Programme with the aim of improving air quality in 131 cities across 24 states and union territories. A report published by the Centre for Science and Environment in 2022 found only 69 of 131 cities in the programme had real time air quality monitoring. Only 14 cities recorded 10% or more reduction in particulate matter between 2019 and 2021, while 16 cities saw an increase. https://www.cseindia.org/Blue-sky-day-note-final.pdf River interlinking The 2014 manifesto envisioned “interlinking of rivers based on feasibility”. Since then, the government has identified 30 link projects but implementation has begun for only one: the Ken-Betwa Link Project in Madhya Pradesh, which will submerge 9,000 hectares of land, including the tiger and vulture habitat of Panna Tiger Reserve. Renewable energy Another manifesto promise made by the BJP was the promotion of cleaner fuels and renewable energy. In 2015, India initiated the International Solar Alliance between 97 tropical countries with the aim of building a transnational electricity grid to supply solar power to 140 countries. So far, only India and France have made financial contributions to the alliance.

Tackling food poisoning in Nigeria

In Nigeria, having a meal is always a joyous moment. But beneath the surface of that joy lies the spectre of food poisoning that often results from chemical contamination. The typical Nigerian cuisine can therefore be joyous one minute, and threatening the next. Pregnant women, for instance, face the risk of toxins silently infiltrating their unborn babies via contaminants in our foods. The Nigerian food system is rated as one of the most unsafe and neglected public health concerns. The World Health Organisation, WHO, describes microbial and chemical poisoning of our food as huge. A recent study by the University of Ibadan found that over 50 per cent of pregnant women in some rural areas had detectable levels of pesticides in their blood. Also, the Environmental Rights Action, ERA, and the Centre for Science and Environment, CSE, conducted research and advocacy on environmental health issues in Nigeria, and their reports reflect the adverse effects of chemical poisoning cases and related health impacts. Improper food handling is a breeding ground for hazardous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. But beyond the realm of microbes, a different kind of threat lurks – chemical contamination. Chemical pollution is an enemy that finds its way into the food chain through pesticide residue on produce. Due to industrial recklessness, chemical pollutants enter the food chain like covert saboteurs. Heavy metals such as lead, chromium and arsenic, from industrial activities can seep into the soil and water, entering the food chain and affecting the kidneys, liver and other organs. The careless and uncontrolled use of pesticides is perhaps the biggest threat. Pesticide residues from agricultural practices can permanently remain on fruits and vegetables, potentially impacting the nervous and endocrine systems. The numerous toxins in grains pose serious cancer risks. These unseen killers prey on organs and interfere with the delicate balance of the immune system. Food poisoning is a public health concern that demands immediate and collective action. It is an old enemy that requires renewed vigour to eradicate. The pertinent questions are: Who checks the roasted groundnuts and roasted corns for the presence of chemicals like aflatoxins in Nigeria? Who measures pesticide residues and heavy metals content in fruits, vegetables, grains and fish? Hello NAFDAC.

Bhumi Pednekar Explains WHY There Are Not Many Movies On Climate Change

New Delhi: Bhumi Pednekar discussed Climate Change during a podcast, named titled 'WTF is Climate Change?, presented by Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder, Zerodha. Apart from Bhumi, there were other leading climate pioneers such as Sunita Narain, Navroz Dubash, and Mirik Gogri. The panel explored the impacts of climate change and the implications of a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels, as well as the looming threat of a 3-degree temperature rise. While the podcast saw different opinions coming in from the guests, Nikhil asked actor Bhumi Pednekar "Why doesn't Bollywood make movies around climate change" and on the fact that Hollywood made smoking cool, diamond expensive and defined attractive things beyond cematric way, to which the actress responded, " Responding to the same, Bhumi Pednekar said, “I think it comes from the fact that a lot of people feel that they are not going to be affected by it because we feel that we are protected by the wealth that we have and there will be some elite institution that is going to come and solve all of this. But that’s not the case. As rightly pointed out by Ma'am (Sunita Narain) that climate change is going to be a great equaliser and there will be only enough narrative around which I really feel is missing, especially in the industry that I am from because people feel it’s not going to affect them. We live in our bubble and it gives us a lot of comfort, like we have access to the best of things. I think the narrative will only shift when we are truly affected by it. I am trying to get as many people like me to start talking about it. It needs to become popular culture. That’s the impact that media or films have. I want climate change and all the effects and need people to be fearful in many ways and I really hope that there are many more films that are made. In fact, there was such a phenomenal film made called ‘Kadwi Hawa’ but it didn’t really do well and didn’t reach a large audience because people have sort of ostrich mentality where they behave that everything is pretty and okay around us and believe that someone will get us out of this situation.” Continuing the same, Nikhil Kamath asked Bhumi Pednekar , "Do you think fear sells more or does greed in movies"? Bhumi responded to it saying, "Greed, Absolutely because how many of us are gonna sit into the theatres, kind of go away from all our problems and issues and say oh, this is the real issue". On the work front, Bhumi, in her latest film 'Bhakshak' explores the journey of an unwavering woman's quest to seek justice. In 'Bhakshak', Bhumi is seen looking into a case of sexual assault of children at a girl's shelter home. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma, Bhakshak features a powerful ensemble including Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava and Sai Tamhankar, along with Bhumi Pednekar.

Where do the children play? it’s all about saving a racecourse

At a talk on the challenges of Climate Change by environmentalist Sunita Narain in Mumbai, an agitated citizen from the audience threw her off gear by demanding to know whether, in the midst of all the big issues , was there any hope to stop the eclipse of the city’s largest open space – the Mahalaxmi Race course. Quickly recovering, Narain, who was focusing on the changing weather patterns and air pollution, urged that Mumbai’s large environmentally conscious people could put an alliance together to foil the government’s dark designs. Easier said than done. It’s going to be a tough fight. The 211-acre racecourse administered by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), has existed since 1883 and is in the heart of the island city. One can imagine the hundreds of developers eyeing this mouth-watering expanse of land!The original lease expired in 2013, and the lessee, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)now wants it back. The plan is to allow horse-racing on 91 acres, while 120 acres will be reclaimed by the municipal corporation. It all started with the BMC crudely talking of creating a ‘theme park’ and then an ‘amusement park’. Stung by the criticism, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has now said he wants to merge the racecourse land with the open spaces created along the Coastal Road along Worli to create something in line with New York’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park. What Mumbaikars fear is it all starts with promises of a ‘Central Park’. Then there will be demands to build supporting shops and toilets. And hey presto! Then there will be malls. For starters, the BMC wants to construct a tunnel which will link a 175-acre green zone along the coastal road at Worl to the Racecourse’s ‘amusement park’! For now, everything is up in the air. There seems to be no coherent plan; and the state government has ominously told the Bombay High Court that it not bound by commitments, and the final call on what to do with the land will be taken by the Maharashtra Government. Picture abhibakihai! Quality of life Mumbai’s is at the bottom of the heap compared to other cities. On a Sunday, its stressed populace, craving to catch a breath of fresh air, can be seen mobbing popular points like the Gateway of India, Juhu Beach or the Byculla zoo. It is painful to watch the mela-like scenes where people yearning for space, find themselves drowning in a cacophony of crowds, horns and street vendors. Quality of life cannot only be judged by the income a person earns. His access to recreation, public spaces and gardens are also key in the urban jungle. In this regard, Mumbai, over-built and concretized, offers the ordinary citizen, living out or 200 sq feet chawl or slum tenements, a quality of life little better than a dungeon. It could have been otherwise. Mumbai has 16 kilometers of beaches that can offer an unbridled access to the Arabian sea. Unfortunately these are giving way to construction and disuse. Few know Mumbai has 4 rivers flowing through it – the Mithi, Oshiwara, Dahisar and Poisar, which have for all practical purposes have ‘disappeared’. If rejuvenated and cleaned and freed of encroachments, these can yield 81 kms of riverfront for walking and cycling. Mumbai’s creeks and mangroves can provide 34 kms of promenade. These have been mapped in a study called ‘Open Mumbai’ by city planner and architect P.K.Das. The reality today, is Mumbai has probably the least open space among mega cities. Compared to London’s 33 percent open space, New York’s 27 percent and Singapore’s 40 percent, Mumbai’s open space is just 2.5 percent of the city’s land area. New Delhi’s forest and green areas cover 23 percent. Put it another way: London has 31.68 square meters of open space per person, New York 26.4 square meters. In comparison, Mumbai has just 1.58 square meters of open space per person. Air and water The tragic irony is the municipal corporation has now redefined ‘open spaces’. It has lumped areas such as terrace gardens, traffic islands and even the divider space between roads as ‘open spaces’ and lo behold, Mumbai now stands abreast with Singapore! Now, coming back to Sunita Narain and the connection between open spaces and controlling air pollution. Speaking at the Darryl D’Monte memorial lecture in Mumbai last Saturday, Narain said the Yamuna was virtually dead for Delhi as its oxygen level, because of the waste it has saturated, is ‘zero’. The Mithi river in Mumbai too is but a winding stream of garbage. “While the rich can tackle the problem of polluted water with bottled water, the same can’t be said of polluted air. Air is something that cannot be bottled. Rich and poor have to breathe the same air, and it is time we clean up,” she said. The reason why saving the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai is so important is that it is part of the green lungs of the city. As the debate revs up, lets recall British singer-song-writer Cat Stevens’ old lines: I know we’ve come a long way We’re changing day to day But tell me, where do the children play?

Nikhil Kamath Unveils ₹50 Lakh Fund to Combat Climate Change

Renowned entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, in collaboration with leading climate pioneers such as Sunita Narain, Bhumi Pednekar, Navroz Dubash, and Mirik Gogri, announced the allocation of ₹50 lakh to a charity that pioneers combating climate change in the country. The initiative will also involve the community on-ground to raise better awareness about the impact of climate and ways to circumvent the same. The Complexities and Opportunities in Energy Transition The episode delved into the intricacies of energy transition, emphasizing the critical role of renewable energy sources, such as solar, nuclear, and wind, in combating climate change. It highlights the importance of advancing energy storage technologies to enhance the viability of renewables and ensure a stable energy supply. Furthermore, the conversation explored the potential contributions of nuclear energy, particularly through the development of small modular reactors and the exploration of thorium as a fuel source, suggesting a multi-faceted approach to the energy mix. The dialogue acknowledged the challenges involved in moving away from fossil fuels, including institutional, technological, and political barriers, and underscored the need for strategic planning and reforms, especially in the distribution sector, to facilitate this transition effectively. Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Sustainability The discussion highlighted significant opportunities for entrepreneurs in the realms of bioenergy, waste management, and circularity. These areas are interconnected and promote a circular economy, presenting ripe opportunities for innovation, especially in India. Another opportunity highlighted was the use of renewable energy such as solar to increase productivity in rural areas and aid agricultural processes. The conversation suggested that India's context—characterized by a deep understanding of local supply chains and the ability to navigate operational challenges on the ground—provides a unique setting for entrepreneurial ventures in these sectors. Talking about the idea behind the episode, Nikhil Kamath said, “Climate change is radically changing lives around us, often without us realising it. While everyone is aware of the rudimentary explanation, we wanted to break it down and then make the climate conversation mainstream. This space also holds incredible potential for future entrepreneurs to solve climate change through innovative solutions and I hope the podcast is a good step for the same.”

City sees ‘moderate’ air spell after 13 days

Gurgaon: The city’s air has been cleaner so far this month compared to Jan, thanks to strong winds that have reduced pollution levels. The AQI was ‘moderate’ from Feb 1 to 8, except on one day — Feb 4 — when it was poor (242). Before the current spell of largely ‘moderate’ AQI, the index was less than 200 on on Jan 18, 13 days ago. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that the average air quality index (AQI) for the first eight days of Feb is 161 (moderate). This is a significant improvement from the previous month, when the average AQI was 251 (poor). The average wind speed in the past eight days has been around 30kmph, which has helped in dispersal of pollutants in the atmosphere, according to experts. But the city has not seen any ‘satisfactory’ or ‘good’ air days so far this year. Jan reported six ‘very poor’ air days, 21 ‘poor’ days and five ‘moderate’ days, while the average wind speed was 13kmph. The month also saw winter at its peak, with the average minimum temperature around 6 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 14 degrees C. There was fog and no sunshine for most of Jan, which also contributed to the slow dispersion of pollutants. “High wind speed in Feb has helped remove pollutants from the atmosphere. Jan also witnessed windy days, but the wind speed was less compared to the initial days of Feb. This month also witnessed rain, which further helped in clearing particulate matter,” said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment. Meanwhile, the city’s AQI deteriorated within the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday at 138, from 157 the day before. Teri Gram’s AQI was the highest at 154, followed by Gwalpahari (151), Sector 51 (139) and Vikas Sadan (146). 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’. Every year, NCR witnesses heavy smog and deterioration of air quality during winter. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented every year as a result, with measures including banning of diesel gensets, mechanised cleaning and sprinkling of water on roads and closing down brick kilns, hot-mix plants, stone crushers or any other factory that pushes up air pollution levels. “Air pollution has a direct impact on our health, particularly the lungs. It can result in persistent coughing, stuffy nose and rhinitis. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead to anxiety, headaches, and migraines. For cardiac patients, irregular heart rhythms and cardiac events are heightened. Abdominal symptoms, such as bloating and gastritis, may also arise,” Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, head (critical care and pulmonology) at CK Birla Hospital, said.

Let’s build for a green future

Globally, the cement industry is known to be part of the “hard to abate” sectors. It is critical for economic growth, but has a high carbon intensity — accounting for 7 per cent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted globally. Emissions are intrinsic to the manufacturing of cement. The raw material for cement is limestone; and to manufacture the product, carbon must be removed from limestone. This adds to cement’s emission intensity. The process, known as calcination, requires very high temperatures in the kiln — up to 1,450°C — which requires fuel to burn. More than 50 per cent of the industry’s greenhouse gas footprint comes from process emissions — the reduction of limestone and the release of CO2 — and the remaining mainly from combustion in the furnace. So, “greening” this industry is tough going, but not impossible. My colleagues at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) have deep dived into the Indian cement industry to set a road map for the future. Our analysis shows much can be done to decarbonise India’s cement sector and if done well, the efforts could work to set right the other sectors. This is not to say that you can manufacture cement with no emissions, but you can make it as green as possible. According to the Union environment ministry, India’s cement industry contributed 5.63 per cent of the total emissions in 2016 and 5.72 per cent in 2019. This is even as the industry is growing, as it will, with the much needed and massive investments to build the infrastructure needed for economic growth.India’s cement industry has had a head start over its global counterparts on reducing carbon intensity by doing two critical things. One, it has substituted to some extent the use of limestone with fly ash — a waste product from the burning of coal in thermal power plants — and two, it has improved its energy efficiency because it could reduce the cost of fuel. These measures, done for long to improve the cost-competitiveness of the industry, signal to what more can be done in the future. This is why consumers of cement count. The carbon intensity of the product is partly in the type of materials used for its manufacture. We need to understand the types of cement and why this matters to saving the climate. There are broadly three types of cement — Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which uses limestone to make cement; Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC), which uses fly ash to partially replace limestone; and Portland Slag Cement (PSC) in which slag, a waste product from steel plants partially, replaces limestone. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified standards for another category called composite cement (CC), in which fly ash and slag can substitute limestone use by as much as 60 per cent. Why does this matter? Quite simply because the more limestone is reduced in the manufacture of cement, the less it will pollute. So, while OPC with 95 per cent limestone emits 0.84 tonnes of CO2 for each tonne of cement produced, it goes down to less than half in the case of PSC, which substitutes limestone by using waste slag by over 55 per cent. Currently, PPC, which has lower emissions, dominates with 65 per cent market share, but the country is still producing OPC—roughly 30 per cent of the total cement. CSE’s decarbonisation roadmap for the cement sector recommends that the production of OPC should be controlled; brought down to less than 10 per cent. And there should be targets for increased share of blended cement by 2030. It also says fly ash use in PPC should be increased from the current up to 35 per cent to 45 per cent, which in turn will reduce emission intensity even as the consumption increases. The second decarbonisation pathway — to replace fuel for combustion — has opportunities for waste management. Currently, the cement industry is mainly dependent on coal, lignite or pet coke as fuel — replacing this would bring down the emission intensity of the product. Many cement companies are today taking municipal solid waste for incineration in the kiln. But this is not happening at the scale that is possible. This is also because the quality of waste — mixed plastic and low-grade materials that cities send — are not cement-grade refuse-derived fuel (RDF). This is where the opportunity is: to take the garbage and process it so that it makes a fuel that can be used as a substitute for coal. CSE recommends that the country should define green and low-carbon cement — that has replaced the use of limestone by over 50 per cent and displaced the use of coal by 50 per cent by using RDF or renewable energy. By doing this, India’s cement industry could halve its CO2 emissions even as it doubles its production by 2030. This green cement should get the advantage of a lowered GST. It’s a win-win strategy. But it needs everyone to contribute to this “building” of green India. (Writer is Director General of CSE and editor of Down To Earth, an environmentalist who pushes for changes in policies, practices and mindsets)