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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/

would like to work as freelancer in related fields (air pollution, noise pollution etc). contact mail ID bindupeethu@gmail.com

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???

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.

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

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

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

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

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

please if any one is  interested lucknow as SWM(HW) FAE or

AFAE. let me  know its urgent

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 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

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.

 Dear All

Could you please share your experience/success stories for conducting environment awareness programme  and actiivtes for school children.

 we are looking for games/fun events

 Thanks for sharing

 By rajesh

 Mobile : 9445114468

( nature_rajesh@gmail.com)

    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)

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

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

Where: http://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.

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

वृक्षों को देवता कहा जाता है। देवता अर्थात जो निरंतर प्रदान करें। वृक्ष हमें सतत लाभान्वित करते रहते हैं और उनमें दैवीय गुणों का वास रहा है इसलिए उन्हें देव की उपाधि दी गई है। ऋग्वेद कहता है कि उष्मा, ऊर्जा तथा मेघ से वृक्ष फलित होते हैं तथा अपने पास की समस्त चीजों को मनुष्य तथा पर्यावरण के लिए समर्पित कर देते हैं।
ऋग्वेद (7/4/5) में कहा गया है कि औषधियों, वृक्ष तथा भूमि में अपने अंदर ही शक्तियों का अनंत भंडार भरा पड़ा होता है जो कभी समाप्त होने वाला नहीं होता- ‘तमोषधीश्च वनिनश्च गर्भं भूमिश्च विश्वधायसं बिभर्ति।’ यजुर्वेद के ऋषि ने तो वृक्षों का शत-शत अभिवादन एवं नमन किया है। 
ऋषि कहते हैं कि वृक्षों के बिना जीवन की कल्पना नहीं की जा सकती है, ये हमारे एवं पर्यावरण के लिए अहम कारक हैं। यजुर्वेद (16/16/20) वृक्षों के प्रति अत्यंत आदरभाव दर्शाते हुए कहता है कि अन्नपति खाद्य, बीज, जंगल, वृक्ष, औषधि तथा गुल्म सभी के प्रति अनंत श्रद्धा एवं सम्मान करना चाहिए। 
वृक्षों के प्रति ऐसा आदर होना ही चाहिए। ये हमारे जीवन के अभिन्न अंग हैं। नीम के बाद पीपल का महत्व भी अत्यधिक है। पीपल को फाइकस रिलीजिओसा कहते हैं। अपने देश में धर्मप्रिय जन इसे भगवान विष्णु का प्रतीक मानते हैं। इसे देववृक्ष कहते हैं क्योंकि इसका बहुआयामी महत्व है। गीता में भगवान कृष्ण ने इसे ‘वृक्षाणां अवश्वत्थोहम्’-यानी कि ‘वृक्षों में मैं अश्वत्थ अर्थात पीपल हूं’ कहा है। 
धार्मिक पेड़ों में तुलसी का भी महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। दक्षिण भारत में गुड़ी पड़वा पर्व पर इसकी पूजा की जाती है। मान्यता है कि तुलसी जहां होती है, उसे तीर्थ कहते हैं तथा वहां यम का प्रवेश नहीं होता है-
तुलसीकाननं चैव गृहे यस्यावतिष्ठते।
तद्गृहं तीर्थभूतमाह नायन्ति यमकिंकरा:।।
तुलसी शुद्ध वायु प्रदान करती है तथा घातक कृमि और कीटों को नष्ट करती है। यह हमें दीर्घायु प्रदान करती है। दिन-प्रतिदिन के प्रदूषण से यह हमें निजात दिलाती है। वृक्ष हमारे सखा-सहचर के समान हैं। 
विश्व की अद्वितीय सृष्टि के परिचायक ये वृक्ष फलागम पर झुकने से मानव को विनीत रहने की शिक्षा देते हैं। हम इनसे विनीत एवं विनम्र रहने की शिक्षा ग्रहण कर सकें तो यह वृक्षों के लिए आदर एवं सम्मान का भाव होगा। इन विशेषताओं के कारण वेद में वृक्षों को वनयम् अर्थात वनों का रक्षक कहा गया है और इन्हें काटना पापकर्म माना गया है। उपनिषद का वचन है कि एक वृक्ष को काटने से पूर्व इसके बदले दस वृक्षों का रोपण अवश्य करना चाहिए। इसी सिद्धांत से मानव एवं वृक्षों के बीच संबंध मधुर हो सकता है और जिसमें पर्यावरण का संवद्र्धन एवं संरक्षण भी सन्निहित है।

Om Krishna

omkrishnagrc@gmail.com

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is an important tool to inform decision makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible social and economic impact of a proposed project.

To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders. Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed hands-on three-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on SIA with specific reference to deve lopment projects, such as infrastructure, mining and other industrial projects.

The objective of this programme is to build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, NGOs and academicians to understand SIA process—Reconnaissance and Baseline Survey, Land Acquisition Survey and Plan (LAP) and Preparation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). The programme also aims at evaluating the SIA report along with the applicable legislations in India.

On completion of the programme the participants will be equipped with:

1. Exposure to aspects of SIA, from theory to applications regarding:

• Understanding the Terms of Reference

• Data need, data collection, collation and interpretation

• Development of tools and instruments for conducting SIA survey

• Effective assessment methodologies

• Reporting methodologies

2. Integrated approach for addressing SIA and EIA process - from scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultations

3. Knowledge on review of SIA reports and identification of strengths and weaknesses

4. Post SIA monitoring

5. Procedure for institutional strengthening and capacity building

6. Experience sharing on national and international best practices in SIA

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:
Date: June 3-7, 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: May 29, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

Accomodation can be arranged

OPEN FOR:
Government officials of Project Executing Departments, Developers, NGOs, CBOs, and Academicians, Students 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

A recent report on global atmospheric CO2 level has created a concern among the scientific community associated with global warming and climate change research. The report released by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 9th of this month has stated that the daily average CO2 concentration has surpassed the level of 400 ppm as observed in the Mauna Loa Observatory at Hawaii Islands. As stated by NOAA, such a higher level has been reached for the first time in the last 800,000 years. The same has also been reported by another climate research group ‘Scripps Institute of Oceanography’ who has also added that similar concentration of the green house gas was present during the Pilocene Age, 3-5 million years ago.

The most significant aspect of this finding is that it depicts two important facts; firstly, the possible menace of global warming and associated climate change is on an increasing trend and secondly the global emission reduction is yet a long distance goal. Without a doubt, the continuous and ever increasing burning of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas across the world is the largest contributor towards increased CO2 level. NOAA report also includes that the decadal growth rate of CO2 concentration has risen to 2.1 ppm from a mere 0.7 ppm during the 1950s. Being a green house gas, the elevated level of carbon-di-oxide is necessarily a cause of concern if we talk in terms of global warming. Simultaneously, we can also expect more and more climatic anomalies in terms of altered pattern of rainfall, wind, higher numbers of cyclones, cloud burst, hailstorms, drought, flood etc. Similarly, warming will also have an impact on our sea level through the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps thereby affecting the low lying areas. Such anomalies in the weather pattern are feared to increase the challenge lying ahead of the world community with respect to food security. That is because, the sole food producing activity, agriculture is largely dependant on climate. This is more than a reality for a country like India, where more than seventy percent of the agriculture is rainfed or climate dependant. Not only that, the same will also have a negative impact on allied activities like fish rearing, marine food industries and so on. So, a probable increase of climate change events will directly put a question on the equation of feeding the 7 billion stomach of the world. This particular challenge has made emission reduction a much aspired goal for the global community in this 21st century.
Latest climate negotiations, ranged from Kyoto Protocol, 1997 to the latest Doha agreement, 2012 are the representations of notably failed attempts on the part of the nations towards global CO2 emission reduction in reality. While Kyoto Protocol has failed to bind the countries into a legal agreement towards emission reduction, its success lied in identifying the contribution of industrialized countries towards global warming. On the other hand, the latest Doha conference was also unable to suggest some kind of solid, legally binding solutions to cut off the emission from the countries. It significantly brought out two real facts of the scenario - the developed countries are unwilling to curtail their emission and the developing or under developed countries lack sufficient fund to invest in emission reduction technologies. However, Doha’s success lies in the fact that it opened a ‘gateway’ to investments by the richer countries on poorer ones to reduce the emission.
So, the new report of NOAA will certainly increase the pressure on the global community to achieve a modest reduction in their green house gas emission rate, either individually i.e. country wise or internationally. But, till date all these international climate discussions and negotiations have come under the scanner due to the differences among the countries in terms of their ideologies and policies, be it a political or economic one. However, the latest findings have emphasized one particular point. The point is that we need a global cooperative and cumulative effort to reduce atmospheric CO2 level irrespective of our political and economic ideology, if at all we are interested in keeping the increment of global temperature below 20 Celsius. Other wise, not much time is left for the globe to be a heart-wracked witness of an impending doom symbolized with its degenerated biodiversity, degraded ecological systems, reduced food availability, increased disease incidence and a dead environment.

(Your discussion and Comment in this topic can help us to find out a way to combat the rising CO2 level in our own country. So please spread the discussion and share your views.You can view this post and add your comments on my blog ' GreeningThought @http://greeningthought.wordpress.com/)

As per latest reports from NOAA, daily avaerage of CO2 at Mauna Lowa observatory has crossed 400 ppm, a level that has not been reached in last 800,000 years. This may have a significant impact on global warming and climate change scenario across the world.

An analysis on the topic by myself will be posted soon in the site.

           Environmental degradation has been increasing over the years, causing damage for the maintenance of ecological balance and reducing the life span of mankind. Environmental pollution is faced by all the major urban cities of developing countries like India; it arises due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, transportation, over population and lack of public awareness. Increase in pollution gives rise to severe congestion and respiratory disorders along with other air and water borne ailments. Fossils fuel driven vehicles account for nearly 60-70 per cent pollution in the urban environment in India. In Delhi, the intensity of noise pollution has reached 90 decibels, which is equal to the noise of a flying jet aeroplane. About 300 million tons of pollutants are emitted annually in the air world-wide, of which 10 million tons are contributed by India in the form of particulate CO, SO₂ , NOx etc. Plantation plays an important role in mitigating the environmental pollution and enhances the economic and aesthetic status of the surroundings; the vegetation normally acts as an absorbent of various air pollutants, filtering out dust, soot, smoke and many other fine particulate matters present in the air by the process of absorption, detoxification, accumulation and metabolization. Plants play the most important part in the cycle of nature. Without plants, there could be no life on Earth. They are the primary producers that sustain all other life forms. Plant species like Ficus infectoria, Morus sp. are known for mitigating noise and air pollution, plants such as Eucalyptus, Silver oak are good for arresting the drifting dust and smoke and to cut down noise. Thick and broad foliage plants, like Ficus elastic, are known for their noise absorption capacity. Shrubs likeNeriumindicum, Lantana camara are good accumulator of lead, sulphates and particulate matter. Peepal, Neem and Gular are tolerant to pollutants and to establish green belt, can be planted around factories, industries and at national highways. People’s participation in the forestry and horticultural programmes is the best way to turn huge barren lands into green landscape for improving the present status of the environment.