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TALKING GREEN 1.24, from MY GREEN CHANNEL

" TALKING GREEN " weekly e-Newsletter of My GREEN CHANNEL, an initiative of LAKSHYA [ issue 1.24, Friday, 31st July 2009 ] 31st July 2009, Friday Dear Friends, As shared with you during the last issue, it was a preparation for a new beginning. …………….As all of us know The world is getting ready to decide the fate of the future at Copenhagen with critical climate negotiation during the end of this year. Climate change is one of the most discussed topic in the present developing scenario and as a fast developing economy this is the very right time for us to decide the way forward for a safe and secured future of our planet. India will play a very important role as an emerging developing country and being the largest democratic nation of the world we will also represent at the platform with strategies and actions plans in the form of government delegates and representatives from the civil society organizations. At this point of time we strongly believe that the Indian youth which comprises of the age group of 15 – 25 years [ 45% ] of the total population has never been seriously taken into account by the Govt. policies while deciding the future agenda for our country. Thus the voice of India’s future also needs to be given importance and heard through this national pre summit to decide the fate of future and our role as one of the largest developing nation of the world.We believed and therefore decided to provide a platform to accumulate the opinion of young Indians on the future of the planet and ideas to combat the climate change issues in India, in the form of a national debate where participants from around the country will participate in different levels and finally the final 10 young Indians will represent the Indian youth in Copenhagen later this year. We will keep you informed with news and happenings of the green debate and we look forward to hear from you on your views of moving forward.Thank you friends for being with us with your support and feedback and encouraging us to develop everyday and work for a green future.with GREEN THOUGHTS ….………… ENJOY READING! Understanding Climate Change The earth’s climate has always varied, so the term climate change is now generally used to describe the changes caused human activity: specifically, greenhouse emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane, which build up in the atmosphere and trap heat.Is it the same as global warming? As human activity increases the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere far beyond their natural levels. Must more heat is trapped. Hence, the term climate change is often used interchangeably with global warming. CM vows to make Capital "Zero plastic zone" Delhi Government has decided to teach a tough lesson to traders and roadside vendors who defy ban on plastic and use plastic bags. On the occasion of World Environment Day. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit vowed to make Delhi a Zero plastic zone’ and announced penal actions against the violators. She also announced to develop 10 more forests in various part of Delhi to reduce pollution level a along with increasing green area inn the National Capital. The politics of climate change: Charity begins at home Scientists are in the process of reviewing their predictions across the globe and say climate change is accelerating at an alarming and much faster pace than previously expected. They issue warnings that say we humans must move forward quickly to ink a global deal and secure it in time to avoid a human catastrophe.However watching and reading all this, what is even more alarming for the common man, are the politics of Climate Change. There seems to be more mudslinging and politics than any actual concern about what is going to happen to the plant among us humans, who inhabit it. Climate for change Many countries have directed stimulus spending towards sustainable energies. In the long run, that's the only solution.In the short-term, countries should strive for cleaner coal infrastructure. In her speech to Parliament last week, President Patil declared that one of the top priorities for her government would be ‘energy security and environment protection’. The intention is commendable. India and other developing countries face a triple challenge of increasing income growth, building energy infrastructure and confronting climate change. Climate conflicts Climate negotiations can succeed only if developed countries stop weaseling out of their historical culpability.The Bonn climate talks ended last Friday with little to show by way of results. However, the deadline for agreement is December 2009 and in such negotiations, at this stage, we consider it progress if countries agree on what they disagree about. This seems to have happened and differences were consolidated into a form that allows the negotiation to move forward. A slice of doomsday tourism The stark reality of climate change hits us when we see a boulder saying gaumukh 1891. in just one hundred years the glacier has retreated by 2 kms.It’s the new buzzword in the tourism industry — they call it ‘doomsday tourism’. The urge to see the natural wonders of the world before they are gone. Suddenly the number of people visiting the Arctic and the Antarctic to witness firsthand the icebergs falling is on the rise. I have similar plans but closer home. Surroundings matter There in need to educate people about the importance of conserving natural resources for a prosperous tomorrow, writes Iftikar Rashid Wani.For the past few decades we have increased diversification of our environment with our direct interference. While doing so we have lost our charming environment, pristine water bodies and we have devastated of other natural resources. As the manipulator of the environment with an awesome power to change the destiny of the planet. In the name of Development and progress forests were denuded, lakes poisoned, air polluted and we are getting engulfed in an ecological crisis at an alarming rate. Thus the aim of understanding the natural environment must include the role of humans as participants within the natural environment. Environmental opportunities For India to preserve its crucial ecological system, it must look beyond endangered species’ protectionThe upcoming dialogues on global warming and the state of the urban environment are grist for the mill in today’s media. But they ought not to detract from a critical dimension of the new century’s ecological dilemmas, one in which India will be a key arena. This country, after all, is not only home to one in six humans on the planet. It is also a habitat or breeding ground, refuge or migration point for as many as 1,200 bird species and at least 500 mammals—in addition to around 25,000 varieties of flowering plants. Carbon footprint_ Arindam Mukherjee details how you can add your might to the fight against global warming.Every time you drive, fly, run appliances at home and keep your homes either heated or air-conditioned, you produce and emit carbon dioxide, trapping heart in the atmosphere. As society continues to increase its demand for electricity and fossil fuels, more greenhouse pollute air and add to the growing concern of global warming and if carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases continue to build up in the air, rising temperature will make life on earth virtually unbearable. Tech majors team up to save the climate from computers The body seeks to reduce global CO2 emission from computers by 54 mm tons per annum or equivalent to the fumes from 11 million cars: Global movement started by Google and Intel in 2007 to reduce the carbon footprint of computers drastically has come to India.The Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI), a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumers, business and conservation organizations that also include the likes of CSC, Dell, HP, Intel Lenovo and Microsoft, seeks to reduce the global CO2 emission from the operation of computer by 54 million tones per annum, That is the same as the annual output of 11 million cars or 10-20 coal-fired power plants, says the CSCI. TALKING GREEN is an initiative of LAKSHYA foundation towards creating awareness about the happenings on ENV. MATTERS to address and share with a wider spectrum and also share ideas and thoughts for building a secured planet. Let our commitment towards protecting our future and our beautiful planet stays strong , bold and high with the best of our spirits. We appreciate your valuable feedbacks and suggestions and also letting us know that our news and information’s have helped you to know our world and environment better.....................!Please do not forget to share our newsletter with your friends by helping us in reaching more and more readers and implementers of our dreams. You can share our “ TALKING GREEN” very easily with the open inviter technology from the home page button which says, “SHARE WITH MY FRIENDS” or can also do it from the footer of this mailer. Be a part of the process and contribute for a better day.For any queries/problems and issues please write to us.We look forward to hear from you. Lets commit to make this world a better and a safer place to live in. Let’s take a Green Promise ! With commitment Uzzwal Madhab Executive Director LAKSHYA Foundation Address : Lakshya Foundation, X-56, 2nd Floor, Green Park Main, New Delhi-110 016 ...
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Thursday,30 July, 2009 | Hits: 164

Scientists worry about `Frankenstein' robots

A robot that can open doors and find electrical outlets to recharge itself.Computer viruses that no one can stop. Predator drones, which, though still controlled remotely by humans, come close to a machine that can kill autonomously....
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Tuesday,28 July, 2009 | Hits: 94

G8 didn’t take concrete steps: Pachauri

Chairman of the Nobel-winning UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) RK Pachauri today said the G8 nations had “clearly ignored” taking any concrete action to accomplish its new goal of limiting climate change. ...
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Tuesday,21 July, 2009 | Hits: 69

G-8 ignored climate change: Pachauri

Pachauri says the outcome of the G-8 talks in Italy,, featuring the world’s largest emitters, had been mixed, a bit of a dichotomy.Chairman of the Nobel-winning UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) RK Pachauri today said the G8 nations had “clearly ignored” taking any concrete action to accomplish its new goal of limiting climate change. ...
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Tuesday,21 July, 2009 | Hits: 69

India seeks US clean tech to fight climate change

India has used the US to transfer clean technology and provide funding to the renewable energy sector in India to help fight climate change. It was the high point of the discussion between new and renewable energy minister Farooq Abdullah and visiting UN special envoy for climate change Todd Stern in the Capital on Tuesday....
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Tuesday,21 July, 2009 | Hits: 64

Is goal of 2 degrees Celsius cap a political delusion?

Has India abandoned its stiff opposition to binding emission targets that crimp development?Two degrees separate the world as we know it from one on the brink of environmental catastrophe....
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Tuesday,21 July, 2009 | Hits: 61

Clean tech, biggest investment opportunity of the century

Start-ups built around so-called green or clean technologies—broadly those that help reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency—have attracted venture capital and private equity (PE) investors, that have poured billions into the sector in the last few years. Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB), one of the most successful venture capital firms in the world, is one such investor with five deals in the space just in the June quarter....
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Monday,20 July, 2009 | Hits: 141

City lays a green foundation with new buildings

Corporates Take Note of Environmental Concerns, Opt For Eco-Friendly Structures to Save Energy US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit to the ITC Green Centre in Gurgaon, one of the region’s four buildings to be certified ‘green’, drew the world’s attention to what Clinton referred to as the ‘‘monument to the future’’....
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Monday,20 July, 2009 | Hits: 70

US for open debate on climate change

With India have reservations on putting a cap of emissions, the United State today said it is willing to have discussion on climate change rather than dictating terms. ...
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Monday,20 July, 2009 | Hits: 59

Greener posture for climate talks as India takes a step forward

India’s signing of the declaration at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) in L’Aquila last week creates an enabling environment for reaching a climate change agreement during the 15th Conference of Parties in Copenhagen in December, according to environment experts. ...
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Monday,20 July, 2009 | Hits: 110