• Director General Office

Le bref : Mukesh Ambani nommé au comité consultatif de la COP 28 de

Mukesh Ambani dirige le groupe indien Reliance dont une des activités principales est le raffinage de pétrole. La raffinerie du groupe située à Jamnagar est une des plus grandes au monde. Le groupe Reliance a aussi commencé à investir dans l'hydrogène vert et les énergies renouvelables. Mukesh Ambani est le premier milliardaire indien d'après le magazine Forbes. Mukesh Ambani a été nommé comme conseiller du président de la COP28, le sultan Al Jaber. Ce dernier est aussi en charge de la compagnie pétrolière d’Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company ce qui a suscité de vives polémiques depuis sa nomination à la présidence de la COP 28 qui se tiendra à Dubai fin 2023. La seule autre Indienne du groupe est l'écologiste Sunita Narain, dont le profil est diamétralement opposé. Selon des personnes au fait du processus de nomination, les conseillers sont choisis avec l'approbation des gouvernements respectifs. Il est arrivé que des industriels soient nommés par d'anciens présidents de la COP dans leur équipe de conseillers, mais rarement dans le secteur des combustibles fossiles. Bien que le mandat et le rôle de ces conseillers n'aient pas été clairement définis, des sources ont indiqué que l'objectif était de conseiller et d'informer le président de la COP sur les questions et les priorités de la COP. Une victoire du lobby de pétrole Selon The Economic Times, l’entrée d'Ambani dans le comité consultatif est considérée comme un triomphe du lobbying exercé par le secteur pétrolier, qui a pour position que toute solution au changement climatique doit être consultative et doit impliquer l'industrie des combustibles fossiles, même s’ils sont les plus gros émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre. Les environnementalistes sont eux beaucoup plus sceptiques sur le bien fondé d'une telle participation. Le quotidien indique aussi que cela donne une représentation à l'Asie du sud dans le comité de la COP 28.

• DTE - Web

Frequent And Prolonged: Cyclones In The Arabian Sea Show A Trend

Incidence of cyclones like Biparjoy have become very common in the Arabian Sea. Experts explain the trend behind these severe, frequent and prolonged cyclones. Originating in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make a landfall in the Saurashtra-Kutch coast on June 15 and in southwest Rajasthan on June 16. India’s Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre has warned that the cyclone could result in storm surges of two to three metres, the destruction of thatched homes, flooding, widespread damage to plantations, orchards, and standing crops, as well as the disruption of railways, power lines in Gujarat's northern and western coastal districts. Biparjoy, which formed into a cyclonic storm on June 6 and will finally make a landfall on June 15, is one of the longest lasting cyclones to have impacted in the recent past. However, this is not the first time that a prolonged intense cyclone has developed in the Arabian Sea. According to a research by Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR), Pune, “The frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased significantly, while there is a slight decrease in frequency in the Bay of Bengal.” BOOM spoke to experts to know the reason behind this change in trend. Why have the instances of cyclones increased in the Arabian Sea? According to the research, there is a 52% increase in the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, while very severe cyclones have increased by 150%. Speaking to BOOM, Trishant Dev from Centre of Science and Environment, said that traditionally, the Arabian Sea has comparatively been less prone to intense cyclones compared to the Bay of Bengal. “One of the reasons is the less warm sea surface temperatures and higher air pressure over the sea compared to the Bay of Bengal,” he said. However, in the recent past the Arabian Sea has witnessed some of the most severe and prolonged cyclones. “Cyclone Tauktae, originating in the Arabian Sea was categorised as an extremely severe cyclone back in 2021, one of the strongest in over a century. Before this, Vayu in 2019 and Nisarga in 2020 were classified as severe or very severe,” he said. Dev attributed it to the increasing temperatures of the Arabian Sea, which may be related to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and the resulting global warming. “High sea surface temperatures are known to trigger severe cyclones. Moreover, higher temperature also means a higher energy available to help intensify the cyclone in a short duration,” he said. But how does the warming of sea surface temperatures lead to the intensifying of cyclones? Akshay Deoras, a UK-based research scientist, told BOOM that as tropical cyclones derive energy from the influx of heat and moisture from the upper layers of a sea, “higher sea surface temperature would increase the intensification of a pre-existing low-pressure system in the sea into a tropical cyclone if other conditions are favourable”. Does global warming also affect the duration of cyclones? The CCCR research notes that there has been an 80% increase in the total duration of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, during the last four decades. The duration of very severe cyclones has also increased by 260%. Deoras said that a tropical cyclone keeps growing if it gets more heat and moisture. The current scenario due to global warming is also very conducive for cyclones. However, he notes, that the duration of the tropical cyclones also depends on multiple factors, such as low-pressure area, and small variations in vertical wind speed, apart from the increase in the sea surface temperatures. Deoras said, “There is some evidence that global warming prolongs the duration of cyclones, in certain regions of the world such as the continental US, but it hasn't been linked to anthropogenic climate change with a high confidence.” According to Dev, global warming does contribute to the longer-lasting cyclones. Explaining the phenomenon, he said, “Warmer ocean waters provide the necessary energy for cyclones to form and intensify, while increased moisture content in the atmosphere supports their development and sustenance.” Can we attribute the prolonged cyclones to the weak monsoon? Dev explained that this is scientifically possible. Monsoon circulations can affect the track and intensity of a cyclone, and this is also true vice versa. “A weaker monsoon favours the formation of severe cyclones, among other factors, such as favourable temperature conditions,” he said. This year the monsoon season is expected to have a delayed onset as well as reduced rainfall, since it is an El Nino year. El Nino and its counterpart La Nina are ocean-borne phenomena which affect the incidence of heatwaves and rainfall worldwide. Alluding to the prolonging of the Cyclone Biparjoy, Dev said, “As far as Biporjoy is concerned, a weak monsoon may have enabled an extremely severe cyclone and not the other way round. However, going forward, the monsoon winds will likely be under the influence of the cyclone.” Tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are capable of modulating the monsoon's onset and progression. Citing the example of Cyclone Biparjoy, Deoras said, “The cyclone helped in the onset of the monsoon over Kerala and also caused its further progression up to the south coast of Maharashtra.” However, the cyclone can also weaken the onset of monsoon if it's very strong enough to pull away the moisture from the monsoon circulation and also disrupt the wind pattern.

• DTE - Web

A low-carbon economy will only succeed if it is equitable

In global production and consumption chains political economy of ethics and environmental sustainability must remain pivotal The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2022 posits clearly that as growing climate change impacts are experienced across the globe, the message that greenhouse gas emissions must fall is unambiguous. The link between global net zero carbon emissions and addressing climate change is evident and it is also certain that the link itself must be even-handed, objective and ambitious. To achieve global net zero goals and garner the public support required for this, it is imperative in the long-term to view emissions within the larger context of global consumption and production patterns. Consumption and production patterns vary greatly based on the cultural, social, and economic factors. But both consumption and production ethics also vary due to beliefs, values and traditions. Some of these differences are marked by a complex interplay of factors: Social norms, customs and traditions that shape attitudes towards consumption and production. Certain cultures may place a higher value on saving and frugality, while others prioritise spending and indulgence Environmental factors including the availability of resources and the impact of environmental degradation on different cultures. Consumers from areas that experience frequent natural disasters may understand and thus prioritise sustainability and resource conservation more Existing economic systems: Countries with capitalist economies tend to prioritise consumerism and production for profit, while economies based on communal values are likely to prioritise shared value over profit Political ideologies: Societies that emphasise individualism may prioritise personal consumption and production, while societies that emphasise collectivism may prioritise more communal goods and services Regional and religious beliefs can also shape attitudes towards consumption and production. For example, some religions may promote asceticism and simplicity, while others may prioritise wealth and luxury In the formerly established trade flows and global economic chains, it is charged that dominant economic powers exploit smaller, less developed economies — often by extracting raw materials at low prices and exporting finished products back at higher prices. This may lead to the undermining of local economies and often leads to social and environmental degradation. To avoid this, local producers need to have access to fair markets and fair prices so that they can invest in alternative, environmentally friendly production methods. Across developed markets, the average individual consumer is often more aware of the impacts of their choice on the environment as well as the producer and is thus willing to pay premiums often associated with sustainably produced goods. In contrast, in former colonies and developing countries, often with limited access and large populations, consumer awareness and media attention on both offshore environmental issues and ethical concerns is often lower, while cost remains the primary factor driving consumption. It is often also asserted that developed countries (former colonisers) are in the process of trying to shift the burden of ethical production, in this century, to the developing countries (former colonies). In this, voluntary standards and certification schemes often get dismissed for being used as non-tariff trade barriers. These trade barriers put developing countries at income risk and more vulnerable to market access problems. While it is true that stringent measures impose market access restrictions and cause limitations on competitiveness, this is much more widely felt by the developing countries due to: Lack of infrastructure and monitoring facilities Limited technology choices Inadequate access to environment-friendly raw materials Information asymmetry Presence of small-scale exporters and Emergence of environmental standards in sectors of export interest to developing countries Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) thus become especially vulnerable. In global production and consumption chains political economy of ethics and environmental sustainability must remain pivotal. Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — talks about ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns globally. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are root causes of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. These crises, and related environmental degradation, threaten human well-being and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. These patterns will remain central to sustain the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations. As this paradigm gradually shifts, a (re)-framing of standards needs to better facilitate dialogue and include developing nations in how sustainability and thus net-zero emissions, are to be achieved. Much of the developing world in Asia, Africa and Latin America — the Global South — is where production (agriculture, forestry and manufacturing) is still largely focussed, and the largest markets are coming into prominence. Developed nations may also need to provide support and resources to help in a just transition to more sustainable production and consumption patterns. This transition would support the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, recognised in the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held at Rio de Janeiro. The answer is NOT to weaken environmental standards, but to enable exporters to meet them as a process of continuous improvement. WTO agreements now have the scope to ensure that environmental measures do not unduly restrict exports. Examples like the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement which deals with food safety and animal and plant health and the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement which deals with product standards and labelling are important examples in shaping this discussion. In our own context, India has over the last decade started making positive progress in achieving the SDG 12. The country has taken several steps to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. With the implementation of schemes and initiatives, including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the Clean Ganga Mission, and the National Solar Mission, the focus has been to reduce waste and promote green technology. The government has also introduced policies to encourage renewable energy, eco-friendly transportation, and efficient water management. Furthermore, India has increased its share of renewable energy in its energy mix and has taken significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint. India’s progress in achieving SDG 12 is commendable but there is still significant work to be done on the household and individual consumer awareness and how some of this intersects with price volatility and access. India’s recent State of India’s Environment report by Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth highlights how unsustainable consumption patterns have led to environmental degradation and social inequality, particularly in rural areas. For instance, monoculture farming practices have resulted in soil depletion and erosion, whereas rampant deforestation has contributed to the loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats. Therefore, it is essential to promote agroforestry and other sustainable production methods that preserve soil health, reduce water use, and increase biodiversity. India is at the helm of the regional balance of trade; this position is crucial and can create pathways which emulate and ensure sustainable production and consumption. Encouraging sustainable practices, raising awareness about the impacts of our choices, and creating fair trade networks can help mitigate the adverse effects of unsustainable consumption patterns and promote regional balance of trade. Taking such measures can lay the foundation for a more sustainable and equitable future for all in bolster the movement against climate change and biodiversity loss. Neha Simlai is the head of Social Policy Researcg Foundation India, a think tank based in Delhi, working on a range of critical themes to bridge academic research and public policy. Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/governance/a-low-carbon-economy-will-only-succeed-if-it-is-equitable-89984

• Urban Lab

Summer PM10 dips in a year, but few days enter safe zone

Delhi Pollution NEW DELHI: Delhi saw a reduction in PM10 levels this summer as compared to 2022 and 2021, but the concentrations were higher than the national ambient air quality standards on most days, shows data of Central Pollution Control Board. The city saw just 10 days from March 1 to May 31 when PM10 levels met the 24-hour average national ambient air quality standards of 100 micrograms per cubic metre. Track the pollution level in your city The average PM10 level in March this year was 170.9 micrograms per cubic metre as opposed to 231.4 micrograms per cubic metre in March 2022 and 248.6 micrograms per cubic metre in March 2021. The PM10 level in April reduced from 291.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 196 micrograms per cubic metre this year. Similarly, PM10 concentration in May 2023 was 184.6 micrograms per cubic metre as opposed to 246.5 micrograms per cubic metre in May 2022. According to CPCB’s data, Anand Vihar, Mundka, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur and Shadipur were among the locations which recorded high levels of PM10 this summer. The data shows that between March 1 and May 31, Delhi did not meet WHO’s daily safe limit of 45 micrograms per cubic metre. Experts said the air quality met prescribed national ambient air quality standards on some days due to meteorological factors like rain, which helped in settling down the pollutants. Aarti Khosla, director, Climate Trends, said, “It is good to see some air quality gains as a result of the mitigation efforts under the National Clean Air Programme, but the pollution levels continue to remain much higher than even the CPCB’s safe limits, which are already lenient as compared to the WHO limits. This is despite the meteorological factors like low boundary layer not being at play during summers. We also did not see any dust storms impacting Delhi.” She added that while the mechanical sweepers and water sprinklers were at work, it would be essential to strengthen sector-specific mitigation measures in key areas like transport, construction and industries to be able to cut pollution at source. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, “Summer season generally witnesses major dust events and overall dust levels remain elevated due to suspension of loose and dry crustal soil and resuspension of road dust. Source apportionment studies in Delhi show higher impact of dust on PM10 levels that are coarser particles. But this year, unusual and consistent rainfall during May could have had a wash out effect to reduce the dust load in the air.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Fire at Ghazipur landfill, season’s first

A blaze erupted in the Ghazipur landfill on Monday and 14 fire tenders on the job managed to douse the flames late at night, the MCD said. The fire in the east Delhi site is the first such blaze of the season at a landfill in Delhi. The blaze was spotted in a portion facing Khora Colony in Ghaziabad, MCD officials said. “A call for fire at the landfill was received around 1.30pm. The incident was reported from gate no. 3 of the landfill and a total of 14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot along with a robotic machine to control and douse the blaze,” an official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said. A huge cloud of smoke has enveloped the neighbouring areas. MCD officials said the fire, a small one when it started, grew because of strong winds in the afternoon and spread over a large area. “The MCD quickly responded to the situation and fire tenders from DFS, 13-14 excavators and four to five bulldozers working at the landfill site were pressed into action immediately. By evening, 60-70% of the fire had been doused. The fire was not allowed to spread. In 10-12 places, small flames were visible till evening and these will be controlled by tonight,” the MCD said in its statement. “The flames have been caused due to the methane generation at the site and (because of) high temperature. We controlled the blaze by putting inert materials. The MCD staff, concessionaire, Delhi Disaster Management Authority and DFS are making all effort,” an MCD official said. In April 2022, after a major fire in the same landfill, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai announced a nine-point action plan to prevent landfill fires, including construction of a peripheral road around the dumpsites to facilitate the movement of vehicles, patrolling teams and fire tenders. The minister had stated that the government planned to adopt technology similar to what is used in Mumbai and collect flammable gases produced in the landfills. However, according to government officials, the plan was dropped due to differences in weather conditions between Delhi and Mumbai. This year, in a 14-point summer action plan released on May 1, the Delhi government stated that a joint team of over 14 departments would ensure that incidents of fire, including landfill fires, are controlled. However, when asked about the action taken so far, officials in the Delhi government didn’t respond despite several attempts on Monday. One of the biggest and oldest landfills of Delhi, Ghazipur witnessed a major blaze and smaller fire incidents last year. In total, five major fires were reported in three landfills. According to the experts, the chance of a fire increases, especially if temperature rises days after light rain. As the water seeps into the garbage, it leads to reactions, thus causing the emission of harmful gases. “In a landfill, heat can build up under several conditions causing spontaneous fires and it's tough to control them, especially aftereffects. The solution is in the remediation of legacy waste. If a landfill is left smouldering for a long time, the toxic emissions increase, which has a far more adverse effect on the health of local people,” said Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment.

• Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

Ghazipur Landfill Catches Fire Due To Heat, Here Are 5 Things To Know

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) believes that Ghazipur landfill caught fire due to the methane generation at site and high temperature afternoon, a massive fire broke out at the Ghazipur dumpsite (commonly known as landfill), one of the three garbage mountains in Delhi. As quoted by news agency ANI, according to the press release by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the fire broke out at around 1:30-1:45 PM in the afternoon and soon began to spread due to strong winds. “MCD quickly responded to the situation and 8-10 fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Department and 13-14 excavators and 4-5 bulldozers working at the landfill site were pressed into action to control the fire,” added the release. he MCD believes that the cause of the fire was the generation of methane gas coupled with high temperature in the national capital Delhi. However, it was controlled using inert material. Spread across 72 acres of land, Ghazipur, the oldest dumpsite in Delhi, was commissioned in 1984 and crossed the permissible height of 20m in 2002. It has been overflowing since then and stands at around 40 meters, as per the MCD. As per the data received from the MCD, 140 lakh tonnes of legacy waste has been dumped on the Ghazipur site as of July 2019. 5 Reasons Why Landfills Catch Fire: In an interview with NDTV, Ashok Kumar Jaiswal, Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Services said, “It is summer time and decomposition of organic waste amid heat often leads to chemical reactions and generation of gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. Frankly, during the summer season, landfills catch fire automatically. Yesterday, we managed to douse the fire with the help of 13 fire tenders.” Ghazipur landfill is technically a dumpsite, a mere piece of land where waste is being dumped recklessly. Dr. Richa Singh, Deputy Programme Manager, MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) team, Centre for Science and Environment explains, “While sanitary landfills are scientific structures or containment systems which are engineered and constructed in a way to isolate waste from the surrounding environment, dumpsites are mere pieces of land without any mechanism for pollution control.” Dr Singh adds that sanitary landfills have barriers of high-density polyethylene and mechanisms to collect and treat leachate (contaminated liquid generated when water percolates through waste), alongwith the ability to collect landfill gas, which primarily consists of methane and treat that as well. “Living around dump sites comes with health challenges as people in close vicinity are exposed to gases like the colourless and odorless Methane, trace gases like H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide), as well as high levels of Particulate Matter and Ammonia,” says Dr. Singh. These gases are carcinogenic in nature. Long-term exposure to these gases can result in respiratory disorders, and at times it can lead to cancer as well. On dumpsites, while biodegradable or wet waste decomposes over time, the anaerobic decomposition (breakdown of organic waste in the absence of oxygen) of organic waste generates methane gas, which is flammable and generates heat. That’s the reason why dumpsites in Delhi, especially in summer, often catch fire. If not fire, then these are always smoldering in patches. To prevent such fire outbreaks, Dr Singh recommends an interim solution (till the remediation of all the legacy waste is done) which includes, A gas collection and treatment system for landfill gases. Moreover, landfilling of biodegradable and combustible waste should not be done in the first place to prevent the leachate and landfill gas issue.

• Urban Lab

Particulate pollution increasing in Rajasthan’s cities

Context As per the analysis by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the Particulate matter pollution is increasing in the cities of Rajasthan, which faces a multi-pollutant crisis with the levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and Ozone. Key findings of the study: The air quality is worsening in both big and small cities and towns despite the clean air action being taken in the State. This has highlighted the systemic pollution which persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors. In cities like Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, where the average 2022 levels had crossed the pre-pandemic levels. As per the report, Jodhpur is the most polluted and Kota is the second among the ‘five non-attainment cities’ in the State. Non-attainment cities are those which have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for five years. Ground-level ozone, requires monitoring to assess its build-up in local situations across the landscape. The report also laid emphasis on the formulation of plans for massive clean energy transition in industry, transport, power plants and households. What is Particulate matter (PM)? Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Many manmade and natural sources emit PM directly or emit other pollutants that react in the atmosphere to form PM.

• Director General Office

Our population question

There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation India is expected to overtake China to become the world’s most populous country sometime in July, it is said. We don’t have a firm month, because our census — the count of population — is more than a decade old. So, we can only estimate the expected overshoot date — sometime in mid-2023, we will match China’s 1.45 billion people and then surpass it. The question I get asked often is, what does this mean for the environment? There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation. It is not as linear. The simple counter-argument is that countries like the US, with 336 million people, or Australia, with 26 million people, have a much greater environmental footprint than India does. Earth Overshoot Day — a group that calculates the bioresources used by countries — estimates that if everyone lived like an American, we would need five Earths; as an Australian, we would need 4.5 Earths, and as an Indian, we would need 0.8 of an Earth. These countries with smaller populations have emitted huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to our common jeopardy. So, population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation. We know that the environmental damage caused by wealthier countries is extensive — they overexploit land, water, forests, and other resources, but externalise the source. Their consumption of fossil fuels is driving global warming. But their local air appears “clean” because they have the money to invest in improved technology. These wealthier countries have wilderness areas, and so, you may argue that their natural habitat is protected. But no. Because their use of the natural habitat is extensive, it results in the overuse of forests and degradation of land in other places. The poor, on the other hand, have intensive use of their local environment. In villages they depend on forests that are already lopped, land that is grazed, and waterbodies that are polluted. But even with this visible destruction, their combined impact on the environment is less than that of the smaller but richer populations. That said, it is also a fact that the Indian people have a smaller footprint because they are poor. It is poverty that makes us frugal. So, it can be argued that as we get richer, we may also wish for the global middle-class lifestyle (the American way), which has now become the benchmark of economic wealth and modernity. And even if we do not reach the obscene levels of consumption as the other middle class, our sheer numbers will add up to leave the same environmental impact. We already see that with waste generation — as we get richer, the amount of waste increases; its composition changes; and garbage takes over our streets. We also see this with air pollution in our cities — the richer we get, the more we drive in individual vehicles; and even as we clean up each vehicle with better emission controls and fuel quality, the absolute growth in numbers means more pollution. So, we must focus on three points: How do we keep a check on population growth? And how do we use this population dividend? There is no doubt that every human being is a wonderful creature and an asset. So, the third point is, how do we make sure that as our population grows, we do not end up being in self-destructive mode as the rest of the world? The answer to the first is relatively clear: India is already seeing a decline in its total fertility rate, which has dropped below the replacement level (2.1). The latest National Family Health Survey reveals that Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh are the only outliers, with fertility levels above two children per woman (also the country average). It is well known that fertility declines only when girls are educated, women are empowered, and they have health and economic security. Fertility is not about population control but about women’s right over reproductive decisions. It is an indicator of progress. We are seeing this happen. We need to stay on track. Then, of course, is the issue of the population dividend — this is also where education kicks in. We need to do much more to get this right. And finally, the environment question. Ensuring this will be much more difficult because the aspirational idea of a global middle class is not so easy to deconstruct and take apart. The lifestyle of the global consuming class is about market forces and the economics that drives wealth creation. But this is really where the rubber meets the road — we want a planet that is liveable. It is time we discussed this seriously and urgently.

• Urban Lab

Particulate pollution increasing in Rajasthan’s cities, says CSE report

Systemic pollution persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors, analysis by Centre for Science and Environment finds Particulate pollution has been increasing in the cities of Rajasthan, which faces a multi-pollutant crisis with the levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone beginning to rise. This has increased public health risk in the State, an analysis report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said. The air quality is worsening in both big and small cities and towns despite the clean air action being taken in the State. The continuing elevated pollution levels among city stations highlight the systemic pollution which persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors, according to the report. CSE executive director (research and advocacy) Anumita Roychowdhury said while releasing the report in New Delhi on Friday that particulate pollution was on the rise in Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, where the average 2022 levels had crossed the pre-pandemic levels. Several cities exceed the standards for this category of pollution, while Jodhpur is the most polluted and Kota is the second among the five non-attainment cities in the State. Non-attainment cities are those which have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for five years. Ms. Roychowdhury said the ground-level ozone, emerging as a challenge in non-attainment cities, needed more robust monitoring to assess risk. Ground-level ozone, which is highly toxic and can harm even during short duration exposure, requires monitoring to assess its build-up in local situations across the landscape. On several days in a year, ground-level ozone has started to exceed the eight-hour average standard in all the non-attainment cities, with Jaipur being the most affected. A range of gases, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and other elements emitted from vehicles and industries react with each other in the air under the influence of sunlight to form ozone, the report said. The analysis has assessed long-term trends as well as seasonal variations in particulate and gaseous pollution in the State. Nitrogen dioxide pollution, closely linked with traffic flow, is on the rise in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, as its level was 24% to 51% higher than was recorded in 2019. The report stated that the nitrogen dioxide level had breached the annual standard in Jaipur in 2022, while Alwar and Kota had shown a stable trend. “This pollutant requires early and preventive action, as growing motorisation can skew the curve,” Ms. Roychowdhury said. She suggested a State-wide action to improve systems and infrastructure in all the key sectors of pollution, including industry, vehicles and transport, clean energy, management of waste streams, construction and greening. The report also laid emphasis on the formulation of plans for massive clean energy transition in industry, transport, power plants and households. It said State-wide action should be initiated to scale up electrification of vehicles and promote public transport, walking and cycling, in addition to developing a circular economy.

• Urban Lab

Rajasthan’s towns witness alarming increase in air pollution: CSE Study

In a recent analysis by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), air pollution is increasing in the cities of Rajasthan. The analysis reveals a multi-pollutant crisis with rising levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone, among other gaseous pollutants. This deterioration in air quality is not limited to non-target cities but also affects smaller cities and towns in Rajasthan. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, CSE said that “Despite the clean air programme, air quality is deteriorating not only in non-target cities but also in smaller cities and towns of Rajasthan. Time-bound improvement in air quality requires statewide action to improve systems and infrastructure in all major sectors of pollution, including industry, vehicles and transportation, clean energy, waste management, construction and greening. Allocate resources equitably for accelerated measures in key areas with a strong compliance framework to meet the clean air targets.” Avikal Somvanshi, senior program manager at CSE, says expanding air quality monitoring will help better assess this growing risk. The persistently high pollution levels in the city’s stations highlight systemic pollution caused by weak pollution control infrastructure. Meeting clean air standards requires strong and consistent action throughout the year. The CSE suggests that expanding air quality monitoring can provide better insights into the growing risk of pollution. Analysis of data from air quality monitoring stations in Rajasthan reveals high levels of pollution, indicating a systemic pollution problem due to inadequate pollution control infrastructure. It emphasizes the need for strong, consistent action throughout the year to meet clean air standards. The analysis is based on data collected from January 1, 2019, to May 31, 2023, at air quality monitoring stations in Rajasthan. Efforts have been made to expand the monitoring network in the state. As of the first half of 2023, there are a total of 99 operational monitoring stations in 33 cities including Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur. The analysis shows that Jodhpur is the most polluted city in terms of particulate matter with an average PM2.5 level of 71 µg/m3 and a PM10 level of 153 µg/m3. Kota ranks as the second most polluted city, with PM2.5 averaging 55 µg/m3 and PM10 averaging 105 µg/m3. Jaipur ranks third with a PM2.5 level of 52 µg/m3 and a PM10 level of 114 µg/m3. Udaipur and Alwar are also affected by pollution. The analysis reveals that particulate pollution has increased in Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, with average levels in 2022 exceeding pre-pandemic levels. PM2.5 and PM10 levels have worsened in these cities compared to 2019. Alwar has shown minimal changes in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the last four years, while Jodhpur has seen improvements with a 17% decrease in PM2.5 and PM10. 9% in PM10 since 2019. In terms of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur experienced increasing levels in 2022 compared to 2019. Although NO2 levels in these cities are currently below National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the pollution levels are rising. The number of vehicles on the roads can make the situation even worse. Alwar and Kota have shown stable trends in NO2 pollution. The analysis also indicates that smaller cities and towns in Rajasthan are experiencing higher levels of particulate matter and NO2 pollution. Recent air quality monitoring in 24 cities and small towns suggests that some of them may have even higher seasonal pollution levels than non-target cities.

• Urban Lab

Rajasthan Cities Face Rising Particulate Pollution, Says CSE Analysis

Cities of Rajasthan are experiencing rising particulate pollution and also witnessing a multi-pollutant problem with levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone beginning to rise. This increases public health risk in the state. This has emerged from a new analysis carried out by New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Urban Lab.

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives in India between January and April: Report

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in the country in the first four months of this year, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed by Himachal Pradesh (28) and Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (27). Delhi reported extreme weather on 12 days as against 25 during the period last year. Between January and April 2022, extreme weather events claimed 86 lives and damaged 0.03 million hectare of cropland, according to the report. Lightning and storms occurred on 58 days this time as compared to 35 days during the corresponding period in 2022. Most of these events occurred in March and April. The country recorded just 15 heatwave days in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year. Meteorologists attribute fewer heatwave days to frequent western disturbances -- weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India -- during March and April. India experienced extreme weather events on 314 of the 365 days in 2022. The events claimed 3,026 lives and damaged 1.96 million hectares (ha) crop area. Extreme weather, climate and water-related events caused 573 disasters in India between 1970 and 2021 that claimed 1,38,377 lives, according to data from the World Meteorological Department, a specialised agency of the United Nations.

• Urban Lab

Autonomous Train Market is set to experience a significant growth rate

Global Autonomous Train Market Size study, by Automation Grade (GoA 1, GoA 2, GoA 3 and GoA 4), by Application (Passenger and Freight), by Technology (CBTC, ERTMS, ATC and PTC), and Regional Forecasts 2021-2027, Covid 19 Outbreak Impact research report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider Autonomous Train market, and compares it with other markets., market definition, regional market opportunity, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, Autonomous Train market size forecast, market data & Graphs and Statistics, Tables, Bar &Pie Charts, and many more for business intelligence. Get complete Report (Including Full TOC, 100+ Tables & Figures, and Chart). – In-depth Analysis Pre & Post COVID-19 Market Outbreak Impact Analysis & Situation by Region Key Segments Studied in the Global Autonomous Train Market Global Autonomous Train Market is valued approximately at USD XX Million in 2020 and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than XX% over the forecast period 2021-2027. Autonomous trains, are driverless trains that are monitored from the control station. Growing traffic congestion around the world, growing pollution level and rise in budget allocation for rail transport are fueling demand for autonomous train. According to Centre for Science and Environment, Chikkaballapur in southern Karnataka witnessed 3.9 per cent increase from 2019 pollution level as compared to 2020. Furthermore, growing government investment and research and development activities are expected to create demand in the market. In 2018, Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) purchased 66 six-car train-sets from Bombardier for its North-South and East-West lines. Also, in 2021, Siemens Mobility was awarded a contract to design, install, and commission the first Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology for cross-border link trains between Malaysia and Singapore. However, high cost of train automation and high possibilities of hacking are poised to hinder the growth during forecast period.

• Down To Earth

233 killed due to extreme weather events in India between January and April: Report

Extreme weather events claimed at least 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in India in between 2023 January and 2023 April, said Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed by Himachal Pradesh (28) and Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (27), PTI report, citing CSE report. The National Capital Region reported extreme weather on 12 days as against 25 during the period last year. Lightning and storms occurred on 58 days this time as compared to 35 days during the corresponding period in 2022. India recorded just 15 heatwave days in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year.

• Director General Office

India’s population question

Population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation India is expected to overtake China to become the world’s most populous country sometime in July, it is said. We don’t have a firm month, because our census—the count of population—is more than a decade old. So, we can only estimate the expected overshoot date—sometime in mid-2023, we will match China’s 1.45 billion people and then surpass it. The question I get asked often is, what does this mean for the environment? There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation. It is not as linear. The simple counterargument is that countries like the US with 336 million people or Australia with 26 million people have much greater environmental footprints than that of India. Earth Overshoot Day—a group that calculates the bioresources used by countries—estimates that if everyone lived like an American, we would need five Earths; as an Australian, we would need 4.5 Earths and as an Indian, we would need 0.8 of an Earth. These countries with smaller populations have emitted huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to our common jeopardy. So, population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation. We know that the environmental damage caused by wealthier countries is extensive—they overexploit land, water, forests and other resources, but externalise the source. Their consumption of fossil fuels is driving global warming. But their local air appears “clean” because they have the money to invest in improved technology. These wealthier countries have wilderness areas, and so, you may argue that their natural habitat is protected. But no. Because their use of the natural habitat is extensive, it results in the overuse of forests and degradation of land in other places. The poor, on the other hand, have intensive use of their local environment. In their villages, they depend on forests that are already lopped, land that is grazed and waterbodies that are polluted. But even with this visible destruction, their combined impact on the environment is less than that of the smaller but richer populations. That said, it is also a fact that the Indian population has a smaller footprint because it is poor. It is poverty that makes us frugal. So, it can be argued that as we get richer, we may also wish for the global middle-class lifestyle (the American way), which has now become the benchmark of economic wealth and modernity. And even if we do not reach the obscene levels of consumption as the other middle class, our sheer numbers will add up to leave the same environmental impact. We already see that with waste generation—as we get richer, the quantum of waste increases; its composition changes; and garbage takes over our streets. We also see this with air pollution in our cities—the richer we get, the more we drive in individual vehicles; and even as we clean up each vehicle with better emission controls and fuel quality, the absolute growth in numbers means more pollution. So, we must focus on three points: How do we keep a check on the population growth? And how do we use this population dividend? There is no doubt that every human being is a wonderful creature and an asset. So, the third point is, how do we make sure that as our population grows, we do not end up being in the self-destructive mode as the rest of the world? The answer to the first is relatively clear: India is already seeing a decline in its total fertility rate, which has dropped below the replacement level (2.1). The latest National Family Health Survey reveals that Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh are the only outliers, with fertility levels above two children per woman (also the country average). It is well known that fertility declines only when girls are educated, women are empowered and they have health and economic security. Fertility is not about population control but about women’s rights over reproductive decisions. It is an indicator of progress. We are seeing this happen. We need to stay on track. Then, of course, is the issue of the population dividend—this is also where education kicks in. We need to do much more to get this right. And finally, the environment question. Ensuring this will be much more difficult because the aspirational idea of a global middle class is not so easy to deconstruct and take apart. The lifestyle of the global consuming class is about market forces and the economics that drives wealth creation. But this is really where the rubber meets the road—we want a planet that is livable. It is time we discussed this seriously and urgently. DTE

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives in India between January and April: Report

Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in the country in the first four months of this year, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed