The Green Blog

'Mountains' of e-waste threaten developing world

2010-02-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8528066.stm

http://blogs.zdnet.com/green/?p=10353

E-waste report by UNEP

Bangalore - Tanker water all the way

2010-02-21T19:29:00.000-08:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tanker-water-all-the-way/articleshow/5601217.cms

Mumbai faces its worst water crisis

2010-02-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/19/mumbai-faces-its-worst-water-crisis.htm

Algae: Maybe Not the Miracle Biofuel We All Thought It Was !

2010-01-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/algae-maybe-not-miracle-biofuel-we-all-thought-it-was

The year in Energy

2010-01-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24280/page2/

Courtesy: Technology Review

The seat of power

2010-01-01T08:02:00.000-08:00

Better sewage treatment is the latest thing in clean energy

http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15172621&fsrc=rss

courtesy: economist

Sun-Assisted Desalination

2009-12-19T11:17:00.001-08:00

Click below to read the article:

Sun-Assisted Desalination
Energy-saving process uses free heat to desalinate seawater.
By Tyler Hamilton

If clicking on the title above does not work, paste the link below into your web browser:
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24237/

Singapore Guide to Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

2009-12-19T10:37:00.001-08:00

Singapore Guide to Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

Posted using ShareThis

How Nokia and TES-AMM Recycles Old Mobile Phones

2009-12-19T09:58:00.001-08:00

How Nokia and TES-AMM Recycles Old Mobile Phones

Posted using ShareThis

Twitter - test

2009-12-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

This a test to see the auto update on twitter :)

Tata unveils low cost drinking water purifier for masses!

2009-12-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.livemint.com/2009/12/07233634/Tata-launches-water-purifier-f.html?h=A1

Government Tightens pollution norms for industry

2009-11-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

http://www.livemint.com/2009/11/18234032/Govt-tightens-pollution-norms.html?h=A1

India targets 1,000mw solar power in 2013

2009-11-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-targets-1000mw-solar-power-in-2013/articleshow/5240907.cms

Gaza thirsts as sewage crisis mounts

2009-10-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8327146.stm

Are Biofuels carbon neutral?

2009-08-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

I always wondered how can biofuels be carbon neutral while they emit CO2 just like non-renewable sources when they are burnt. I finally found an answer when reading a book on renewable energy today.

The concept is that biofuels come from biomass or plants which grow by accumulating resources from soil, CO2 from the atmosphere and sunlight from the sun. So what ever the quantity of CO2 emitted by burning biomass is just the CO2 that it has accumulated during its life time. Hence, by replanting the crops or trees at the same time when they are being burnt, we are just balancing the intake and emission. Thus Biofuels are cabon neutral = a green renewable resource.

An Amazing feat!

2009-07-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

Riding Solo to the Top of the World.

hatsoff to Gaurav Jani for his sheer determination and will to embark on such an adventure.

UNEP report claims green investments 'are a legal responsibility'

2009-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

courtesy: IWA

Green investments are no longer just a luxury, but are now a legal responsibility, according to a new report by theUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and a powerful group of asset managers who control some $2 trillion in assets.

The 120-page publication argues that if investment consultants and others do not incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into their services, they face ‘a very real risk that they will be sued for negligence’.

It also stressed the central role that the world’s largest institutional investors – including pensions funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and mutual funds – have in easing the transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient green economy.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: ‘ESG issues are not peripheral but should be part of mainstream investment decisions-making processes across the industry.’

He also noted that creative market mechanisms and other incentives can help to ensure that as investors return to markets after the current financial turmoil ends, they will put their funds into a greener economy and not the ‘brown economy of yesterday’.

The new report, titled ‘Fiduciary responsibility: legal and practical aspects of integrating environmental, social and governance issues into institutional investment’, was produced by the Asset Management Working Group of the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), a partnership between the agency and nearly 200 financial institutions around the world.
Lis Stedman

Australia town bans bottled water

2009-07-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

A rural town in Australia has voted overwhelmingly to ban the sale of bottled water over concerns about its environmental impact.
Campaigners say Bundanoon, in New South Wales, may be the first community in the world to have such a ban.
They say huge amounts of resources are used to extract, package and transport bottled water.
The discarded plastic bottles then end up as litter or go into landfill sites, the "Bundy on Tap" campaign says.
More than 350 residents turned out to vote at the public meeting in the town hall.
Only one resident voted against the ban, along with a representative from the bottled water industry, ABC news reported.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says locals have promised not to set upon visitors if they ignore the ban, but they will be encouraged to fill a reusable container from water fountains in the main street.
The reusable bottles will bear the slogan "Bundy on Tap".
Campaigner John Dee said local opinion had been incensed when a drinks company announced plans to tap an underground reservoir in the town.
Environmental impact
"The company has been looking to extract water locally, bottle it in Sydney and bring it back here to sell it," he said.
"It made people look at the environmental impact of bottled water and the community has been quite vocal about it."
The ban has been supported by shopkeepers in the town, which has a population of about 2,500.
"We believe Bundanoon is the world's first town that has got its retailers to ban bottled water," said Mr Dee. "We haven't found it anywhere else."
New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees has backed the cause, ordering government departments to stop buying bottled water and use tap water instead.
Mr Rees says it will save taxpayers money and help the environment.
courtesy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8141569.stm

Good time to start harnessing power from solar

2009-06-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Year by year mercury in India is rising and it seems as if there is no way it is going to reverse in coming years. Rivers are drying up with delayed monsoons and increasing temperatures thus putting stress on hydroelectricity. The only way to take advantage of this soaring temperature is to plan for large scale or house hold level solar based power harnessing and thus mitigating the power scarcity or crisis as mentioned below.

India heat wave sparks protests

Protests are growing in Delhi over power cuts as the Indian capital remains in the grip of a heat wave.
The government of the northern state of Punjab has announced that its offices will shut early as it also attempts to deal with a similar power crisis.
In Delhi, police have been called to break up demonstrations outside the offices of electricity companies.
Hundreds of people turned up at the house of a state minister demanding a solution to the problem.
As residents wait for this year's delayed monsoon, it is getting hotter and hotter and the disruptions to power supplies are getting bigger and bigger.
'Grim'
Most of the residents at the protests are without power for between six to 10 hours a day.
With temperatures in the mid-40s, there is an increasing demand for electricity as everyone tries to cool down.
The system here is unable to cope.
Some people are now sleeping in their air-conditioned cars.
The Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, has described the situation as grim.
This city will host the Commonwealth Games next year and some say the current crisis shows that it is not ready.
The chief minister has dismissed those fears, saying two power plants are being constructed for the games.
This year's delayed monsoon is slowly moving across India. The people of Delhi are praying it gets here soon.
courtesy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8123012.stm

Interesting stats on bottled water industry in India

2009-06-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

As India lacks an efficient and safe potable water supply, its urban population is increasingly depending on bottled water to quench their thirst. Bottled water is going to be a huge and crucial industry in the future. For those of you who are interested in venturing into this industry, these are some interesting stats to know as a start.

http://www.rediff.com/business/report/2009/jun/12/bottled-water-plants-consume-7-point-03-mn-cubic-m-of-water.htm

Over seven million cubic m of water is consumed by 1,952 licenced mineral and packaged drinking water plants in the country annually.
According to figures available with the Central Ground Water Board, while 1,940 licences have been issued in the country for packaged drinking water, only 12 of them have been issued for bottling of mineral water.
Andhra Pradesh -- with 471 licences to manufacture packaged drinking water -- leads the tally, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Himachal Pradesh, famous for its natural springs, has eight licences for bottling mineral water. Incidentally, it has the least number of packaged drinking water licences -- seven -- in the country.

Tamil Nadu comes second with 447, followed by Gujarat with 179 licences. Gujarat also has one mineral water bottling licence.

According to data collected by the Central Ground Water Board from state governments, the quantum of ground water used by the plants is around 7.03 million cubic m per annum.

Water cess is levied and collected by state pollution control boards for prevention and control of water pollution.

Differential rates of cess are collected depending upon the use of
water.
courtesy: http://www.rediff.com/

Singapore water makes global waves!

2009-06-11T23:35:00.000-07:00

.....Continuation to the previous post

A BBC article on Singapore's water story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7371463.stm

Singapore International Water Week 2009

2009-05-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

SIWW is an annual international event hosted by singapore and attracts delegates, companies and organisations from all over the world. With its innovative and effective urban water management capability, Singapore was able to turn what was once its crisis into competence.
Through this event Singapore aims to realise its goal of becoming a global waterhub.

When: June 22 -26, 2009
Where: Suntec Singapore, International Exhibition and convention center

Go to the website for more details.
http://www.siww.com.sg/

Is electric car a sustainable solution?

2009-05-09T23:30:00.001-07:00

The quest for green cars has led to the idea of electric cars. Everyone is betting big on it as the direct carbon emissions from the electric car is zero. But, when it is seen from a whole system point of view it doesn’t seem to be greener solution than the fossil fuel based cars.

An all-electric car runs on batteries charged at one of the power outlets which source from conventional power generation plants. Major portion of the power generated in the world comes from coal based thermal power plants or other fossil fuel based generators, which are the biggest greenhouse gas producers. Also, a centralized power generation is an inefficient system with losses accounting to around 75% during generation and transmission (as shown in figure below). In a fossil fuel based car, energy is utilized where it is produced and more efficient than centralized power generation. Thus, indirectly an all-electric car is a greater green-house gas producer than a conventional car running on fossil fuel. Global warming is a global phenomenon rather than local. Though we will be able to shift the pollution to the outskirts or away from the urban areas, it is going to become worse globally and will hit back as climate change. We are able to minimize the effect at one part but we are aggravating it at another.

Source: http://www.cfcl.com.au/Assets/Images/Energy-Distribution(72dpi).jpg

Also, batteries used in these cars are derived from lithium ion and have very short life. More batteries mean more generation of waste, and more usage of resources. What we are lacking when creating a new product is - looking through the whole system. There is need for estimation of its whole life cycle right from where all its resources come from and where it will end up at the end of its life.

Unless, most of the power is derived from renewable sources I don’t think an electric car is a sustainable solution.

More sources for your light reading:
http://www.dieselnet.com/news/2006/04cnw.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/business/global/02electric.html?_r=1
http://economistonline.blogspot.com/2009/04/chinas-electric-car-ambition.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/427272/1/.html

Greatest Technological Challenges of the 21st century

2008-02-18T07:56:00.001-08:00

National Academy of Engineering has announced a list of 14 engineering challenges in the 21^st century chose by the expert committee individuals, who have contributed to the world through their technological innovations and leadership.

List of 14 greatest engineering challenges of the 21^st century:

Make solar energy affordable
Provide energy from fusion
Develop carbon sequestration
Manage the nitrogen cycle
Provide access to clean water
Reverse engineer the brain
Prevent nuclear terror
Secure cyberspace
Enhance virtual reality
Improve urban infrastructure
Advance health informatics
Engineer better medicines
Advance personalised learning
Explore natural frontiers

Interesting thing to note is that 9 out of 14 in the list are directly related to preserving our environment. The main objective behind creating this list is to emphasize on the fields to invest on research to achieve sustainability and to preserve life in this world. So, you can say that 21^st century is the century for the GREEN revolution.

Sources:

http://www.physorg.com/news122357469.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215151157.htm

Aquaduct: Mobile Filtration Vehicle

2008-01-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

This is an innovation which might help the poor in developing countries to meet their drinking water necessities. In most of the rural areas in developing countries like India, Africa etc,.. people (women especially) spend most of their time in a day traveling long distances to fetch drinking water. Also, bicycle is one of the chief modes of transport in rural areas and hence this idea is promising. Though the exact model shown here may not be affordable by the needy people, a modified and cheaper version will certainly do. This will atleast act as fuel for thinking in those directions.

One Lakh Rupee car (People’s Car) : India’s boon or bane ?

2008-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

The much talked about and the much awaited india’s dream car, the one lakh rupee car will be unveiled by Tatas during an auto Expo in Delhi on January 9^th 2008 (http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tatas-to-unveil-rs-one-lakh-car-in-auto-expo/54915-25.html). What does this mean to different parties?

to Tata motors: It is going to increase their existing car market share. It could tap the low income group market, which is untapped by any car maker.

to the people of India and its ecomomy: Once this car is on the road then almost every household can afford to have their own family car. Considering the oil price touching $100 a barrel on the New Year’s eve – its going to lead to inflation indirectly. India imports most of the oil from other countries and provides it at a highly subsidized rate, which costs the treasury hundreds of billions of rupees every year. India was a favorite destination to all the MNCs who wanted to setup a shop here and because of which there was the ecomomy boom and middle class affordability to buy cars, which lead to heavy congestion on roads. In a largest democratic country, building new or improving the existing infrastructure is a slow process and hence at present sate the whole process seems to have reached a saturation state. This is leading more and more companies to choose other developing nations as their destinations. And, the cheaper car is just going to make this situation worse.

to the environment: Making a car that cheap doesn’t come with out any major limitations. They have to cut down on all those costly parts, which reduce emissions to the environment. Though, there is an opinion that this is just a start and as the time advances there will be advancement of technology and reduction in cost, which will help to build a safer and complete car for this price in the future. Considering the statistics this opinion doesn’t make much sense. Suppose that we can get the technology to reduce the present emissions per car by half. But then, we are going to add more and more cars on the road and the emissions equation doesn’t balance, it simply increases. (Unless you develop a hydrogen fuel based car, for which to be built at this cost will at least take a few decades).

The intial claims or leaks about the car seems to be very favourable (25 km per liter petrol, eco-friendly car meeting all the international emission standards) http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/12/19/tata-budget-car-markets-equity-cx_rd_1219markets03.html. Anyway let’s wait for 3 more days ( the clock is ticking…) and see how it is going to impact.

Reason behind TOYOTA outwitting GM in car sales. (my thought)

2007-04-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

I read about TOYOTA overtaking GM in car sales in the news published by many newspapers yesterday. And I noticed that all the top people in GM were saying that the reason for GM losing it to its competitor is because of its poor marketing strategy and thus failing to sell to its consumers especially Americans. Yes, I agree strongly that GM failed in marketing and production strategy and that is GM’s lack of green thinking in its production and marketing strategy.

TOYOTA came up with green cars like the Hybrid Car, which is more durable, fuel efficient etc and became a big success all over the world, especially in America. GM was making cars which made people very happy until early nineties when no one was bothering about gas price, energy security and climate change. Now a days people are more aware and are concerned about the environment and energy security issues. TOYOTA acted early by realizing what people needed or wanting to have in late nineties and came up with this novel idea of Hybrid car, which adopts the hybrid engine model. (The hybrid engine switches to electric mode when the battery is fully charged and when the battery is weak, it runs on gas while charging the battery and thus saving a significant % of fuel usage). While GM went on producing the gas-guzzlers, light trucks etc to make early money and pull out of its financial difficulties rather than focusing on the impending energy and climate change problems in the future.

As the author of Natural capitalism, Amory Lovins puts it - The 21^st century is the century of businesses which care about environment and sustainability, and which is very true in this case. When it was first published, not many cared about it ….. and now every one is seeing the results for themselves.

So ‘Go Green’ to succeed in this fast changing 21^st century world and to outwit your competitors J.

few more sources FYI :

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4039110a30.html

http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/04/24/toyota-general-motors-markets-equity-cx_vk_0424markets05.html

India Glittering :)

2007-04-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

Beautiful picture of India taken from the space shows the mighty nation glowing bright in the night.

Australia to ban incandescent bulbs in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

2007-02-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Australia is going to be the first country in the world to ban the incandescent bulbs and replace it with the fluorescent bulbs in a bid to curb the greenhouse gas emissions. The environment minister Malcolm Turnbull said that australia is making a legislation such that incandescent bulbs will be totally phased out of the market by 2009.

Incandescent bulb works on the principle that when current passes through the filament the electrons in the filament gets excited, which then emit the energy in form of photons of light to come to the ground state. However, major portion of the energy is wasted in the form of heat and thus resulting in a loss of energy.

Since major production of electricity in australia is based on the thermal power which rely on coal this move will reduce a portion of the greenhouse gases. Though this alone cannot reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by singnificant portions required, the minister says that this is one of the basic steps were public can involve directly.

Now, speaking in the perspective of county like india, whose economy is booming right now and is facing a sudden surge in the energy demand, a move of this kind will really be beneficial. As more than 95% population uses incandescent bulbs, a ban on them could really ease the energy demand to a significant level. However, the economic status of major sect of polpulation is in a situation, where they cannot afford to buy the flourescent lamps, which costs around 5 times more than the incandescent. Few solutions can be like 1) to educate people about the money they are going to save on the electricity bills in the future during the bulbs life time. 2) reduce the cost of the fluorescent bulbs in the market by subsidizing etc,. can help in achieving the target in a few years.

courtesy: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17233145/

Virgin Earth challenge

2007-02-15T00:54:00.000-08:00

The 'Virgin' brand, which is famous for its extra-ordinary ventures and for its highly energetic and adventurous founder has announced a $25 million challenge on friday 9th february 2007 to come up with an idea to reduce the anthropogenic green house gases.

click here to enter the contest: http://www.virginearth.com/

Here is a chance for you to become a millionaire overnite.

Gud luck :-)

courtesy: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_southwest_brit/2007/02/heres_a_contest.html

Environmental information Center for India

2007-01-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Environmental data is very crucial for EIA studies, and its a pain to secure all the data and information by oneself. Many projects get delayed or teminated because of the lack of proper data. To make the process easier and to expedite the project clearance, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt of India made an initiative

Environmental Information Center (EIC)

http://www.eicinformation.org/default.asp

this is what the site says:

Environmental Information Centre (EIC) has been setup by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), India as a professionally managed clearinghouse of Environmental Information on the Indian sub-continent. EIC provides comprehensive, easy-to-use environmental data on India and information on the environmental clearance process and environment regulations in India. The integrated environmental database on India is derived using the Geographical Information System (GIS) and includes pollution data. It eases the preparation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) to expedite the environment clearance process.

Mission of EIC :
To provide high quality environmental data and information on India in a timely and cost-effective manner, to improve Environmental Studies, project screening & scoping, and the decision-making process.

2007 will be the hottest year on record

2007-01-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

The annual projection by the UK Met office's Hadley Centre, in conjunction with the University of East Anglia has forecasted that 2007 is going to be the hottest year on record.

to known more about this, follow this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6228765.stm

coutesy: BBC NEWS

An ultimate resource for Environmental Science & Technology

2006-12-22T00:12:00.000-08:00

The Environmental Science and Technology online (ES&T).
http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag/index.html

provides latest developments and news in the field of Environmental Science and Technology.
The site also provides a database of links for lot of environental resources, careers and funding websites. Overall it is an excellent resource for any individual related to environmental field.

cheers !!!

A Green initiative in India

2006-12-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

An excellent Green initiative taken in India

http://www.greenbusinesscentre.com/

About this blog.......

2006-12-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

I am a student of Environmental science and Engineering and an avid surfer. I keep going through many news sites every hour and I find lot of interesting news from all over the world. So, I thought I should write a blog, which will help me to share all the interesting and useful stuff I come across.

I will promise you with good interesting news related to our environment in my future blogs. So Come back again.

Thank you for visiting my blog. :)

cheers,
leela