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Rich nations did not have way at COP28: Bhupender Yadav

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा कि हालांकि समझौते से पता चलता है कि अंततः बातचीत में तात्कालिकता की भावना थी, लेकिन पाठ पर्याप्त अच्छा नहीं था। “मुझे लगता है कि पहली बार तात्कालिकता और संकट की भावना महसूस हुई। उत्तर और दक्षिण के बीच गहरे विभाजन के बावजूद, इस असुविधाजनक सच्चाई को कि हमें सहयोग करना है और हमें एक साथ आना है, COP28 में पहचाना और स्वीकार किया गया, उन्होंने 14 दिसंबर को कहा। लेकिन, उन्होंने आगे कहा, “यह पाठ इस मायने में पर्याप्त अच्छा नहीं है कि हमने यह निर्दिष्ट नहीं किया है कि दुनिया में जीवाश्म ईंधन के शेष बजट के उपयोग में इक्विटी कैसे क्रियान्वित होगी

Insurance sector needs to redraw risk assessment framework as climate-related disasters multiply

The glacial lake outburst in Sikkim, the impact by Cyclone Michuang and other extreme weather events this year have driven home the point that insurance cover can help in recovering some of the climate change-induced loss and damage. The insurance sector has for long relied upon historical data to assess weather risks, but the severity and frequency of climate-related disasters are upending previous calculations and require a reassessment of risk profiles. Low awareness and penetration of insurance to cover extreme weather events pose an additional challenge for insurance companies in a developing economy such as India. India was hit by extreme weather events almost every day in the first nine months of 2023. Ranging from heat and cold waves, cyclones and lightning to heavy rain, floods and landslides, these events, brought on in part because of climate change, claimed nearly 3,000 lives. These extreme weather events have also affected 1.84 million hectares of crops, levelled over 80,563 houses and killed close to 92,519 livestock, according to the Climate India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events report, recently released by the Centre for Science and Environment, an independent think tank. In this period, from January to September 2023, Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of days with extreme weather events and Bihar saw the highest number of human deaths at 642, followed by Himachal Pradesh (365) and Uttar Pradesh (341 deaths). Himachal Pradesh reported the highest number of damaged houses (15,407) and Punjab reported the highest number of animal deaths (63,649), the annual report, now in its second year, said. This was before Cyclone Michaung hit Chennai and India’s east coast in early December. In Tamil Nadu alone, the state government estimated losses due to damage to roads and infrastructure at over Rs. 50 billion. The floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, due to extreme rainfall during this year’s monsoon, caused damages worth more than Rs. 100 billion. Insuring against loss and damage As elsewhere in the world, climate disasters are increasing in frequency in India and so is the damage to property, crops and human lives. In such a backdrop, the issue of insurance is gaining prominence to mitigate some of the worst impacts of extreme weather events. There is an increasing realisation that insurance cover for climate risks cannot be business as usual. India’s insurance industry faces multiple challenges in grappling with these risks, which include affordability and availability of coverage, growing financial burden on insurers, limited historical data, uncertainty in risk assessment, long-term liabilities and the potential for moral hazard, according to the climate consulting group of Tyche Investments, a consultancy. This was recognised early by the world’s largest reinsurance companies – Munich Re, Swiss Re and Gallagher Re, which are last in the chain of insurance, providing insurance to other insurance companies. Reinsurance companies are conservative in offering reinsurance for natural or climate-induced disasters because of the risk uncertainty. Munich Re, India’s largest foreign reinsurer, has said in media interviews that there is no room for a reinsurer to pass on the risks. Major floods and landslides killed over 700 people and caused damages worth $11 billion in 2018-19 in India, Munich Re said in a 2021 article. “Storms, flooding and drought are the key weather perils for the Indian region and will likely become more severe in the future,” it said. “Since they are unpredictable and extreme, these weather events are driving ever greater loss volatility, which makes structuring reinsurance solutions all the more challenging.” As is the case in most developing economies, the lack of awareness of insurance capabilities and benefits presents formidable challenges to insurers in India. “It is certainly necessary to educate our market about the real need for extreme weather cover and for people to understand the changing risk landscape due to climate change, especially in this region,” said Ajeet Phatak, Munich Re’s Asia regional head for agriculture, in the article. Low awareness, low penetration Low awareness has led to low penetration of insurance that covers natural disasters. For instance, the Swiss Re Institute found that 70% of economic losses caused by natural catastrophes over the past decade were uninsured, with 90% of these losses in Asia alone. In May 2020, Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal caused economic losses of more than Rs. 950 billion, the reinsurer said in a report. “This was the most destructive tropical cyclone India has ever experienced, and insured losses are expected to be just a fraction of the economic losses due to the region’s low insurance penetration,” Swiss Re had said. Countries such as India do not have sufficient protection against the financial impact of natural and climate-induced disasters. A failure to close this protection gap can drain state and national budgets and divert funds away from other critical areas of need. One way to build protection is to transfer the financial risk of natural catastrophes to insurance companies. In India, the total insurance penetration (combining both life and non-life insurance) was 4.2% in 2021, as opposed to the worldwide insurance penetration rate of 7% during the same period. Closing the protection gap is crucial, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The sector regulator has identified steps to support the growth of the domestic insurance industry to increase penetration so that by 2047, most citizens and enterprises in the country can have appropriate insurance solutions and coverage. Cover costs could be key The aim to increase insurance coverage against natural disasters, while laudable, cannot be achieved unless the industry makes insurance more accessible, affordable and available, said an executive at a reinsurance firm, requesting anonymity. “At present, this is at a very nascent stage and most companies are recalibrating how to cope with the fresh challenges it poses,” he added. A case in point is the glacial lake outburst flood that swept away a hydropower project in Sikkim in October. The state-owned Sikkim Urja has made an insurance claim of Rs. 114 billion for the destroyed 1.2 GW Teesta III hydropower project. This could become a landmark in climate risk management in India. Although there is no decision yet on the claim, insurers are reluctant to settle it. They point to reinsurers capping liability on glacial lake outburst floods at Rs. five billion as assessment frameworks are inadequate to account for these extreme weather events. “We are in the thick of a climate crisis. Its manifestations cannot be dismissed as acts of God or natural catastrophe. The return periods of various climate events are shortening. Hence, the risk management, underwriting and pricing ought to be robust. Asset buildup and its aggregates, particularly in fragile geographies, needs to be watched and managed closely,” said Praveen Gupta, former chief executive of Raheja QBE General Insurance Company. Climate risks are evolving rapidly and getting increasingly complex, Gupta said. “Traditional pricing models will not work, and risk modelling needs to quickly catch up,” he added. It is in this context that new risk assessment frameworks have a crucial role to play, said an official at another reinsurance company. The sector has to be quicker in making payouts so that people can bounce back faster from extreme and untimely weather events, he said. The framework will explain how companies are going to factor in climate-related disasters. As climate disasters multiply and become more frequent, insurance premiums to cover them are bound to rise, but not to the extent that it deters both individual and corporate clients, he said. Insurance premiums can be a useful signal to prevent the infrastructure buildup in locations that are exposed to climate hazards, he added. “Pricing models to cover for climate risks is an evolving area that must take into account multiple aspects that would encourage policy purchase but at the same time is not such that insurers have to operate at a loss,” he said. Identifying evolving risk landscapes Studies have shown that more than 80% of Indians live in districts vulnerable to climate risk. It is, therefore, important to better identify and understand the evolving risk landscape for insurance firms. “Integrating granular risk assessment is imperative since it will lead to risk-based pricing of assets and innovation in risk financing products,” said Abinash Mohanty, program lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a think tank. “It will also ensure an effective risk transfer mechanism without high-priced premiums and underwriting.” This is where the reinsurance companies can provide frameworks that work on the ground. By using predictive analytics and automated assessment systems, insurance companies can stay ahead of the curve and better prepare for future risks, officials said. Climate concerns are already impacting pricing in the property insurance and reinsurance markets in the richer countries in the West. The rate rises reflect some important structural changes in the market, according to an official at Swiss Re. But in markets such as India, where budgets are often thin, these Western models might not work, he added. “With the onset of new risks, new risk assessment models will also need to be thought through,” said Saon Ray, visiting professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. “An area of concern that arises here is the ability of insurers to efficiently price these risks.” Technological fixes such as predictive analytics could become an increasingly valuable tool for minimising the financial risks posed by climate change, insurance executives said. These tools can help assess risk exposure, allowing businesses to make informed decisions about their future strategies. There are now initiatives in this regard. Lloyd’s, the world’s top marketplace for insurance and reinsurance, in October, launched a new data tool that generates a systemic risk scenario that models the global economic impact of extreme weather events leading to food and water shocks, estimating the loss to be $5 trillion over a five-year period. Sector experts agree that India’s insurance sector has the potential to grow further by pricing in climate risks due to the underpenetrated nature of the market and low density. But how that translates into specific products is still a work in progress.

Climate-focused policies are key to building resilient infrastructure

COP28 began on a positive note with the approval of the loss and damage fund. The initial commitment is $475 million, which will support low- and middle-income countries suffering from climate-induced damage caused by disasters such as cyclones and flash floods. While the loss and damage fund is a welcome development, we need to focus on enhancing resilience to minimise the damage. A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed that India witnessed a disaster nearly daily during the first nine months of this year. The damage was extensive, with close to 3,000 lives lost, 1.84 million hectares of cropland affected, and over 80,000 houses destroyed. In addition to personal tragedies, destroyed roads, burst water pipes, and damaged public buildings can make the path to recovery difficult. India is one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Climate disasters impact all of its geography – coast, hills and river banks, and rural and urban areas. The frequency of heat waves and heavy precipitation events will likely increase significantly as the climate crisis accelerates. As vulnerability increases, resilience, a measure to withstand disasters, must be strengthened so that every hazard does not become a disaster. This requires systemic responses. Realising the risk, government agencies have started planning and developing programmes. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans (SAPs) provide a strategic framework and investment guidelines. The National Adaptation Fund was launched in 2015 to fund adaptation programmes for the states and UTs that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of the climate crisis. India has also championed the establishment of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which promotes climate action not only in India but also in many other countries. Increasing urbanisation requires an emphasis on enhancing urban infrastructure, considering future needs and vulnerabilities. Crucially, disaster-proofing and management need to be incorporated into urban planning. Cities, enabled by national and state policies, need to act. First, adequate finance must be allocated to the ministries of roads, urban infrastructure, power or telecom, as well as health and education. A proper accounting system will ensure robust data on expenses for disaster management at the city, state, and central levels. It is said that another additional 50% to 70% of infrastructure in India is yet to be built. There is an opportunity to develop and incorporate higher standards in the design and development of new infrastructure. The forthcoming budget for FY25 should enhance the allocation for disaster resilience and incentivise states to follow.

Developing nations did not bow down to pressures on fossil fuel: Bhupender Yadav

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav who represented India at COP28 in Dubai, said there was a softening of the language on developed countries taking the lead in moving away from fossil fuels. Developing countries have not bowed down to the pressure by developed countries to take on targets to transition away from fossil fuels, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday, referring to the outcome of the UN Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai. At the same time, demands by developing countries that developed countries take the lead in phasing out fossil fuels was also not reflected in the outcome, there was a softening of the language on developed countries taking the lead in moving away from fossil fuels. This was one of the main reasons for the delay in conclusion of COP28 negotiations which saw negotiations continuing through two consecutive days and nights, the minister who represented India at COP28, said. “Countries that have achieved development and progress while causing massive greenhouse gas emissions historically are responsible for providing support to developing countries for energy transition. The Paris Agreement has clear categorisation of developed and developing countries. Annexure 1 of the Paris Agreement lists developed countries that captured most of the carbon space and are responsible for historical emissions and Annexure 2 represents developing countries. We have not accepted the pressure from developed countries. All commitments in the UAE consensus are based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) and national circumstances. Every country wants that Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree C goal is met. But, we have different starting points and some countries have the burden of poverty. So, the pressure from developed nations was not accepted,” Yadav said at a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday. “We cannot depend on imported oil and gas. Until we achieve our development needs, we will use coal. The language on coal (in the UAE agreement) is a repetition from the Glasgow agreement in 2021. What is important is developed countries wanted to push for language on limiting new coal power which we managed to thwart,” Yadav said while responding to a question on why “oil” and “gas” was not mentioned in the UAE agreement but phasedown of unabated “coal” is mentioned. On why developing countries did not manage to get developed nations to take the lead on phasing out fossil fuels and meeting their emission reduction goals, Yadav added: “That language has been softened. We (India) said in our intervention that developed countries need to be net negative emissions before 2050. This issue was discussed and negotiations were extended through two nights to address this issue. Those who run first will achieve their targets first. So, developed nations will have to achieve their goals first,” Yadav said. History was made in Dubai last week when 196 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Fossil fuels which have been a topic of taboo for years in climate negotiations was finally addressed in a very carefully calibrated decision text titled the UAE Consensus through consensus building and various trade-offs. It, however, still doesn’t mention the words “oil” and “gas.” The UAE Consensus calls on Parties to contribute to the following global efforts, in a “nationally determined manner”--(a) Tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030; (b) accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power; (c) accelerating efforts globally towards net zero emission energy systems, utilising zero- and low-carbon fuels well before or by around mid-century; (d) transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science; (e) accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production; (f) accelerating and substantially reducing non-carbon-dioxide emissions globally, including in particular methane emissions by 2030; (g) accelerating the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero and low-emission vehicles; (h) phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty. This is the key section in the GST. Experts have pointed out that point 28 of the agreement recognises that transitional fuels can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security. This may leave room for several countries to continue using oil, observers said. “I think for the first time there was a sense of urgency and sense of the crisis. In spite of the deep divisions between the North and the South, the inconvenient truth that we have to collaborate and that we have to come together, was recognised and accepted at COP28,” Sunita Narain, director general, Centre For Science and Environment said on December 14. “The text is not good enough in the fact that we have not specified how will equity get operationalised in the use of the remaining budget of fossil fuels in the world. So, not only do fossil fuels have to be phased out, the word, of course right now, is to make a transition away from fossil fuels. In our view, they need to be phased out based on the available signs. The available signs tell us that there is a quota of fossil fuel available within the 1.5 budget,” added Narain

India's Sustainable Fashion Revolution Gains Momentum: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Challenges, Solutions & Transformative Outcomes

In the heart of India's bustling fashion industry, a profound transformation is underway. The sector, historically marred by environmental concerns and labor exploitation, is witnessing a groundswell of initiatives aimed at fostering sustainability. From ethical practices to waste reduction and the embrace of eco-conscious materials, the nation's fashion landscape is experiencing a paradigm shift. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricate tapestry of India's sustainable fashion journey, examining the challenges faced, innovative solutions implemented, burgeoning opportunities for entrepreneurs, and the transformative outcomes reshaping the sector. As the world's second-largest textile producer with a rich historical tapestry of textile production, India plays a pivotal role in the global fashion industry. However, this prominence has come at a cost – environmental degradation and exploitative labor practices. In recent years, a growing awareness of the industry's impact has sparked a paradigm shift towards sustainable fashion. This evolution is evident in the commitment of numerous brands and entrepreneurs who are actively engaged in creating eco-friendly and socially responsible fashion products. India's path towards sustainable fashion is not without hurdles. Water pollution, driven by the textile industry's significant water usage, is a pressing concern. The Central Pollution Control Board reports that the textile industry is responsible for 17-20% of industrial water pollution in the country. Furthermore, the extensive use of toxic chemicals in textile production, as highlighted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), positions the industry as the third-largest water polluter in India. Lack of transparency and awareness compounds the challenges. Many companies within the textile industry refrain from disclosing crucial information about their sourcing and production practices, hindering consumers' ability to make informed choices. The lack of awareness among consumers about sustainable fashion creates a hurdle, with affordability often taking precedence over sustainability considerations. India's Sustainable Fashion Landscape Despite these challenges, India has been proactive in implementing solutions to foster sustainable textile production and responsible consumption. The use of sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and bamboo, is on the rise, with India accounting for 20% of global organic cotton production, according to the Textile Exchange. Recycling and upcycling initiatives, ethical labor practices, and the adoption of natural dyes are becoming integral components of the sustainable fashion landscape. The shift towards sustainable fashion is not just a challenge but a canvas of opportunities for entrepreneurs in India. The market's potential is immense, with McKinsey projecting India's apparel market to surpass $59 billion in 2022. Entrepreneurs can explore innovative sustainable materials like banana fibers, milk proteins, and recycled PET bottles. Circular fashion business models, ethical fashion marketplaces, and the focus on zero-waste fashion present avenues for entrepreneurs to make meaningful contributions to the industry. The implementation of sustainable fashion solutions in India has yielded transformative outcomes across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The reduction in carbon emissions, preservation of natural resources, promotion of ethical labor practices, and an increase in responsible consumption collectively contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and environmentally conscious fashion industry. Crucial to this transformation are private-public partnerships, alliances, and collaborations that bring together diverse stakeholders. These collaborative efforts have not only improved access to resources but have also increased funding for sustainable fashion initiatives. Shared expertise across different sectors, improved policy frameworks, and heightened consumer awareness have been the fruits of these collaborative endeavors. Notable initiatives, such as the Green Citizens program by Earth5R, exemplify how communities can coexist symbiotically, creating sustainable ecosystems. Private sector entities like Indian Oil Corporation, with their 'Unbottled' initiative for sustainable garments made from recycled polyester, showcase the potential impact of corporate collaboration in promoting sustainable practices. The emergence of sustainable fashion in the Indian apparel industry signifies not merely a trend but a transformative movement shaping the future of the industry. As the nation grapples with environmental challenges, entrepreneurs, backed by private-public partnerships, are paving the way for a more ethical, eco-conscious, and economically viable fashion landscape. India's journey towards sustainable fashion is a holistic evolution, fostering a responsible industry that not only meets the demands of the present but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and vibrant future.

State flags MDR bacteria fears from antibiotic-injected poultry

KOLKATA: A state government wing has written to another department, flagging the risks of indiscriminately injecting antibiotics in poultry, saying this could give rise to multidrug-resistant bacteria in humans who consume such birds. The letter from the health department to the animal husbandry department was timely and important, said senior physicians in the city. Humans have, in the recent past, developed serious resistance to more than 20 antibiotics, as a result of which bacterial infections have emerged as a major problem and a cause of death in hospitals. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics was the primary reason for this, experts said - and regularly eating chicken laced with antibiotics could be just one way you could be getting antibiotics into your system, even if you aren't a pill-popper. In a recent study by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), residues of antibiotics were found in the liver, muscle and kidney tissues of chicken samples. The researchers looked for traces of six antibiotics commonly used in poultry, finding significant traces of five. The CSE then reviewed surveys in hospitals over a span of 11 years and found very high resistance against ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and tetracyclines, the ones detected in chicken samples. Treating diseases like sepsis, pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB) with fluoroquinolones is becoming tough as microbes are becoming resistant, the CSE report says.

Whether many coal based power plants around Delhi are not complying the emission norms and are likely contributing to the prevailing high pollution levels in the NCR as per the recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2499 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023 Emission Norms for Coal-fired TPPs 2499. SHRI M. SELVARAJ: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether many coal based power plants around Delhi are not complying the emission norms and are likely contributing to the prevailing high pollution levels in the NCR as per the recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has notified emission norms for coal-fired TPPs (Thermal Power Plants) in the year 2015, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has taken action/ propose to initiate action against these power plants for not abiding by the norms; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY) (a) to (e): Ministry vide notification dated 07.12.2015 revised the emission norms for particulate matter (PM) and stipulated new norms for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and mercury (Hg) emission for coal-based thermal power plants. The implementation of the emission norms, got delayed due to various techno-economic constraints faced by thermal power plants and further affected by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Considering these constraints, the Central Government initially decided for phased implementation of norms with maximum timelines up to December 2022, and later vide notifications dated 31.03.2021 and 05.09.2022 granted further extension of time limit for implementation of new emission norms based on plants’ location, which are as below: Category Location/Area Timelines for compliance with parameters other than SO2 emission Timelines for compliance with SO2 emission limit Category A Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region (NCR) or cities having million plus population (as Upto 31st December 2022 Upto 31st December 2024 per 2011 census of India) Category B Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (as defined by CPCB) Upto 31st December 2023 Upto 31st December 2025 Category C Other than those included in Category A and B Upto 31st December 2024 Upto 31st December 2026 The timeline for Category A plants, including those located within 10 km radius of NCR, to comply with new emission norms for parameters other than SO2 emission was December 31, 2022. There are four thermal power plants under Category A located within 10 km radius of NCR these thermal power plants have complied with the applicable emission limits i.e. for parameters other than SO2 emission. Besides, there are seven thermal power plants under Category C are located within 300 km radius of Delhi, for which the time limits to comply with the emission norms for parameters other than SO2 and for SO2 is 31st December 2024 and 31st December 2026 respectively.

JUNK FOOD आपको बना रहा है बूढ़ा, जानें ये कैसे कर रहा है आपको अंदर से खोखला

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की टेस्टिंग लैब में रिसर्च में दावा किया गया है कि इंडिया में एफएसएसएआई के मानकों की तुलना में पैकेज्ड फूड आइटम में फैट, तेल और नमक की मात्रा बहुत अधिक है। Junk Food: हमारी शरीर को एक हेल्दी और पौष्टिक डाइट की आवश्यकता होती है। लेकिन आज कल हम लोग दैनिक जीवन में इतना बिजी होते है कि हम अपनी दैनिक जीवन में अपने ऊपर बिल्कुल ध्यान नही दे पाते है। जिसके चक्कर में हमारे शरीर में विभिन्न तरीके की बीमारीयां पनपने लगती है,और साथ ही आज कल लोग जंक फूड का सेवन अधिक करते है। अक्सर इस तरीके के खाने में चीन और नमक की मात्रा ज्यादा पाई जाती है। जिससे लोगो में आज कल डायबीटज और ब्लैड प्रेशर की समस्याओं का सामना करना पड़ता है। नेशनल फूड एंड टेस्टिंग एजेंसी के अनुसार 2019 में फास्टफूड का सेवन करने वालों का आकड़ा जहां 25 प्रतिशत था, वही सन् 2022 में बढ़कर 40 प्रतिशत पहुंच गया है। भारतीय चिकित्सा अनुंसधान परिषद यानि आईसीएमआर के अनुसार जंक फूड हमारी सेहत को बहुत अधिक नुकसान करता है। जंक फूड में चीनी, नमक और फैट अधिक होता है। हाई कैलोरी वाले ये सभी फूड पोषण के स्तर पर शून्य हैं। जो दिखने में लुभावने लगते हैं, जिनको देखते ही कुछ खाने का मन करता है। यही वजह है कि इनकी मांग अधिक हो रही है। इसका सेवन हमारी लाइफस्टाइल को बिगाड़ रहा है। फास्ट फूड से बढ़ रही है बीमारिया सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की टेस्टिंग लैब में रिसर्च में दावा किया गया है कि इंडिया में एफएसएसएआई के मानकों की तुलना में पैकेज्ड फूड आइटम में फैट, तेल और नमक की मात्रा बहुत अधिक है। रिसर्च में नमकीन बर्गर, स्पिंग रोल, पिज्जा, समेत 33 फास्ट फूड को शामिल किया गया जिसका सेवन करना लोग पंसद करते है। फास्ट फूड को खाने से हर साल 8 प्रतिशत लोगों में बीमारी बढ़ रही हैं, वही रोज जंक फूड करने के कारण आप हाई ब्लड प्रेशर, कब्ज जैसी समस्या बैठने और लेटने में घबराहट महसूस होने लगती हैं। इन बातो का ऱखे ध्यान रिर्सच में दावा हुआ है कि जंक फूड न केवल आपको बीमार करता है, वही आपकी स्किन, हेयर और उम्र को भी प्रभावित कर रहे हैं। इसलिए बहुत जरूरी है कि इनको आप अपनी डेली लाइफ से बाहर करे। वही ऑफिस में काम करने के दौरान या घर से बाहर आपको जंक की क्रेविंग होती है, तो बेहतर है कि आप एक कप काफी का सेवन करे इसमें मौजूद कैफीन भूख को कम करता है। इसके साथ डार्क चॉकलेट खानी चाहिए, इसमें कैलोरी कम होती है और इम्युनिटी बढ़ती है। हल्की भूख के लिए सब्जियों का सलाद और फलों को अपनी डाइट में शामिल करें।बता दे कि अधिक नमक का सेवन करने से दिल कमोजर होना, हार्ट अटैक, त्वचा , खुजली, किडनी, ब्लड प्रेशर जैसी अनेक समस्या हो सकती है। बता दे कि अधिक नमक का सेवन करने से दिल कमोजर होना, हार्ट अटैक, त्वचा , खुजली, किडनी, ब्लड प्रेशर जैसी अनेक समस्या हो सकती है।

COP28 focuses on fossil fuel role in climate change but disregards equity, says CSE

Inclusion of fossil fuels in Global Stocktake important starting point, rest a mixed bag The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) wrapped up on December 13, 2023. The reactions to the conference’s accomplishments have been, at best, mixed, according to Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). COP28 had opened with the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, which was widely applauded. “We welcome the $655.9 million of pledges towards the Fund from various high- and middle-income countries, but it is crucial that the Fund gets replenished periodically with new and additional grant-based finance from developed countries in line with their needs and without conditionalities,” CSE said in a statement. ON GLOBAL STOCKTAKE The climate summit concluded with the adoption of the outcome on the first Global Stocktake (GST), an assessment of progress on the goals of the Paris Agreement. The GST recognised the need for deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5 degrees Celsius pathways as part of a package of accepted decisions titled “the UAE Consensus”. The GST urges countries to triple their global renewable energy capacity, phase out unabated coal power, and transition away from fossil fuels in their energy systems. This acknowledgement of the role of fossil fuels is historic, occurring for the first time in over 30 years of climate negotiations. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, said: The inclusion of fossil fuels in the GST is an important starting point for the world to now discuss the road ahead, which must be based on funding and fairness. However, the document falls short of laying out a differentiated timeline for fossil fuel phase out, in which developed countries take the lead and do so on an urgent schedule, while developing countries are given more carbon space to grow, CSE researchers pointed out. It also failed to emphasise the critical need for developed countries to provide immediate financial assistance to developing countries in order to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels. As a result, the document weakens the principle of equity by imposing an equal mitigation burden on all countries, CSE said. The GST compromises on ambition by leaving open the role of “transitional fuels” for energy security, which is a reference to natural gas — a loophole that oil and gas-producing nations can easily exploit to expand production and use. In fact, the GST singles out coal as a fuel and makes no mention of oil and gas at all. This singling out is taking place at a time when countries like the United States have been ramping up liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to record levels and the European Union is building new LNG import terminals, despite the International Energy Agency’s warning of peaking of fossil fuel demand. These investments risk carbon lock-in till mid-century and beyond, said CSE researchers. “In the days leading up to the final decision, the narrative was built that developed countries are eager to achieve the 1.5°C target and want to phase out fossil fuels, and large, emerging economies are blockers. This is a misrepresentation since the demand from developing countries was for differentiated timelines and finance for the energy transition. In overlooking this, developed countries look like climate heroes while disregarding equity and also continuing to be major oil and gas producers and consumers,” said Avantika Goswami, programme manager, climate change at CSE. The rest of the GST decision is a mixed bag. “It acknowledged the gap in adaptation finance and the growing needs of developing countries; however, all references to finance in adaptation have been moved from the adaptation section to the finance section — an ask from developed countries,” said Tamanna Sengupta, programme officer, climate change at CSE. “The text, however, is also diluted on equity as it fails to hold developed countries accountable for their historical emissions and has removed language specifying the obligation of developed countries to help bridge the finance gap for developing groups to achieve mitigation and adaptation actions,” Sengupta added. ON GLOBAL GOAL ON ADAPTATION Another key text adopted was on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), a key demand of the African Group. “The final decision text on GGA has some hits and some misses overall. The major miss is the absence of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and a lack of strong language around means of implementation, especially a financial target tied to the other dimensional and thematic targets under the GGA framework. One hit is a timeframe of 2030 to achieve the various thematic targets,” says Akshit Sangomla, who covered COP28 for Down To Earth. OTHER ITEMS There was limited progress on negotiation tracks such as the Mitigation Work Programme and the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance, which focused mainly on procedural discussions on modalities for the way forward in 2024. Progress was expected on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which focused on flexible mechanisms for climate cooperation, but more work remains to fully operationalise the trade between countries under Article 6.2 and the international carbon market under Article 6.4. “As Parties failed to reach an agreement on the market mechanisms under Article 6.2 and 6.4, the vacuum is likely to be filled for another year by dubious voluntary carbon markets,” said Trishant Dev, programme officer, climate change at CSE. As for non-market mechanisms under Article 6.8, although a decision was adopted, they continue to be given less consideration under the Paris Agreement-based flexible mechanisms, Dev added. We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. 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Weathering the storm: India grapples with climate change

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Delhi: The good and the bad, according to CPCB

NEW DELHI: The city has recorded only three good air quality days - defined conventionally as days with AQI of 50 or below - in 2022 against only one such day in 2021 and five in 2020, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The city, going by this data, saw a total of 163 good, moderate and satisfactory days in 2022. "By good air days, the minister meant a combination of days with good, satisfactory and moderate air quality. It's consolidated data coming from the network of monitoring stations, both from CPCB as well as Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Some of the older data is attributed to CPCB alone due to unavailability of DPCC monitoring stations before 2018. Over time, more stations were added to the list," explained a Delhi government official. Track the pollution level in your city According to a report by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), too, the average AQI of Delhi was very good. "The average daily AQI for Delhi during the entire 2022 has been the best so far since 2015, barring 2020 which saw an exceptional AQI owing to continued spells of lockdown and low anthropogenic activities round the year," a CAQM report published in January this year had stated. "It is true that in the long-term trend, the air quality of the city has indeed improved. All the assessments so far have shown that year on year, air quality has improved. However, the pollution levels are still very high and more than 60% higher than the national standards. So, there is a need to take drastic steps to control pollution," said Anumita Roychowdhury, Centre for Science and Environment's executive director (research and advocacy). According to an assessment by CSE, based on CPCB's real-time data, as of 2022, the annual average PM2.5 - major source of pollution - was 101 micrograms per cubic metre against 108 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021; 96 in 2020 and 109 in 2019. The national annual standard is 40 while the international standard set by WHO is 5.