Looking back at 2012

The 2012 Delhi gang-rape was by-far the most widespread issue which closed down 2012 and shook the streets of the city including rest of India for many weeks. Looking back at what happened it still stuns me to the core of what happened to a student and what's at stake working women like us and the necessary action that needs to be taken against this serious, serious issue.

Being in a country which has gone so far in areas of education, research, science and global thinking what is troubling is that the streets of India are still unsafe for women till this day. Where our nightclubs and restaurants not to mention our netas are constantly supervised by 2-3 policemen who regulate law and order, bringing crime down and ensuring protection of women in a patriarchal male-dominated society in the era of 2013, this one brutal incident an perhaps be the beginning of India Awakening to the issue of violence against women.

The blackout in north India which left over 700 million people without electricity for hours in the summer of 2012 is another picture of electricity and power management in India. Touted as the worst power cut the country has faced resulting in social and economic losses in just a few hours.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) one of the largest organisations in the areas of communication, knowledge and resource pool released its book 'Excreta Matters' on a national level talking about the impact of human waste and solutions to India's sewage problem which is getting out of control and polluting our food and water resources, Sunita Narain again shows the country and the world that India is capable of in managing her resources right and well deserved credit to this brave and unique information  

The United Nations (UN) has announced 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation, understanding how water is treated in the world, dealing with a growing global population, demand and privatization of this precious commodity is already running into high conflict in our country and her neighbour's. The need for a framework and regulatory body in each state has reached a stage where the country has no choice unless it wants to cope with water wars in the coming future.

There are many issues which I feel are important to address and talk about, educate, and turn into action. As a country we have come a long way in technology and development but when it comes to human development, welfare and environment we are despicably behind and taking up these pressing issues is the only way of moving forward as a truly developing nation. 

Climate Change and Monsoon Woes

The absence of monsoon this year have left tell-tale signs of impending climate change. With July already upon us northern states are yet to receive their rain water supply desperately needed after a long and hot summer period. More than 80% of India has not received its much required water needs this year.

Bangalore recorded the hottest day, temperatures touched 37 degrees celsius in April had everyone remaining indoors, avoiding the sun and witnessed water scarcity problems arising all over. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter shared common comments longing for rain, good weather and weather forecast so days can be planned makes us all wonder whether this year is going to be as bad as last or, worse.

Unatural weather behaviour has affected India, with a country with more than 6 climate subtypes ranging from Himalayan region, arid desserts, coastal locations and sub-tropical areas it is no wonder that we have a complex weather pattern that checks a stable climate and cycle. Climate change has started affecting regions which are most vulnerable to changes; melting glaciers and lake outbursts in the Himalayan region have become a common hazard destroying crops and plantations, wiping out villages  settlements and taking lives. In the Himalayan Meltdown rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Yamuna which originate from this region are heading for big trouble, by 2025 if Himalayan glaciers retreat substantially this will affect the 200 million population of North India who are directly dependent on these rivers for their precious water supply.

Bangladesh has a record of 50 million climate refugees today and is the most affected region in the world to climate change and rising water levels. Cities like Mumbai and Kolkatta have the biggest slum settlements due to migration of rural into urban cities as a result of crop failure, loss of land, unemployment which forces the poor to turn to metros for jobs and end up living in slums adding to problems of choked cities.

Climate change in India hits the poor the hardest who end paying the biggest price and do not have the voice or power to communicate their distress. Our water, food and ecosystem will be the most affected which will spiral into socio-economic problems and loss of economic GDP.  The Indian government wants to see a rise in India's GDP which is currently 9% to 11% in the next few years, but this will only be possible if we attend to the real issues on ground like rural development and employment, clean energy implementation and promoting climate resilient agriculture. Floods need to be controlled with appropriate drainage systems and infrastructure like rainwater harvesting need investment so we save every drop, emergency evacuations systems in vulnerable areas like Bangladesh and Leh-Ladakh region need to be well-equipped and successful.

One of the greatest changes that we can do as a nation is also at a citizens level. I believe that educated, urban born individuals can start doing their bit in a small way that allows them to save precious fuel and electricity costs. Environmental sensitivity should be significant in urban cities which have heavy infrastructure development, the aesthetic needs of merging environmental friendly surroundings with urban development has the potential of becoming a viral phenomenon if we Indians appreciate the natural beauty and fragility of our very ecosystems. It is time we wake up from our stupor 

News links:

http://www.indiaclimateportal.org/June-rain-deficit-at-31-monsoon-in-crucial-phase-2-July-2012-Times-of-India

http://www.indiaclimateportal.org/Delayed-Monsoon-Extends-Hot-Spell-in-Northern-Region-1-July-2012-The-Business-Standard

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/articles/2011/06/13/-revealed-the-himalayan-meltdown-.html

Pushing carbon emissions bAcKwArDs and celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22, a day where we remind ourselves that we have precious resources to protect; the ground, sky, water and everything above, between and below are reasons why we have been able to come so far in such a short period. This is a day where we remember what we are standing on - The Earth.

Earth Day was celebrated in Bangalore on April 21 2012 with much pomp, song and believe it or not pushing two-wheelers backwards by 200 college students from B.N.M Institute of Technology on a hot Saturday afternoon. Centre for Social Markets and BNM decided that its high time the present gen is reminded about issues of carbon belching, fuel drinking, noisy two-wheelers or just about anything that comes with an engine and how sustainable transport can replace the motor world.

So why two-wheelers? And why pushed backwards which takes a lot of effort? So Bangalore stands no. 1 (and not proudly) of holding the most number of two-wheelers in Bangalore - 26 lakhs. This pretty much outstrips all the rest (stats here) accounting for the increase in carbon emissions, pollution rise and high temperatures which the city has been witnessed in the last few years. Also Bangalore stands no. 3 (very proud here) of holding a young population who rather opt for bikes and scooty peps than cycles. With the number of two-wheelers + 20 somethings in the city this campaign was perfect to encourage our 'push backwards for an earth cause' campaign.

Pushing backwards was an effort to create an awareness of emissions levels caused by two-wheelers ridden by youngsters. We were telling the public become sustainable in your transport pick a cycle, walk or use public transportation, learn to curb those emissions. Learn to protect your environment for your own sake. 

We pushed for 2 kilometers in Banashakari area from the college to the main road, passed the post office, reached the BDA Complex and back to the college. Going downhill at one point threatened all the bikes plummeting into one another, but with 5 people to one engine the students controlled the entire operation beautifully. With the drum beating to various tunes, some youngsters started dancing tapori style - almost like a festival procession. And it was! A festival celebrating the earth, celebrating our home, the air, water and ground which we depend upon. 


An operation which involved top environmental organisations - Sanctuary Asia, Earth Day Network and Greenpeace who were our supporters and stood like pillars throughout the rally. Our media partner Namma Bengaluru Foundation gave us the media action in Bangalore.

The day ended with Greenpeace creating a human chain of a bicycle and a pledge taken by the 200 students promising to save 100,000 km of carbon emissions till the next Earth Day April 22, 2012.

What a perfect Earth Day celebration in Bangalore, and a milestone for me as an enthusiastic person wishing to make a difference. I will be doing much more.

Media coverage and support:

TCKTCKTCK

Sanctuary Asia

The Hindu

DNA

Bangalore Mirror

The New Indian Express