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Julien
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Solar topped coal’s output in Texas for the first time in any month, sending 3.26 million megawatt-hours (MWh) onto the grid vs. coal’s 2.96 million MWh in March. https://electrek.co/2024/04/05/solar-topped-coal-in-texas-for-the-first-time-ever-in-march/
Solar topped coal in Texas for the first time ever in March
Solar topped coal in Texas for the first time in any month, sending 3.26 million MWh onto the grid vs. coal's 2.96 million MWh in March.
https://electrek.co/2024/04/05/solar-topped-coal-in-texas-for-the-first-time-ever-in-march/
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Sarah Chabane
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A recent study has unveiled a troubling reality: fewer than 60 multinational corporations bear the responsibility for over 50% of the world's plastic pollution, with 5 major players contributing a staggering quarter of this total. The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone, and Altria ... Congrats! You are top polluters. 🥳🎉 Led by Lisa Erdle from The 5 Gyres Institute, the study shows the direct link between plastic production and environmental degradation and proves once again that "production really is pollution." In the past 5 years, an international team meticulously collected and analysed over 1.87 million pieces of plastic waste across 84 countries. Shockingly, the bulk of this detritus comprised single-use packaging for food, beverages, and tobacco products. Despite growing public awareness and voluntary commitments by some corporations, plastic production continues to surge, with a mere 9% of plastic being recycled. As discussions on a UN Treaty for Plastic Pollution unfold, the study's findings reinforce the urgent need for a binding international agreement focusing on production measures. We can't keep producing fossil-based plastics that will end up polluting our environment and killing us slowly. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/24/survey-finds-that-60-firms-are-responsible-for-half-of-worlds-plastic-pollution
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This is outrageous! 60 companies are responsible for HALF of the world's plastic pollution? And some like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé... shame on you for churning out single-use plastic that chokes our planet!
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Great. Another reason to not buy Coca-Cola!
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Climate health over mild inconvenience.
Varsa Mahananda
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According to a study conducted by researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research in Germany, India stands to lose 22% income by 2050 due to climate change. While the global economy will face a 19% income loss, India will bear the worst brunt of it at 22%. This is three percent higher than the global average! This huge economic loss will be due to factors like lower labor productivity, lesser agricultural yields and infrastructure challenges rising due to climate issues like fluctuation in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions like wildfires and storms. And if we are being honest with ourselves, we know we are already starting to face these issues, the severity growing by the year. It is high time we took urgent measures like large-scale reductions in carbon emissions, which, if not checked soon, have a chance of reaching up to 60% globally by 2100. The more we delay, the more expensive and irreversible the repercussions become. Right now, the cost-effective strategy is to invest in climate protection. If left unchecked, the broader non-economic impacts like loss of life and biodiversity will become impossible to handle. Right now, the need of the hour is to make a structural shift towards renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels at the earliest. Learn more about the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research study: https://sambadenglish.com/india-may-lose-22-percent-income-by-2050-due-to-climate-change/ Read more about how it is more cost-effective to invest in green energy now rather than conducting an irreversible disaster management tomorrow: https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/13458662-bea8-4b38-90ae-9f1d2670c4df
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Losing 22% of India's income by 2050 due to climate change is not just an economic concern but a humanitarian crisis. Let's transition to a green economy now for a healthier planet and prosperous future.
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Well, that just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. It's like India got a front-row seat to the apocalypse, and no one's bothering to change the channel.
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That's truly disheartening news.
Varsa Mahananda
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Louisiana State University has accepted $25 million as donation from Shell to allow the fossil fuel company to decide what research can be carried out at the university. At a time when the whole world is trying to work towards phasing out fossil fuel, this news comes as a disappointment. The donation that Shell made to LSU allowed the former to get a seat on the latter’s advisory board and the autonomy to choose research areas at the university. And that’s not all. Shell also holds a say to put a stop on an ongoing research project as well. Talk about the death of academic freedom! Robert Mann, a political commentator and former LSU journalism professor, told the Lens and the Guardian, “I have a hard time seeing a faculty member engaged in legitimate research being eager for an oil company or representative of a chemical company to vote on his or her research agenda. That is an egregious violation of academic freedom.” Educational institutions are the places where we are supposed to be taught the basics, the difference between right and wrong. If these institutions become the places where a research on fossil fuel can be carried out, what is the hope for the rest of the world? Where do we educate our children about the reality of climate change? Learn more about the LSU and the other universities forming these fossil fuel partnerships: https://thelensnola.org/2024/04/19/lsus-fossil-fuel-partnerships/
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Man will always be afraid of change,change can be painful but good at the end of it all.
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This practice can lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the objectivity of scientific inquiry.
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Financial vulnerability of this institution should not push them to allow such a dangerous decision. On the same Shell should desist from using other institutions to clean their name when they have a motive to continue with fossil fuels production.
Varsa Mahananda
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“On climate change, we often don't fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen.” - Kofi Annan I was looking out the window today when I saw this bird trying to build a nest with twigs. When I first noticed the bird, it held a piece of twig four times the size of its whole body and was trying to walk fast enough to build momentum to fly up to its nest on a nearby tree. It made multiple attempts to fly but the twig kept falling off given its weight. The bird wouldn’t lose hope. I kept watching the bird struggle for a long time, but after several attempts, it finally managed to get the twig up to its nest. Imagine my happiness at the bird’s success! But then again, it is an everyday struggle for the bird, while it was a one-time watch for me. The point being? We lose hope and give up so soon at the sight of a little struggle and start complaining. But look at the bird. It has no option but to persevere. I saw a similar sight of perseverance at the Global Climate Strike held in Stockholm on the 19th of April, 2024. Our climate is getting hotter and we are starting to see some drastic changes to the planet which is neither good for us nor for our children. On an individual level, making any changes to the climate situation can seem too daunting and impossible to achieve. However, to the people who were part of the strike, this was not the case. They have this united belief that if they fight for this just cause, they will finally achieve what they aim: a cleaner and greener planet. Their hope and determination was contagious. Although not a part of the actual strike, I did walk alongside them to observe how the strike was proceeding. I noticed a man with his little daughter (she must have been about 3) in a stroller participating in the strike. The little girl was cold (it was zero degrees) so the father covered her up with a little shawl. It would have been much easier to leave the group and take shelter from the cold and nobody would have missed them. But both father and child felt their presence was necessary in this fight for a better climate future. I was amazed at their perseverance in the same way the bird with the twig amazed me! They both believe they are an important part of the solution, and we need more people like them. It was a two-kilometer walk in zero-degree temperature but the excitement and determination did not fall short. The sight of so many people with so many colorful banners and placards singing along to fight for a greener climate was extremely contagious. The walk began in Odenplan and ended at Sergels Torg in the heart of Stockholm where climate activists spoke about their fight against climate change for so many years, without fail, despite all odds. One lady, Matilda Bergström, famously known as Rebel Mama, was even deemed a security risk and a threat to democracy by the government because of her constant fight to claim a better future for the children of today and tomorrow! She is a part of the Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice, fighting for the future of the children, both her own, and of the world. Although most of the speeches were in Swedish, and very little in English, therefore difficult for me to understand, the energy of the whole ensemble was so high, it was almost electric! As an individual I might feel inconsequential and hopeless at the incapability to make a change, but you have to be there to experience the determination of these people to demand a change to believe that all hope is not lost yet. Just like the bird, we also have to start realizing that we have no option but to persevere. We need more and more people to participate in this cause so we save our planet, because after all, there is no planet B, and all of us have to live on this one and only mass of rock and water. Learn more about the Global Climate Strike held in Stockholm last Friday: https://www.instagram.com/p/C58fD3HtO51/?igsh=MW4yN3BuMjIweHUxbg== https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7188162760470380545/
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Thanks for sharing Varsa, it was an honour to share this experience with you!
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These strikes and marches are so important. We often feel alone fighting against giants, but the strikes remind us that we are not alone and give us hope. Thanks for sharing how you experienced it!
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It's heartening to see individuals, like the father with his daughter, braving the cold to be part of the solution. 👨👧 Their actions inspire us to keep pushing forward despite the challenges. Let's continue to raise our voices and take action for a sustainable planet because there's no planet B. 🌿
Varsa Mahananda
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Construction and development is inevitable. We are going to have more and more of that. However, with construction comes carbon dioxide emissions and pollution. Approximately 8% of carbon dioxide emissions come from building material. So imagine having a more climate-friendly way of building things! Fortera Corporation has found a way for making cement with less carbon dioxide emissions that will operate at a large scale. The technology used by the company allows them to intercept the carbon dioxide released during the cement-making process in the kilns and reuse it in making more cement. They are adding the technology to a CalPortland facility in Redding, California, which is one of the largest cement plants in the western United States. Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera says, “Our target is about being a ubiquitous solution that can really work at any plant.” In the initial days, the company will produce cement that reduces carbon emissions by 10% but they will gradually scale up to reduce the emissions by 40-50% and then eventually 70%, depending on the demand. Read more on cement manufacturing company’s journey: https://apnews.com/article/cement-concrete-carbon-emissions-energy-climate-buildings-a01ea5e9962d3f00a98227e06e2b7917?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_wsXy6KDulPE2wfWjrmBkJmUdc7QFzy8MNIH3wPQzMw_uNg5mr7HAnv6OCA9oSVQpIVpT0Ez9VfixIZmMzHsdOy86SqSXI3-TkCZSG5JzNlHBWcBY&_hsmi=303042037&utm_content=303042037&utm_source=hs_email
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Very interesting! Cement is one of the most polluting materials out there, we need to change the way it's produced if we want to decarbonise our economies
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It's inspiring to see companies prioritizing environmental responsibility while meeting the demands of development and construction.
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All we need is the green technology that will help to reduce the impact of climate change
Varsa Mahananda
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On the one hand, we see Adani Group investing $20 billion on the world's largest solar energy plant, but on the other hand, it is getting awarded a contract for a coal mining activity? Maybe the company does not understand that both of these are counter-productive, or maybe it is just business at the end of the day. While the whole world is slowly realizing the importance of climate change, for Adani Group, coal and solar energy are just two different sources of revenue. When billions of dollars’ worth of revenue is in question, the opinions of powerless villagers living in the area do not matter. It really does not seem to matter that the trees that are being cut for the coal mining purposes, are in the vicinity of the village in Chhattisgarh where hundreds of people live, and who are completely against this huge scale cutting down of forests. We can see that the Adani Group has good intentions when it comes to investing in clean energy, or maybe it is just the revenue that the company is after. Whatever the reason maybe, more focus is needed to invest in green energy. As of 2022, $7 trillion was spent on fossil fuel subsidies, but you know what? We need about half of that amount by 2030 if we want to help improve the climate change situation! This investment shows that we do have the money, but we need to invest this amount in the right direction! And we don’t even need $7 trillion dollars. All we need is $4.5 trillion and we will smoothly make our move towards a greener planet. Once we start to make the change, the need for fossil fuels will decrease, and with that the need to mine for fossil fuel resources will also go down. The big corporations can then earn their revenue off green energy! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Read more on the #MovetheMoney campaign: https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/0c55ed39-2cb3-45ee-8b11-5a4a304743b8 Learn more about the coal mining grant offered to the Adani Group: https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/01/india-witnesses-intensified-protests-in-chhattisgarh-over-deforestation-due-to-mining-activities/
Give Climate Love 💚 to UNDP: #MoveTheMoney | We Don't Have Time
A heartfelt thank you to the UNDP for partnering with us on our new campaign - #MoveTheMoney We've developed a campaign page filled with guides on how you can effortlessly #MoveTheMoney. By following a few easy steps from our guide, many people have alre
https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/0c55ed39-2cb3-45ee-8b11-5a4a304743b8
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This is so frustrating. Adani Group investing in solar AND coal is like saying they care about the environment but also want to chop it down. We need companies to go all-in on renewables.
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Yep, Adani is far from green...
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Engaging in both coal mining and solar energy projects simultaneously presents a contradictory approach to energy production. This duality undermines the transition to sustainable energy and raises questions about commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability. It's crucial to prioritize a transition towards cleaner energy sources for a more sustainable future.
Varsa Mahananda
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Recently, after noticing how the overhead transmission lines are costing the Great Indian Bustards their lives in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Supreme Court of India has passed a judgment to replace them with underground transmission lines instead. This judgment came after wildlife activist MK Ranjitsinh filed a petition to protect the GIBs (Great Indian Bustards). The bench has also ordered that bird diverters be installed in priority areas where GIBs live. Since the birds have lateral vision, because of the positioning of their eyes on the sides, they are unable to deviate their flight on time when flying in the direction of a live wire, thus causing danger to their lives. The bench said, "The right to a healthy environment encapsulates the principle that every individual has the entitlement to live in an environment that is clean, safe, and conducive to their well-being." News such as these makes one quite hopeful of the future. Read more on this recent ruling made by the Supreme Court: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/climate-change-threatens-constitutional-guarantee-of-right-to-equality-sc-124040800171_1.html
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This is fantastic news for the Great Indian Bustard! This is what it means to have a right to a healthy environment. #HopeForTheFuture. Let's see more legal action like this around the world.
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Great ruling to protect GIBs,protection should be prioritized.
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It's heartening to see the Supreme Court taking such impactful steps to safeguard India's rich natural heritage.
Varsa Mahananda
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As an individual climate change enthusiast, it is so heartening to see a powerful ruling body make a big decision in favor of saving the climate. When the people in power work towards change, change comes faster, and you realize that all hope is not lost. This is what happened in India recently. The highest court in the country, the Supreme Court of India has made a ruling to include 'the right against the adverse effects of climate change'. The court explained that there are various Articles in the Constitution of India to protect and improve the environment. "Although these are not justiciable provisions of the Constitution, they are indications that the Constitution recognises the importance of the natural world,” a three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has said. The court went further to note, "Despite governmental policy and rules and regulations recognizing the adverse effects of climate change and seeking to combat it, there is no single or umbrella legislation in India which relates to climate change and the attendant concerns. However, this does not mean that the people of India do not have a right against the adverse effects of climate change." After such a happy decision, we can only hope that the huge-scale deforestation work that goes on in various parts of the country for mining purposes comes to a halt. Learn more about the Supreme Court's decision in favor of nature: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/right-against-adverse-effects-of-climate-change-part-of-rights-to-life-equality-sc-9257007/ Read how the people of this village in Chhattisgarh are fighting a losing battle against deforestation to make way for coal mining: https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/chhattisgarh-new-deo-sai-bjp-government-restarts-controversial-adani-coal-mining-in-adivasi-areas/article67686944.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20official%20sources%2C%2041,their%20respective%20periods%20in%20opposition.
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This is a HUGE win for India and the planet. Empowering people to take action is key.
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It's inspiring to see the Supreme Court of India taking a stand for the environment and acknowledging the importance of addressing climate change. 🌎💚
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This is quite commendable... courts should stand for what is right for we do not have any other planet if we destroy this one.
Varsa Mahananda
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Only a couple of months after the Indian Prime Minister Narendera Modi spoke about green energy transitions at the Lead IT session of COP 28 in Dubai, the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Narendra Modi-led government, have given their clearance to expand South Eastern Coalfield Limited’s (SECL) Gevra mine in Chhattisgarh, India. Check out the speech made by Modi at the COP 28 session: https://www.youtube.com/live/apz9-HxBz5E?si=-zSrv1TnpwpDHsQT Owned by Coal India, the mine has a current capacity of 52.5 million tonnes per annum, and it has received clearance to get expanded to 70 million tonnes per annum. They are calling it a strategic move to help India's energy sector. At a time when we should be focussing on phasing out of fossil fuel usage, this green flag to increase the production of coal sounds like a huge warning bell. It is high time we stop praising such decisions and begin our move towards investment into green energy. Read more about the expansion plans at the Gevra mine: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/coal-indias-gevra-mine-set-to-become-asias-largest-with-expansion-to-70-million-tonnes-capacity/108251044
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Dear Varsa Mahananda Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Narendra Modi by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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We need investment in renewables in India- we need to stop subsidising fossil fuels and use the money to help countries transition.
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Not good, India should seek more investment into there domestic nuclear energy build-out and accelerate that instead of coal.
Varsa Mahananda
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I have been a member of the Kista Bibliotek for over one and a half years now. I usually go and browse books from the shelves and issue the books I need. At the checkout, it asks me if I need the printed receipt, or one sent via text or email. I tend to choose neither. I like the fact that it gives me the option to choose if I want to print a receipt. However, if a book is not in stock, you have to reserve it with the library, either at the reception, or online. Once your book becomes available, they send you an SMS or email (based on what communication option you chose), asking you to come and collect your book. They have a shelf dedicated to all the reserved books. Each reserved book comes with a printed A4 size paper mentioning your reservation number and other details so you can track your book. There must be about 100-150 books on that shelf each day. That means hundreds of good quality A4 sized papers are wasted every day! And this is just the case of one bibliotek. There are so many libraries all over the city. The case must be similar there as well! Is there not a better solution than wasting so much paper on minimal content? Surely there must be a better way to deal with this wastage. I hope the libraries find a better, more eco-friendly way of doing things.
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It's disheartening to witness such blatant paper waste. Printing hundreds of pages daily for reservation notices, of which only a fraction is utilized, reflects a careless disregard for environmental conservation. Libraries must urgently adopt more sustainable practices to mitigate this unnecessary waste. They have to do better especially in their position
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This is very silly, Stockholms stad need to find a better system for book reservations
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@sarah_chabane_874 we go to libraries to avoid consuming extra resources by buying new books, this is just counterproductive
Varsa Mahananda
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Vantara, which means 'star of the forest', is a world-class facility that will provide refuge, rehabilitation, rescue, treatment and resuscitation to injured animals both in India and abroad. Located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, Vantara is said to have been the dream of Anant Ambani for a long time. Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, and Director on the Board of Reliance Industries, is doing commendable work with this initiative. At present, this rescue center is home to over 200 elephants who have been injured at some point or other. The animals are getting luxurious amenities and seem to be enjoying the time of their lives. Anant Ambani has always had a soft spot for animals and wanted to do something about protecting endangered and injured animals. Finally, his dream had come true. Spread throughout 600 acres, this area provides care, food, lodging and luxury treatment to the animals. The elephants that are currently in the facility even have a dedicated Jacuzzi and enjoy a special diet that is suited to their needs. Sending love to the youngest Ambani for his commendable gesture. With the continual deforestation and construction work all around us, our precious wildlife are losing their homes. We need more people like him who have the power and resources to make such a big impact on our wildlife. Initiatives such as these make us believe that all hope is not dead and that we can still work towards building a better planet. Read more about the Vantara program here: https://www.carrymypet.com/news/reliances-animal-welfare-initiative-vantara-unveiled-by-anant-ambani#:~:text=On%20the%2026%20of%20February,animals%20in%20India%20and%20abroad. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/royal-diet-for-elephants-at-anant-ambani-s-vantara-have-a-look-at-the-menu-124031800302_1.html
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Wonderful news! Thank you, Anant, for making a difference!
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It's heartwarming to see individuals like Anant Ambani stepping up to contribute to animal welfare efforts. His efforts remind us of the importance of compassion and stewardship towards all living beings.
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This is a very inspiring initiative and gives us hope, 💚💚 to Ambani for his commitment and dedication towards this amazing project
Varsa Mahananda
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Adani Green Energy has launched the construction work of a 775 MW solar energy plant worth $20 billion in Gujarat. The plant will be built on a barren salt desert in Western India and is estimated to be five times the size of Paris. This is going to be the world's biggest clean energy plant and will have the power to provide electricity to an area as big as Switzerland. While the world is in dire need of clean energy initiatives, this comes as a welcome respite. At a time when we need to move the money into greener initiatives, this move will be seen as quite promising. Huge conglomerates like the Adani Group have the money and resources to fund towards the #MoveTheMoney campaign, and when they invest in renewable energy, it gives us hope for our planet. Given the scale of investment involved in this project, it is clear that the Indian multinational conglomerate does understand the importance of generating green energy. It would also be heartening to see if the corporate giant puts a stop to fossil fuel mining, exploration and production. More power to companies like Adani who give a thought towards investing in clean and green energy as a step towards building a healthier planet. Read more about Adani Green Energy's solar energy plant: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/19/business/india-adani-green-energy-plant-climate-intl-hnk/index.html?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_bJz-5oBbWMTC8QzjUn5CJbiHJYHgATA7iP7v3tGEQIxJN4tWtVoNgOtjWEkmUnOeYM1z6ZjS8lW6eeSjDlGvdjRKZt16n2gkxOEZV3u8L-CPLiqM&_hsmi=300041989&utm_content=300041989&utm_source=hs_email
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This is a win for our planet and a sign of positive change. Big corporations like Adani have the power to make a real difference - let's keep encouraging them to go green.
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This is an amazing investment in renewable energy, established in the best of locations. (A barren land, with very few plants and animals). But as the climate review states, Adani could make an even bigger impact if the corporate giant stopped investing in coal.
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great investment to solar energy, hence its clean and renewable which helps preserve the environment.
Varsa Mahananda
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We all know that climate change is a discussion we can no longer afford to avoid. And this issue can be handled much better if our government is a climate change enthusiast. However, that does not seem to be the situation in India. Sending climate warning to the Indian government for their myopic approach and careless attitude towards the worrisome climate change issue. What with the elections looming round the corner, no electoral candidate from the ruling party seems to have climate change on their agenda. Is climate change not an important issue for them? On the contrary, we see short-term, planet-hurting promises like reduction in fossil fuel prices doing the rounds. With a population of 1.4 billion people, India is one of the most vulnerable geographies when it comes to climate change. So much so that, the Indian Meteorological Department has even predicted a scorching summer in 2024. Shouldn’t this be on the agenda of the government who is going to rule the country for the next four years? Let alone having climate change on their agenda, the Narendra Modi-led government did not even respond to Sonam Wangchuk’s 21-day fast plea requesting protection for Ladakh against mining and construction. According to this study published in 2019, we had 11 years left to do something about climate change. Now, in 2024, we have 6 years left. Choosing the right government, who works towards climate change is the need of the hour, else we seem to be losing precious time. Learn more about the agenda of the current ruling party for the upcoming elections: https://www.eco-business.com/news/will-climate-change-swing-indias-election/
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This is incredibly frustrating. Climate change is an existential threat, and India is especially vulnerable. Citizens of India, make your voices heard! Demand climate action from your leaders.
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The lack of attention to climate change by Indian politicians is concerning, given the country's vulnerability to its effects. With a rapidly growing population and economy, it's crucial for India to prioritize sustainable policies and take proactive measures to address this global issue.
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@walter_lungayi Citizens are in need of leaders who have positive mission and vision to safeguard them from climate catastrophes in future,and this must commence Asap!
Varsa Mahananda
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Sending climate love to IAS office Devarakonda Krishna Bhaskar for implementing effective water management measures which have now been added to textbooks in school. In a country like India, water shortage has been a regular issue. And various parts of Telangana perennially come under drought or semi-drought prone areas. It is in this state that IAS officer Devarakonda Krishna Bhaskar implemented multiple water management measures and ultimately raised the water table in the region by six meters in just three years. Overexploitation, rain-water shortage and contamination were the major reasons behind groundwater shortage in Telangana, a Southern state in India, for the last few years. Not only was this causing hindrance to industries and agriculture, people were also facing a lot of difficulties getting basic drinking water. When Bhaskar was designated here three years ago, he took it on himself to find a solution to this seemingly unending problem. He implemented various measures like desilting water bodies, land acquisition of reservoirs, increasing capacity for water shortage, upgrading tanks so they had piped water systems, and more. For three years he worked non-stop, ensuring the region went on a massive drive to collect rain water and conserve water on a large scale. And now we can see the results. More power to people like him who work selflessly for the greater good. We really can't have enough of them. Learn more about IAS D Krishna Bhaskar and his measures for water conservation: https://www.thebetterindia.com/243812/ias-hero-water-able-raising-method-dam-how-management-government-curriculum-ananthagiri-rajrajeshwara-dam-him16/
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That's amazing, very inspiring story for other districts around India!
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This is quite commendable...we all should strive to make a difference in the near future before all hope is lost.
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Wow😲this is much impressive. Congratulations to @devaraconda for such an achievement
Varsa Mahananda
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The 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk had been fasting in -15 degree Celsius weather as part of his protest against mining of the region’s resources and to bring to the attention of the Indian government the rapid meltdown of the Himalayas, also known as ‘third pole’. He just ended his 21-day fast on 26th March, 2024 but this is not the end. This is only one part of many more to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_esvvCzwtg Sonam Wangchuk, an educator, climate activist and an engineer, has been a pioneer in building solar-powered buildings where meltwater can be refrozen and used for irrigation later. However, he knows he single-handedly cannot solve the bigger climate issue, hence he wants the prominent people of India who are in power, to do something about it. Ladakh is the highest plateau of India located in the Himalayan region. Ladakh is so free of pollution that it is possibly the only region in India which boasts of crystal clear skies, beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes, thrilling adventure activities, highest mountain passes, and of course Buddhist Monasteries and unique festivals. As of now, Ladakh has been untouched by development work, but it might not be the case for very long. He has been fasting for three weeks at a height of 11,500 sq. ft. where the temperature records -15 degrees Celsius on a normal day. Thousands of people joined him in this protest in their one-day fasts in the belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government will designate Ladakh as a ‘tribal area’. Under the constitution of India, getting a tribal status would mean that the region gets local autonomy for the land and resource use. He believes that this is the only way to protect the fragile ecosystem and the way of life of the Ladakhis. In the past, India has been known to have leaders and protesters fasting for a cause. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of India, who fought in the Independence Movement and believed in non-violence, was quite famous for his hunger strikes. Learn more about Sonam Wangchuk and his views: https://e360.yale.edu/features/sonam-wangchuk-interview
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Dear Varsa Mahananda Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Sonam Wangchuk (engineer) by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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This is encouraging..we all should atleast do something to ensure that we are heard and what we care about is protected.
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This is amazing. Sonam 's actions underscores the importance of individual responsibility in climate action.
Varsa Mahananda
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The climate is changing, our Earth is becoming warmer. We are all worried. But can we do something about it? These are the questions we ask ourselves time and again. We often believe we need new high-tech inventions to deal with these problems – but sometimes the most effective solutions are those that have been around for millions of years. Some people ask if planting trees actually makes a difference to the heat levels. I will tell you a story. I belong to a coastal city called Bhubaneswar, the capital city of the state of Odisha, in Eastern India. Given the proximity to the Bay of Bengal, there was always some amount of humidity in the air throughout the year. When I was a child, growing up in my hometown, I used to notice it was becoming harder and harder to go out and play in the sun, especially during summers. Many of us have heard their parents talk about things they used to do, which was no longer possible for us. But I am telling you, I experienced this change myself. During our childhood, our schools used to close down for one and a half months for the summer vacations. We spent the whole day playing and lazing around. When I was 7, I could still go out and play all day. But when I turned 11, that was no longer possible! What changed? The heat became unbearably painful in just a few years. You could hear on the news about people dying from heat strokes (we called them sun strokes). It was horrible! When I was younger, most people had only fans in their homes and only a few had air coolers. However, only a few years later, you could not live without an AC! Now I am 35. The heat is only getting worse in my hometown. So much so that, those summer vacations now sometimes last up to two and a half months because the heat is well nigh unrelenting. Last year, in 2023, the highest temperature recorded was 49 degrees Celsius! On top of that, summer vacations are limited to students. If you are working professionally, you get no vacations. Imagine commuting to work in that kind of weather! And I am not even talking of people who have to work in the sun. Let alone working outdoors, even 20 minutes out in this heat is enough to give you a heat stroke. Whenever I go back now, I prefer visiting the city during winter now because I know my body cannot take the scorching heat. The winters are no longer cold there either. The mornings are not even chilly. It is just a mild, temperate respite for two months from the killing heat the rest of the year around. Why am I telling you this? So, there was this section in the city that is saved from construction and development, and this area is filled with trees on one side of the road, like a small jungle. Whenever you pass this area, you can feel an instant burst of coolness hitting you, for that stretch of the road. What does this prove? Trees, their presence or absence, do make a big difference. Our planet has myriad ways of telling us what it needs to survive. We have to train ourselves to listen to it. Plant trees, save water, use public transport! These are the very basic things that come to mind when it comes to working towards a greener environment. But is that enough? Can that actually lead to a solution? The effect can be almost mind blowing. According to this study from 2021, trees in greener spaces have the capability to cool an area by about 12 degrees! On the contrary, cities that do not have trees in their greener spaces, have a negligible effect on the cooling. Well, if a city in Colombia could do it, why not the rest of us? And Medellín in Colombia is living proof that regreening does help make the planet cooler. What did the Colombian city Medellín do to achieve a two degrees cooler climate? Medellín, like other major growing cities in the world, had been focusing on construction and development. It used to be known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ because of its temperate climate, but the heat has gradually gone up in the last few years. In 2016, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez began to take measures to build a ‘Green Corridor’. He invested $16.3 million to plant over 2.5 million plants and 880,000 trees in the city. This has now led to an ultimate drop in temperature levels, and now the city boasts being 2 degrees cooler than before. Isn’t that wonderful! Read more on how the city is handling the urban heat by planting trees. Impact of lower temperature on humans Aside from the fact that maintaining a cooler atmosphere will mean that the planet, and its inhabitants will not have to face unbearable living conditions due to scorching heat, lowering the temperature levels does have very good impacts on us: Longer lifespan: A rise in temperature levels gives rise to a lot of health problems including heat strokes, blood pressure issues and what not. Keeping the planet cool leads to a healthy atmosphere for the earthlings to survive. Cleaner air: The accumulated dust and pollution trapped in the atmosphere gives rise to carbon dioxide and methane levels in the air. So if we work towards reducing the CO2 levels by resorting to measures like reforestation, it will both suck down carbon and lead to cleaner air. You will be surprised to know how important clean air is for our mental health and our lifespan in general. Instead of inhaling carcinogenic, polluted air, we will be inhaling clean air that does wonders to our mind and soul, not to forget, the body. Better moods: Studies have shown that rising temperature levels lead to a bad mood and higher crime rates in cities. Check out this article to learn more about this. It is sad how we need to be convinced of the fact that a better environment is actually good for us. As if we have a choice. So how do we achieve this? On an individual level, it is easier said than done to plant trees on a large scale that will be enough to bring down temperatures. But greening our city roads isn't the only measure we can take to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. We can also green our rooftops. A scientific report published in Nature in February concludes that the potential of green roofs to mitigate urban heat and related energy consumption is a highly underrated nature-based climate solution. The idea is to plan the urban infrastructure in such a way that irrigation is possible on rooftops, thereby attracting rains. The soil on the roof will absorb the coolness of the water, thereby making the building, and the area surrounding it, cooler. Basel, a city in Switzerland, was the first city to mandate green spaces on the rooftops of new buildings. The government believes that we are gradually losing access to greener spaces due to the growing urban spaces. If that is the case, then why not use the unutilized rooftops on buildings to build a green pasture that is good for the people and the environment? Learn more about this here. So what is this green roof system? It is an extended version of your roof with added waterproofing, better drainage, root repellants, etc. so the roof becomes more conducive to irrigation. This article gives us a lot more insight into the green roof system. A higher temperature is neither good for us, nor the environment. A lot of companies like Bauder Flat Roofs, Sempergreen Group, Onduline Group are offering high-quality and waterproof green roofs to help mitigate the impact of the heat island effect. See what Brice Sendra, CEO of Demet'Air has to say about offering green roof solutions: https://youtu.be/cVVDjjDipB0 Everyone is investing towards construction, development and urban infrastructure. Even Medellín was doing it. At one point, they realized their priorities towards the planet and for the future. If the Colombian city of Medellin can achieve it, so can the rest of the world. Nothing is impossible. According to Bill Gates, the way the urban infrastructure scene is growing, the world will build an entire New York City every month for the next 40 years. We cannot stop development, but we have to find a way to do it without affecting climate change. To combat the climate crisis, we need to start thinking very differently when constructing these urban areas. We just need to get out of the Ostrich mentality and face the truth. That itself is one big step towards change. It is heartening to see that some cities are realizing this and working towards change. The rest of us, however, are not doing things fast enough. We can no longer ignore reality. The need to change, and work towards cooling our Earth, should begin soon. Learn more about how green roofs can be used to reduce heat islands: https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-green-roofs-reduce-heat-islands
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These natural elements provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen, helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce temperatures in cities.
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Wow😲this is so informative. Never knew that we have climate solutions in ancient times
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The example of Medellín's successful greening initiative highlights the potential for cities to combat climate change by prioritizing reforestation and sustainable urban development, offering valuable lessons for global environmental efforts.
Varsa Mahananda
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Finally the efforts of the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana community has paid off with a landmark ruling by a Peruvian court. The ruling stated that the Marañón River can have legal rights! The Kukama indigenous women of the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana community have been fighting for the rights of the Marañón River for a while now. The river is a source of sustenance for the people living around the area, including the people of the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana community. However, with the oil spills coming from the oil production companies nearby, the river has become polluted to a great extent, and continues to do so. These women claim that Nature, just like corporations, have basic rights to exist, and to be free from pollution. And just like corporations, they can’t represent themselves. So, the indigenous women from the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana community are the “guardians, defenders and representatives of the Marañón River and its tributaries''. The court has now recognised these women as the representatives for the legal rights of the river. This opens an opportunity for future litigation and the Marañón River will have a right to fight for its rights! Much love and more power to the women of this community for fighting towards bringing about this landmark ruling. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20032024/peru-court-rules-maranon-river-legal-rights/
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Dear Varsa Mahananda Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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A victory for both environmental justice and indigenous rights
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They deserve it 💯
Varsa Mahananda
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Sending climate love to the Peruvian provincial court of Nauta for ruling in favor of the Marañón River, and for acknowledging that nature also has legal rights. Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana, a federation of Kukama Indigenous women, had filed a case with the Nauta court that the Marañón River, just like every other species and part of nature on Earth, also had legal rights to exist, to flow freely, and to be free from pollution. The court, in a landmark ruling, has announced that the river does have legal rights, and as the “guardians, defenders and representatives of the Marañón River and its tributaries", the Indigenous women can represent the river and the surrounding ecosystem on its behalf, exactly like companies and corporations are represented by certain elected or appointed humans. What instigated the court case in the first place? The river flows quite close to oil producing zones and has been subjected to oil spills quite frequently. Also, people from the Kukama Indigenous communities and others in the Loreto area are heavily reliant on the river for their livelihood and sustenance. Read more about the problems the oil spills have been causing the river, and the communities living near the river. This court ruling might not stop the corporations from polluting the river, but acknowledging the fact that the river does have legal rights is quite promising in itself. It sets the foundation for judicial recognition of the Marañón River ecosystem’s rights for future litigation. Learn more about this landmark case: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20032024/peru-court-rules-maranon-river-legal-rights/?utm_source=InsideClimate+News&utm_campaign=874ce9f60b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_23_01_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-874ce9f60b-329839818
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The court's groundbreaking ruling granting legal rights to the Marañón River is a watershed moment in the fight for environmental justice.
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I'm grateful that someone finally shared this uplifting news—it's a beacon of hope for conservation efforts worldwide. Kudos to the Nauta court for their landmark decision in recognizing the legal rights of the Marañón River and acknowledging the role of Indigenous communities.
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Wow. This is a game-changing ruling! Great stuff.
Varsa Mahananda
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Aren't we polluting our environment further by vouching for fossil fuel subsidy? Elections are round the corner throughout the world, and we see all kinds of election campaigns doing their rounds everywhere. One campaign particularly caught my attention. It is not that uncommon, however. It is the promise to reduce fossil fuel prices and to provide subsidies on LPG. I understand this is an attractive proposition for the people in the short-term scenario. I mean, yes, everyone wants cheaper petrol and diesel in a world where an electric vehicle, and its infrastructure, is still expensive and very much in need of development. But aren't the parties resorting to a 'cheaper' way out to gain votes? We know we should move on to clean and green energy. Shouldn't the parties in power be promising us more environment-friendly solutions instead of going for the easy way out? And the easy way out would still have been okay, had it not been a sure shot way of killing our planet. If you want to promise us something, then promise us a better environment. Focus on building clean energy, in building the electric vehicle infrastructure, and make greener options cheaper...! Oh well, who am I to say? Who wants to do that much work when we, as individuals, are so much happier to get that minimal subsidy, let alone the fact that there won't be a world to enjoy it in, for much longer. Did you know that the world's governments today are handing $7 trillion of their taxpayers' money in fossil fuel subsidies, as we speak, while not even spending even half of it on climate solutions? So when they say they are helping us, that is actually making things worse, by fueling an already overheated crisis. Learn more about how the fossil fuel industry is being funded right out of our pockets: https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/08/24/fossil-fuel-subsidies-surged-to-record-7-trillion
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Subsidies serve to encourage consumption so fuel subsidies encourage consumption of fossil fuels. They should be done away with to discourage use of fossil fuels. Infact we should increase the prices of fuel prices
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Scaling back fossil fuel subsidies would reduce air pollution and make a major contribution to slowing climate change.
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In as much as the government is failing us..it's quite discouraging seeing citizens happy for subsidies on fossil fuels....we should atleast be willing to pay a little bit more money and go green for the common good of everyone
Varsa Mahananda
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HSBC Bank was one of the leading banks who pledged to stop investing in the fossil fuel sector under the Paris Agreement, but we are yet to see any change. Two years ago, the bank had provided funding for the Rosebank oil field owned by Ithaca Energy. However, even after two years of making this pledge, we do not see the bank staying true to its promise. HSBC is one of the members of the Net Zero Banking Alliance, which means that the bank should reach the 1.5 degree goal under the Paris Climate Agreement. This is an effort to invest towards clean energy. It is high time that we stop fuelling the fossil fuel industry and we should have begun working towards it 'yesterday'! Sending a climate warning to HSBC and hoping they work on their pledge, as they had promised, and helping us work towards a livable planet. Learn more about the banks investing in Ithaca Energy's Rosebank oil field: https://www.banktrack.org/article/banks_financing_company_behind_controversial_rosebank_oil_field_despite_climate_pledges https://www.edie.net/reports-oil-and-gas-majors-continue-to-slow-energy-transition-and-undermine-paris-agreement/
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HSBC Bank should be called out as outright liars. No sympathy for them
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I'm so disappointed with HBSC decision to finance the Rosebank oil field despite their previous pledge to refrain from such investments. HBSC should reconsider its decision and prioritize sustainability over profit.
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Liars!
Varsa Mahananda
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As an individual, it is difficult for us to calculate our carbon footprint. If we want to contribute towards a green environment, we have no idea how much progress we made. It helps to have a calcuator of sorts. Sending climate love to Uber for launching their "Emissions Savings" feature which gives data to riders on how much carbon dioxide emissions they can avoid by choosing electric vehicle and hybrid options. The feature is initially being launched in over 15 cities in the US and Canada, and is even accessible to teen account holders. This data feature calculates CO2 savings relative to UberX and Uber Comfort trips for the same distance covered. Of course, there are still a lot of tricky points to be covered, like the fact that it is not easy to calculate CO2 emissions on ride hailings, but research is in progress, and the result does look hopeful. What I would say is, any movement towards a greener environment is good movement, and is always welcome. Learn more about Uber's data feature here: https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/uber-app-carbon-emissions
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Great innovation by @uber .Every Individual needs to understand his/her contribution to a green environment.
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Such developments that drives to a better environment are very much welcomed
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This is a good development
Varsa Mahananda
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Less rainfall leads to drought-like situation, and more rainfall leads to floods. What is the solution? Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka in India, has been facing water shortage recently. This is not new. A few years ago, the residents of the city faced water shortage to such levels that people even resorted to taking a shower at the malls or their workplace restrooms. However, the situation is much worse today. The water crisis has been going on for weeks now, with no end in sight. Tankers have to be ordered every day to meet the daily water needs of the people. Last year, Bengaluru did not receive much rainfall, and it is to this fact that much of the water shortage is being attributed to. The locals have another perspective: The city is known as the IT hub of India and lots of techies from all over the world have migrated to this city owing to the level of opportunities. If the people moved back to their hometowns, the population level would decrease, thereby leading to a reduction in water consumption. But is that a feasible solution? I am also worried about the rainwater management system in place in Bengaluru. Also, in case there is a good rainfall this year, the city is going to face a flood situation, as has happened in the past. Reason: Some lakes in the city have been covered up over the past few years and apartments have been built upon them, thus leaving lesser space for the rainwater to collect. This leads to floods. Learn more about the disheartening situation: https://www.thehindu.com/data/a-possible-solution-for-bengalurus-water-crisis-data/article67939268.ece https://www.ndtv.com/bangalore-news/bengaluru-water-crisis-bengaluru-residents-hospitals-cry-for-help-as-water-reserves-dwindle-5229006
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It floods when there is rain and it’s a scarcity when there isn’t any. May be there is more to think other than effective water management as the only solution like plantation policy for societies and companies, materials used for road construction which can allow water absorption, a direction to flow of excess flood water that can be collected to a storage. It is just a thought, however practical and feasible solutions can be possible to implement.
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This is so sad samething needs to be done water is everything
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A very worrying situation, water is everything and we can't survive without it
Varsa Mahananda
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It was May 2020 and I was traveling to New Delhi after a long gap. This smog-capital of India had been my home for 6 years before I relocated to Bangalore (a city in Southern India) in 2019. Then Covid struck, and I was not able to visit for a long time. Anyway, when my plane landed in New Delhi, it was about 10 in the morning. Delhi summers are quite hot and bright, so imagine my surprise when instead of the bright sun, I saw an overcast day outside adorned with fog. So much so that I could not even see the sign that says New Delhi Airport right outside the plane window. It took me a while to realize what I thought was fog, was actually nothing but deadly smog! Also, did I tell you how I could literally smell the smoggy dust in the air even before the plane doors opened? The deteriorating air quality index in New Delhi is a rising cause for alarm. Yet nobody seems to be talking about it. Covid has come and gone, but for the people of Delhi, a mask is still very much a part of their lives, an N95 no less. (N95 masks are made of electrostatic non-woven polypropylene fiber and they fit quite close to the facial shape. This makes them more effective than normal masks). Reason? The deadly smog that is always lurking in the air. It is well nigh impossible to imagine Delhi as a smog-free city anymore. But if you speak to the residents of Delhi, they seem unperturbed. It is as if they have made peace with it. They will tell you, ‘Yeah, Delhi has a lot of pollution, so what? That's just how it is.’ So much so that it is hard to convince even my mother (who lives in Delhi), to get an air purifier on the same grounds. I was discussing the horrible air pollution levels with my European friend and the seemingly careless stance of the people pertaining to it. He asked me whether this was because Indians believe in karma and go with the attitude: what has to happen, will happen. I tried my best to explain to him that this attitude mostly rears its head in terms of astrology and one’s personal destiny, not the atmosphere in general. He did not seem convinced. But honestly, who can blame him? To think of it, I wasn’t very convinced either! While a standard and healthy AQI (air quality index) would stay between 0 and 50, the AQI in New Delhi has recorded 457 recently. (Anything over 300 counts as hazardous). Such a number in a developed country would have led to a State of Emergency, but for the people of New Delhi, it’s just another normal day. Schools ordered shut owing to the rising levels in hazardous smog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ya-NNs931g The situation has become so bad that schools have to be shut for a week or two every year around this time and people are requested to keep their children indoors and away from the pollution. Such a decision was taken for the first time in 2018 when the smog situation got so crazy that it became impossible to see each other when outdoors, even in close proximity. After 2018, this trend has continued every year, exactly like a family ritual. The situation has gone from bad to worse in just a few years. A recent study called the Air Quality Life Index published by Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago in August 2023 states that New Delhi is the most polluted city in the world, and that people are losing a significant portion of their lifespan due to such hazardous living conditions. Every year after the Diwali celebrations (an important Indian festival in October that involves lighting diyas and bursting firecrackers), the score on the AQI index records dreadfully high. It stays that way for weeks on end. Also, October is the time when winter starts to set in, and all the fog in the air mixes with the dust and pollution to give the city an extremely clouded look (not in a healthy way at all), so much so that you might not even be able to see the person next to you while taking a walk together. However, Diwali is not the only reason behind the egregiously high pollution levels. Another major reason behind it is the agricultural stubble burnings by farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Reason behind the stubble burnings: Earlier, farmers used to manually harvest their crop, stalk by stalk, right from the roots. It was only during the 1990s that they got access to machines that could do the work for them, thus decreasing the time and energy involved in the harvesting process. Great solution! However, automatic crop harvesting machines had one problem. While harvesting, they would leave about two feet of the stalk from the ground, which is what we call the stubble. Farmers found it cheaper and easier to burn down the stubble before the next harvest instead of taking it out manually. Also, there was no strong enough initiative from the government to resolve this issue. Another reason behind stubble burnings was implementation of the water law in Punjab. To resolve the water issue in the state, the Punjab government prohibited the farmers to plant rice before June. This led to delayed plantation, which in turn led to a delayed harvest. There was hardly any time left between the harvesting and replanting for the next season. To overcome this short window problem, farmers found it easier to burn the agricultural residue that was left behind after the last harvest, instead of removing them by other, considerably slower and more expensive means. This, of course, resolved the water issue, bringing timely monsoons and replenishing the aquifers. When the governments realized how the stubble burnings were affecting New Delhi and the nearby areas, they tried to implement fines on the farmers in order to curb the burnings. But the farmers still found that paying a fine was much cheaper than implementing any other method to remove the stubble from their land. What ISRO’s Ocean Colour Monitor says about pollution levels in New Delhi Right after the Diwali celebrations in New Delhi in October 2023 (when the AQI is at its highest because of the rising pollution levels caused majorly from burning firecrackers), ISRO’s Ocean Colour Monitor conducted an analysis of aerosol optical depth (AOD) levels in the area. Not surprisingly, the pollution levels noted a marked spike, especially since New Delhi falls in the Indo-Gangetic plain area. How New Delhi’s geographical location makes it more prone to heavy pollution New Delhi is located on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, or the North Indian River Plain, covering 700 square kilometers of fertile plain that is landlocked by mountains on all sides. So all the dust and wind from the mountains of nearby areas including Pakistan and Afghanistan sort of falls into New Delhi, and stays locked. This is a major reason why the pollution situation in New Delhi never seems to go away. So much so that in winters vehicles collide with each other even in broad daylight due to the impossibly dense smog! Vehicles have to have their headlights on all throughout the day to avoid an accident. This makes driving in New Delhi during winters (when the smog is at its peak) all the more dangerous. New Delhi and it’s famous odd-even rule To control the increasing pollution levels, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, came up with the odd-even rule for the first time in 2016. According to this rule, people could only drive vehicles with license plates ending with odd numbers on odd dates, and vehicles wth plates ending with even numbers on even dates. The implementation of this rule has been recurring time and again. It was last implemented in November 2023. The New Delhi roads seemed to have lesser traffic, and implementing this rule brought the AQI level down quite a bit. The state government keeps implementing the rule for short periods whenever the AQI rises too high. Although this is a good attempt, it is not a permanent solution. Also, people try to find their way around this rule: either borrowing a car, or buying a new one. However, the rule comes back to life as and when needed, like a temporary resolution to the pollution levels. The strange thing to note is the fact that Delhi prides itself on its strong and well-placed public transportation system: The Delhi Metro. Despite great connectivity of this metro transport system across all of Delhi, a lot of people still prefer to use their own cars to work. Sometimes you can even see a single person driving a 7-seater SUV. People also look down upon carpooling, thus exploiting unnecessary fuel usage (most cars are either petrol, diesel or CNG-based). No wonder the traffic and pollution levels are spiking way beyond the norm. Cab services like Uber and Ola did have sharing options, but that stopped after Covid struck. What celebrities are doing to curb the issue A few celebrities have recently begun trying to raise awareness of the situation and provide solutions to the problem. One of them is Indian cricketer Virat Kohli who is reported to have partnered with Ola (an Indian cab booking app similar to Uber) for a campaign called #FarakPadtaHai (it makes a difference) to raise awareness about the rising pollution levels in New Delhi. As part of the campaign, Kohli was seen urging people to take public and shared commutes like the metro, buses, and Shared Ola (apparently, the shared cab services are being reintroduced), etc. This initiative is an attempt to bring down the pollution levels by a good amount. Another Attempt at Resolving the Pollution Issue: Last year, a new bill was passed by the government to mitigate the pollution levels: Draft Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023. Under this scheme, commercial vehicle owners are required to transition towards electric vehicles by 2030. At the same time, service quality standards for vehicle maintenance have to be met as well. While this ambitious goal looks good on paper, it will be hard to implement, as India still lacks the proper infrastructure to support electric vehicles. So, unless huge investments in such infrastructure is part of the scheme, a big change seems unlikely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItE9S2FZe44 Is change even possible? Currently, there are other cities in the world like Bogota, Warsaw, Bangkok, Seoul and Accra that are working hard to keep their pollution levels in check. Maybe it is high time for India to take a leaf out of their book to adapt to a more durable solution. While Bogota is working towards a completely electrified public transportation system, Warsaw has installed 165 air sensors in places and plans to phase out coal-based energy out of the country by 2024. At the same time, Seoul has banned diesel cars and signed a deal with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) to understand and improve air quality. Accra (Ghana) was the first to join the BreatheLife Campaign to tackle air pollution. Lastly, Bangkok has launched the Green Bangkok 2030 project in 2019 and plans to increase its green space to 10 sq.m. per person by 2030. It is true that given the geography of Delhi, with it being landlocked from all sides, it is extremely difficult to keep the city free of pollution. Hence it becomes increasingly important for more stringent measures to be implemented in order to keep the hazardous pollution levels in check. We don’t have time to ignore this problem anymore. But big improvements for our health and climate would indeed be possible if we actually put our heart to it. To learn more about the rising need for climate action, pollution control and clean air, watch this broadcast: https://www.wedonthavetime.org/events/climateandcleanair
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5 w
Air pollution in delhi is a serious health crisis. Delhi needs to invest in clean energy and public transport
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6 w
This is awful! Air pollution in Delhi is a serious public health crisis. People shouldn't have to wear masks just to breathe, Delhi needs to invest in clean energy & public transport to reduce traffic & emissions.
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6 w
New Delhi is the bloody example of our future world. If we don't react fast, wherever we are living, it will be part of our daily life.
Varsa Mahananda
7 w
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I came across an article that surprised me to the core. Climate change is a cause for concern everywhere in the world, but have you heard a certain gender group being blamed for it? You heard it right! Kashmir has been facing a lack of snowfall lately, thus leading to shortage of water. So in order to collect water from further afield, women have to walk the extra mile. Yes, that's true! In majority of the villages in India, it falls on the women to collect water from the central well or groundwater source in their villages. So if there in no water available nearby, it is the women who have to travel as far as needed (possibly miles), to gather water for their daily use (usually on foot). This task comes in the way of those women who have jobs or are pursuing education. Coming back to our cause for concern. Sky Trust Kashmir has pointed out the fact that women are being blamed for a shift in climate change. Why? Well, the reason itself is strange enough. The people in the region believe that these 'modern' thinking women who get strange ideas in their head to study and have a career, are the reason behind the shortage of snowfall. Learn more: https://idronline.org/ground-up-stories/women-shoulder-the-blame-for-climate-change-in-kashmir/
144 more agrees trigger scaled up advertising
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6 w
Dear Varsa Mahananda Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Sky Trust Kashmir by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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7 w
Women are the most liable to climate: how comes they course suffering to themselves how? They are undefeated when it comes to climate conservations.
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7 w
We are not in the medivial times!! Women now have the right to get education and contribute to the society. Blaming women for climate change is barbaric.
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12 h
Solar Energy is the best and most reliable source of energy I wish the other states would emulate Texas.
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4 d
Fantastic news.With more investment into solar plants, green energy can easily reduce coal dependancy to unbelievable level
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4 d
Great progress, alot more will be achieved with much more efforts and commitments