You are here
Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Climate change has effect on usHow was your Earth Day? What would Mother Earth say about it? On April 13, 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consisting of nearly 1,000 scientists from 74 countries, issued its long-awaited report. The studies found that global warming, almost certainly driven in part by human activity, already affects the Earth's ecosystems, and it predicted continued change. That was three years ago. The April issue of National Geographic reports that we have "lately raised the Earth's temperature by 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit ... even this additional warming of the air... Read more.. Date : Apr 28 Source: The Sun News
|
India & climate change: The way forwardThe winter is long gone, so has the chill that was evident at the Copenhagen Summit; the 194-nation jamboree assembled to protect the future of our world. Now summer is upon us – India is witnessing its hottest April in 52 years – and the glacier ice is melting but the biggest stakeholders in the climate debate are almost where they were that chilly December evening when it became apparent that it will take some time - many seasons- before the world ‘walks the talk’. . Copenhagen Accord Commitments: Temperature The Copenhagen Accord aims to limit the increase in... Read more.. Date : Apr 28 Source: Zee News
|
South Asian body to seek observer status at Cancun climate talksSeeking a fresh approach to climate talks, SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] countries will pitch for observer status at the Cancun conference on global warming later this year that would enable them to articulate their collective concerns more effectively. "The SAARC ministers will seek observer status at the climate talks," Bhutanese Foreign Minister Khandu Wangchuk told reporters here Tuesday [27 April] after the meeting of the eight-nation grouping's Council of Ministers. The next global climate talks are scheduled to be held in Cancun in Mexico in... Read more.. Date : Apr 28 Source: Investors Business Daily
|
Climate change indicators show that climate change is happeningClimate deniers will just have to grit their teeth over the latest report from the EPA showing that climate change is having a current, measurable effect on the Earth. While this has been news for a while, the EPA’s Climate Change Indicators report, released Tuesday, gathers up the latest stats on heat waves, storms, sea level measurements and glacier melts. All point to a planet under duress. The Greenhouse Effect (Image: EPA) Date : Apr 28 Source: Green Right Now
|
'Indian can meet carbon cut targets by 2020'The Indian industry can reduce carbon emissions by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 with use of technology but reducing emission post-2020 will be a challenge, a study released here Tuesday said. The study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) also emphasised that for future climate change negotiations, India should stick to the demand for an equal burden sharing agreement. The study 'Challenge of the New Balance' also highlights that resources like water, land and minerals for industrial sector will be a major problem in coming days. 'Most of (the) Indian industry... Read more.. Date : Apr 28 Source: Smash Hits.com
|
Indian power plant opening delayedSterlite Industries subsidiary Sterlite Energy has experienced a 3-month delay in next year's opening of a 2,400-megawatt power plant in India. DNA news agency reported Tuesday that the facility in Jharsuguda, Orissa, had hoped to open its first of four 600-megawatt facilities in March 2011 but that Sterlite Energy had pushed its coming online to June 2011. Vedanta Resources Deputy Executive Vice Chairman Navin Agarwal said, "The first unit of the 2,400MW plant is expected to be commissioned in Q1 FY 2011, with the remaining three units to be progressively commissioned by the... Read more.. Date : Apr 28 Source: UPI.com
|
CLP to Set Up Thai Solar Farm, Wind Plants in IndiaCLP Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong’s biggest electricity producer, will build a solar farm in Thailand and set up three wind projects in India as the utility turns to clean energy sources to generate power. The power producer is “close to” setting up a 55-megawatt solar project north of Bangkok with a venture partner, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Brandler said at a media briefing after the company’s annual general meeting today, without elaborating. CLP produces about 10 percent of its electricity from clean energy, including nuclear power, and wants 20 percent to be generated by... Read more.. Date : Apr 27 Source: Bloomberg
|
Will we switch to gas made from human waste? -As the UK faces the prospect of North Sea gas running out, could supply problems be eased by using gas made from human waste? For most people the waste they eject from their bodies is something they don't bother thinking about once they've shut the toilet door behind them. But there are some who think human waste could be a major part of a stable gas supply. Just as long as we can overcome our prejudices. 1: Domestic waste water heads to sewage processing plant Date : Apr 27 Source: BBC UK News
|
Scientists refute carbon capture doubtsBritish geologists and engineers rejected the doubts on Monday, pointing to pilot projects in an email to Reuters, following a report about January's article in the Guardian newspaper on Monday. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves trapping and storing underground carbon dioxide produced by power plants which burn fossil fuels. Some academics say that the world's efforts to limit dangerous climate change depends on CCS, which can in theory almost eliminate carbon emissions from burning coal and so give the world time to develop cheap fossil fuel alternatives. The... Read more.. Date : Apr 27 Source: Reuters
|
SBI goes green, installs windmill for captive useIt was with a sense of pride and a touch of symbolic triumph that the State Bank of India Chairman, Mr O.P. Bhatt, spoke at the inauguration of a windmill at Panapatti village, Pollachi Taluk, Tamil Nadu. Speaking at what he called the “signal event”, Mr Bhatt said the bank's resolve to go green was one of the many initiatives mooted in the last two-three years, and definitely one that would further its green banking initiative. The bank has partnered with Suzlon Energy by installing windmills for captive use. It has installed 10 windmills with an aggregate capacity of... Read more.. Date : Apr 25 Source: Hindu Business Line
|
Suzlon to focus more on IndiaSuzlon Energy will target the Indian market for installation of wind turbines more aggressively, its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Tulsi R Tantri, said. Participating in State Bank of India's Green Energy initiative at Panapatti near Pollachi, Mr Tantri expressed satisfaction about Suzlon's leadership position in the wind energy space. The company's market share has hovered at over 50 per cent over the past several years. Stating ‘this is good enough' (referring to market share), Mr Tantri said Suzlon would address the wind energy investor base more aggressively in the years to come... Read more.. Date : Apr 25 Source: Hindu Business Line
|
Areva, Siemens, GE explore offshore wind-ow in IndiaIt's the latest and among the fastest growing sectors within global energy, and has already made its presence in India. A long coastline, low installation cost and ready local availability of key raw materials have made India a favoured destination for offshore wind power, with global majors like Areva, Siemens and GE queueing up to explore opportunities in the country. High profile investors such as Vinod Sethi, private equity major Blackstone and new clean technology funds have already invested in offshore wind energy companies planning for India, mainly as this sector is... Read more.. Date : Apr 24 Source: Economic Times
|
Learning to take care of environmentFrom campfires without burning firewood to tree-planting drives for spreading ‘Ecotheology’ — the concern for the environment in the Biblical scriptures — the city’s Catholic youth are doing more than their little bit for the environment this summer. ‘Care for Creation’ is the theme for this year’s church activities, says a mandate from the Archdiocese of Bombay. Parishes organising vacation programmes for their youth have taken the cue. While many parishes have been carrying out initiatives for the environment over the years, this year the effort has intensified.... Read more.. Date : Apr 24 Source: Hindustan Times
|
Carbon dioxide alters ocean chemistryThe chemistry of the oceans is changing faster than it has in hundreds of thousands of years because of the carbon dioxide being absorbed from the atmosphere, the National Research Council reported Thursday. Carbon dioxide and other industrial gases have been a concern for several years because of their impact on the air, raising global temperatures in a process called the greenhouse effect. One factor easing that warmth has been the amount of CO2 taken up by the oceans, but that has also caused scientific concerns because the chemicals make the water more acidic, which can... Read more.. Date : Apr 24 Source: Pioneer Press
|
Government of India approves Rs. 473 Cr renewable energy projectThe Union Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure has approved Rs.473 cr project to promote use of renewable energy in Ladakh region at a total cost of Rs. 473 crore. The Ladakh Region has extreme environment conditions and faces enormous energy adversities throughout the year. It becomes even more acute during the winter months. The urban areas and all defence establishments use diesel and kerosene extensively. The population in the remote areas faces acute problem of fuel for cooking and space heating. Considering that the region has good potential of solar and hydro resources... Read more.. Date : Apr 24 Source: GroundReport
|
Australian Trade Commission makes presence felt in ChandigarhThe Australian Trade Commission, the trade and investment development agency of the Australian federal government established their formal presence in the city today. The Commission's formal presence in the city was announced at a seminar on "Doing Business with Australia" held here. Organised by the Australian Trade Commission in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)- Northern Region, the seminar is a part of the Australian Trade Commission's Utsav Australia (celebrate Australia) programme, an Australian Government initiative to accelerate the countrys... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: New Kerala
|
Most UK farmers say not feeling climate changeAn increasing number of British farmers say they are unaffected by climate change, a survey found on Friday. British public belief in climate change in general has sagged in the aftermath of disclosure of errors made by a U.N. climate panel report. Some 62 percent of a poll of 414 farmers said they were unaffected by climate change, up from nearly 50 percent who said last year that they had not felt its effects. "For farming there's been a very tough winter, a lot of snow, that may be part of it, and generally people seem bit more cynical... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: Reuters India
|
UN re-appoints top environment, refugee chiefsThe UN General Assembly Thursday approved a new four-year contract for Achim Steiner of Germany, the executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that has been an important part in the global fight against climate change. Steiner has been active in implementing UN programmes to prevent the deterioration of the environment and leading research and making recommendations on climate change. The assembly also re-appointed Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese government minister, to a five-year contract as the High Commissioner for Refugees, which provides assistance... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: India Talks
|
City dwellers cite climate as top concern - HSBC pollResidents of major world cities cite climate change as the most pressing global issue, except residents of large U.S. cities who list the economy as the bigger problem, according to a survey by HSBC Bank. Climate change topped the list of concerns by some two-thirds of Hong Kong residents polled as well as majorities of residents of London, Paris, Sao Paolo, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney, according to the poll of 2,044 urban residents around the world. Residents of U.S. cities, however, ranked the economy as the biggest global issue, closely followed... Read more.. |
Global warming impact on its way to Met office reportsThe monsoon forecast by India’s weather office could include a new feature that will make it more useful to sectors such as tourism, shipping, airlines, logistics and transport companies apart from its core constituency of farmers. Climate change and global warming and the impact of these on the Indian monsoons is also being studied at length and could find a place in the forecast on a regular basis. Up to now, the Indian Meterological Department or IMD has included five day forecasts and outlook for the next two-days. This year, however, it could provide forecasts for one... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: Economic Times
|
Buying carbon offsets may ease eco-guilt but not global warmingTens of thousands of buyers purchase carbon offsets yearly to help neutralize their global-warming pollution. They pay $5, $10, $20 or more from green-swathed sites on the Internet, or pay extra for offsets when they purchase airline tickets, rent a car, or ship a package. Companies buy them in bulk to help project a “green” image. Government agencies and civic organizations get offsets believing the purchases will make their actions “carbon neutral.” They have created a worldwide market estimated by analyst Ecosystem Marketplace at $705 million in 2008. In the United States alone,... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: The Christian Science Monitor
|
Copenhagen carbon pledges would fail to curtail global warmingPledges made at last December’s United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen are unlikely to keep global warming below the two degree Celsius mark, a new study has claimed. According to an analysis done by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, a rise of at least three degree Celsius by 2100 is likely. The team also emphasised that many countries, including the European Union (EU) members and China, have pledged slower carbon curbs than they have been achieving anyway, and said a new global deal is needed if deeper cuts are to materialise. ... Read more..Date : Apr 23 Source: Daily News and Analysis
|
Indian green energy entrepreneur named 'Champion of Earth'An Indian green energy entrepreneur is among the six 'Champions of Earth' announced by the United Nations that include heads of state of Maldives and Guyana as well Chinese actress Zhou Xun. Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and green energy entrepreneur, was named as one of "Champions of the Earth" on Thursday for his efforts to encourage people to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. "The six winners represent some of the key pillars upon which society can build Green Growth and a development path to unite rather than divide six billion people," Achim... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: Economic Times
|
BASIC to discuss Kyoto Protocol survivalAt their meeting this weekend, the four BASIC countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – will discuss the Kyoto Protocol's chances of survival. According to the agenda prepared by the South African hosts, with input from all four nations, some of the key questions to guide their discussion on April 26 include: “How long will the Kyoto Protocol survive? Could we envisage a shorter second commitment period designed solely to secure carbon markets? If no second commitment period, what would replace Kyoto?” India does not yet have clear answers to these questions,... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: Hindu
|
How green is my building?With the problem of climate change aggravating with each passing day, the need to introduce and imbibe sustainability in our lifestyles is becoming even more important. Realising this, the concept of Green Buildings, which are energy efficient and thus environment friendly, is fast catching the fancy. Of late, Ahmedabad is also making its foray into construction of Green Buildings. The Shapath V building coming up on SG highway is aspiring to be Gold certified under LEEd ratings. Godrej, which is coming up with a Godrej Green City project near Nirma University, will... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: Daily News and Analysis
|
