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Death, Garbage and Taxes

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America said, “The only things certain in life are death and taxes”. But there is a third certainty in life too and that is garbage (or “solid waste”, if we want to get technical). The smelly stuff we chose to keep out of sight, and hence out of mind, is a reality that needs urgent attention with each passing day.

 

The issues of dumping grounds close to their filling capacity and protests over the use of incineration technologies for garbage are not unique to India. Neither are the recent revelations of overcharging for transportation to dumping grounds and massive tipping fees. (All waste treatment facilities and dumping grounds need money to function. This generally comes from garbage haulers, who pay a per ton or per load tipping fee or gate fee upon arriving at the facility.)

 

About 5,000 years ago, the world’s first recorded landfill was built in Knossos, Greece. Huge quantities of waste were buried in large pits, with soil layered throughout. Clearly, landfills have remained a popular idea, not because of their usefulness but because of the dearth of options—what exactly can one do with garbage?

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We are pleased to inform you that the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is going to organise a hands-on two-day workshop aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on EIA with specific reference to wind power projects.

We are writing to invite you for this unique training workshop. The objective of this workshop is to enable stakeholders to understand the likely impacts of the project and allows them to make sound decisions during various stages of project development.

Centre for Science and Environment is organizing a two day workshop on EIA of wind power projects on 29-30 August, 2013 at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Baner Road, Pune 411 007, Maharashtra, India. 

Also, CSE will bear the course fee of the workshop which would include the lectures, study material and food for two days.

Note: We are not making reimbursement for local travel and lodging

At the end of the workshop, a certificate of participation would be given to the participants.

I sincerely hope you will take this opportunity to nominate yourself or your colleague for this workshop. As we have limited number of seats for the training programme, I urge you to send your nominations on or before August 17, 2013.

This workshop is open for participation for Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, state environment impact assessment authority, forest officers, IFS), NGOs, Consultants, Industries, Students and Academicians.

We can accept only two nominations from an organization. Once we receive your nomination, we would forward you the workshop schedule and the session details.

Kindly send the nominations at swati@cseindia.org.

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decision_making.jpg

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool to inform deci sion-makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible environmental, social and economic costs of the proposed project. To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.

There is a genuine need to develop the capacity of the state-level regulators and state level expert appraisal Committee (SEAC) to screen and scope the EIA process, to conduct transparent public consultations and to evaluate the EIA
reports, especially after the new EIA notification. At the same time, there is a need among CBO, NGOs, academicians, and environment managers to review and interpret EIA report, as they are technical in nature.

Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on five-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on EIA with specific reference to coal based power plant, cement, pharmaceutical, mining and others.

After the programme, the participants shall have:

1. Exposure to all aspects of EIA, from its theory to the practical – such as better understanding regarding

  • What data is required, how this data should be collected and interpreted,and significance of the data

  • Effectiveness of the assessment methods

  • What issues should be addressed in the Terms of Reference (TOR)

  • Tools and thumb rules available to evaluate the environmental impact of projects

2. Better understanding of the EIA process – from screening, scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultation

3. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of the industrial and developmental projects

4. Better ability to review EIA reports and identify its strengths and weaknesses

5. Increased ability to play active role in post-EIA monitoring

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: 22-26 July, 2013

Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily

Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For developers, environment consultants and regulators) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: July 18, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

OPEN FOR:
NGOs, Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, state environment impact assessment authority, Environment Consultants, Students, decision makers and Industries

COURSE CONTACT
Swati Singh Sambyal
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org

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The Waste Capital, Delhi

While the almost every well-read urban Indian youth is today, in some way, involved in advocacy or activism, none seems to be too keenly interested in being responsible citizens or Environmentally conscious and we've a proof of that.

Perhaps one would expect the young, all one-third of the total to be a little more responsible in their actions. Quite the contrary, as we observed to our utter dismay. Welcome to Vishwavidyalaya metro station premises, in the core University area, a hub of Delhi youth. 

http://www.theunknownpen.com/editors-desk/the-other-side-of-delhi/

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What. How. Why…..or reverse?

Though I intended to write this to commemorate the WED 2013 theme, ‘Think.Eat.Save’, it took me a while to think how much I practice what I believe in…..

Shall try to pour out those ‘beliefs’ to you…and to what extent they can be practiced….

I was listening to a TED talk by Simon Sinek the other day on ‘inspiration’. The speaker was just too good while explaining the Golden Circle that governs human actions – ‘What, How, and Why’. Consider any human action and you would find that this logic can be applied to justify all our intentions. We generally start by asking ourselves ‘What’, followed by ‘How’ and ending with ‘Why’. And you are not the only one…a general consensus says that 86% of the human population follows this sequential logic to draw a rationale on their actions.

Let me try drawing this logic in the context of food consumed by us, ‘Humans’. Think of a situation when you are at work, lots of tasks pending, hands of the clock is just striking 12 noon and there is still one long long hour for the lunch break to start! God you’re hungry and the moles in your tummy have started their marathon already!! Immediate question – “What do I eat now”? You answer yourself promptly…”I can eat ‘x’.”Next Question “How will I get it”? Another answer, “The packet of chips is in the pantry”…Lastly (if at all), “Why am I eating ‘x’ and not ‘y’? Rarely can we sustain our hunger till the last question….as soon as we know what to eat and how to get it, we have almost won the challenge. ‘Why’ remains unanswered as usual…

Strangely, it has been found that an answer to this question ‘why’ could be the magic key to  open the treasure box that contains unheard facets of human survival. In other words, if we knew ‘why’ we are consuming as much as we do, we would discover how we can reduce our consumption and what should be the action for doing the same. Instead of following the top-down approach we need a bottom-up approach where we should question our consumption – Why do we eat ‘x’…..next question, ‘how do get to eat ‘x’….the last one, ‘what should we do to eat x’.

An example at this juncture will give a clearer picture of my logic. Irrespective of the fact whether we are vegetarians or non-vegetarians, do we ever question ourselves at the dinner table, “why are we eating a curry made of frozen peas or salad with preserved chicken sausages’? “Why couldn’t we prefer the fresh ingredients instead of buying packed and preserved food”? “Who would have grown these vegetables and how”? “What would the poultry have been fed with”?…….The Q&A session goes on till long….

If only we could think this way, would we realize what impact our choices as a ‘consumer’ would have on the environment, the economy and everyone’s quality of life in the ecosystem.

If only we could make a responsible choice and align it with the natural cycles of the earth, we, as individuals would have taken great leaps for survival of mankind.

Human consumption of food marks a confluence of economic, environmental and social sustainability. When we know why we are eating a pack of chips that is contained in a plastic or a non-biodegradable bag, we would ourselves discover how to get rid of the habit, and what other options to look for as a ‘crunchy munchy’ with the evening tea!

To make your kitchen and your eating style sustainable, here are a few tips from my side (I am trying to follow them myself, so trust me they aren’t that difficult)-

  • Buy locally sourced or grown food
  • Avoid packaged and preserved food. They are mostly energy consuming, non-biodegradable burden for the earth.
  • Try shopping from farmers’ markets or local ‘mandis’. Those red and yellow bell peppers in shopping malls’ refrigerators may look good….but they are unfortunately taking away some hours of your or your dear ones’ lives by being preserved and refrigerated
  • For vegetables and greens, keep in mind the health hazards caused by pesticides. Try opting for organic vegetables. They might seem expensive now….but would actually turn out to be ‘profitable’ for you in the near future
  • For non-vegetarians, try opting for farmed meat or fish than the wild ones. Also try questioning about what poultry had been fed with, whether they were injected with antibiotics or whether they were grazing on sustainable lands?
  • Try composting or recycling your kitchen waste to complete the cycle. Wherever possible, try growing a kitchen garden.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables that are in season – they are the best ones in nutrition and flavor – and of course better for the earth.
  • Lastly, consume as much as you can, and try reducing on your waste.

An article in TOI on 6 June 2013 is titled as “Food worth Rs 58k crore goes waste in India every year”….with 33% of the world poorest people in India, can we afford to lose so much just because of our irresponsible and unethical attitudes…WHY???HOW DO WE STOP THIS?? WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW???

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It was an important day in my newly started schedule of life; just two days before I have joined a new assignment which had given me the opportunity to be a part of the state’s WED celebration. The theme as you know is THINK EAT SAVE. That was interesting because right from my childhood I have learnt only not to waste food. It was my parents, and my grand mom who always said that Laxmi (Hindu Goddess of Wealth) lies in food so we should not disgrace her by wasting food. Sometimes, when we had left a considerable quantity of food on the plate because it didn’t tasted that good as always, mom used to scold us by saying that there were many people around who are lying hungry. Gradually, when we grew up and experienced lives out of our mom-shielded homes, we have started realizing the facts of hunger, starvation and inequality in food distribution. Again, it was Rathaya Yella sir, who in our college days, always told us about the pain of a farmer in producing a single grain of rice; which was an another teaching on reducing food wastage! With all these background and hailing from a lower middle class family, the theme obviously was a matter of interest.

What I am going to write here is not particularly about the celebration of world environment day, but about how we feel about the theme. With deep pain, I have noticed that some people along with one of our state ministry of Assam celebrated it in some posh locations, far away from people, far away from the needy. Those celebrations, ornamented with high quality food that too in abundant quantity is nothing but a mockery to the theme itself. At the time when such celebrations were laden with intellectual lectures on saving food and reducing hunger, there may have been lots of hungry people outside searching for food! So, what is the use of such lectures which does not have any action in reality? May be that is the case with many such events across the world.
What I am trying to say is that in most of the issues, we just concentrate on speaking, not on action. On issues particularly like this, action should be more than the words. Our parents may not have any recognition for being intellectuals, but what they have taught us in our childhood is relevant not only to the home but to the world as well. Now when I look back to my parent’s advice, I find that there may not be goddess Laxmi in the food as appeared to a science believer like me, but those were the keys for a better future. But as we have ignored those golden sayings, sufferings have begun. Another interesting fact about those old goodies was that my grand parents and their fore parents believed in keeping food for the birds and animals, for the hungry who may come in suddenly; a thought that is of high environmental importance now a days. So that is the fact, what we celebrate and focus as environmental concern and environmental activism, was there in our parents and their fore fathers in a much more inherent way; but they never boasted about it, nor there was any public recognition!
So, before making artificial and so called intellectuality laden celebration on food conservation, we must stick to the basics of our lives; reducing food wastage at home and workplace, saving food for ourselves and for the others lying hungry in and around us and making an honest and sincere effort on our part. Unless we do that, nothing is going to save our food, wherever we celebrate, whatever we celebrate and whoever we heard of!
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The importance of an Environment Officer in the industry is now well understood. Many students who complete their MSc in Environmental Sciences look for a career in the industry however they are often lacking in certain aspects. To address this problem and to help the newly passed out MSc students in this aspect, VSI is organizing a 5 day training program on "Industrial Pollution Control and Environmental Management". The course will cover the following broad areas 1. Important criteria for selection and designing of ETP 2. Characterization and sampling 3. Methods of treatment including aerobic, anaerobic and residuals handling 4. Civil, electrical and mechanical components of ETP 5. ETP Operation and maintenance 6. Air pollution control devices, air monitoring equipment and their operation 7. Solid and hazardous waste management 8. Industrial safety 9. Procedures of CPCB/SPCB's- consent, ESR, HWR, cess returns 10. Environmental clearance- procedures and documentation 11. Green belt development

 

The course will be conducted during June 24-28, 2013 at the Manjari campus of VSI and will be limited to 25 participants only and will be on a first come first served basis. The trainees will be given a certificate of participation at the end of the course.

The fees for the training will be Rs. 4000/- per participant which will include course material, accommodation at VSI hostel and meals for the duration of the course.

For more information regarding the department http://www.vsisugar.com/india/environmentalsciences/index.htm

For information regarding the departments training experience http://www.vsisugar.com/india/environmentalsciences/training-programmes.htm

Contact

Dr. Deepali Nimbalkar

Scientist and Head

Department of Environmental Sciences

Vasantdada Sugar Institute

Manjari Bk. Tal. Haveli

Pune 412307 INDIA

Tel: +91 20 26902343 Fax: +91 20 26902244

Email: ds.nimbalkar@vsisugar.org.in

Website: www.vsisugar.com

 

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CSE’s short-term EIA training programme UNDERSTANDING EIA: FROM SCREENING TO DECISION MAKING

decision_making.jpg

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool to inform deci sion-makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible environmental, social and economic costs of the proposed project. To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.

There is a genuine need to develop the capacity of the state-level regulators and state level expert appraisal Committee (SEAC) to screen and scope the EIA process, to conduct transparent public consultations and to evaluate the EIA
reports, especially after the new EIA notification. At the same time, there is a need among CBO, NGOs, academicians, and environment managers to review and interpret EIA report, as they are technical in nature.

Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on five-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on EIA with specific reference to coal based power plant, cement, pharmaceutical, mining and others.

After the programme, the participants shall have:

1. Exposure to all aspects of EIA, from its theory to the practical – such as better understanding regarding

  • What data is required, how this data should be collected and interpreted,and significance of the data

  • Effectiveness of the assessment methods

  • What issues should be addressed in the Terms of Reference (TOR)

  • Tools and thumb rules available to evaluate the environmental impact of projects

2. Better understanding of the EIA process – from screening, scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultation

3. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of the industrial and developmental projects

4. Better ability to review EIA reports and identify its strengths and weaknesses

5. Increased ability to play active role in post-EIA monitoring

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: 22-26 July, 2013

Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily

Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For developers, environment consultants and regulators) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: July 15, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

OPEN FOR:
NGOs, Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, state environment impact assessment authority, Environment Consultants, Students, decision makers and Industries

COURSE CONTACT
Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org

Read more…

CSE’s short-term training programme on HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

hazardous_waste.jpg

With industrialization and development, there is a growing concern over the hazardous waste generation. The levels of dangerous wastes continue to grow. Industries and individuals continue to be largely unaware of this major environmental problem. With pitiable landfill management facilities there is a growing concern over the management of hazardous waste.

Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on three-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on hazardous waste with specific reference to characterization of hazardous waste, design of landfill, incinerator facilities and hazardous waste
manangement.

The programme will cover:

  1. Exposure to the status of hazardous waste in India
  2. Characterisation, recycle and reuse of hazardous waste
  3. Understanding of hazardous waste management governing laws in the country
  4. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of hazardous waste
  5. Design of a landfill site, incineration and best practices involved
  6. Good practices involved in the management of hazardous waste
  7. National and international best practices

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: June 24-28, 2013

Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily

Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For industry, environment consultants and regulators) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: June 20, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

OPEN FOR:
NGOs, Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority), Environment Consultants, Students, Decision Makers and Industries

A certificate of participation will be awarded to all at the end of the programme.

COURSE CONTACT

Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org

Read more…

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IGBC has recently launched the pilot version of IGBC Green Existing Buildings - O & M rating.

This is the first rating system of its kind in India to address sustainability in existing buildings, viz. corporate offices, admin blocks, hotels, hospitals, educational institutions, airports, etc.

The overarching objective of this rating tool is to facilitate building owners & facility managers in implementation of green strategies, measure their impacts and sustain the performance in the long run. The thrust is on implementation and results achieved.
 
Some of the unique features of IGBC Green Existing Buildings O&M rating system are as follows:-
  • Minimal documentation with more of evidence like photos and calculations
  • Applicable for both air-conditioned and non-air conditioned buildings
  • Reference with the local and national standards & codes like: NBC, ECBC, BEE, Uniform Plumbing Code - For India, MoEF Guidelines and several others
  • Applicable for building types in all 5 climatic zones
  • Exclusive module on 'Health and Comfort' to address health and well-being of the occupants
 
Benefits Envisaged

The building will continue to be excellent in operations, achieve savings in energy & water to an extent of 20-40%, offer better indoor air quality, manage waste in an efficient manner and put a system in place to efficiently manage the building.

You would be pleased to know that IGBC has now started accepting pilot project registrations under IGBC Green EB – O&M rating system.

By participating in the pilot programme, you can show leadership in future improvements and evolution of the rating programme.

For additional details please follow the link  

http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/testigbc.jsp?desc=398602&event=398600

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Energy from waste food

I am looking for a organisation which can help me set up a electricity generation plant from waste food. 

Digester capacity should be of 1000kg of food waste and plant should generate atleast 100-150 unit/day.

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Plastic waste recycling

    Dear Team

    I looking a best suitable way for recycling/disposing plastic waste , mainly from by near areas.

  ( low micron plastic waste , from communities and household areas).

     Could you please share me suitable technology available in chennai.

  by

Rajesh

Mobile : 9445114468

( nature_rajesh@yahoo.co.in)

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Eco-friendly gifts & souveniors

Dear Team,

 Could you please share the list of companies/organization dealing with the following products in mainly in chennai, south India

 1. Eco-friendly products mainly made from recycle products .

( It may be any products like any pen, stationery , any products

 2. Organic bags ( an alternative for plastic bags ) .

  Thank you

  Regards

  Rajesh Kumar .N

  nature_rajesh@yahoo.com

  Mobile : 9445114468

 

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Social innovation has been hard at work, devising and applying creative ideas to solve development issues.

 

Enterprises like Businesses like Claro Energy are using solar panels to power tube wells. Similarly, businesses like Barefoot Power are lighting up huts with solar lamps and enabling children to complete their homework while the likes of Avani Bio Energy are creating energy out of pine needles.

 

In this elite company are also other inspired Indian startups that cater to low-income communities like Indian Wildlife Club, Drishti Eyecare, Daily Dump and Grow Trees - all a part of the growing Ennovent Network.

 

This world environment day, let’s all get together and discuss this:

 

How can private enterprise promote renewable energy practices?

Ennovent and Sankalp Forum come together to host a tweetchat. Discussions will collaboratively discover:

-Innovative renewable practices that participants have encountered

-The customer-side challenges that are holding innovative social enterprises from reaching scale

-What we can all do at an individual level to introduce renewable practices in our day to day lives

 

Details of the TweetChat:

When: June 5, 2013, 2PM – 3PM IST

Wherehttp://tweetchat.com/room/1earth

How a Twitter chat works:

You can join the Twitter chat anytime using your Twitter account. If you aren’t on Twitter yet, visit twitter.com to sign up. Registration is quick and free.

 

Here are a few simple steps to join the conversation:

-  Visit TweetChat at www.tweetchat.com

-  Click on “sign in,” and enter your Twitter account name and password. Authorize TweetChat by clicking on “authorize app” when prompted

-  In the box marked “enter hashtag to follow,” type #1earth

-  Click “Go” and join the conversation!

 

We look forward to seeing you at the Twitter Chat! Once the chat is over, you can also consider joining the Ennovent Network – a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and experts that collaboratively aim to accelerate innovations for sustainability in low-income markets.

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The importance of an Environment Officer in the industry is now well understood. Many students who complete their MSc in Environmental Sciences look for a career in the industry however they are often lacking in certain aspects. To address this problem and to help the newly passed out MSc students in this aspect, Vasantdada Sugar Institute is organizing a 5 day training program on "Industrial Pollution Control and Environmental Management". The course will cover the following broad areas 1. Important criteria for selection and designing of ETP 2. Characterization and sampling 3. Methods of treatment including aerobic, anaerobic and residuals handling 4. Civil, electrical and mechanical components of ETP 5. ETP Operation and maintenance 6. Air pollution control devices, air monitoring equipment and their operation 7. Solid and hazardous waste management 8. Industrial safety 9. Procedures of CPCB/SPCB's- consent, ESR, HWR, cess returns 10. Environmental clearance- procedures and documentation 11. Green belt development

 

The course will be conducted during June 24-28, 2013 at the Manjari campus of VSI and will be limited to 25 participants only. The trainees will be given a certificate of participation at the end of the course. The fees for the training will be Rs. 4000/- per participant which will include course material, accommodation at VSI hostel and meals for the duration of the course.

Kindly circulate this information amongst your students. Please feel free to get in touch with me in case of any query.

 

Dr. Deepali Nimbalkar

Scientist and Head

Department of Environmental Sciences

Vasantdada Sugar Institute

Manjari Bk. Tal. Haveli

Pune 412307 INDIA

Tel: +91 20 26902343 Fax: +91 20 26902244

Email: ds.nimbalkar@vsisugar.org.in

Website: www.vsisugar.com

Read more…