Global Warming and everything Environmental!

[the_egonomist]

Kicking off the official green thread

Discussions to be related to Global warming, Environmental and Climate Change.

To get you upto speed, watch this movie:
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Suggestions/Comments?

Cheers.

[sumitrocks]

Climate change seems to be a scary issue indeed - with hotter summers, more devastating cyclones, tsunamis, and tornadoes wreaking havoc across the world. It is appalling to see the apathy of some of the 'great' nations of this world towards this issue. India and China, are refusing to ratify the Kyoto protocol, because it 'interferes with economic growth.'

Even without signing on the dotted line, the nations can take steps to reduce their carbon emissions. We can always hike taxes on high-emission vehicles, invest more in public transport, and educate public about being more friendly to the ecology.

Also, instead of building more coal/gas powered plants, maybe we should seriously consider nuclear power. It is cleaner, and more reliable. There are people who may have reservations about safety, but I am strongly in favour of nuclear power.

Also, with great initiatives like the Delhi metro coming up in the country, if we can reduce road traffic, it will go a long way in decreasing our 'carbon footprint.'

[chekidu]

ahem!!! my favourite topic

one more view point:

Its said that scientifically its not proved that only manmade reasons are the cause for global warming. SO the proponents of anti kyoto ( basically US organisations) argue that since its not scientifically proven, drastic emission cutting measures will lead to lesser productivity.

But lots of changes are gonna happen in Copehagen 2009. US will have a newer greener govt. and if it is democrats then the pro green lobby will be stronger thanks to AlGore. Australia has already fallen into the line thanks to Kevin Rudd

So we can hope that global leaders do understand the fact that global warming isnt nation specific and each and every nation has to help others for a greener earth

As a ending note i would like to quote what a New Guinea delegate said in Bali conference seeing US 's arrogance on not accepting the treaty.--"If u cant lead us, then move away.Dont block us" ( New Guniea is facing the danger of inundation thanks to global warming)

ciao,

[the_egonomist]

Originally Posted by sumitrocks

Climate change seems to be a scary issue indeed - with hotter summers, more devastating cyclones, tsunamis, and tornadoes wreaking havoc across the world. It is appalling to see the apathy of some of the 'great' nations of this world towards this issue. India and China, are refusing to ratify the Kyoto protocol, because it 'interferes with economic growth.'

It hardly seems fair that we have to take the brunt of a skewed environmental policies at the international level. Developed countries do tend to be harsh with regard to laws and this more often than not does impact the economy.

Even without signing on the dotted line, the nations can take steps to reduce their carbon emissions. We can always hike taxes on high-emission vehicles, invest more in public transport, and educate public about being more friendly to the ecology.

True, cars should have high taxes and parking too. Lot of cars means more oil consumption and that much load on our infrastructure. Also, policies should be enforced for making sure old vehicles are decommissioned.

Also, instead of building more coal/gas powered plants, maybe we should seriously consider nuclear power. It is cleaner, and more reliable. There are people who may have reservations about safety, but I am strongly in favour of nuclear power.

I disagree that nuclear power is the answer. And if you suggest the nuclear deal I strongly disagree. Nuclear power generates too much waste. France is already facing problems with nuclear waste so much so that the public is ready to face load shedding but not use nuclear power. Moreover there are a lot more eco-friendly options. Solar and wind initiatives are given subsidies by the govt.

Also, with great initiatives like the Delhi metro coming up in the country, if we can reduce road traffic, it will go a long way in decreasing our 'carbon footprint.'

Well that I agree. If we have real good public transport it would ease traffic and infrastructure problems. However, that wouldnt be the answer as there is the whole mentality of status and materialism.

Cheers.

[chekidu]

Originally Posted by the_egonomist

Also, policies should be enforced for making sure old vehicles are decommissioned.

Nice Thought bro. I also second that. But sincerely do u think that it will happen in India?These are some of the small side effects of India and CHina signing the kyoto treaty with status as developed nations. If such vehicles ( public transport) are to be decommisioned, the nations wont have resoucres to re habilitate the poor drivers who have suffered.

Originally Posted by the_egonomist

I disagree that nuclear power is the answer. And if you suggest the nuclear deal I strongly disagree. Nuclear power generates too much waste. France is already facing problems with nuclear waste so much so that the public is ready to face load shedding but not use nuclear power. Moreover there are a lot more eco-friendly options. Solar and wind initiatives are given subsidies by the govt.

Even Solar and Wind has got its own share of troubles. The main thing in Solar is that it cant be used in power generations in MWs. Yes individual solar cells stacks may be used for purposes as street lighting, minor house hold needs etc. BUt even in near future SOlar Energy cant be an answer to Nuclear/Coal

there are experiments like Solar1 in California, Solar Tres in Europe etc which tried to popularise large scale Solar power generation. BUt still there are issues like storage, duration , cost/kWH etc. Regarding wind, there are issues like Niose pollution, soil erosion etc. We should also be looking at Offshore wind energy production owing to our gigantic coastal area

In France's case it may be over dependence on Nuclear power( 80%+..not entirely sure) which became an issue.Only 10% of India's energy needs are met by Nuclear.So there is indeed a gr8 future in nuclear aspects

So for future , India being a huge country we should have a good mix of all resources. that is a judicious mix of Solar,Wind,Coal and Nuclear. Our diplomacy should be that tactful such that india should be able to sleep with both US( for nuclear deal) and Iran ( for IPI pipleine) as well as Isreal( for weapons) and gulf( for oil)

Originally Posted by the_egonomist

Well that I agree. If we have real good public transport it would ease traffic and infrastructure problems. However, that wouldnt be the answer as there is the whole mentality of status and materialism.

Cheers.

There are also some changes in good direction naa?. Cities like Chennai are also looking at 3 pronged transportaion. overhead rail transport, bus transport through dedicated bus corridors and Metro transport along with the present suburban trains. Works have already started. So lots of good things will happen to our country dude...

[the_egonomist]

Yes, we have a lot of problems and what we lack is the political will to do some thing about it...

As far as environment goes, another movie to get you up to speed:
Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)

Moreover, sample this - its a well known fact that billions of dollar goes to pursuing trivial things. For example, hair care and the like which frankly can take a back seat to more serious pursuits such as searching for a cure for cancer, AIDS,etc.

Moreover, if efforts were concentrated on solving fuel problems and energy problems we could solve it.

Watch the movie and you will see that we as a race tend to be swayed by anything and everything monetary.

And yes political will goes a long way in enforcing anything - including decommissioning old vehicles.

Cheers.

[swagatsinha]

In Japan, you cannot own a vehicle if you haven't bought a parking space already. In New York, the parking rates are 170 times that of Delhi. Measures like these definitely cause people to take up public transport more pro-actively. Similiar measures were applied in Delhi. What happened? People protested and the bureaucrats had to roll back their proposal.
There needs to be more iron-fisted decision making when it comes to environment.

[willsurelywin]

delhi govt has banned 15 yr old vehicles a welcome step.
though i think it should be 10 years.

also there should be a rule that there cant be more cars than no of adult family members over 18...

[sumitrocks]

Originally Posted by swagatsinha

In Japan, you cannot own a vehicle if you haven't bought a parking space already. In New York, the parking rates are 170 times that of Delhi. Measures like these definitely cause people to take up public transport more pro-actively. Similiar measures were applied in Delhi. What happened? People protested and the bureaucrats had to roll back their proposal.
There needs to be more iron-fisted decision making when it comes to environment.

Absolutely! In fact, the hourly parking scheme that has been implemented at select areas is a welcome step in this direction. And if the place happens to be well-connected by public transport, perfect!! It's a push to people to avail public transport, and avoid private automobiles.

Also, like at the airport in Delhi, parking is really expensive, but some distance away, people can park their cars for free, and take shuttles to the airport. I think that's a great idea. It becomes much easier to ease congestion, and reduce pollution 'downtown'. Moreover, so much fuel would be saved by not having traffic jams in the city.

[swagatsinha]

I read an article by Swaminnathan Aiyar in TOI a couple of months back. It talked about the protests by Lata Mangeshkar over a proposed flyover next to her home. She said " It would affect my vocal cords." Swami said " Because of her disapproval, the flyover got shifted to a lower level, causing more pollution for more people. Despite Lataji being an icon, the other citizens have no lesser rights than her." I tend to agree with him. Your thoughts??