• Down To Earth

El cambio climático convierte los ríos africanos en epicentros de conflictos

NAIROBI – Casi todas las grandes cuencas fluviales de África se han convertido en epicentros de conflictos en los últimos 20 años, y el rendimiento agrícola en el continente podría caer hasta 50 por ciento en el futuro próximo debido al agotamiento de las fuentes de agua «tradicionales». Ello sucede en parte por los efectos del cambio climático y la degradación del medioambiente, según el Informe sobre el Estado del Ambiente en África 2023, publicado en Nairobi, sede entre otros organismos internacionales del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente. Al mismo tiempo, la degradación medioambiental y la pérdida de biodiversidad afectan sobre todo al continente, con una pérdida de cuatro millones de hectáreas de cubierta forestal cada año, el doble de la tasa media mundial. Esto, en parte, ha contribuido a que más de 50 millones de personas hayan emigrado de las zonas degradadas del África subsahariana al norte de África y Europa hasta 2020, según el informe elaborado por el indio Centro para la Ciencia y el Medio Ambiente (CSE), lanzado en esta capital keniana el 13 de octubre. En él se constata que todas las cuencas hídricas críticas de África experimentaban al inicio de esta década dificultades y turbulencias a causa, entre otras razones, al uso insostenible de los recursos, además del clima, convirtiéndose en focos de competencia por el agua. Las cuencas incluyen el lago Chad, compartido por Chad, Nigeria, Camerún y Níger; el río Nilo, compartido por Egipto, Uganda, Sudán y Etiopía; el lago Victoria, compartido por Kenia, Uganda y Tanzania; y el río Níger, utilizado por comunidades de Níger, Mali y Nigeria. También figuran en la lista la cuenca del río Congo, un recurso conjunto utilizado por Camerún, la República Centroafricana, la República Democrática del Congo, Guinea Ecuatorial y Gabón, y la cuenca del lago Malauí, compartida por Tanzania y Malauí. También figura en la lista la cuenca del lago Turkana, en Kenia y Etiopía. Los conflictos en la cuenca del lago Chad comenzaron en 1980, después que la masa de agua ha disminuido un 90m% desde los años 60 debido a la sobreexplotación y a los efectos del cambio climático. «Durante años, el lago ha sustentado el agua potable, el riego, la pesca, la ganadería y la actividad económica de más de 30 millones de personas; es vital para las comunidades indígenas, pastoriles y agrícolas de uno de los países más pobres del mundo”, señala el informe. De hecho, añade, “el cambio climático ha alimentado crisis medioambientales y humanitarias masivas en la región». Señala que los actores internacionales y los gobiernos regionales han ignorado durante mucho tiempo la interacción entre el cambio climático, la violencia comunitaria y el desplazamiento forzado de civiles. «Los conflictos entre pastores y agricultores se han hecho habituales a medida que se pierden los medios de subsistencia, y las familias que dependen del lago emigran a otras zonas en busca de agua», señala el nuevo reporte del CSE. «En la cuenca del Congo, las disputas comenzaron en 1960. La cuenca es testigo de crisis polifacéticas, como desplazamientos forzosos, conflictos violentos, inestabilidad política e impactos del cambio climático», determina. Por otro lado, en la cuenca del Níger los conflictos se remontan a 1980, se remarca, y se culpa al cambio climático de los desacuerdos por «los daños a las tierras de cultivo y el acceso restringido al agua, mientras que en el Nilo, los desacuerdos comenzaron en torno a 2011 a raíz de la construcción de la presa del Gran Renacimiento por parte de Etiopía, que Egipto teme que afecte al caudal de agua». Los conflictos por los recursos del lago Turkana son bastante recientes, y se remontan a 2016, cuando se observó que, con 90 % de su agua procedente del río Omo, en Etiopía, el aumento de las temperaturas y la reducción de las precipitaciones han contribuido al «retroceso» del lago hacia Kenia. Para sobrevivir, las tribus de pastores etíopes empezaron a seguir el agua, lo que provocó conflictos intertribales con sus pares keniatas. La construcción de la presa etíope Gilgel Gibe III en el río solo empeoró las cosas. El informe señala que, en 2020, se proyectaba que entre 75 y 250 millones de personas del continente estaban «expuestas a un mayor estrés hídrico» debido al cambio climático. El documento advierte que, en algunos países, el rendimiento de la agricultura de secano podría disminuir hasta un 50 % debido a la desecación de las fuentes tradicionales de agua, como lagos, ríos y pozos. «La forma en que África gestione sus recursos hídricos definirá la seguridad del agua en el mundo. Los acuíferos africanos contienen 0,66 millones de kilómetros cúbicos de agua. Esto es más de 100 veces los recursos anuales renovables de agua dulce almacenados en presas y ríos», remarca el estudio. Como ejemplo está el ejemplo de Etiopía. Este país, conocido como la torre de agua del continente, se enfrenta al enorme reto de la desaparición de lagos y ríos. África, el segundo continente más grande y poblado del mundo, alberga una cuarta parte de la fauna y la flora del planeta, pero la extinción de especies y la tasa general de pérdida de biodiversidad en el continente son mayores que en el resto del mundo. Como resultado, del total de muertes por condiciones meteorológicas extremas, clima o estrés hídrico en el mundo en los últimos 50 años, 35 % de ellas se produjeron en África. Como era de esperar, además, África concentrará 40 % de las migraciones mundiales debidas al cambio climático. «Aunque el Sur global soportará la carga máxima de la migración interna, las razones podrían variar de una región a otra, dependiendo de cuestiones relacionadas con el cambio climático como la escasez de agua o la subida del nivel del mar”, explica el informe. Sin embargo, alerta que “la escasez de agua será el principal motor de la migración total”. Citando el ejemplo de los chimpancés, el Estado del Ambiente en África 2023 informa de que solo hay entre 1,05 y 2,05 millones de ejemplares de esta especie en el continente, limitados a Gabón, República Democrática del Congo y Camerún, mientras sus poblaciones que han desaparecido en Gambia, Burkina Faso, Benín y Togo. En el lado positivo, afirma que los países africanos cuentan con algunos modelos de conservación pioneros que, entre otras cosas, sitúan a las comunidades en el centro de los esfuerzos de conservación. Añade que si África protege su biodiversidad, el mundo entero también saldrá ganando. Las zonas protegidas del continente, si se utilizan de forma sostenible, pueden erradicar la pobreza y traer la paz, afirma. Sudáfrica será la más afectada por los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos, que harán inhóspitas algunas zonas, donde ya hay personas que se ven obligadas a emigrar dentro de sus propios países o regiones en busca de condiciones de vida más hospitalarias y mejores, afirmó Sunita Narain, directora general del CSE, con su base principal en India. Narain explicó los motivos del informe: «Hoy podemos leer y obtener la historia inmediata, pero a menudo no tenemos la visión de conjunto. El informe nos ayudará a tener esa visión de conjunto. Nos permitirá comprender los distintos aspectos del medio ambiente al ofrecer una visión global que aclare los vínculos entre el medio ambiente y el desarrollo. Medioambiente y desarrollo son dos caras de la misma moneda». Añadió que el informe, elaborado con aportaciones de científicos y periodistas afincados en África, también ayudaba a la gente a apreciar el vínculo entre desarrollo y ambiente. Según Mamo Boru Mamo, director de la Autoridad Nacional de Gestión Medioambiental de Kenia, las cuestiones planteadas en el informe son importantes y pertinentes para el medio ambiente en África. Entre otras cosas, el Estado 2023 captó la difícil situación de las comunidades agropecuaria de África oriental, cuya migración de las zonas áridas y semiáridas del continente a los centros urbanos y fuera del continente ha aumentado en los últimos años, gracias en parte a la acelerada degradación del medio ambiente. «El continente tiene la responsabilidad colectiva de gestionar el medio ambiente de forma sostenible, al tiempo que orienta la posición que debe adoptar África en la próxima COP28 de la ONU en Dubái», afirmó, en referencia a la 28 Conferencia de las Partes sobre cambio climático que acogerá ese emirato desde el 30 de noviembre. Citando el «Estado provisional del clima mundial 2022» de la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM), el funcionario keniata subrayó que en África oriental las precipitaciones han estado por debajo de la media durante cuatro estaciones húmedas consecutivas, la secuencia más prolongada en 40 años. La región registró cinco estaciones lluviosas deficitarias consecutivas hasta finales de 2022, siendo la estación lluviosa de marzo a mayo de 2022 la más seca en más de 70 años para Etiopía, Kenia y Somalia, en parte debido a la destrucción del ambiente y al cambio climático. En general, el informe confirma que la crisis climática en África es lo que califica como «un problema existencial», al que se enfrentan millones de personas que llevan años soportando una naturaleza airada. Más de 100 periodistas, investigadores y expertos de toda África han contribuido a la elaboración de esta publicación anual.

• Down To Earth

El cambio climático convierte los ríos africanos en epicentros de conflictos

Casi todas las grandes cuencas fluviales de África se han convertido en epicentros de conflictos en los últimos 20 años, y el rendimiento agrícola en el continente podría caer hasta 50 por ciento en el futuro próximo debido al agotamiento de las fuentes de agua «tradicionales». Ello sucede en parte por los efectos del cambio climático y la degradación del medioambiente, según el Informe sobre el Estado del Ambiente en África 2023, publicado en Nairobi, sede entre otros organismos internacionales del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente. Al mismo tiempo, la degradación medioambiental y la pérdida de biodiversidad afectan sobre todo al continente, con una pérdida de cuatro millones de hectáreas de cubierta forestal cada año, el doble de la tasa media mundial. Esto, en parte, ha contribuido a que más de 50 millones de personas hayan emigrado de las zonas degradadas del África subsahariana al norte de África y Europa hasta 2020, según el informe elaborado por el indio Centro para la Ciencia y el Medio Ambiente (CSE), lanzado en esta capital keniana el 13 de octubre. En él se constata que todas las cuencas hídricas críticas de África experimentaban al inicio de esta década dificultades y turbulencias a causa, entre otras razones, al uso insostenible de los recursos, además del clima, convirtiéndose en focos de competencia por el agua. Las cuencas incluyen el lago Chad, compartido por Chad, Nigeria, Camerún y Níger; el río Nilo, compartido por Egipto, Uganda, Sudán y Etiopía; el lago Victoria, compartido por Kenia, Uganda y Tanzania; y el río Níger, utilizado por comunidades de Níger, Mali y Nigeria. También figuran en la lista la cuenca del río Congo, un recurso conjunto utilizado por Camerún, la República Centroafricana, la República Democrática del Congo, Guinea Ecuatorial y Gabón, y la cuenca del lago Malauí, compartida por Tanzania y Malauí. También figura en la lista la cuenca del lago Turkana, en Kenia y Etiopía. Los conflictos en la cuenca del lago Chad comenzaron en 1980, después que la masa de agua ha disminuido un 90m% desde los años 60 debido a la sobreexplotación y a los efectos del cambio climático. «Durante años, el lago ha sustentado el agua potable, el riego, la pesca, la ganadería y la actividad económica de más de 30 millones de personas; es vital para las comunidades indígenas, pastoriles y agrícolas de uno de los países más pobres del mundo”, señala el informe. De hecho, añade, “el cambio climático ha alimentado crisis medioambientales y humanitarias masivas en la región». Señala que los actores internacionales y los gobiernos regionales han ignorado durante mucho tiempo la interacción entre el cambio climático, la violencia comunitaria y el desplazamiento forzado de civiles. «Los conflictos entre pastores y agricultores se han hecho habituales a medida que se pierden los medios de subsistencia, y las familias que dependen del lago emigran a otras zonas en busca de agua», señala el nuevo reporte del CSE. «En la cuenca del Congo, las disputas comenzaron en 1960. La cuenca es testigo de crisis polifacéticas, como desplazamientos forzosos, conflictos violentos, inestabilidad política e impactos del cambio climático», determina. Por otro lado, en la cuenca del Níger los conflictos se remontan a 1980, se remarca, y se culpa al cambio climático de los desacuerdos por «los daños a las tierras de cultivo y el acceso restringido al agua, mientras que en el Nilo, los desacuerdos comenzaron en torno a 2011 a raíz de la construcción de la presa del Gran Renacimiento por parte de Etiopía, que Egipto teme que afecte al caudal de agua». Los conflictos por los recursos del lago Turkana son bastante recientes, y se remontan a 2016, cuando se observó que, con 90 % de su agua procedente del río Omo, en Etiopía, el aumento de las temperaturas y la reducción de las precipitaciones han contribuido al «retroceso» del lago hacia Kenia. Para sobrevivir, las tribus de pastores etíopes empezaron a seguir el agua, lo que provocó conflictos intertribales con sus pares keniatas. La construcción de la presa etíope Gilgel Gibe III en el río solo empeoró las cosas. El informe señala que, en 2020, se proyectaba que entre 75 y 250 millones de personas del continente estaban «expuestas a un mayor estrés hídrico» debido al cambio climático. El documento advierte que, en algunos países, el rendimiento de la agricultura de secano podría disminuir hasta un 50 % debido a la desecación de las fuentes tradicionales de agua, como lagos, ríos y pozos. «La forma en que África gestione sus recursos hídricos definirá la seguridad del agua en el mundo. Los acuíferos africanos contienen 0,66 millones de kilómetros cúbicos de agua. Esto es más de 100 veces los recursos anuales renovables de agua dulce almacenados en presas y ríos», remarca el estudio. Como ejemplo está el ejemplo de Etiopía. Este país, conocido como la torre de agua del continente, se enfrenta al enorme reto de la desaparición de lagos y ríos. África, el segundo continente más grande y poblado del mundo, alberga una cuarta parte de la fauna y la flora del planeta, pero la extinción de especies y la tasa general de pérdida de biodiversidad en el continente son mayores que en el resto del mundo. Como resultado, del total de muertes por condiciones meteorológicas extremas, clima o estrés hídrico en el mundo en los últimos 50 años, 35 % de ellas se produjeron en África. Como era de esperar, además, África concentrará 40 % de las migraciones mundiales debidas al cambio climático. «Aunque el Sur global soportará la carga máxima de la migración interna, las razones podrían variar de una región a otra, dependiendo de cuestiones relacionadas con el cambio climático como la escasez de agua o la subida del nivel del mar”, explica el informe. Sin embargo, alerta que “la escasez de agua será el principal motor de la migración total” Citando el ejemplo de los chimpancés, el Estado del Ambiente en África 2023 informa de que solo hay entre 1,05 y 2,05 millones de ejemplares de esta especie en el continente, limitados a Gabón, República Democrática del Congo y Camerún, mientras sus poblaciones que han desaparecido en Gambia, Burkina Faso, Benín y Togo. En el lado positivo, afirma que los países africanos cuentan con algunos modelos de conservación pioneros que, entre otras cosas, sitúan a las comunidades en el centro de los esfuerzos de conservación. Añade que si África protege su biodiversidad, el mundo entero también saldrá ganando. Las zonas protegidas del continente, si se utilizan de forma sostenible, pueden erradicar la pobreza y traer la paz, afirma. Sudáfrica será la más afectada por los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos, que harán inhóspitas algunas zonas, donde ya hay personas que se ven obligadas a emigrar dentro de sus propios países o regiones en busca de condiciones de vida más hospitalarias y mejores, afirmó Sunita Narain, directora general del CSE, con su base principal en India. Narain explicó los motivos del informe: «Hoy podemos leer y obtener la historia inmediata, pero a menudo no tenemos la visión de conjunto. El informe nos ayudará a tener esa visión de conjunto. Nos permitirá comprender los distintos aspectos del medio ambiente al ofrecer una visión global que aclare los vínculos entre el medio ambiente y el desarrollo. Medioambiente y desarrollo son dos caras de la misma moneda». Añadió que el informe, elaborado con aportaciones de científicos y periodistas afincados en África, también ayudaba a la gente a apreciar el vínculo entre desarrollo y ambiente. Según Mamo Boru Mamo, director de la Autoridad Nacional de Gestión Medioambiental de Kenia, las cuestiones planteadas en el informe son importantes y pertinentes para el medio ambiente en África. Entre otras cosas, el Estado 2023 captó la difícil situación de las comunidades agropecuaria de África oriental, cuya migración de las zonas áridas y semiáridas del continente a los centros urbanos y fuera del continente ha aumentado en los últimos años, gracias en parte a la acelerada degradación del medio ambiente. «El continente tiene la responsabilidad colectiva de gestionar el medio ambiente de forma sostenible, al tiempo que orienta la posición que debe adoptar África en la próxima COP28 de la ONU en Dubái», afirmó, en referencia a la 28 Conferencia de las Partes sobre cambio climático que acogerá ese emirato desde el 30 de noviembre. Citando el «Estado provisional del clima mundial 2022» de la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM), el funcionario keniata subrayó que en África oriental las precipitaciones han estado por debajo de la media durante cuatro estaciones húmedas consecutivas, la secuencia más prolongada en 40 años. La región registró cinco estaciones lluviosas deficitarias consecutivas hasta finales de 2022, siendo la estación lluviosa de marzo a mayo de 2022 la más seca en más de 70 años para Etiopía, Kenia y Somalia, en parte debido a la destrucción del ambiente y al cambio climático. En general, el informe confirma que la crisis climática en África es lo que califica como «un problema existencial», al que se enfrentan millones de personas que llevan años soportando una naturaleza airada. Más de 100 periodistas, investigadores y expertos de toda África han contribuido a la elaboración de esta publicación anual.

• Sustainable Habitat

AC use rising sharply in India, will surpass all other home appliances by 2050: Report

The ownership of air conditioners in India has tripled since 2010, reaching 24 units per 100 households, due to rising heat and increased incomes. Electricity consumption for space cooling has increased 21% between 2019 and 2022, with nearly 10% of electricity demand in India now coming from cooling requirements. The International Energy Agency predicts that household air conditioner ownership will expand ninefold by 2050, outpacing the growth of other appliances. India has achieved self-sufficiency in petroleum refining capacity and has made significant progress in bringing electricity and clean cooking access to millions of people. New Delhi Air conditioner ownership in India has increased threefold since 2010, reaching 24 units per 100 households due to rising heat. Electricity consumption due to space cooling has increased 21% between 2019 and 2022, and today nearly 10% of electricity demand comes from space cooling requirements, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday. Household air conditioner ownership is estimated to expand ninefold by 2050, outpacing the growth in ownership of all other household appliances including televisions, refrigerators and washing machines, the IEA’s World Energy Outlook has projected. Since 2000, India has brought electricity to 810 million people, larger than the population of the European Union and the US combined, according to IEA. India has also brought clean cooking access to 655 million people since 2000, although 430 million people continue to live in households that use traditional biomass. Over the past five years, solar PV has accounted for nearly 60% of new generation capacity. India has had the single largest light-emitting diode (LED) adoption campaign in the world, with around 370 million LEDs distributed by 2023. India has also achieved self-sufficiency in petroleum refining capacity despite being a net crude oil importer, although certain petroleum products continue to be imported. “Over the past five decades, India has witnessed over 700 heat wave events, which have claimed over 17,000 lives. Fuelled by its geographic and meteorological conditions, air conditioner ownership in India has been steadily rising with growing incomes, tripling since 2010 to reach 24 units per 100 households,” the report states. To be sure, this doesn’t mean that 24% of households have air conditioners but that between them, 100 households have 24 ACs, while some likely have multiple ones. The impact of cooling needs on electricity consumption is already significant. According to IEA, there is a sharp increase in demand as temperatures cross the 25°C threshold. Electricity consumption due to space cooling in India increased 21% between 2019 and 2022. Around 10% of electricity demand comes from space cooling requirements today. By 2050, India’s total electricity demand from residential air conditioners in the current policy scenario will exceed total electricity consumption in the whole of Africa. In the policy scenario India aspires to (such as becoming carbon neutral by 2070), electricity demand for air conditioners will be nearly 15% lower in 2050 compared to current policy scenario as a result of increased use of energy-efficient air conditioners and thermal insulation in buildings. “This reduction itself is larger than the total electricity generation by several countries today, such as that of the Netherlands,” the report stated. India is set to witness the largest energy demand growth of any country or region in the world over the next three decades. “Although India’s population growth has slowed to reach replacement levels, its urban population increases by 74% and per capita income triples by 2050. Industrial output expands rapidly, for example through a tripling of output of iron and steel, and doubling of cement, plus there is a ninefold increase in residential air conditioner ownership by 2050,” IEA said. The latest edition of WEO describes an energy system in 2030 in which clean technologies play a significantly greater role globally. This includes almost 10 times as many electric cars on the road worldwide; solar PV generating more electricity than the entire US power system does currently; renewables’ share of the global electricity mix nearing 50%, up from around 30% today; heat pumps and other electric heating systems outselling fossil fuel boilers globally; and three times as much investment going into new offshore wind projects than into new coal- and gas-fired power plants. “All of those increases are based only on the current policy settings of governments around the world. If countries deliver on their national energy and climate pledges on time and in full, clean energy progress would move even faster. However, even stronger measures would still be needed to keep alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C,” it added. “The transition to clean energy is happening worldwide and it’s unstoppable. It’s not a question of ‘if’, it’s just a matter of ‘how soon’ — and the sooner the better for all of us,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol in a statement. “Demand for space cooling and its associated energy demand is set to surge in India. Cooling is a dual issue, environmental as well as a matter of health for millions who can’t afford access to cooling. The first defence has to be focus on mitigating heat on urban scale by developing heat sinks through green-blue infrastructure, adopt appropriate urban forms while cutting down anthropogenic heat sources. On building scale, our progress on adoption of residential energy conservation code has been sluggish, the code covers aspects of climate contextual passive design as well as appropriate materials. The code is still not compulsory for most of the country, it’s adoption needs to be fast tracked. The third point is that climate appropriate low-carbon cooling technologies need to be mainstreamed with special focus on non-refrigerant based technologies,” Sugeet Grover, Programme Manager, sustainable habitat programme, CSE.

• Down To Earth

Africa: New State of Africa's Environment 2023 Report Warns of Growing Environmental Challenges

The 2023 State of Africa's Environment Report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) highlights the growing challenges facing the continent. The report, released by the Indian-based think tank, emphasizes the centralization of environmental well-being in Africa's overall sustainable development, offering authentic insights into the current conditions and opportunities in African countries. Africa's natural capital was estimated at $6.2 trillion in 2018, nearly three times the size of the entire continental economy. Over 80% of Africa's population directly relies on natural resources, such as land and forests. The CSE report underscores the importance of renewable natural assets, such as land and ecosystems, for low-income countries. These assets make up around 23% of their total wealth, representing the highest proportion of total wealth derived from renewable natural capital among all income groups. headtopics.com Furthermore, scientists estimate that nearly half of the world's population currently depends on degraded resources for their livelihoods. In the future, these resources may no longer be able to support productive livelihoods. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported in January 2023 that around 22 million people in the Horn of Africa, spanning from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, are at risk of hunger due to the worst drought in four decades. headtopics.com Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, emphasized that the report creates links between environmental aspects and development through comprehensive analysis and scientific-based evidence. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, mentioned that the CSE report involved over 100 researchers and journalists from across the continent, providing country-wise assessments for a continental perspective. The report covers climate change, wildlife and biodiversity, agriculture and land degradation, water and hygiene situations, and emerging waste management issues.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi govt to use dust suppressants to combat poor AQI: what are they and do they work?

Dust suppressants will be used in Delhi to mitigate pollution from dust. This, however, is not the first time it has been used in the Capital and parts of NCR. Dust suppressants may be salts of calcium or magnesium that can absorb moisture. Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the “dust suppressant powder” would be mixed along with water and sprayed on roads to keep the dust down for longer. In 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the NCR states that they may consider using dust suppressants on excavated earth surfaces, piles of construction and demolition waste, and access roads in construction areas. The CPCB wrote to states that a study was awarded by it on the use of dust suppressants, and its effectiveness was studied for the control of dust generation at certain roads and sites. “Findings of the study indicate that use of dust suppressant along with water is relatively more effective in control of pollution than conventional methods of dust control i.e. water spraying. About 30% reduction in dust concentration (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) was observed up to six hours for construction sites as well as roads with the use of dust suppressant,” the CPCB said. The effectiveness of the suppressant was evaluated at three sites in Delhi — construction of the Sarai Kale Khan Road, a building construction site at Narela, and a Dilshad Garden flyover construction site. An advisory issued by the Delhi PWD in 2019 also noted that the “use of dust suppressants in water can be more effective than plain water sprinkling as it shows more efficiency to reduce particulate matter emission”. The advisory, which mentioned “magnesium chloride hexahydrate flakes,” added that the dust suppressant with bio-additives helps to reduce dust for five to six hours as compared to plain water which lasts for 15 to 30 minutes. Magnesium chloride absorbs moisture. In 2019, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had also issued directions that all construction agencies will use dust suppressants to control dust emissions and road-owning agencies will use it on dusty patches. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, “We don’t have any information about its efficacy. They claim that if you mix the suppressant, the effect stays for longer, but we are not sure how much longer, and what effect this has in the long term. We haven’t really looked into this.”

• Down To Earth

Climate Change Turns African Rivers into Epicentres of Conflict

Almost all major river basins in Africa have become the epicentres for conflicts over the last 20 years, and agricultural yields on the continent could drop by up to 50 percent in the coming years owing to the drying up of ‘traditional’ water sources, thanks in part to effects climate change and degradation of the environment, the inaugural edition of the State of Africa’s Environment Report 2023 released in Nairobi finds. At the same time, environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity affect the continent the most, with a loss of 4 million hectares of forest cover each year, double the global average rate. This, in part, has contributed to over 50 million people migrating from the degraded areas of sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and Europe by 2020, according to the report compiled by India’s Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released in Nairobi on October 13, 2023. It finds that all the critical water basins on the continent were experiencing distress and turbulence due to, among other reasons, unsustainable use of resources besides climate, becoming hotspots for competition over water. The basins include Lake Chad, shared by Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, the river Nile shared by Egypt, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia; Lake Victoria, Shared by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania; and the river Niger used by communities in Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Also on the list is the river Congo basin, a joint resource used by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and the Lake Malawi basin shared by Tanzania and Malawi. Also on the list is the Lake Turkana basin in Kenya and Ethiopia. Examples show that the Lake Chad basin disputes started in 1980, and the water body has diminished by 90 percent since the 1960s due to overuse and climate change effects. “For years, the lake has supported drinking water, irrigation, fishing, livestock and economic activity for over 30 million people; it is vital for indigenous, pastoral and farming communities in one of the world’s poorest countries. However, climate change has fueled massive environmental and humanitarian crises in the region,” the report notes. It notes that international actors and regional governments have long ignored the interplay between climate change, community violence and the forced displacement of civilians. “Conflict between herders and farmers have become common as livelihoods are lost, and families dependent on the lake are migrating to other areas in search of water,” the report says. “In the Congo basin, disputes started in 1960. The basin witnesses multifaceted crises, including forced displacement, violent conflicts, political instability, and climate change impacts,” it concludes. On the other hand, it traces conflicts in the Niger basin to 1980, blaming climate change for disagreements over “damage to farmland and restricted access to water, while in the Nile, disagreements began around 2011 stemming from the construction of the Grand Renaissance dam by Ethiopia, which Egypt fears will impact water flow. Conflicts over Lake Turkana resources are fairly recent, traced to 2016 when it was observed that with 90 percent of its water from the Omo River in Ethiopia, rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have contributed to the lake’s ‘retreat’ into Kenya. To survive, the Ethiopian herder tribes began following the water, resulting in inter-tribal conflict with their Kenyan counterparts. The construction of Ethiopia’s Gilgel Gibe III Dam on the river worsened matters. It notes that in 2020, between 75 and 250 million people on the continent were projected to be “exposed to increased water stress” due to climate change, warning that in some countries, yields from rain-fed agriculture could drop up to 50 percent due to drying up of traditional water sources including lakes, rivers, and wells. “How Africa manages its water resources will define how water-secure the world would be. Africa’s aquifers hold 0.66 million KM3 of water. This is more than 100 times the annual renewable freshwater resources stored in dams and rivers.” Take Ethiopia, for instance. Known as the continent’s water tower, the country is confronting huge challenges of disappearing lakes and rivers, it explains. Africa, the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent, hosts a quarter of the planet’s animal and plant species, but the species extinction and general biodiversity loss rate in the continent are higher than in the rest of the world. As a result, total deaths from extreme weather, climate or water stress in the world in the last 50 years, 35 percent of them were in Africa. Predictably, Africa will account for 40 percent of the world’s migration due to climate change. “While the Global South will bear the maximum burden of internal migration, the reasons might vary from region to region, depending on climate change-related issues like water scarcity or rising sea levels. However, water scarcity will be the main driving force of the total migration, the report explains. Citing the example of chimpanzees, the SOE 2023 reports that there are only 1.050 million to 2.050 million of the species on the continent, limited to Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, with populations having disappeared in Gambia, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Togo. On the brighter side, it says that African countries have some pioneering conservation models that, among other things, put communities at the centre of conservation efforts, noting that if Africa protects its biodiversity, the whole world will also gain. Protected areas in Africa, if sustainably used, can eradicate poverty and bring peace, it asserts. South Africa will be worst impacted by extreme weather events, making some areas inhospitable because of weather events, where already people are being forced to migrate within their own countries or regions in search of more hospitable and better living conditions, said Sunita Narain, CSE Director General. Explaining the rationale behind the report, Narain said: “We can read and get the immediate story today, but often we do not get the big picture. The report will help us get that big picture. It will enable us to understand the different aspects of the environment by putting together a comprehensive picture that makes the links clearer between the environment and development. Environment and development are two sides of the same coin.” She added that the report, produced with input from scientists and Africa-based journalists, also helped people appreciate the link between development and the environment. According to Mamo Boru Mamo, director of Kenya’s National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), the issues raised in the report are important and pertinent to the environment in Africa. Among other things, the SOE 2023 had captured the plight of East Africa’s agro-pastoral communities whose migration from arid and semi-arid areas of Africa to urban centres and out of the continent has risen over the recent years, thanks in part to accelerated degradation of the environment. “The continent has a collective responsibility to manage the environment sustainably while giving direction on the position Africa should take in the upcoming UN’s COP28 in Dubai,” he said. Citing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), “Provisional State of the Global Climate 2022”, it finds that in East Africa, rainfall has been below average for four consecutive wet seasons, the most extended sequence in 40 years. The region recorded five consecutive deficit rainy seasons by the end of 2022, with the rainy season of March to May 2022 being the driest in over 70 years for Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, partly due to the destruction of the environment and climate change. Overall, the report confirms that the climate crisis in Africa was an existential problem facing millions of people who have endured the wrath of nature for years. Over 100 journalists, researchers and experts from across Africa have contributed to the preparation of this annual publication.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Time for govt to revise list of Delhi pollution hotspots

Delhi has at least four more pollution hotspots than the 13 sites designated, according to average concentration of ultrafine particulate matter known as PM2.5 over the last year, which has been as bad or worse at these locations when compared to the demarcated ones. Delhi, Lodhi Road in central Delhi, Patparganj in the east and Alipur in the north suggest they should be added the list of 13, which will force local administration to take additional measures to curtain pollution. “Our action has been focused on these 13 locations. We may revise the list of hotspots again, particularly if other locations are recording such high levels,” a Delhi Pollution Control Committee official said, asking not to be named, but added that no review has been underway till now. The existing 13 hotspots—Anand Vihar, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, RK Puram, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, Bawana, Vivek Vihar, Narela, Ashok Vihar and Dwarka—were classified five years ago based on reading gleaned from weather stations and pollution monitors here. To combat the problem at these locations, officials have in the past prepared hotspot specific action plans, including identifying the biggest sources, sprinkling water and deputing teams to crack down on violators. The DPCC official cited above said that the focussed on the hotspots “resulted in a 21% reduction in the PM 10 levels compared to 2018, along with a 20% reduction in the PM 2.5 levels. Delhi’s annual PM 2.5 data from its 40 ambient air quality monitoring stations showed Jahangirpuri was its most polluted location last year, recording an annual PM 2.5 concentration of 127 micrograms (μg) per cubic metre—over three times the annual PM 2.5 standard of 40μg/cubic metre. This was followed by Anand Vihar (124μg/cubic metre), Dwarka (118), Nehru Nagar (118) and Lodhi Road (118). While Anand Vihar and Dwarka are part of the 13 hotspots, Nehru Nagar and Lodhi Road are not, and action at these locations is largely limited to basic measures like sprinkling of water and mechanised road sweeping. Patparganj (109), Alipur (104), Sonia Vihar (103) and ITO (102) were the other stations recording high levels comparable to the existing pollution hotspots, which, experts said, makes it imperative to revise this list. Experts said that the data makes underscores the need to take more localised action when it comes to pollution. “We have amped up action on the ground at these hotspots over the last few years, but even though pollution levels are decreasing at these hotspots, new hotspots are emerging elsewhere. We cannot focus solely on these 13 locations and the data shows we need more localised action. At the same time, we cannot remain too hyperlocal. Macro-level action is needed at the city level, so we can see an overall reduction in Delhi’s background emissions,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

After May 17, Delhi's AQI very poor again, relief unlikely soon

NEW DELHI: The air quality deteriorated to "very poor" on Sunday and a layer of haze over the city. The Air Quality Index was 313 as against 248 a day earlier. The last time Delhi recorded a higher AQI was on May 17 at 336. Relief is unlikely soon as the air quality is predicted to remain in the "very poor" range till October 25. Environment minister Gopal Rai will on Monday chair a meeting with departments concerned on the implementation of mitigating measures, officials said. According to the Decision Support System (DSS), which is the forecasting model under the Union ministry of earth sciences, vehicular pollution and stubble burning are the top two sources of pollution in Delhi's air. Unfavourable meteorological conditions such as a calm air, opposed to windy, low temperatures and low mixing layer height also impact the dispersion of pollutants. Screenshot 2023-10-23 040330 "Calm wind conditions prevail in the city from 2.30am to 8am, causing the accumulation of pollutants. The past few days have seen low visibility of around 1,100-1,200 metres till 8.30am. Visibility remained low till Sunday afternoon as wind speed did not pick up during the day and because of cloudiness," said Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist and head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department. The visibility rose to 1,500 metres after 2.30pm on Sunday. The Central Pollution Control Board's data shows that Delhi-NCR's 24-hour PM2.5 concentration was at 110.1 micrograms per cubic metre at 7pm on Saturday. However, as wind speed turned to nil, the PM2.5 concentration started rising on Saturday night and it reached 137 micrograms per cubic metre at 7pm on Sunday. The standard national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre, while WHO's safe limit is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Measures under stage II (very poor category) of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were implemented in NCR on Saturday. According to Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh recorded 30, 25 and 117 paddy residue burning instances, respectively, on Sunday. The DSS estimated the share of stubble burning to be 16.38% contributor to Delhi's PM2.5 level on Sunday. It estimated vehicle pollution's share was about 15.22%, while emissions from Noida and Sonipat contributed around 6% each in Delhi's PM2.5 level. Depending on the wind direction, the pollutants are transported from neighbouring districts to the city due to a common airshed. The DSS forecast estimated the share of biomass burning of around 30.55% for Monday and 32.77% on Tuesday. System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research has stopped sharing the contribution of stubble burning in Delhi's air quality this year. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, "This is the time of the year when winter conditions begin to deepen. Air quality is expected to worsen. Traffic intensity has also increased. Stringent enforcement of mitigation measures needs to be ramped up." The night temperature dropped to the season's lowest minimum of 15.6 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal, on Sunday. The maximum was recorded at 31.3 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. There is a possibility of very light rain at one or two places on Sunday night.

• Urban Lab

Pollution pangs: No solution in sight for Delhi

The winter season in north India, which should bring welcome respite to people from the heat in the plains that goes on and on for months and is a time to celebrate festivals, should be a time of enjoyment and relaxation for them, but in Delhi, it is synonymous with hazardous levels of air pollution which actually make those who can afford to leave the city do so till the situation improves a little. Even though there are a number of reasons that add to the capital’s air pollution woes like vehicles, industries, power plants, waste burning etc, yet, the politicians have umpteen times blamed the farmers of neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana for burning their crop residue. Taking serious note of the problem, the government in 2021 decided to set up a commission for air quality management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas. The statutory authority – the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas – has been the sole authority with jurisdiction over matters such as air quality management. So is there hope that Delhi this time will see more coordinated action to tackle the menace of air pollution? Air pollution is hard to mitigate since it is a multi-dimensional problem – industry, vehicular, biomass/waste burning, and dust all contribute significantly, and each has its own political, regulatory, and technical challenges. Stubble burning The burning of paddy straw by the farmers in neighboring states sparks a blame game every year. As per experts, Punjab and Haryana alone generate 30 million tonnes of paddy straw every year, of which only a small fraction is used. Nevertheless, burning stubble contributes at least 15 per cent to the city’s total air pollution. However, what is different this winter and giving hope to affected residents across the region is that instead of the annual inter-state political blame game, the AAP-led governments, both in the states of Punjab and Delhi, can offer a coordinated solution to effectively tackle this problem. sourav roy Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to the chief secretary of Punjab after the statutory body took cognizance of a media report which claimed that the farm fire incidents have already begun in the state with 656 incidents which were up by around 63 per cent against the corresponding period for the previous year. The report says there is a rise of 241 cases. As per the report, district Amritsar was the worst-hit district with 429 farm fire cases and Tarn Taran Sahib district stands second with 88 such incidents. The principal bench of NGT, comprising chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel observed that stubble burning around autumn is stated to be one of the biggest contributing factors to the air pollution across the northern region especially the national capital and surrounding areas. The opinion of the farmer-led outfits in Punjab has been recorded in the report by mentioning that the farmer outfits have made it clear to the state government that although they are against the burning of stubble, but without a viable alternative or financial incentive, they would have no option but to continue with the status quo. The matter is listed for November 8 for further consideration. Farmers from the Malwa belt of the Punjab told this newspaper that they are still harvesting their crops and probably the farm fires have not yet fully begun. So will the farmers continue with the age-old practice or is there really any alternative for the management of crop residue? No quick or easy Solution There seems to be no easy or quick solution to the problem of stubble burning which contributes significantly to air pollution. Mechanized farming methods may be the first approach to tackle the problem and farmers can use a ‘baler’ to clear their fields from the paddy straw.‘Baler’ is an implement used as a tractor attachment to convert crop residue like hay, flax straws, etc. into bales that are later used for various purposes such as feeding animals. ‘Baler’ makes the crop residue easier to store and transport. The price of baler in India ranges from Rs 4-80 lakh. To address air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for the management of crop residue, a Central sector scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’ is being implemented from 2018-19. Under this scheme, financial assistance at 50 per cent of the cost of machinery is provided to the farmers for the purchase of identified crop residue management machinery. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is also promoting biomass co-firing for the recovery of energy that promotes the setting up of biomass pellets and briquettes manufacturing unit Apart from the benefits of the scheme, Pusa Decomposer Technology developed by ICAR - Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), is also being used by the farmers. During 2020, Pusa Decomposer was provided for 5730 ha area to Uttar Pradesh (3700 ha), Punjab (200 ha), Delhi (800 ha), West Bengal (510 ha), Telangana (100 ha). Still, the smoke that emanates from the burning of paddy stubble in the neighbouring states contributes to only 15 per cent of air pollution in Delhi. There are multiple other factors that contribute to the air pollution. What the Experts say Experts say that the farm fires are yet to begin in Punjab and Haryana and it is too early to predict anything.“Farmers are yet to burn the crop residue. It will be too early to say that the city residents may get any kind of respite from the air pollution,” Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Centre for Science and Environment, said, while speaking to this newspaper. On the steps taken by the government, Somvanshi said, “I don’t see any dramatic or drastic action taken by the government. Even the Delhi government’s 15-point action plan is similar to previous years.”He said that the problem is that the governments or the members of civil society get attentive only during the winter season when the pollution levels are at their peak.“GRAP is an emergency plan but if we have to tackle the menace, we need to reduce the base pollution in Delhi by implementing it throughout the year,” Somvanshi said.“Delhi cannot control pollution from neighbouring states but it can reduce the base pollution that is generated within the city,” the air pollution expert said. Just a couple of days back, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that as per the dynamic model and forecasts for weather and meteorological conditions and air quality made available by India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, there is a likelihood of the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi dipping to the ‘very poor’ category (Delhi AQI- 301-400) on October 23 and 24, owing to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions.On Sunday morning, Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 266. According to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s average AQI settled at 248 in the ‘poor’ category till 4 pm on Saturday. Sensing that the situation can deteriorate further, the CAQM issued statutory directions to strictly implement measures under the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Graded response action plan GRAP – Graded Response Action Plan – is a set of steps implemented to prevent deterioration of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. The plan was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017. GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300), Stage II - ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400), Stage III - ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450), and Stage IV - ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI > 450). Stage 1 mandates the suspension of work at private construction and demolition projects. A complete ban is enforced on the use of coal and firewood at hotels, restaurants, and open eateries. Ensuring the proper implementation of guidelines for dust mitigation at construction and demolition project sites and sound environmental management of resulting waste is also part of stage 1. The second stage measures involve increasing parking fees to discourage private transport and enhancing CNG/electric buses and metro services by introducing additional fleets and increasing service frequency. Under stage III, BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited from operating in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. The final stage IV includes banning all types of construction and demolition work. In this regard, state governments are authorised to decide on online classes for school students and work-from-home arrangements for government as well as private offices during such situations. A complete halt on construction and demolition work except for essential government projects, mining, and stone crushing is also enforced through the plan. Delhi government has bolstered the fight against pollution by launching an intensive anti-dust campaign. Apart from this, it has also announced a Winter Action Plan under which a range of actions, from setting up a war room in the Delhi secretariat to forming hundreds of teams to monitor the implementation of this campaign, has been done. Do smog towers make a difference? After AQI levels escalated following the annual episode of stubble burning, the Supreme Court in 2020 instructed the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to erect two smog towers in the city. The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) got on board, by submitting a proposal to the CPCB. The smog towers under testing mode were to be installed at Anand Vihar and Connaught Place by April 2020 but due to the subsequent lockdowns, the deadline was flouted. Finally, two smog towers came up in 2021. It was claimed that the towers can purify the air in a one-km radius around the structure, at a rate of around 1,000 cubic meters per second. Both towers, identical in shape and design, are functional since September 2021. So have the towers reduced pollution levels? India decided to install smog towers following the example of China, but experts say China is implementing strong pollution control rules across sectors, which India hasn’t. Now after two years, it has been learnt that the smog tower at Connaught Place has been lying defunct for the past several months. Reacting strongly to the development, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that it’s clear that Rs 22.9 crore were splashed on this smog tower without any research on its utility and was a total waste of money by the Kejriwal government. He said that his party will soon request Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to order an inquiry as to who is responsible for this wastage of public money. Punjab & Haryana generate 30 mn tonnes of paddy straw What is different this winter and giving hope to affected residents across the region is that instead of the annual inter-state political blame game, the Aam Aadmi Party-led governments, both in the states of Punjab and Delhi, can offer a coordinated solution to effectively tackle this problem. Punjab and Haryana alone generate 30 million tonnes of paddy straw every year, of which only a small fraction is used. Stubble contributes to 15 per cent of city’s total air pollution Various stages of GRAP, notified in 2017, kick in during winter A complete halt on construction and demolition work except for essential government projects, mining, and stone crushing is also enforced. GRAP is a set of steps implemented to prevent deterioration of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. The plan was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017. GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300), Stage II - ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400), Stage III - ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450), and Stage IV - ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI > 450)

• Director General Office

History TV18 announces new documentary 'Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal’

History TV18 has announced the premiere of its new documentary, Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal’, releasing on 23 October, 2023 at 8 p.m. The 40-minute documentary unravels the remarkable story of India's ambitious ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, a nationwide initiative aimed at providing permanent water connections to 16 Crore rural households by 2024. The mission is set to quench the thirst of millions of Indians and prevent the impending water crisis in the country. Narrated by renowned journalist Richa Anirudh, ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' takes viewers on an inspiring journey that traces the beginning of India's water revolution, which started in Gujarat. The film features personalities like Bharat Lal, (Former JJM Mission Director), Ashok Gulati (Agricultural Economist and Professor at ICRIER), Vini Mahajan (Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry - DDWS), Sunita Narain(Environmentalist - Centre for Science and Environment) and R. K. Sama (Project Director - WASMO, Gujarat), who highlight the tireless efforts of India's ‘water warriors’, including the inspiring 'Jal Sahelis', dedicated 'Pani Panchayat members' and ordinary citizens who are making valuable contributions towards water security for all. ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' transcends geographical boundaries as it travels from the parched valleys of Ladakh to traditionally water-stressed regions like Bundelkhand and Vidarbha. It explores the difficulties encountered in areas in and around the Thar desert, and urban coastal landscapes in cities like Chennai. While the film highlights the daily struggles of people due to water scarcity, it also showcases the historic milestone of laying water pipelines that reach even the most remote and inaccessible corners of India, transforming 'Har Ghar Jal se Nal' into a people's movement. The documentary provides audiences with insights into India's innovative 'Water Model,' a blend of traditional water wisdom and cutting-edge technology. It highlights the revival of traditional water sources, the construction of check dams and watersheds for rainwater harvesting, and the significance of ‘catching the rain where it falls, when it falls.’ The film also explains how technology is empowering individuals and communities while creating new opportunities for livelihood and financial security. It features large-scale projects for water management, desalination, and greywater treatment, as well as satellite mapping, climate-smart farming, and sustainable housing. The Jal Jeevan Mission is not only shaping a sustainable and water-secure future for India but also serving as a global model for future initiatives. ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' premieres on History TV18 on 23 October, 2023 at 8 p.m. and will also be made available on the factual entertainment leader’s YouTube channel.

• Down To Earth

New report reveals Africa’s rising environmental poverty

As Africa prepares its case for loss and damages compensation at the upcoming COP28, the state of the continent’s environment report 2023 paints a grim picture. While the region has contributed little to climate change, it is paying the highest price. An analysis by Washington DC-based Brookings Institution says that seven out of the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations in the world are in Africa. Based on the report’s details, the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) will have its work cut out in Dubai, where COP28 will take place. The AGN intends to push the Global North to fulfil the $100 billion climate finance commitment, set in 2009 but not yet met. It will expire in 2025. Poverty The report titled “Poverty of Environment” has chilling statistics that call for a sober approach by the African Group of Negotiators to push for climate justice in Africa as global warming has exceeded the limits of natural variability. Climate experts say there is an urgent need to save the continent, change its state of the environment, and ultimately define its economic well-being in the next 50 years. According to the report that has rich information on climate, biodiversity, land and agriculture, mobility, energy, health, water and waste, of the total number of deaths from extreme weather, climate, or water stress reported in the world in the last 50 years, Africa accounted for 35 per cent. The report says the continent’s seas are rising by five millimetres yearly. And, despite contributing little to the problem, the report notes that reducing carbon emissions can prevent between 4,000 and 6,000 child deaths due to heat every year. Once every 30 years, heat waves are projected to be longer than 180 days over parts of Central Africa. As the situation worsens, Africa will account for 40 per cent of global migration due to climate change, according to a World Bank report. The World Bank reports that Africa is a migration hotspot. By the mid-century, millions of people could be on their way out of the continent, unable to contend with water scarcity and other socio-economic reasons. “Climate change has been more rapid in Africa than the rest of the world. Africa is extremely vulnerable to and bears the brunt of drought, flooding, cyclones and other climate change-led weather events,” states the 276-page report published by Down To Earth, domiciled at the Centre for Science and Environment. The report states that East Africa has experienced a rainfall shortage that has been below average for four consecutive wet seasons, the longest sequence in 40 years, leaving nearly 20 million people facing acute food insecurity across the region. As the worst drought in four decades grips the Horn of Africa and declining rainfall continues in many parts of the continent, the World Food Programme warned that more than 20 million people in Ethiopia, Northern Kenya and Somalia are at risk of hunger. Almost four million children in Ethiopia were severely malnourished, accounting for around half of those suffering from malnutrition across the Horn of Africa. “Millions were unable to generate income and access food due to the drought, which was likely to lead to widespread and severe levels of food shortage through at least mid-2023,” warned Save the Children. The situation is worse in Somalia as nearly half of the country’s population faces crisis-level food insecurity, which might lead to thousands of deaths due to starvation. The report further stated that this has exacerbated climate-induced shocks with conflict, inflation and forced displacement, causing further misery and millions of children facing increased risk of death from malnutrition. The ongoing dry spell has displaced wildlife from their habitats in search of pasture and water, fuelling human-wildlife conflicts in Kenya. Human-Wildlife conflict “The drought-induced human-wildlife conflicts have resulted in outstanding unpaid compensation claims for wildlife victims of $21 million in the last two years,” stated the report. Simultaneously, severe cyclones lashed many countries in Africa in 2022. At least four cyclones ravaged Madagascar in just one month in late January and February 2022, causing massive floods in Mozambique and Malawi. While many factors continue to influence climate, scientists say the most significant known contribution to the enhanced greenhouse gas effect comes from burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The report reveals that human-induced global warming has been more rapid in Africa than in the rest of the world, according to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The average annual maximum temperature in Northern and Southern Africa is likely to be close to 4°C above normal, according to regional projections in the report released on August 9, 2021. The median temperature in these regions will rise 3.6°C when the Earth warms at 2°C above pre-industrial levels, predicted the group of scientists who authored the report. The annual minimum temperature is also projected to increase by over 2°C in some parts of North-Western Africa, the analysis showed. Southern Africa will also see a rise in minimum temperature. According to the authors of the IPCC report, this will lead to warmer cold days in the future.

• Down To Earth

Suitable land for maize, beans to decline in Africa – Report

Africa may likely face worsening food insecurity if concrete actions are not taken by governments across the continent. The State of Africa Environment (SOE) 2023… The 2023 State of Africa’s Environment Report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) highlights the growing challenges facing the continent. The report, released by the Indian-based think tank, emphasizes the centralization of environmental well-being in Africa’s overall sustainable development, offering authentic insights into the current conditions and opportunities in African countries. The report points out that nearly half of the world’s population currently depends on degraded resources such as land and forests for their livelihoods. However, these resources may not be able to sustain productive livelihoods in the future. Africa’s natural capital was estimated at $6.2 trillion in 2018, nearly three times the size of the entire continental economy. Over 80% of Africa’s population directly relies on natural resources, such as land and forests. The continent is highly vulnerable to climate change and has been experiencing the negative effects of drought, flooding, cyclones, and other climate change-related events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 2022 report highlighted the existential threat of the climate crisis, impacting millions of people who have been enduring the wrath of nature for years. The CSE report underscores the importance of renewable natural assets, such as land and ecosystems, for low-income countries. These assets make up around 23% of their total wealth, representing the highest proportion of total wealth derived from renewable natural capital among all income groups. The report warns that African countries could face a 10% drop in GDP by 2030, and by 2050, approximately 1.2 billion Africans could face higher water pollution, 1.5 billion could experience increased food insecurity, and millions will be at risk of coastal erosion. Furthermore, scientists estimate that nearly half of the world’s population currently depends on degraded resources for their livelihoods. In the future, these resources may no longer be able to support productive livelihoods. The report also highlights the recent unprecedented destruction of planetary health, a resurgence of populism and social unrest, escalating inequalities in health, skills, and opportunities, and a growing dissatisfaction with democracy. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported in January 2023 that around 22 million people in the Horn of Africa, spanning from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, are at risk of hunger due to the worst drought in four decades. In East Africa, the region experienced five consecutive deficit rainy seasons by the end of 2022, with the rainy season from March to May 2022 being the driest in over 70 years for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, emphasized that the report creates links between environmental aspects and development through comprehensive analysis and scientific-based evidence. Director General of Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Mamo Bor Mamo, noted that the report will guide Kenya’s approach during the COP28 summit and emphasized the collective responsibility for addressing environmental issues in Africa. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, mentioned that the CSE report involved over 100 researchers and journalists from across the continent, providing country-wise assessments for a continental perspective. The report covers climate change, wildlife and biodiversity, agriculture and land degradation, water and hygiene situations, and emerging waste management issues. Africa hosts nine of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots and is home to over 1,500 endemic plant species that have lost at least 70% of their primary native vegetation. The Congo Basin, considered the world’s second-largest green lung, absorbs 4% of global carbon emissions annually and supports the livelihoods of 80 million people. In terms of land and agriculture, over 80-90% of the landmass in many Horn of Africa countries is arid or semi-arid and not suitable for agriculture, particularly in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. The region has been affected by the worst drought in 40 years. The report also highlights air pollution and mobility, indicating a significant variation in air pollution-related deaths across Africa, ranging from 36 deaths in Seychelles to 0.197 million deaths in Nigeria, the highest recorded.

• Down To Earth

New State of Africa’s Environment 2023 Report Warns of Growing Environmental Challenges

The 2023 State of Africa’s Environment Report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) highlights the growing challenges facing the continent. The report, released by the Indian-based think tank, emphasizes the centralization of environmental well-being in Africa’s overall sustainable development, offering authentic insights into the current conditions and opportunities in African countries. The report points out that nearly half of the world’s population currently depends on degraded resources such as land and forests for their livelihoods. However, these resources may not be able to sustain productive livelihoods in the future. Africa’s natural capital was estimated at $6.2 trillion in 2018, nearly three times the size of the entire continental economy. Over 80% of Africa’s population directly relies on natural resources, such as land and forests. The continent is highly vulnerable to climate change and has been experiencing the negative effects of drought, flooding, cyclones, and other climate change-related events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 2022 report highlighted the existential threat of the climate crisis, impacting millions of people who have been enduring the wrath of nature for years. The CSE report underscores the importance of renewable natural assets, such as land and ecosystems, for low-income countries. These assets make up around 23% of their total wealth, representing the highest proportion of total wealth derived from renewable natural capital among all income groups. The report warns that African countries could face a 10% drop in GDP by 2030, and by 2050, approximately 1.2 billion Africans could face higher water pollution, 1.5 billion could experience increased food insecurity, and millions will be at risk of coastal erosion. Furthermore, scientists estimate that nearly half of the world’s population currently depends on degraded resources for their livelihoods. In the future, these resources may no longer be able to support productive livelihoods. The report also highlights the recent unprecedented destruction of planetary health, a resurgence of populism and social unrest, escalating inequalities in health, skills, and opportunities, and a growing dissatisfaction with democracy. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported in January 2023 that around 22 million people in the Horn of Africa, spanning from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, are at risk of hunger due to the worst drought in four decades. In East Africa, the region experienced five consecutive deficit rainy seasons by the end of 2022, with the rainy season from March to May 2022 being the driest in over 70 years for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, emphasized that the report creates links between environmental aspects and development through comprehensive analysis and scientific-based evidence. Director General of Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Mamo Bor Mamo, noted that the report will guide Kenya’s approach during the COP28 summit and emphasized the collective responsibility for addressing environmental issues in Africa. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, mentioned that the CSE report involved over 100 researchers and journalists from across the continent, providing country-wise assessments for a continental perspective. The report covers climate change, wildlife and biodiversity, agriculture and land degradation, water and hygiene situations, and emerging waste management issues. Africa hosts nine of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots and is home to over 1,500 endemic plant species that have lost at least 70% of their primary native vegetation. The Congo Basin, considered the world’s second-largest green lung, absorbs 4% of global carbon emissions annually and supports the livelihoods of 80 million people. In terms of land and agriculture, over 80-90% of the landmass in many Horn of Africa countries is arid or semi-arid and not suitable for agriculture, particularly in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. The region has been affected by the worst drought in 40 years. The report also highlights air pollution and mobility, indicating a significant variation in air pollution-related deaths across Africa, ranging from 36 deaths in Seychelles to 0.197 million deaths in Nigeria, the highest recorded.

• Industrial Pollution

Delhi’s Air Quality Nightmare: The Urgent Call for Long-Term Solutions

Every year, as winter approaches, we find ourselves trapped in the same recurring nightmare: Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. It’s a troubling cycle that seems to play out with frustrating predictability, and it’s disheartening to witness the lack of substantial action to address this ongoing crisis. Once again, Delhi is descending into a perilous gas chamber. On Monday, Delhiites woke up to an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 305. The situation is no better in our neighbouring cities, with Gurugram at 255, Ghaziabad at 246, Noida at 304, and Greater Noida at a staggering 354. As Nivit Kumar Yadav, Programme Director at the Centre for Science and Environment, points out, Delhi is but a small dot on the vast map of India, surrounded by three populous states: Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh and Delhi’s air quality crisis is often related to many extraneous factors. “During this season, an astounding 35 million tons of crop residue is set ablaze, further worsening our air quality. While it’s true that Delhi may not host a large number of air-polluting industries, the fact remains that Delhi is surrounded by three states. In mid 90s, when legislation came about to relocate air-polluting industries from Delhi, the question arises: where did they relocate to?” asks Nivit. He adds, “Additionally, we can’t discount internal factors. Delhi sees the daily influx of approximately 1,000 new vehicles, contributing to the alarming statistic of ten million vehicles currently on our roads. Of these, 6.8 million are two-wheelers, and around 3.2 million are cars and jeeps. Unfortunately, we have limited knowledge of how well these vehicles adhere to emission control standards. These are staggering numbers for a city the size of Delhi, and they underscore the severity of the issue. In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, the call for electing governments based on their commitment to improving our environmental conditions is not only logical but essential. The environment is no longer an abstract concern; it is intricately linked to the quality of our lives, our health, and the future of our planet. It’s high time we elevate environmental issues to the forefront of political discourse during elections, but regrettably, this shift is a rarity in today’s political landscape”. Delhi’s air quality crisis is an issue that demands immediate and proactive measures. Acknowledging the worsening air pollution situation, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai said the government is taking action by employing dust suppressant powder to curb dust pollution in the city.

• Director General Office

History TV18 launches documentary on India’s Jal Jeevan mission

History TV18 has announced the premiere of its new documentary, Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal’, releasing on 23 October, 2023 at 8 p.m. The 40-minute documentary unravels the remarkable story of India's ambitious ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, a nationwide initiative aimed at providing permanent water connections to 16 Crore rural households by 2024. The mission is set to quench the thirst of millions of Indians and prevent the impending water crisis in the country. Narrated by renowned journalist Richa Anirudh, ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' takes viewers on an inspiring journey that traces the beginning of India's water revolution, which started in Gujarat. The film features personalities like Bharat Lal, (Former JJM Mission Director), Ashok Gulati (Agricultural Economist and Professor at ICRIER), Vini Mahajan (Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry - DDWS), Sunita Narain (Environmentalist - Centre for Science and Environment) and R. K. Sama (Project Director - WASMO, Gujarat), who highlight the tireless efforts of India's ‘water warriors’, including the inspiring 'Jal Sahelis', dedicated 'Pani Panchayat members' and ordinary citizens who are making valuable contributions towards water security for all. History TV18 has announced the premiere of its new documentary, Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal’, releasing on 23 October, 2023 at 8 p.m. The 40-minute documentary unravels the remarkable story of India's ambitious ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, a nationwide initiative aimed at providing permanent water connections to 16 Crore rural households by 2024. The mission is set to quench the thirst of millions of Indians and prevent the impending water crisis in the country. Narrated by renowned journalist Richa Anirudh, ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' takes viewers on an inspiring journey that traces the beginning of India's water revolution, which started in Gujarat. The film features personalities like Bharat Lal, (Former JJM Mission Director), Ashok Gulati (Agricultural Economist and Professor at ICRIER), Vini Mahajan (Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry - DDWS), Sunita Narain (Environmentalist - Centre for Science and Environment) and R. K. Sama (Project Director - WASMO, Gujarat), who highlight the tireless efforts of India's ‘water warriors’, including the inspiring 'Jal Sahelis', dedicated 'Pani Panchayat members' and ordinary citizens who are making valuable contributions towards water security for all. ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' transcends geographical boundaries as it travels from the parched valleys of Ladakh to traditionally water-stressed regions like Bundelkhand and Vidarbha. It explores the difficulties encountered in areas in and around the Thar desert, and urban coastal landscapes in cities like Chennai. While the film highlights the daily struggles of people due to water scarcity, it also showcases the historic milestone of laying water pipelines that reach even the most remote and inaccessible corners of India, transforming 'Har Ghar Jal se Nal' into a people's movement. The documentary provides audiences with insights into India's innovative 'Water Model,' a blend of traditional water wisdom and cutting-edge technology. It highlights the revival of traditional water sources, the construction of check dams and watersheds for rainwater harvesting, and the significance of ‘catching the rain where it falls, when it falls.’ The film also explains how technology is empowering individuals and communities while creating new opportunities for livelihood and financial security. It features large-scale projects for water management, desalination, and greywater treatment, as well as satellite mapping, climate-smart farming, and sustainable housing. The Jal Jeevan Mission is not only shaping a sustainable and water-secure future for India but also serving as a global model for future initiatives. ‘Jal Dhaara: Har Ghar Jal' premieres on History TV18 on 23 October, 2023 at 8 p.m. and will also be made available on the factual entertainment leader’s YouTube channel.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Policy, mitigation must be long-term focus: Experts weigh in on Delhi’s pollution fight

"Delhi still needs to reduce levels by between 55% to 59% to meet national standards for PM 2.5. Scale and speed of action will have to be hugely disruptive," says Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment. As the city’s air quality begins to take a turn for the worse once again, the Delhi government has pointed to improvements over the past few years — data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee shows the annual average PM 2.5 level in 2022 was 103 µg/m3, down from 149 µg/m3 in 2014. Similarly, the PM 10 level in 2022 was 223 µg/m3, down from 324 µg/m3 in 2014. What has this meant for Delhi’s fight against pollution? Experts weigh in on the measures that may have helped so far and the long road ahead. What has worked so far: Public transport has moved to CNG; there are restrictions on old vehicles; electrification of the fleet; BS-VI emission standards for vehicles; coal power plants have been shut; transition to natural gas in legal industrial areas. This has contributed to bending of the pollution curve. No other city in India has done all these things together. What should Delhi focus on now: Delhi still needs to reduce levels by between 55% to 59% to meet national standards for PM 2.5. Scale and speed of action will have to be hugely disruptive. We need a strategy to address volume of traffic, and a massive mobility transition, a clean mass transport mode, and the infrastructure that is needed for it, integrated public transport system supported by walking, cycling infrastructure, and restraint measures (congestion pricing, parking policy, low emissions zones in the city) so we don’t use cars as much. Lessons from the hard lockdown of the pandemic need to be remembered — regional influence on pollution could be minimised then because activity in the entire region was controlled. Action will have to be scaled up across the region. What has worked so far: Annual emission data indicates that emissions have increased not declined. Despite that, air quality has shown improvement in recent times, because of short-term measures like GRAP that reduce the magnitude of the pollution peak. What should Delhi focus on now: Long-term solutions for decline in emissions — faster switch to EVs from fossil fuel-based vehicles, ensuring access to cleaner cooking fuel in areas around Delhi as well. Delhi is a land-locked city, and mitigation measures need to be taken across the entire airshed, not just in Delhi. What has worked so far: Air quality monitoring in Delhi, with around 40 government monitors, has helped authorities check what’s happening, and over the years they have looked at where the hotspots are. We also have a more conscious citizenry now and allied agencies have brought measures like replacing dirty fuel in industries at least to a certain extent. That has brought some decline in annual average PM 2.5 over the last few years. There were a couple of years when Covid was there, so we don’t have sufficient long-term series, but there is some indication that PM 2.5 is declining. What should Delhi focus on now: What has been done is very basic. This needs to be rapidly built up. We need to ramp up air quality monitoring in NCR, and we need to have a more responsive regulatory system. This means we need to improve capacity — people who understand this kind of data should be able to rapidly analyse and make use of it. This needs to be backed up with large-scale policy decisions like ensuring access to LPG across NCR.