Archive for February, 2009

The first Delhi University Green Youth Summit Prakriti, the Environment Society of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC), University of Delhi and Delhi Greens cordially invite your College's environment, ecology, nature, wildlife and sustainable development societies and clubs to the 1st ever Delhi University Green Youth Summit. The summit shall strive to unleash the green power of the youth of the University of Delhi.... Full story

“Slum Dog Millionaire” sweeps eight Oscars accepting and recreating the genera of Hindi Films for an English speaking global audience. In his second acceptance speech(for Jai Ho!) Rahman said to a rapt audience “The essence of the film is about optimism and the power of hope. All ... Full story

Delhi Bird is organizing the Big Bird Day on Feb 22nd, 2009 (Sunday). Big Bird Day is an annual event of one of the most active bird watching community in the country. It’s the day when we celebrate the rich birdlife that enlivens our city and the surrounding areas while simultaneously spreading a conservation message. Full story

There is a bridge in Lodhi Gardens and there is a plaque that declares that this bridge was constructed in 1556 by Akbar’s minister over a tributary of Yamuna river that used to flow from here toward what is now known as South Delhi. The river since has changed its course and there is no water under the bridge. This is a typical example ... Full story

All college and university level Eco-Clubs from Delhi to participate in a first of its kind Eco-Clubs Unite - being called for by the School of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi (SES, DU). The idea of GAIA 2009: a two day festival aiming to bring together all eco-clubs from colleges and universities across Delhi in order ... Full story

We had a hail storm yesterday, caused by something called ‘Western Disturbance’. There was very loud and very frightening thunder and lightening. Very strong wind that were blowing since 9.30 -10 pm and then the rain started around 3 am and lasted till almost 5 am. This is an annual event that happens around mid February once a year. If it is cold enough and ... Full story

United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) announces 2009-2010 Fulbright-Nehru Environmental Leadership Program (FNELP) fellowships and invites applications from interested mid-level Indian environment professionals in public/private sector or non-governmental organizations. The purpose of the FNELP Program will combine short-term practical training/internship with opportunities for networking with American counterpart organizations. Selected fellows will be placed at US environmental ... Full story

ox•y•mo•ron n. A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. For example: deafening silence, mournful optimist, blank copy. Some “experts” would want to add the phrase sustainable development to the above list of examples. Such critics of the concept of sustainable development also suggest that it should instead be termed as “sustainable de-growth”, since they believe that environment and development (or growth) are antithetical to each other; that is, environment degradation is the price that needs to be paid if development is to be achieved. Deteriorating environment is often linked with increasing economic activity, requiring deforestation, energy consumption etc. “Development” is usually held responsible for environmental damage, while environmentalists are accused of being “anti-development”! Even a popular economic concept, such as the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” suggests that environment degradation increases, with an initial rise in per-capita income, and later decreases with further development. However, to view environment and development as antagonistic terms is to have a very narrow viewpoint. Once the perspective is broadened, development and environment can be seen as complementing each other. Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. In other words, development that meets the needs of current generation without compromising the needs of future generations is termed as sustainable development (as defined by the Brundtland Commission). Thus, when development is viewed in terms of “quality of life” and not mere “numbers”, the complementarity between environment and development comes to the fore. To refute the notion that environment degradation is a necessary condition for growth and development, I suggest two propositions, which assert that environment and development can, and should exist simultaneously. Firstly, development can help conserve environment. Thus, both growth and environment conservation can be achieved together. Constructive intervention can help enhance the quality of environment; and development facilitates constructive intervention. Thus, development can not be provided as Full story

Seeking Divine Intervention In a Global Crisis An International Conference on "Combating Challenges of Climate Change" was organised by the SEW (Scientific and Engineering Wing) of Prajapati Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya: an International organisation working towards global peace and harmony through spiritualismconcluded today at the Vigyan Bhavan. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. Mr. Sibal began his address to the gathering by highlighting the direct link between the present economic crisis and global warming. The critical issue of climate change cannot be tackled without taking economic crisis into the consideration. He also talked about global food crisis as one of the major impacts of climate change.   He further stated that though we need to change our lifestyle, we should also accept that no one is really ready to change at the same time. The solution thus lies in Science and Technology which alone can allow people to live the life they want in a sustainable manner, by ensuring the incorporation of  green technologies. He also addressed the solar energy capacity and the agricultural waste to energy capacity of the India and the key role these can play in mitigating climate change. He emphasized the implementation of low cost solutions in our villages and the need to investigate and come up with community based solutions thus ensuring civil society is empowered to combat climate change. Other issues like polluters pays principle, promoting public transport, carbon sequestration, waste to energy approach were also highlighted in the fight against climate change. Mr. Sibal also pointed out that one fifth of the world's population consumes four fifth of the resources" thus indicating an urgent need towards ensuring equity. Full story

GERES (Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités), a recognised international French NGO, in partnership with the European Union, GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency), and Fondation Ensemble, is organising a Regional Seminar on the Challenge of Development in Energy-Related Projects and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Cold Regions of Asia to be held from April 21th to 24th 2009 in Leh, India. The objectives of this seminar are: to share strategies, expertise and field experience on energy and climate change issues; to formulate a series of concrete recommendations in terms of policy and methodology; to initiate a community of practice among the key players of the Region Click here to Download the official brochure Further information can be found at : http://india.geres.eu/seminar.php Summary and Motivation Populations of high altitude mountains and cold desert areas of Asia face very harsh living conditions and are among the most vulnerable in the world. Physically isolated, marginalised, with limited access to natural resources, an important number of people still rely on traditional energy resources -mainly biomass- that sometimes lead to the deterioration of this fragile environment. Full story