Changes in population growth and composition, including aging and urbanization, could significantly affect global emissions of carbon dioxide over the next 40 years. The research, appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), was conducted by an international team of scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. By mid-century it is estimated that global population could rise by more than three billion people, with most of that increase occurring in urban areas. The study showed that a slowing of population growth, following one of the slower growth paths considered plausible by demographers at the United Nations, could contribute to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that such slow growth paths by 2050 could account for 16 to 29 percent of the emissions reductions thought necessary to keep global temperatures from causing serious impacts.
Globally, the growth rate of the human population has been declining since peaking in 1962 and 1963 at 2.20% per year. In 2009 the estimated world annual growth rate was 1.1%. The last one hundred years have seen a rapid increase in population due to medical advances and massive increase in agricultural productivity.
The actual annual growth in the number of humans fell from its peak of 88.0 million in 1989, to a low of 73.9 million in 2003, after which it rose again to 75.2 million in 2006. Since then, annual growth has declined. In 2009 the human population increased by 74.6 million, and it is projected to fall steadily to about 41 million per year in 2050. Each region of the globe has seen great reductions in growth rate in recent decades, though growth rates remain above 2% in some countries of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, and also in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
In their new study the researchers sought to quantify how demographic changes influence emissions over time, and in which regions of the world. They also went beyond changes in population size to examine the links between aging, urbanization, and emissions.
The team found that growth in urban populations could lead to as much as a 25 percent rise in projected carbon dioxide emissions in some developing countries. The increased economic growth associated with city dwellers was directly correlated with increased emissions, largely due to the higher productivity and consumption preferences of an urban labor force.
In contrast, aging can reduce emissions levels by up to 20 percent in some industrialized countries. This is because older populations are associated with lower labor force participation, and the resulting lower productivity leads to lower economic growth.
The authors developed a set of economic growth, energy use, and emissions scenarios, using a new computer model (the Population-Environment-Technology model, or PET). To capture the effects of future demographic change, they distinguished between household types, looking at age, size, and urban vs. rural location.
In addition, they drew on data from national surveys covering 34 countries and representative of 61 percent of the global population to estimate key economic characteristics of household types over time, including labor supply and demand for consumer goods.
“Households can affect emissions either directly, through their consumption patterns, or indirectly, through their effects on economic growth,”? O’Neill explains.
The authors also suggest that developers of future emissions scenarios give greater consideration to the implications of urbanization and aging, particularly in the United States, European Union, China, and India.
The net conclusion is that an older population consumes less than a younger population due to labor needs. The other major impact is that a developing nation (which tends to be younger) as opposed to a older more mature industrial nation will increase its ecological demands on the climate faster.
For further information: https://www2.ucar.edu/news/population-trends-another-influence-climate-change
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Water Crisis in Asia
As the contradictions of Asia’s water challenges have been laid bare this summer—with millions affected by flooding while others are hit by droughts—one thing has been made clearer: the coming water crisis could exacerbate already simmering domestic and regional tensions.
Heavy monsoon rains have produced the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, with more than three weeks of flooding leaving at least 1,500 dead and more than 4 million homeless. Millions of Pakistanis already require humanitarian assistance, yet the likelihood that many more could be added to this list has grown with the announcement that 200,000 have been evacuated as flood waters continue to rise in Singh Province in the country’s south.
Meanwhile, flash floods and mudslides have submerged some villages in China’s Gansu Province, killing hundreds and leaving more than a thousand missing. Today, Chinese state media announced 250,000 had been evacuated in the north of the country after the Yalu River burst its banks.
But while attention has been focused on disasters in Pakistan in China, South-east Asia has been hit by its own torrential downpours. Last month, Singapore suffered three major floods—an unprecedented number for the prosperous city state—with even the shopping and financial districts hit in the first serious flooding disaster in the city since 1978.
Vietnam has also been affected, with many parts of Hanoi under water last month after a major storm struck the country. What added insult to injury in Vietnam’s case is that the flooding came after a nine-month dry spell that disrupted the country’s power supply (about a third of Vietnam’s power source comes from hydroelectric power plants whose operations have been adversely affected by falling water levels in the Mekong River).
Article continues: http://the-diplomat.com/2010/08/23/asia%E2%80%99s-water-crisis/
Heavy monsoon rains have produced the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, with more than three weeks of flooding leaving at least 1,500 dead and more than 4 million homeless. Millions of Pakistanis already require humanitarian assistance, yet the likelihood that many more could be added to this list has grown with the announcement that 200,000 have been evacuated as flood waters continue to rise in Singh Province in the country’s south.
Meanwhile, flash floods and mudslides have submerged some villages in China’s Gansu Province, killing hundreds and leaving more than a thousand missing. Today, Chinese state media announced 250,000 had been evacuated in the north of the country after the Yalu River burst its banks.
But while attention has been focused on disasters in Pakistan in China, South-east Asia has been hit by its own torrential downpours. Last month, Singapore suffered three major floods—an unprecedented number for the prosperous city state—with even the shopping and financial districts hit in the first serious flooding disaster in the city since 1978.
Vietnam has also been affected, with many parts of Hanoi under water last month after a major storm struck the country. What added insult to injury in Vietnam’s case is that the flooding came after a nine-month dry spell that disrupted the country’s power supply (about a third of Vietnam’s power source comes from hydroelectric power plants whose operations have been adversely affected by falling water levels in the Mekong River).
Article continues: http://the-diplomat.com/2010/08/23/asia%E2%80%99s-water-crisis/
Ending Hunger in Africa
There is no one-size fits all or single crop solution to solving global hunger, alleviating poverty, or protecting the environment and mitigating climate change. But the good news is that there is a multi-crop solution and it's already being spear-Some 1 billion people worldwide are affected by "hidden hunger," or micronutrient deficiencies — lack of Vitamin A, iron, and iodine, none of which are found in staple crops, but rather, in vegetables. Vegetable production is the most sustainable and affordable way of alleviating micronutrient deficiencies among the poor.
It's also the most sustainable and affordable way of improving biodiversity, preserving traditions and cultures, and improving livelihoods. Because vegetables typically have a shorter growing period than staple crops, they are less risk-prone to drought, maximizing scarce water supplies and soil nutrients better than crops such as maize.
Unfortunately, no country in Africa has a big focus on vegetable production. But that’s where AVRDC — The World Vegetable Center steps in, working with farmers to build a sustainable seed system in Africa. The Center does this by breeding a variety of vegetables with different traits—including resistance to disease and longer shelf life—and by bringing the farmers to the Regional Center in Arusha and to other offices across Africa to find out what exactly those farmers need in the field and at market.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41881
It's also the most sustainable and affordable way of improving biodiversity, preserving traditions and cultures, and improving livelihoods. Because vegetables typically have a shorter growing period than staple crops, they are less risk-prone to drought, maximizing scarce water supplies and soil nutrients better than crops such as maize.
Unfortunately, no country in Africa has a big focus on vegetable production. But that’s where AVRDC — The World Vegetable Center steps in, working with farmers to build a sustainable seed system in Africa. The Center does this by breeding a variety of vegetables with different traits—including resistance to disease and longer shelf life—and by bringing the farmers to the Regional Center in Arusha and to other offices across Africa to find out what exactly those farmers need in the field and at market.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41881
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
290 World Scientists Petition for Alternate Serengeti Highway / Warn of Dangers
290 Scientists from 32 countries have signed a petition asking the government of Tanzania choose an alternate route around the Serengeti National Park, rather than building one through it.
The petition is a reaction to the announced plans of the Tanzanian government to build a commercial route across the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.
International and conservation organizations, the travel industry, and the public have protested the decision. Now scientists are speaking out. The petition, and accompanying survey, follows an article in the scientific journal, Nature, in which 27 leading scientists described the destruction the road would cause.
The Petition of scientists states:
“Evidence from other parts of the world, combined with our deep understanding of the Serengeti ecosystem, makes it clear – the road will result in severe, negative, irreversible impacts, with little mitigation possible.”
The petition reiterates warnings by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July of this year about specific negative impacts of the highway and adds,
“The proposed road cuts through a critical wilderness area that is essential to the migration. The type of road surface matters little. The migration itself could easily collapse, with a devastating effect on all wildlife, the grasslands, and the entire ecosystem.”
It concludes by asking that an alternative highway be found:
“The government of Tanzania has to work for development and welfare in all areas of the country. But there is no need to sacrifice its most precious wilderness, or its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation. An alternative can and must be found.”
“Scientists, government officials, engineers, conservationists, economists, aid and lending institutions - all can study and work together to both protect the environment and help the people. This task is critical for both Tanzania and the world.”
Included in the petition is a survey about likely negative impacts. Results clearly show that scientists believe these to be extremely serious. Many, in fact, concluded that the collapse of the wildebeest migration was likely or even inevitable. Results of the survey on impacts are:
In your opinion, how likely are the following:
Combined % Saying Inevitable, Extremely Likely, Very Likely
Disruption and obstruction of migration routes: 85%
57% said it would be inevitable. 28% said extremely likely.
Introduction of invasive plants, animals, and disease: 91%
35% said inevitable. 67% said very likely or extremely likely.
Increased mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions: 98%
67% said inevitable. 21% said extremely likely.
Intensive, organized poaching, especially reintroduced rhino: 88%
32% said inevitable. 38% said extremely likely.
Loss of habitat from human settlement and agriculture: 87%
40% said inevitable. 32% said extremely likely.
Eventual collapse of migration:
54% said very or extremely likely. 17% said inevitable. 71%
Respondents also wrote about their professional experiences and opinions:
Dr. Anne Pusey, a professor at Duke University who studied lions in the Serengeti for ten years, wrote: “The Serengeti is a unique and precious ecosystem - one of the very few large scale migratory systems of large animals remaining on the planet…A road across the migratory routes will devastate the system for all the reasons listed in this [petition] letter and survey. “
Traci Birge, a researcher from Finland echoed the thoughts of many in saying, “the proposed highway route would be devastating for the ecology of the Serengeti, and would have long-term negative effects on local residents, wildlife and ecology and would be a terrible blow for global biodiversity.”
Scientists, including top experts in their field, are from more than fifty different universities, research, and conservation organizations. Scientific fields represented included: Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Population Ecology, Reproductive Biology, Wildlife Epidemiology, and Biodiversity Management.
Among the 32 countries represented are: UK, USA, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Finland and Australia, and the African countries of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The petition and survey were conducted by Save the Serengeti, a nonprofit organization.
Results of the petition and survey, including petitioners names, organizations, countries, and detailed written responses can be found at: http://www.savetheserengeti.org/?p=417
# # #
Contact:
David Blanton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Boyd Norton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Website
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/
The petition is a reaction to the announced plans of the Tanzanian government to build a commercial route across the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.
International and conservation organizations, the travel industry, and the public have protested the decision. Now scientists are speaking out. The petition, and accompanying survey, follows an article in the scientific journal, Nature, in which 27 leading scientists described the destruction the road would cause.
The Petition of scientists states:
“Evidence from other parts of the world, combined with our deep understanding of the Serengeti ecosystem, makes it clear – the road will result in severe, negative, irreversible impacts, with little mitigation possible.”
The petition reiterates warnings by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July of this year about specific negative impacts of the highway and adds,
“The proposed road cuts through a critical wilderness area that is essential to the migration. The type of road surface matters little. The migration itself could easily collapse, with a devastating effect on all wildlife, the grasslands, and the entire ecosystem.”
It concludes by asking that an alternative highway be found:
“The government of Tanzania has to work for development and welfare in all areas of the country. But there is no need to sacrifice its most precious wilderness, or its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation. An alternative can and must be found.”
“Scientists, government officials, engineers, conservationists, economists, aid and lending institutions - all can study and work together to both protect the environment and help the people. This task is critical for both Tanzania and the world.”
Included in the petition is a survey about likely negative impacts. Results clearly show that scientists believe these to be extremely serious. Many, in fact, concluded that the collapse of the wildebeest migration was likely or even inevitable. Results of the survey on impacts are:
In your opinion, how likely are the following:
Combined % Saying Inevitable, Extremely Likely, Very Likely
Disruption and obstruction of migration routes: 85%
57% said it would be inevitable. 28% said extremely likely.
Introduction of invasive plants, animals, and disease: 91%
35% said inevitable. 67% said very likely or extremely likely.
Increased mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions: 98%
67% said inevitable. 21% said extremely likely.
Intensive, organized poaching, especially reintroduced rhino: 88%
32% said inevitable. 38% said extremely likely.
Loss of habitat from human settlement and agriculture: 87%
40% said inevitable. 32% said extremely likely.
Eventual collapse of migration:
54% said very or extremely likely. 17% said inevitable. 71%
Respondents also wrote about their professional experiences and opinions:
Dr. Anne Pusey, a professor at Duke University who studied lions in the Serengeti for ten years, wrote: “The Serengeti is a unique and precious ecosystem - one of the very few large scale migratory systems of large animals remaining on the planet…A road across the migratory routes will devastate the system for all the reasons listed in this [petition] letter and survey. “
Traci Birge, a researcher from Finland echoed the thoughts of many in saying, “the proposed highway route would be devastating for the ecology of the Serengeti, and would have long-term negative effects on local residents, wildlife and ecology and would be a terrible blow for global biodiversity.”
Scientists, including top experts in their field, are from more than fifty different universities, research, and conservation organizations. Scientific fields represented included: Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Population Ecology, Reproductive Biology, Wildlife Epidemiology, and Biodiversity Management.
Among the 32 countries represented are: UK, USA, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Finland and Australia, and the African countries of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The petition and survey were conducted by Save the Serengeti, a nonprofit organization.
Results of the petition and survey, including petitioners names, organizations, countries, and detailed written responses can be found at: http://www.savetheserengeti.org/?p=417
# # #
Contact:
David Blanton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Boyd Norton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Website
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/
Reuseit.com Helps Consumers Give the Good Life This Holiday Season
Living simply and healthfully while making a significant, long-lasting impact on the environment and society – that’s the definition of the good life, says reuseit.com. This holiday, you can help people live the good life by giving gifts that help them consume less, preserve natural resources and save money, too. Reuseit.com helps solve a common problem for conscious consumers who want to give a gift but don’t know what makes sense. The company’s products are beautifully designed and solution-oriented, helping the recipient eliminate thousands of disposables from their life.
Recognized in 2009 and 2010 as one of Inc. 500's fastest-growing companies, reuseit.com is a one-stop-shop to help consumers give the good life with its innovative gift ideas. What’s more, the products come from good companies that are socially responsible, and reuseit.com donates one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. The company has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
“This holiday season, we anticipate another onslaught of eco-tschotskes and gimmicky green products from a huge range of retailers,” said Vincent Cobb, founder of reuseit.com. “Our gift ideas reinforce the fact that we’re not going to consume our way out of this problem. The holidays are a chance to share the good life with friends and family, and reusables are gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Giving gifts that actually help people consume less is a smart, interesting idea whose time has come."
To help consumers select the right reusable for anyone on their gift list, the company has created a comprehensive Gift Center to make the process easy, with buying guides, videos, and hand-picked gift ideas for him, for her, for kids and niches like travelers, co-workers, newbie environmentalists and more.
Below are the company’s top ten overall reusable gift picks for the holidays – innovative, well-designed products that help replace some of the most common disposables.
Reuseit.com’s 2010 Overall Top 10 Picks for Giving the Good Life:
1. Bobble Filtering Reusable Water Bottle - affordably-priced PET water bottle with a built-in filter
2. I’m Not A… Products - clever replacements for paper lunch bags, paper towels, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, facial tissue and more
3. reuseit™ Recycled PET Mesh Ultra Compact Tote - a smart, stylish, 55% recycled bag that folds into its own compact pouch
4. Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle - rolls up flat when empty, can be conveniently stored in bags, purses or pockets and filled for on-the-go hydration
5. To-Go Ware Repeat Utensil Set & Zelco Stainless Steel Portable Utensils - innovative alternatives to disposable plastic utensils
6. Insulated Mugs - ideal for the commuter or coffee lover, porcelain, stainless steel and safe plastic options
7. Glass Bottles - cut back on bottled water and paper cup waste with these gorgeous & safe glass options
8. "We Are Happy to Serve You" New York City Coffee Mug - iconic design, perfect for the office worker looking to cut back on paper and Styrofoam cups
9. Ultra-Compact Shopping Bags - smart & stylish stocking stuffers - makes great gift wrap, too
10. Essential oils - Homemade perfume, cologne, cleaning products and air fresheners make a unique gift
Some of reuseit.com’s best sellers are from its house brand, reuseit™, including everyday basics like shopping totes, ultra-compact bags, lunch bags and more. For more holiday gift picks, visit the company’s Gift Center and check out their Gift Wrap Buying Guide for tips on wrapping gifts with reusable bags.
About reuseit.com
Recognized as a leader and innovator, reuseit.com won Green America’s prestigious Green Business of the Year in 2007 and their Longtime Leadership award in 2009. A trusted source, the company is a BizRate Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree and was recognized by Inc. 500|5000 in 2009 and 2010 as one of the nation’s Fastest Growing Companies. The company has been featured hundreds of times including major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, ABC News and Vogue. Reuseit.com is an authentic, triple-bottom-line company, supporting Fair Trade Practices and donating one percent of all sales to environmental causes through 1% For the Planet. To date, Reuseit.com has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
About Verde PR & Consulting
Verde PR & Consulting is a full-service public relations, marketing, branding, and consulting agency, with an emphasis in new media and corporate social responsibility. Verde’s clients are in the adventure-based outdoor, bike and snowsports industries, as well as the health and wellness and natural grocery markets. http://www.verdepr.com and join the conversation on Twitter.
Recognized in 2009 and 2010 as one of Inc. 500's fastest-growing companies, reuseit.com is a one-stop-shop to help consumers give the good life with its innovative gift ideas. What’s more, the products come from good companies that are socially responsible, and reuseit.com donates one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. The company has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
“This holiday season, we anticipate another onslaught of eco-tschotskes and gimmicky green products from a huge range of retailers,” said Vincent Cobb, founder of reuseit.com. “Our gift ideas reinforce the fact that we’re not going to consume our way out of this problem. The holidays are a chance to share the good life with friends and family, and reusables are gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Giving gifts that actually help people consume less is a smart, interesting idea whose time has come."
To help consumers select the right reusable for anyone on their gift list, the company has created a comprehensive Gift Center to make the process easy, with buying guides, videos, and hand-picked gift ideas for him, for her, for kids and niches like travelers, co-workers, newbie environmentalists and more.
Below are the company’s top ten overall reusable gift picks for the holidays – innovative, well-designed products that help replace some of the most common disposables.
Reuseit.com’s 2010 Overall Top 10 Picks for Giving the Good Life:
1. Bobble Filtering Reusable Water Bottle - affordably-priced PET water bottle with a built-in filter
2. I’m Not A… Products - clever replacements for paper lunch bags, paper towels, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, facial tissue and more
3. reuseit™ Recycled PET Mesh Ultra Compact Tote - a smart, stylish, 55% recycled bag that folds into its own compact pouch
4. Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle - rolls up flat when empty, can be conveniently stored in bags, purses or pockets and filled for on-the-go hydration
5. To-Go Ware Repeat Utensil Set & Zelco Stainless Steel Portable Utensils - innovative alternatives to disposable plastic utensils
6. Insulated Mugs - ideal for the commuter or coffee lover, porcelain, stainless steel and safe plastic options
7. Glass Bottles - cut back on bottled water and paper cup waste with these gorgeous & safe glass options
8. "We Are Happy to Serve You" New York City Coffee Mug - iconic design, perfect for the office worker looking to cut back on paper and Styrofoam cups
9. Ultra-Compact Shopping Bags - smart & stylish stocking stuffers - makes great gift wrap, too
10. Essential oils - Homemade perfume, cologne, cleaning products and air fresheners make a unique gift
Some of reuseit.com’s best sellers are from its house brand, reuseit™, including everyday basics like shopping totes, ultra-compact bags, lunch bags and more. For more holiday gift picks, visit the company’s Gift Center and check out their Gift Wrap Buying Guide for tips on wrapping gifts with reusable bags.
About reuseit.com
Recognized as a leader and innovator, reuseit.com won Green America’s prestigious Green Business of the Year in 2007 and their Longtime Leadership award in 2009. A trusted source, the company is a BizRate Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree and was recognized by Inc. 500|5000 in 2009 and 2010 as one of the nation’s Fastest Growing Companies. The company has been featured hundreds of times including major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, ABC News and Vogue. Reuseit.com is an authentic, triple-bottom-line company, supporting Fair Trade Practices and donating one percent of all sales to environmental causes through 1% For the Planet. To date, Reuseit.com has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
About Verde PR & Consulting
Verde PR & Consulting is a full-service public relations, marketing, branding, and consulting agency, with an emphasis in new media and corporate social responsibility. Verde’s clients are in the adventure-based outdoor, bike and snowsports industries, as well as the health and wellness and natural grocery markets. http://www.verdepr.com and join the conversation on Twitter.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Green buildings hold key to climate change commitments
Setting minimum standards of energy efficiency for buildings will be key to meeting India's commitment on addressing climate change issues, according to Mr Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman, CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-GBC).
Addressing the inaugural of the four-day international conference and exhibition on green buildings organised by CII-GBC, he said the building sector accounts for nearly half the green house gas emissions that are responsible for the threat of global warming.
Setting standards for establishment of energy efficient buildings will help address the issue. This will be crucial to enabling the Government meet its target of bringing down the carbon emission intensity by 20 per cent in the next 10 years, a commitment made in the Copenhagen Climate Conference.
The Centre, State Governments and local bodies should work together to implement minimum efficiency standards as spelt out in the ECBC. The green building initiative that has attracted the attention of the private sector including industry and real estate developers had helped develop quality buildings that are efficient in terms of energy, water use and minimal waste generation. But to make a real difference the Government needs to set standards that have to be met by all.
Mr Godrej welcomed the Government initiative in encouraging efficiency in energy intensive industries and measures to support renewable energy. The Perform-Achieve-Trade mechanism under the national mission for enhanced energy efficiency which envisages a market-based mechanism to enhance average energy efficiency in industry and provision of feed-in tariffs for solar energy and wind power are progressive measures that will make a positive impact on reducing green house gas emissions.
Mr Tony Arnel, Chairman, World Green Building Council, said development of energy efficient green buildings, which minimise the impact on environment and natural resources, are now a part of the global debate leading up to the Cancun Climate Change Summit to be held in December. Green buildings can do more than address environmental concerns and can have a positive social and economic benefit if the industry and the governments can work together.
Two pacts signed
The Indian Green Building Council has entered into two agreements to carry forward the green building initiative. One is with the Green Building Council of Australia for a research collaboration for carbon offsets in building sector. A second MoU was with the US Green Building Council relating to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to upgrade the existing LEED India system.
The conference which is in its eighth edition this year has attracted over 1,500 delegates and about 200 exhibitors who are showcasing technology, products and services relating to green buildings. The CII-GBC, a division of the Confederation of Indian Industry, offers advisory services in green buildings, energy efficiency and environment conservation.
Addressing the inaugural of the four-day international conference and exhibition on green buildings organised by CII-GBC, he said the building sector accounts for nearly half the green house gas emissions that are responsible for the threat of global warming.
Setting standards for establishment of energy efficient buildings will help address the issue. This will be crucial to enabling the Government meet its target of bringing down the carbon emission intensity by 20 per cent in the next 10 years, a commitment made in the Copenhagen Climate Conference.
The Centre, State Governments and local bodies should work together to implement minimum efficiency standards as spelt out in the ECBC. The green building initiative that has attracted the attention of the private sector including industry and real estate developers had helped develop quality buildings that are efficient in terms of energy, water use and minimal waste generation. But to make a real difference the Government needs to set standards that have to be met by all.
Mr Godrej welcomed the Government initiative in encouraging efficiency in energy intensive industries and measures to support renewable energy. The Perform-Achieve-Trade mechanism under the national mission for enhanced energy efficiency which envisages a market-based mechanism to enhance average energy efficiency in industry and provision of feed-in tariffs for solar energy and wind power are progressive measures that will make a positive impact on reducing green house gas emissions.
Mr Tony Arnel, Chairman, World Green Building Council, said development of energy efficient green buildings, which minimise the impact on environment and natural resources, are now a part of the global debate leading up to the Cancun Climate Change Summit to be held in December. Green buildings can do more than address environmental concerns and can have a positive social and economic benefit if the industry and the governments can work together.
Two pacts signed
The Indian Green Building Council has entered into two agreements to carry forward the green building initiative. One is with the Green Building Council of Australia for a research collaboration for carbon offsets in building sector. A second MoU was with the US Green Building Council relating to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to upgrade the existing LEED India system.
The conference which is in its eighth edition this year has attracted over 1,500 delegates and about 200 exhibitors who are showcasing technology, products and services relating to green buildings. The CII-GBC, a division of the Confederation of Indian Industry, offers advisory services in green buildings, energy efficiency and environment conservation.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
MoEF acts tough, many projects hit
The Ministry of Forests & Environment (MoEF) seems to have woken up to the environment issues in the country and has started taking a pro-active approach by taking tough stand on granting clearances for several projects which will have adverse impact on the environment if permitted.
The MoEF has not even spared the Power Finance Corporation (PFC), which is nodal agency for development of ultra-mega-power plants (UMPP) in the country, as the PFC is not being given clearance for coal-block allocation for its 4,000-MW Bedabahal UMPP in Orissa.
The Bedabahal UMPP is the second project after Sarguja UMPP to face delays due to clearances from the Ministry.
By Arvind Sen
Recently, the Ministry stood firm on its stand that mining companies will not be granted access in "no go" areas in the country.
However, the government decided to exempt some projects that already have received coal block allocation in the "no go" areas. The Dulanga coal block allotted to NTPC is located in this region.
Earlier, a coal block allotted to Adani Power, which was proposing to develop the 3,300-MW Tiroda power project, was cancelled. The Ministry refused allocation as the mine was close to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The latest in the line of casualty are several projects of Vedanta Resources and are feared to get delayed due to environmental clearance issues.
Recently, the Madras High Court directed Sterlite Industries India, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, to stop operations at its 400,000-ton-per-year copper-smelting facility at Tuticorin, as its operations were adversely impacting workers at the site and were posing an environmental threat.
Sterlite Industries allegedly operated the smelter without implementing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and holding a public hearing.
Earlier, Sterlite Energy was forced to shut its 600-MW independent thermal power plant at Jharsuguda in Orissa after residents complained about air pollution caused by the power project.
The power plant, which was commissioned on August 21, 2010, faced technical complications leading to fly-ash emissions. The project, which has been connected to the state grid, is at the same site as SEL's 1,215-MW captive power project.
Recently, the power project has resumed operations after corrective measures were taken to eliminate fly-ash emissions.
However, dark clouds of uncertainty are still hovering over Vedanta Resources. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) rejected the approval granted to the US$ 1.7 billion bauxite mining project proposed by Sterlite Industries and has directed the MoEF to reassess the proposal.
According to NEAA officials, the EIA study, which is a critical document for approval from the Ministry, was not made available during the public hearing.
Further, the authority expressed concern about the nature of the EIA, which did not analyse and take into consideration the adverse implications of the mining project on human life.
According to Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of Environment and Forests, Sterlite Industries, besides endangering the life of the Dongria Kondh tribal community in the region, had further flouted several laws, including the Forest Conservation Act, the Forest Rights Act and the Environment Protection Act.
To make matters worse for Sterlite, the Ministry of Forests & Environment has also issued a notice to the company for illegal capacity augmentation of its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Orissa to six million tonnes per year, from one million tonne per year.
The MoEF has not even spared the Power Finance Corporation (PFC), which is nodal agency for development of ultra-mega-power plants (UMPP) in the country, as the PFC is not being given clearance for coal-block allocation for its 4,000-MW Bedabahal UMPP in Orissa.
The Bedabahal UMPP is the second project after Sarguja UMPP to face delays due to clearances from the Ministry.
By Arvind Sen
Recently, the Ministry stood firm on its stand that mining companies will not be granted access in "no go" areas in the country.
However, the government decided to exempt some projects that already have received coal block allocation in the "no go" areas. The Dulanga coal block allotted to NTPC is located in this region.
Earlier, a coal block allotted to Adani Power, which was proposing to develop the 3,300-MW Tiroda power project, was cancelled. The Ministry refused allocation as the mine was close to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The latest in the line of casualty are several projects of Vedanta Resources and are feared to get delayed due to environmental clearance issues.
Recently, the Madras High Court directed Sterlite Industries India, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, to stop operations at its 400,000-ton-per-year copper-smelting facility at Tuticorin, as its operations were adversely impacting workers at the site and were posing an environmental threat.
Sterlite Industries allegedly operated the smelter without implementing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and holding a public hearing.
Earlier, Sterlite Energy was forced to shut its 600-MW independent thermal power plant at Jharsuguda in Orissa after residents complained about air pollution caused by the power project.
The power plant, which was commissioned on August 21, 2010, faced technical complications leading to fly-ash emissions. The project, which has been connected to the state grid, is at the same site as SEL's 1,215-MW captive power project.
Recently, the power project has resumed operations after corrective measures were taken to eliminate fly-ash emissions.
However, dark clouds of uncertainty are still hovering over Vedanta Resources. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) rejected the approval granted to the US$ 1.7 billion bauxite mining project proposed by Sterlite Industries and has directed the MoEF to reassess the proposal.
According to NEAA officials, the EIA study, which is a critical document for approval from the Ministry, was not made available during the public hearing.
Further, the authority expressed concern about the nature of the EIA, which did not analyse and take into consideration the adverse implications of the mining project on human life.
According to Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of Environment and Forests, Sterlite Industries, besides endangering the life of the Dongria Kondh tribal community in the region, had further flouted several laws, including the Forest Conservation Act, the Forest Rights Act and the Environment Protection Act.
To make matters worse for Sterlite, the Ministry of Forests & Environment has also issued a notice to the company for illegal capacity augmentation of its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Orissa to six million tonnes per year, from one million tonne per year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)