Yes there was the standard push for FDI retail (bad idea for India growth) and outsourcing (good idea for US growth), but the true critical subject matter was mentioned as a basis point of creating sustainable economy with India's neighbors and evidence of the increasing reality that politics as usual will not carry us through the transplantation from conventional economy to sustainable. The issues of water and energy on the lips of Hillary and Didi, and on such a high profile platform is a bellweather of things to come.
Regarding water scarcity and conflict, Secretary Clinton said: "We have to do a better job of trying to find a win-win solution for
everybody because the alternative will be perhaps worst than conflict, leading
up to dislocation, destabilisation, refugee flows, famine and other kinds of
problems that we are seeing in places like north Africa." "We have to work together in the international community," she said.
For perhaps the first time publically Clinton acknowledged what conservationists and economists have been predicting for years: "... we know from working on our own projections what will be the
hard issues in future unless water issues are properly dealt with,"
The reality is that there continues to be an ever shrinking bubble of economies that because of their uber-infrastructure remain able to maintain the status quo despite massive shifts in climate and natural resource security. In these economies, the conventional wisdom that technology has outgrown the need for nature and its resources, some going so far as to deny the very existence of a problem. And in fact, as is human nature, as long as the AC is running at home in office all seems well.
However, at the frontlines of climate change and sustainable economic development, a story is slowly unfolding and not carried by mainstream media. Throughout India, and specifically in the south, the story of India Inc. is changing complexion ... it's five minutes to midnight and Cinderella's coach is still out about town living a hapless dream. The two rents in this reality are a widespread power-poverty and a rapidly and potentially irreversible water security crisis.
For those in India, this article only highlights the present reality and crisis for not only Bengal but throughout India...for those in the U.S. with a more limited world view of the coming escalation of power poverty, this may come as an eye opener of the new normal - in the cases illustrated below-in south India.
The question really becomes "Does the conventional definition of 'development' really apply in terms of the necessity for a sustainable economic and political model? Are we all therefore 'undeveloped' or 'under-developed' until these issues are rectified and power and basic necessities are sustainable?
This
year, city is hottest summer destination
A
Selvaraj TNN
Chennai: It’s that time of the year when Chennaiites pack their bags to visit
their native places in the state. But this summer they have chosen to stay put
in the city; otherwise, it would mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire
in the season of power cuts.
Even while cursing the two-hour power cut in Chennai,
residents take solace that it is much better than in some other districts,
where power supply is disrupted for up to 12 hours a day. In fact, relatives from other
parts of the state are thronging the homes of residents in the city.
“My children never miss visiting their cousins in Salem
but the moment I told them that there would be no electricity there, they
wanted to cancel the tickets. I’ve asked my sister in Salem to come over with
her family,” says Sudha Mani of Nanganallur.
A Ponmani Thangam, an employee of Canara Bank in
Tirunelveli, has come to Chennai to visit relatives and, well, get away from
the “land of constant power cuts,” as she puts it.
“At my place, we wake up early because of the heat. We
are lucky to have power supply for an hour in the morning. We have an inverter,
but the few hours of supply are not sufficient to charge it,” she says.
Maheswari, a revenue department employee in Coimbatore,
has gone a step further. “I have appealed to the higher officials in Chennai
seeking a transfer to the state capital. My son can’t stand the heat,” she
says. K Manikandan, a school teacher from Tuticorin, says he will spend a
couple of weeks in Chennai, “where you at least know when there will be a power
cut”.
President of the Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association
A Afzal says many buses from Chennai to other towns in the state are plying
with at least 15% of unoccupied seats. “Usually our buses run full, but not
this year,” he says.
Many people who travelled to other parts of the state
have got back before schedule.
Summer travellers to hill stations, however, are happy.
“People are asking for details of trips to Ooty and Kodaikanal,” says Afzal.
selvaraj.a@timesgroup.com
THE HEAT IS ON
Govt report sees 4 degree rise in temperature in 10 years
Nitin Sethi TNN
New Delhi: If the freakish cool weather across India has lulled you into
forgetting about the dangers of global warming, here’s a reality check. In a
report to be submitted to the UN in a few days, the Indian government has said
alarming climatic changes are taking place in the country and projected even
more serious trends for the future — including a 4 degree Celsius rise in
maximum temperatures in some parts as early as the 2020s.
The report says that more than three out of four
weather stations across India had witnessed an alarming rise in intensity of
rains (over 24 hours) in the period between 1980-2009.
It says intense warming was witnessed between 1998-2007
and the intensity has been rising since the 1970s. The mean temperature during
winters have risen by 0.7 degree Celsius and post-monsoon mean temperatures by
0.52 degree Celsius in the last 100 years. The mean temperature in India rose
by 0.2 degree Celsius every decade between 1971-2007 with minimum temperatures
rising more than maximum temperatures, which increased 1.02 degree Celsius in
100 years.
Number of rainy days on the decline: Report
New Delhi: In a report to be submitted to the UN in a few days, the Indian
government has said alarming climatic changes are taking place in the country.
While the trends show evidence of warming, there is,
however, no conclusive proof that these are linked to human-induced climate
change.
The most alarming findings in the report are the
predictions it makes based on scenarios that greenhouse gas emissions would
continue to rise unchecked over the coming decades. Projections show that total monsoon rainfall could rise
between 9-16% by the end of 21st century. By that time, annual mean
temperatures could rise by 3.5-4.3 degree Celsius with 1.7-2 degree rise taking
place as early as 2030s. The report says the number of rainy days could decrease
but
rain could become more intense – thereby causing more damage – almost all
across the country.
Both the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in a
day will rise, according to the findings. Areas in Rajasthan and Kutch could
see more than a 4-degree rise in maximum temperatures by as early as 2020s. A
similar rise could take place in more than half the country by 2080.
Night temperatures are projected to rise by 4.5 degrees
across a large part of the country by 2050 and the jump could spread to almost
the entire country by 2080.
The frequency of cyclonic storms could decrease with
time but the intensity with which they wreak havoc will rise, according to
these simulation models.
Separate studies have been conducted to measure the
impact of increasing GHG gases on water availability in river basins and on
agricultural productivity. The government assessment notes, “Water scarcity
levels will be crossed in Cauvery, Mahi, Sabarmati and westflowing rivers of
Kuch, Sau and Luni, while Ganga, Tapi and Narmada basins will hit water stress
limits.”
The report says, “Ganga downstream, Brahmaputra and
Surma-Imphal show high vulnerability to climate change in the northern and
eastern basins.” Ganga upstream and Mahanadi will also become vulnerable by
2070, it says.
Two different measures are used to quantify the net
impact on water basins – the yield of water and the evapotranspiration from
river basins. A majority of rivers show increasing precipitation, with
exceptions such as Brahmaputra, Cauvery and Pennar.
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Sanctuary: Forever Paradise
A CSR Update from PGI President, Frank Costanzo-Connelly's in his role as the full time Sustainability Director of Sanctuary Belize, a 22 square mile Wildlife Reserve that inspires to allow a small percentage to be responsibly developed as a holistic sustainable community:
Maintaining paradise during development requires business models that disrupt the conventional thinking that historically has led to paradise lost in so many other countries. Therefore, providing a quantifiable sustainability plan and actual deliverables is the most critical component to a development that prides itself on existing within a wildlife and watershed preserve.
The most common question asked of nearly everyone is what quantum of the 14000 acres can be developed. This is a very valid question, however the better question -that usually follows during a longer course of discussion- is how that portion will be developed. That is, the measurement and management of sustainability. In short, quality. Eco Futures is so passionate and committed to achieving a showcase level of quality sustainability, that it branded what we are striving to achieve during development of Sanctuary Belize: the "five eco-lifestyles." It is simply, Forever Paradise. Much of my decision to accept the role as Sustainability Director was two prong authenticity: a large and unique biota with high biodiversity energy made up of five micro-climates; and an executive core team willing to give autonomy of planning and process to the role of a sustainability director to create and execute a genuine 'land ethic' plan of responsible development.
The overarching goal of Five Eco-Lifestyles, as the name implies is development and community building that comes without a trade off of the Preserve's natural capital resources assets. If possible, in fact, developing infrastructures and programs that actually improve the natural and social community that extends to all life within the preserve, and embodies a land ethic. In essence to covet only the minimum footprint of natural capital that does not disrupt the biotic energy cycle, and to return in kind, measures that could further improve the strength of the biotic diversity through conservation and increased yield of natural capital assets. Plotting, planning, executing, measuring and managing these deliverables is the driver and mission crux.
Here are a few of the infrastructures and programs that embody Forever Paradise:
1. Low impact, decentralized systems to deliver power, water and waste management.
a) Power that is not only green, but carries an efficient levelized cost to install and maintain and where possible carbon and GHG negative.
Using an objective mix of solar and biogas technologies based on the use, location and requirements allows Sanctuary to boast it's first ever government harvest and production concession to independently produce its own energy sourced from biomass waste collected directly from the property and proximate ag wastes.
Using bioenergy to energize the beach club and tent village making it not only clean and green but also only beach in the Caribbean that's carbon footprint is negative?
