June 10, 2009

Helping the environment through its ordeal

I guess 2009 is the year of awareness, a year committed to evoke thought and action! I found this card at Ambara* on one of my routine visits to grab the complimentary issue of At a glance - Understanding India. The front side is a profound painting on climate change by artist Naresh Kapuria. The reverse has a list of things UN advocates one should do to counter the climate change. It must have been printed for distribution on the World Environment Day, after all melting ice is the hottest issue now. But then it turns out that UN had chosen Naresh Kapuria to highlight the impact of climate change in India, on the occasion of UN Day, last year.

actnow   climate change

Though the issue of global warming for long is being dealt with, there is a noticeable change in its momentum. At the first instance, I thought climate change must be a new term coined to represent the much over used ‘global warming’. There seems to be a difference. While the former refers to the increasing global temperatures, the latter refers to regional conditions.

BoilingOverIn 2008, Kapuria did a light and sound show 'Badalta Mausam' at UN Information Centre in New Delhi, in order to raise awareness on the issue. He used ordinary objects like brightly coloured kettles in different shapes and sizes hung on the trees along with pots and pans, various figurines and sculptures to bring to life the experience of climate change. A poignant imagery of rising temperature titled boiling over from his show.
 
Alarming to know our country is one of the top polluters in the world. We contribute around 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions as its consumption of fossil fuels gathers pace. But as a developing nation, India is not yet required to cut emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

Every individual leaves a considerably good carbon footprint and here are some low-carbon lifestyle choices at home, in the office and when travelling
(Text courtesy of unep.org)
  • Waking up with a traditional wind-up alarm clock rather than the beep of an electronic one - this can save almost 48g of CO2 each time;
  • Choosing to dry clothes on a washing line versus a tumble dryer – this can save 2.3 Kg of CO2 each time;
  • Replacing a 45-minute workout on a treadmill with a jog in a nearby park - this can save nearly 1 Kg of CO2 each time;
  • Opting for non-electric toothbrush – this can save nearly 48g of CO2 each time;
  • Heating bread rolls in a toaster versus an oven for 15 minutes – this can save nearly 170g of CO2 each time;
  • Switching from regular 60-Watt light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs – this will produce four times less CO2 emissions;
  • Taking the train rather than the car for a daily office commute of as little as 8 km – this can save 1.7 Kg of CO2 each time;
  • Shutting down your computer and flat screen both during lunch break and after working hours – this will cut CO2 emissions generated by these appliances by one-third;
  • Investing in a water-saving shower head – this will save 10 liters of water per minute and cut CO2 emissions in half (from a three-minute hot shower);
  • Reducing the weight of goods and items carried onboard by airline passengers to below 20Kg – this can cut global GHG emissions by two million tonnes of CO2 a year.

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* Ambara is a life style store located near the Ulsoor lake. They have nice traditional & contemporary art & artefacts. It also houses a nursery, OMO an indo-western casual wear, Utsav handlooms, Rouge Elephant a garden café. (Of course we lunched here one of those Fridays, the food is very appetising but slightly over priced.)

13 comments:

Manu said...

Great Article!! Its good to see efforts like this. I will note to follow most things from the to-do list. Atleast one thing from the list I’m already following. I don’t have a driving license, leave alone owning a car and driving to office! I am sure the tonnes of carbon emission that I would have saved over the years will definitely make U proud!

But unfortunately, despite such stand-out concerns from people like U, the larger picture is quite gloomy. Take a walk around a normal street in any Indian city and we will know why. We Indians must learn not to litter around and stop using the walls to answer the nature’s call before learning about CFCs and global warming and ozone depletion!

Keep the good work going!

Minu said...

Thanks Manu! Most people can't spot a difference between a green bin and a blue bin. But how often do you find these bins when you look for one. It's a collective responsibility and we fundamentally lack the awareness. India will be under serious pressure, once the Kyoto expires in 2012. I hope it is not too late by then.

I was amazed to know waking up with a traditional alarm clock rather than an electronic one would save 48 grams of CO2 each day. Such small things put together can make a big difference, right? So first thing to do, throw your mobile phone in the next bush you find... :P

KalaiSenthil said...

Hi Minu, this is Kalai, Its very delight to read your articles, your dynamic efforts and novel initiatives will surely bring consciousness to protect our precious nature.

Minu said...

Hello Kalai! Thanks for your comments. Heard from Manu how big an environment enthusiast you are. I firmly believe that each person can make a difference in his own small way. Will update the blog whenever I come across anything interesting and informative. Meanwhile looking forward for posts in your blog :)

Anonymous said...

It hasn't rained here.Not even a single drop.Usually rains arrive by 10 June maximum.Longest delay in decades.
I remember about ten years ago there were poojas and havans etc,for the rains,when it got delayed,now people just don't seem to mind or care

while(global_warming){
if(emmissions.lessthan before){
temprature--;
else{
temprature++;
global_warming=climate_change;
}
}
}

Sveeja said...

Have you seen that Vodafone ad,two zoozoos in a car,car stops and one of them gets down and pulls out a wire from the car and plugs it to a socket on the road, and then they are off again!

Every time I see that ad I get reminded of you and your electric car,however in the not too distant future we may have sockets on the road :)

Minu said...

Your code snippet was cool Mr/Ms.Anonymous. I wanna add a bit to the else part though... earthLife--;

I wish the rains come soon and make us all happy :)

Minu said...

If you know about my car, I'm sure I know you too... Sveeja!!!

Well the car Reva is a favourite in Europe. They have charging points on the road there. Just pull over and plug it in. (I don't find that video any more)

So may be the zoozoos were actually on an Europe tour.

Minu said...

Sveeja! Gotcha! I didn't know you have a thing for anagrams too...So you are the one behind the other comments too...I turned captcha off and enabled anonymous comments...and this is what happens :(

Sajeev said...

It is raining here finally!

I just love all kinds of tricks anagrams are one of them.
(you might have come across this)

Count the number of F's in the below and also have some one else do it.
Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years...
The answer is very interesting

Minu said...

Well, I did count the Fs in Ofs too :)

Necromonger said...

Ahh! that was very old
I remember another one

THERE ARE MANY
TREES IN THE JUNGLES
OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

count the number of words

also don't spent more than 15secs on it.
correct count is 11
Tomorrow i am off to the village of alathur.

Minu said...

Oh you too going! Enjoy your stay...spare my comp ;)