CATEGORIES
Bite into a Peach - While You are in South Carolina
In this article, Dr Marianne Furtado de Nazareth recollects her wonderful experience of eating ripe South Carolina peaches. She realizes that South Carolina averages more than three times the amount (in pounds) of peaches harvested in Georgia in a typical season. Peaches do have many health benefits also as one large, juicy globe of peach delivers an impressive quantity of vitamin C and is a good source of vitamins A and B. It also offers three grams of fibre.
Brahmapuram Landfill Fire: Points towards the Need for Decentralized Waste Management
In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that a series of flames have been breaking out, year after year, at the Brahmapuram landfill in Kerala. Yet, it was not taken seriously. This year, the massive uncontrollable fire breakout urged the Kochi Corporation to take serious steps to resolve this issue as it impacted the health of people, and the environment. Brahmapuram is the only landfill that is a bone of contention in Kerala where solid waste management, otherwise is decentralized and systematic. Plans are underway to solve this crisis that the Kochi Corporation is facing after the Brahmapuram incident.
Nano Steps towards Climate Smart Agriculture
Nanotechnology may work at a small scale, but the minuscule size of nanomaterials belies their efficiency. Its deceptively small size is no measure of its impact. Little wonder then that the technology is being increasingly applied in agriculture to enhance efficacy and, importantly, to shrink the adverse impact of conventional chemical fertilizers on the environment and health. The TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre has been working to evolve ways of effectively using nanobiotechnology to provide sustainable agriculture solutions. In this ‘In Conversation’ section, Dr Pushplata Singh, Senior Fellow, Centre of Excellence in Agri-nanotechnology, TERI, talks to Palak Khanna from the Communications Team, TERI, about the incisive role the technology can play in the fields of agriculture and beyond.
The Aluminium-Air Battery: The Holy Grail for India's EV Market?
In this article, Manish Vaid says aluminium-air (Al-air) batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for the Indian electric vehicle ecosystem. As India makes strides towards adopting other sustainable mobility options such as green hydrogen as transportation fuel, compressed biogas, and ethanol blending, it has also begun its quest for alternative battery technologies such as sodium-ion and Al-air.
Elephant Ecosystems in Decline - Points towards Conflict between Elephants and Humans
Study examining habitats across centuries reveals an urgent need for sustainable land-use and conservation strategies to avoid dangers for wildlife and human communities. Global space for Asian elephant habitats has been in rapid decline since the 1700s, a new report reveals. More than 3 million square kilometres of the Asian elephant's historic habitat range has been lost in just three centuries and may underlie present-day conflicts between elephants and people.
Hiccups in the Himalayas - Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand
Joshimath, also known as Kartikeyapura named after Kartikeya, the God of Katyuri kings and the son of Lord Shiva, is the ancient and picturesque town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which has been breaking for some time now, however, the urgent appeals to mend it has been ignored every time. The town lies in seismic zone V, which makes it the most active earthquake prone area in the Indian Himalayan geographical region and is anyway precariously positioned when it comes to frequent as well as high intensity earthquakes. Read on to know more...
Healthy Aging During Global Warming: New Discovery Could Hold The Key
Researchers have long known that many animals live longer in colder climates than in warmer climates. New research in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) nematode worms suggests that this phenomenon is tied to a protein found in the nervous system that controls the expression of collagens, the primary building block of skin, bone and connective tissue in many animals
Sweet Or Toxic? Water Pollution Woes In Sugar Industry
The dietary consequences of eating excessive sugar have been discussed and examined thoroughly, to the point where anyone and everyone is aware of controlling their sugar intake. However, an over-looked threat that sugar poses comes from how it is processed. Anita Khuller, through this article, throws light on how sugar production may be deadly for the health of our water bodies and ultimately ours, if not properly controlled and monitored
"We Need to Shift Focus and Look at the Opportunities Arising from Green Transition"
Namita Vikas is the Founder and Managing Director of auctusESG LLP, a global firm providing strategic advisory on sustainable finance, climate transition, ESG, and climate risk management. Here, she is in a conversation with us for TerraGreen
Feldheim: Hundred Per Cent Energy Self-Sufficient Village in Germany
After his participation in the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) 2023 as a Media Fellow from TERI in March 2023, Abhas Mukherjee reminisces his visit to the village of Feldheim, which is one of the most remarkable concepts for supplying enterprises, private households and local government with renewable energies on a decentralized, self-sufficient basis. He learnt how it is possible for communities to be supplied 100 per cent energy with heating and electricity from indigenous, renewable energy sources. The project owes its success to the brilliant partnership between the municipality of Treuenbrietzen, the residents of Feldheim and the project developer, Energiequelle GmbH
Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue: Facilitating Discourses on Global Energy Transitions
India aims to achieve an ambitious target of generating 500 GW renewable energy by 2030. With this target, India aims to meet 50 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. So, we are currently witnessing a significant energy transition in the country. As a media fellow from India for BETD 2023, Abhas Mukherjee got a unique opportunity of interviewing and networking with the stakeholders of energy transition in Germany, Europe, and the world. In this article, he gives an overview of the deliberations at BETD 2023 along with some glimpses into Indian participation at the event
Linde India's CSR Initiatives: In the North Sundarbans
As an organization, Linde is committed to giving back and uplifting the communities in which it works and operates through its various CSR projects. Linde’s CSR activities in India include projects to improve road safety, education and healthcare for the underprivileged, disaster relief and rehabilitation assistance, and measures to promote sustainability and environmental protection. The organization has been working across India in various initiatives in the aforesaid areas, partnering with local communities and non-profits
Green Holidays: Concepts of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism
In this article, Heemal Handoo Bhat dwells into the concept of green holidays or ecotourism. Green holiday chiefly involves holidaying in destinations where birds, animals, and cultural legacy are the chief attractions. Ecotourism strives to provide tourists a deeper knowledge about the impression of human beings on their surroundings and to facilitate a genuine acknowledgement of the natural habitats
Evolving Animals of the Pyro Age
Animals have been evolving since a long time in order to fit the challenges posed by climatic conditions. Jnyanam Bordoloi is absolutely right when he says species evolve over time, in order to survive and eventually thrive, in some of the most difficult environments created by climate change. When we know which species are leading the race for survival, we can work for the conservation of the ones who are at risk, and the fragile ecosystem they hold
Health Hazards Posed by Sanitary Pads
In this article, Dr Rina Mukherji discusses revelations made by a recent study on menstrual products. Undertaken by Toxics Link, this study reveals the rampant use of plastics and plasticizers in sanitary pads – the most popular menstrual product used by Indian women
Protecting Our Agro-ecosystems: The EbA Way
The repercussions of climate change are becoming increasingly real and frightening with each passing day. While global warming has had a significant impact on modern agriculture, interestingly, the sector is also one of the contributors to climate change. Indiscriminate use of chemicals and exploitation of natural resources is making the agri-sector increasingly unsustainable. However, we can overcome this challenge by nurturing and restoring our agroecosystems. This can address multiple issues—ranging from food security and livelihoods, to the general well-being
The Role of Water Quality in Early Child Nutrition: A Case Study in Uttarakhand
Water is an essential component of healthy growth and development, and ensuring access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene is crucial for early childhood nutrition. In this article, Kanhaiya Lal and Vidhu Gupta highlight that as part of the nutrition security study, their team examined and collected scientific evidence on water quality in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, India. This was investigated through on-site testing of drinking water samples and in-person consultations with medical experts. Keep reading to know more…
The Villages of India: Through an Indian Perspective
In this article, Himanshu Kumar and Vivek Kumar say that a new tradition of scholarship must evolve to understand the village systems at the conceptual and theoretical levels. The way rural and village has been historically interpreted and understood needs refinement as the colonial imprint has distorted the existing fabric of the rural social systems. Agriculture, peasantry, land use, social systems and infrastructure, and indigenous technical knowledge systems need a more profound understanding of structural-functional and comparative analysis approaches
5 Ways India Can Ensure The G20 Supports Business To Deliver A Cleaner And Sustainable Future
In this thoughtful article, Rasmus Valanko and Gitika Mohta say that we are in the decisive decade for climate action. Global emissions must be cut in half by 2030, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. With India's presidency of the G20, India has a unique opportunity to chart a healthier, safer, more sustainable future not just for its own citizens but also for others on our shared planet.
Achieving Sustainable Development through a Cohesive Response
In 2016, Dr Ash Pachauri founded the POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement alongside Dr R K Pachauri. With a key focus on climate action and sustainable development, the POP Movement mobilizes and mentors young people around the world, inspiring them with knowledge to undertake projects and implement actions in their schools, colleges, communities, and homes. In this interview, Dr Ash Pachauri reflects on the foundational idea behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the need to move away from silo-ed approaches towards collaborative and coordinated action, especially with the active leadership of business and industry among other stakeholders, promoting community engagement, and the unique opportunity for India to represent the Global South in the G20.
Enhancement of Conscious Consumerism By Integration of Sustainable Natural Pigments in Textiles
In this article, Mehak Kaur and Mayurika Goel highlight that the Natural Products Group at the Sustainable Agriculture Programme of TERI is working on red pigment production by naturally occurring coloured microbes for application in the textile industry. Creation of colours through fermentation of non-pathogenic fungi on agricultural waste-based media can be used to produce pigments with bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and others in a sustainable way.
Need for Nations to 'Mainstream' Sustainable Development With Inclusive Policymaking, Societal Participation, Innovation
Dr Rajiv Chhibber is Vice President, External Affairs at Sahajanand Medical Technologies, a leading developer and manufacturer of minimally invasive coronary stent and vascular systems. In this interview, he reminisces launching the first-of-its-kind Heat Action Plan for the city of Ahmedabad, which is now a role model for many states who have embarked upon the same. It was also the first city in South Asia to create a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change. Keep reading to know more...
Tourism in India through the Lens of Sustainability
In this thought-provoking article, Swati Sharma and Palak Khanna say that tourism in India contributes significantly to the economic sector and it has high growth potential as well. Therefore, sustainability in tourism has become imperative in today's scenario. Promotion of sustainable tourism can enable mindful utilization of existing resources and sensitization of tourists with behavioural nudges.
Plastic Waste Management in India Importance of Data
In India, plastic waste management has long been a challenge and is considered an issue mainly due to the lack of infrastructure, efficient systems for collecting and processing plastic. In this analytical article, Mandavi Singh has considered estimates of all plastics for the reporting year 2018-19 to understand the plastic production, consumption and end-of-life data along with the recycling from available data sources. This is to develop a clear comprehension about the plastic scenario in India and to develop a quantitative understanding of the size and nature of major commodity plastic production, consumption, and waste flows in India.
Enhancing Livelihood of Farmers and Forest-dependent Communities Through Carbon Financing Mechanism in India
Carbon financing is a result-based mechanism that allows companies wishing to offset their GHG emissions to buy carbon credits generated from their projects. In this crisp article, Aniruddh Soni tells us that TERI is developing several Carbon Finance projects via Voluntary Carbon Markets in the AFOLU sector. The beneficiaries involved in the carbon finance project developed under ARR are small-scale farmers, who are practising sustainable agroforestry practices within their private farmlands. On the other hand, REDD+ projects aim at benefiting the forest-dependent communities along with the forest department.
Mainstreaming Sustainable Development through Climate-Smart Agriculture By Promoting Evidence-Based Research
The Resilience project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway) has tested and validated selected integrated climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies in Odisha and Assam states in India over the last four years. Farmer-led demonstration trials were conducted with the active support of project partners and multi-stakeholders. In this article, Udaya Sekhar Nagothu, Mehreteab Tesfai, and Amaresh Kumar Nayak present two good practices of CSA and their key research results.
Climate Change, Migration and Vulnerability to Trafficking Exploring the Extent and Impact
In this incisive article, Daljeet Kaur and Ritu Bharadwaj present empirical evidence on the links between climate change, migration, and trafficking and explore the extent and impact of climate change on distress migration and human trafficking in two diverse areas affected by slow-onset and rapid-onset climatic events. The research conducted by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and supported by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) unpacks the underlying drivers that policymakers should target to deal with this nexus.
Ensuring Reservoir Sustainability under Changing Climate A Case Study on the Salaulim Reservoir, Goa
In this succinct article, Dr Ashwini Pai Panandiker says that very few studies have addressed the climate change impact on multi-purpose reservoir performance and deriving adaptive policies for possible future scenarios. Considering that the political and technical measures to adapt to climate change take place at a local level, site-specific studies are urgently needed. To address this, a case study on the Salaulim reservoir in Goa was undertaken. Read on to know more...
Indo-German Climate and Environment Cooperation Adds a New Highlight on Forests
Preserving India's precious wetlands and fighting the global threat of marine litter, protecting the beauty and importance of the Himalayan regions, ending landfills of waste and creating green jobsIndo-German Climate and Environment Cooperation addresses a wide range of topics. Both countries have been working together since more than 60 years bilaterally as well as internationally. Further, India has been a priority country in particular for the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government from its start in 2008 support climate action and biodiversity conservation. Read on to know more...
Hariyali Gram Empowering Rural India to Lead the LIFE Movement
In this succinct article, Charu Lata and Akanksha Golchha highlight the transformative Hariyali Gram initiative in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra states in India. Hariyali Gram is a women-led initiative with an emphasis on policy implementation and scalable business solutions for the adoption of climate-friendly solutions at the village level.