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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Earth Charter in search of sustainable developmentThe three-day conference on Earth Charter, which is being attended by a large number of dignitaries, educationalists, technocrats and activists from across theworld, kick-started at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE)’s lush green campus today. The purpose of the conference is to celebrate the completion of ten years of the Earth Charter, as well as to set an agenda for the coming decade. The Earth Charter has been an important guiding influence for sustainable development. The focus of this conference is to explore the meaning and education of sustainable development through... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: DNA
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India launches scientific expedition to South PoleThe head of India's National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Rasik Ravindra, will lead a team of eight scientists on the journey, departing next week from an Indian research base. The trip to the pole and back is expected to last around 40 days. It is hoped their mission will shed light on how environmental conditions have changed in Antarctica over the past 1,000 years. Mr Ravindra says the scientists will fly via South Africa to India's Maitri research base, situated in an ice-free area known as the Schirmacher Oasis. From there they will travel to... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: BBC
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Building green global society stressedThe closing session of Pan IIT 2010 Conclave on 'Building a sustainable future: The Green Society' saw global leaders speak on the way forward to build a green global society that could further sustain the transformational growth, at Expo Mart in Greater Noida on Sunday. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, said, "There has to be a global agreement on the issue of climate change and only cumulative efforts could meet the green objectives. India's plan for climate change is drafting a way forward to reduce carbon emissions." During the session, Prof... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: Tribune
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India seeks partnership with hydrocarbon producers: PMPrime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday sought to strengthen economic partnerships with hydrocarbon producing countries, saying the demand for this source of energy would increase by over 40 percent in the next 10 years. ‘Hydrocarbons will continue to be our major source of energy for quite sometime in the future,’ Singh said after inaugurating Petrotech 2010, the ninth international oil and gas conference and exhibition here. ‘We seek to build strong economic partnerships with other (hydrocarbon) producing countries and their oil and gas industries to the mutual benefit of each... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: India Talkies
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Bolivia poised to power world's electric cars"Back to the Future" is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. While we don't yet have the time-traveling Deloreans, the world is getting ready for the next automotive revolution. Electric vehicles are on the way. General Motors plans to release the new Chevy Volt in December 2010. While it isn't a pure electric vehicle (it has a gas-powered engine that kicks in after about 60 kilometers), most commuters using the plug-in vehicle could go quite some time without stopping at the petrol station. During a test drive of the new Volt outside Detroit, Michigan, Tony Posawatz, the... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: CNN
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The great subcontinental green gameExternal Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna shows his wry sense of humour every once in a while. Asked about seeming differences between him and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on dealing with China recently, he answered “Well, environment knows no boundaries and our Environment Ministry similarly transcends boundaries.” Mr. Krishna may have meant the comment in a lighter vein, but what he said has serious, even exciting, possibilities for India, and must be looked at more closely by his own Ministry as it makes its moves in the subcontinental ‘great game'. Last week, British... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: Hindu
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Carbon Disclosure Project Paves Way For Cities to Report Carbon EmissionsThe Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) today announced the launch of the new CDP Cities program, which will provide a system for cities worldwide to report on their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related strategies. CDP Cities, in partnership with the C40 and the Clinton Climate initiative (CCI)*, has asked the largest cities in the world committed to tackling climate change -- the 40 member cities and 19 affiliate member cities of the C40 -- to voluntarily measure and report to CDP so the cities can proactively manage risks, reduce carbon and further adopt strategies that safeguard the... Read more.. Date : Nov 2 Source: DirectionsMag
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Scientists join hands to develop biofuel from microalgaeScientists from across the country, belonging to a consortium of nine laboratories, are working on an ambitious project called 'New Millennium India Technology Leadership Initiative' ( NMITLI), to develop a viable and scalable process of biofuel from microalgae, undertaken by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. The laboratories are Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University (AU), Vishakapatnam, Calcutta University (CU), Kolkata, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology... Read more.. Date : Nov 1 Source: Times of India
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Adarsh society violated green norms: Jairam RameshThe Adarsh housing society has violated green norms and action will be taken against it once the Maharashtra government submits its final report, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Monday. The minister suggested that some of the floors of the 31-storey building in upscale Colaba area of Mumbai could be demolished as has been done in similar cases in the past. "There is no question about it that they (Adarsh housing society) have violated norms while constructing the building. The interim report submitted by the state government clearly shows that violation has taken... Read more.. Date : Nov 1 Source: Times of India
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Water efficiency norms on the cardsThe Bureau of Water Efficiency (BWE) under the Ministry of Water Resources will be on the lines of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, set up by the Ministry of Power. The bureau will also stipulate that machines consuming water sport a water efficiency label just as energy efficiency labels are put up on air-conditioners. For this, specific water conservation building codes and consumption norms will also be drafted by the bureau. Also, constructing homes or other buildings as per water efficiency norms could help get exemption from property tax. “The ministry has started talking with... Read more.. Date : Oct 31 Source: Deccan Herald
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India predicts 40% leap in demand for fossil fuelsPremier Manmohan Singh told India's energy firms on Monday to scour the globe for fuel supplies as he warned the country's demand for fossil fuels is set to soar 40 percent over the next decade. The country of more than 1.1 billion people already imports nearly 80 percent of its crude oil to fuel an economy that is expected to grow 8.5 percent this year and at least nine percent next year. Demand for hydrocarbons -- petroleum, coal, natural gas -- "over the next 10 years will increase by over 40 percent," Singh told an energy conference in New Delhi. "India needs... Read more.. Date : Oct 31 Source: YAHOO!
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CPCB chief admits trading health for priceWhy did India oppose the ban on toxic insecticide endosulfan at the recent Stockholm Convention? Simple: It's one of the cheapest insecticides available in the market. And admitting this was none other than Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) chairman, S P Gautam. Speaking at the sidelines of Pollutetech India 2010 __ a seminar on environmental technologies __ at J N Tata auditorium on Friday, the CPCB chief said: "The insecticide is economically viable. There's no doubt that it has health impact but it'll take some time for India to ban the insecticide completely. Earlier the... Read more.. Date : Oct 31 Source: Times of India
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DIREC 2010 pledges increased usage of renewable energyDelhi International Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC) 2010 saw a grand closing with participation of ministers, energy experts and government representatives of 71 countries, with an aim of up-scaling and mainstreaming renewable for energy security, climate change and economic development. The conference outlined the need for global leadership to ensure that the potential of renewable technologies are realized, dependence on fossil fuels is reduced and energy needs of countries across the globe are met at affordable rates. Fourth in the series, DIREC 2010 was successful in... Read more.. Date : Oct 30 Source: Indian Express
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10,000 kids keep guard against littering in HimalayasThey may be young, but don't get caught littering in front of them. Over 10,000 schoolchildren are virtually on the prowl in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, ready to teach a lesson or two on non-biodegradable waste. These children, designated as "eco-monitors", keep an eye on areas around their school to catch people who dump polythene bags, sachets, empty liquor bottles and clothes in the open. "We have initially selected 76 schools - both private and government - where teams of students from Class 5-12 have been constituted. The teams visit the localities twice a week after... Read more.. Date : Oct 30 Source: Silicon India
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Kitchen waste reaches farmland, the BHU wayFor homemakers looking for a solution to dispose of kitchen waste, the Banaras Hindu University has an answer. Developed by a team of researchers from the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS-BHU), the solution, interestingly, not only helps housewives dispose of kitchen waste, but also power organic farming in the country. Led by Prof Asha Sinha, a mycologist and plant pathologist, a group of researchers has produced organic fertilizer from kitchen waste, which was successfully used in farming. Impressed by Prof Sinha’s efforts, the UP Government, under the Rashtriya... Read more.. Date : Oct 29 Source: Hindustan Times
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U.N. carbon credit investors see prospects after 2012Investors in the United Nations' Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) now have more confidence in the carbon offset market after 2012 after the number of post-2012 carbon credit deals rose in recent weeks. The CDM is part of a U.N. treaty to fight climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, whose first commitment period (2008-2012) sets emissions targets for rich nations that drive demand for carbon credits called certified emissions reductions (CERs). Investors earn CERs for developing clean energy projects in poorer nations. However, the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 and talks on a... Read more.. Date : Oct 29 Source: Reuters India
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Underground water near landfill sites not fit for drinking: StudyA new study conducted by the Government of India revealed that the underground water near the landfill sites is contaminated and not fit for drinking. In the study, sites have been located in 11 cities of the country. The research conducted by A B Akolkar and M K Choudhury, stated that eh geogenic and anthropogenic reasons could be the main cause of poor quality of underground water. Both the researchers are senior scientists with the Central Pollution Control Board. Harmful contaminants have been found in the samples of underground water collected from the cities like Delhi,... Read more.. Date : Oct 29 Source: Mynews India
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Erricson proposes new technology for decongesting mobile towers in HimachalIn order to de-congest the hills from ever increasing number of mobile phone towers, the state would explore the possibility of replacing them with environment friendly tower tube systems. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal asked officers to explore the feasibility of using the modified technology after a senior executives from Erricson World, the Swedish company made a presentation here on Monday evening. Speaking after seeing the presentation, Dhumal said the proposed Tower Tube system is environment friendly that has the capability to provide service to large number of... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Himachal us
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Excess Emission Rights Are Flaw of Kyoto Climate Treaty, EU Official SaysSurplus emission rights granted to nations are a “major flaw” of the climate-protection Kyoto Protocol that must be solved if the treaty is to be extended beyond 2012, a senior European Union official said. “We’re talking about 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide; compare that to the entire EU emissions trading system that is hardly 2 billion tons,” Jos Delbeke, director general for climate at the European Commission, told a seminar in Brussels today. Delbeke said climate negotiators worldwide should discuss whether the surplus Assigned Amount Units, known as AAUs, are not “a... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Bloomberg
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Japan offers $2bn environment rescue packageJapan announced Wednesday a two-billion-dollar environment rescue package for developing countries in a bid to kickstart tense UN talks aimed at securing a pact on saving biodiversity. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan wanted to help lead the world in protecting the world's animals and plants from extinction, and offered the money to poor nations over the next three years. "We will launch a 'life in harmony initiative' to support developing countries' efforts to compile and update their national (biodiversity) strategies and implement them," Kan said. "We will... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Times of India
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Eggshells could help combat climate change, say Indian scientistsBasab Chaudhuri of the University of Calcutta and colleagues have shown that the membrane that lines an eggshell can absorb almost seven times its own weight of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide thus trapped could be stored in this form until energy-effective methods of using the gas could be found that would not compound the environmental problems associated with carbon emissions. The research team explains that eggshell comprises three layers, a cuticle on the outer surface, a spongy calcium-containing middle layer and inner layer.... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: News OneIndia
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NALCO officer nominated director of CPCBBhubaneswar Corporate Office appointed Mr Jiban Mohapatra chief manager of National Aluminium Company as Board Level Director in Central Pollution Control Board of Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. Mr Mahapatra has around 30 years of experience in the relevant field and has worked in TISCO Coal Mines, NALCO Bauxite Mines & Alumina Refinery and NALCO Corporate Office, coordinating various activities like Pollution Control, Environment Management, Forest & Wild Life Management, Safety & Occupational Health Management and mining related issues concerning NALCO units... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Steel Guru
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India’s energy security, climate change action plan linked: PMVisiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that his government has formulated an ambitious National Action Plan on Climate Change that is intimately linked to our energy security. He also said that a National Solar Mission has been tasked with the responsibility of building a capacity of 20,000 MW of solar power by the year 2022. He added that there are also national missions on water, green India, energy efficiency and on sustaining the Himalayan eco-system. Dr. Singh, who was participating in the Khazanah Global Lecture Series 2010 on “India’... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Thaindian
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SunBorne Energy and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) bring the World's best to Launch a Special Solar R&D Project in IndiaA joint effort to make the 20, 000 MW national solar mission a reality SunBorne Energy has a panel of International experts as technical advisors namely Dr. Yogi Goswami, Dr. Lee Stefanakos, Dr. Manuel Romero Alvarez, Dr. Aldo Steinfeld. Under their guidance SunBorne Energy has come forward with an R&D initiative to innovate technology, localize... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Buisness wire India
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Plan panel note on growth and greeneryThe Planning Commission will prepare a Cabinet note on how developmental projects can be undertaken without discounting environmental concerns , as it looks to end squabbles between the environment ministry and the power ministry over delays in environmental clearances to projects. The planning body also favours foreign investment in multi-brand retail as the country already supports the modern retail structure, Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said at the economic editors’ conference here on Tuesday. Planning Commission member BK Chaturvedi said the... Read more.. Date : Oct 27 Source: Economic Times
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