Archive for 2009

Climate change is ‘authentic’ but the fear of climate change is ‘in-authentic’ and we seem to be stuck in this ‘fear’. Climate change is happening and it will have impacts. The fear and uncertainty about the impacts of climate change is causing resistance to actions on ground, to translate this reality, into doing something about it. Climate change is not a problem, ... Full story

Green Gadgets and Core77 invites all to generate outstanding design innovations for greener electronics. Designers are invited to explore the concept of "Greener Gadgets" to create the greenest blueprint solving issues behind energy, carbon footprint, health and toxicity, product lifestyle or social development. Challenge: All you need to ... Full story

Invitation to Report Launch   Shripad Dharmadhikary of Manthan Adhyayan Kendra will present his study on dam building in the Himalayas: "Mountains of Concrete: Dam Building in the Himalayas". It discusses the linkages between climate change and dam-building in the Himalayas, and comprehensively analyses the impacts of the dam building spree on the region's people, ecosystems, and economy.   A Nyishi tribalfolk house in Arunachal Pradesh -  a state who's hydroelectric potential is being 'exploited' in the name of development.   The meeting will be chaired by Shri Ramaswamy Iyer, former Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Resources, Govt of India. Ratan Bhandari from Water & Energy Users' Federation Nepal will present the impacts of the India-driven hydropower program in Nepal.   Key Speakers: Shri Surya P Sethi (Principal Advisor (Energy), Planning Commission) and Shri Mahesh Rangrajan (University of Delhi).   Date: 12th January 2009 Time:  2.30 pm to 5 pm Venue: India International Centre (Annex), Conference Hall-3 40 Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi 110003, India   "Mountains of Concrete" is published by International Rivers and can be downloaded here. Hard copies will be available at the launch.   After the launch meeting and tea break, please do stay back for the first ever screening of a 33 minute documentary film "Rhymes and Reasons of Confrontation" on the people affected by the proposed 3000 MW Dibang Hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.   For more information and to confirm your participation, please contact: Swarup Bhattacharyya swarup.bhattacharyya@gmail.com.   Selected key findings and questions from the report: Full story

I talked about IPCC's contribution in converting the fear of failure of cities as a ‘some day not now’ phenomenon into a right here right now reality. What does this reality look like for our city of Delhi, no doubt a mega city. Delhi NCR region generates solid waste to the tune of 45,393 tonnes per year. Air pollution levels while are within limits now, are ... Full story

If you thought the Commonwealth Games was constructing only on the floodplains of river Yamuna, here's a piece of news for you. Parts of the University of Delhi have now become inaccessible to the students of the university. Spaces that saw annual hosting of events, meets and get togethers are now busy being constructed upon and lost forever, for the Commonwealth Games 2010. DUSU office ... Full story

"To 100 different people a small little thing appears different. Well that’s diversity of human perception." Being free in winter vacations, I thought of volunteering for 48°C – ‘Delhi’s First Public Art Ecology Festival’ (of which Delhi Greens was a partner) and had varied experiences which I penned down to share it here on the blog.   So ... Full story

Delhi's Last Two Vultures at the National Museum of Natural History Wish you all a Happy 'Green and Blue' New Year. Why focus on an environment friendly new year or specifically, what are we dealing with when we talk of climate change? At a very basic level it is ‘Fear ... Full story