=============================================== CSE's Fortnightly News Bulletin (October 3, 2011) ===============================================
In 2012, the Rio Earth Summit will mark 20 years of its inception. This fortnight, we begin with Sunita Narain's reflections on what these 20 years have achieved. Also in focus are wildlife conservation, mining, and a host of other issues... We have completely revamped the Down To Earth website, which now comes to you with a new look and updated content -- just check it out... Wishing you a happy read and a very happy Festive Season! ===================================================================================================================== Sign up to receive this e-newsletter http://cseindia.my2.in/cseindia/?p=subscribe To unsubscribe, just click http://www.cseindia.org/content/please-enter-your-email-id-unsubscribe-cse-newsletter If you have any questions or concerns about newsletter subscription, please contact Vikas Khanna at vi...@cseindia.org ======================================================== EDITORIAL: 20 years to…where? by Sunita Narain ======================================================== Next year, in June, world leaders will get together in the joyful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to mark 20 years of UNCED—the Earth Summit (see Down to Earth, May 15, 1992). Unbelievably, it will be 40 years since the Stockholm conference, when the question of the environment first caught global attention. At Stockholm, developing countries—then prime minister Indira Gandhi was the only leader from this part of the world to attend the meet—were uncertain. They were just feeling their way to articulate what the environment meant for them, how their own development would need resources and how their growth could lead to pollution. Mrs Gandhi’s famous phrase, “poverty is the biggest polluter”, has been interpreted in many ways. At Rio in 1992, this set of countries, sobered, decided to put their foot down: they asserted their right to sustainable development. This Rio+20 comes at a crucial time in global affairs. A possible double digit recession in the US, financial crisis in the Eurozone, peak oil prices, everything is provoking a rethink on the current growth model. What are the interconnections between this model, built on consumption for wealth creation, and the challenge it poses to sustainability? We know, today, an underlying cause of the financial strain is dependence on cheap loans or cheap production to induce consumption, to fuel growth. The world has not been able to design a growth model that meets the aspirations and purchasing abilities of people, indeed the needs of all. There are limits to such growth, a fast-growing world is learning. It is not possible to emulate the lifestyle of the already-industrialised without compromising the survival of the Earth. Such limits will require the world to share the Earth, so that growth can be afforded and sustainable, for all. The world is in danger of losing its development dividend. The poor, already living on the margins of survival, are even more vulnerable with each natural disaster. The gains of development investment are now lost. So, on the one hand, the world has to reinvent the growth paradigm because it is costing growth itself. On the other hand, the world has to reinvent growth for it is costing the Earth. What should the planetary blueprint look like? First, we need new economic indicators to measure prosperity in an inclusive and carbon-liable world. It is increasingly accepted the current method to measure economic progress in terms of gross national product does not provide the right signals for valuing growth, just and sustainable. Bhutan has adopted Gross National Happiness to indicate a way to wellbeing, outside of wealth. In 2008, responding to concerns about the inadequacy of current measures of economic performance, French President Nicolas Sarkozy set up the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. The choice of the economic measure is important, for it makes the world assess economic performance and social progress in a new light. But what are the “right” indicators, which will value the next-generation, low-carbon development paradigm? This is a key issue, still needing resolution. Second, the world must buy into the demand for a global framework for equal rights and entitlement to global atmospheric space for all, which will, in turn, build in conditions for limits on consumption and production. The world’s atmospheric budget must be shared. Such sharing will create the right conditions for critical economic choices related to changes in consumption and production patterns. Such acceptance of limit has to be a key economic-political driver the world over. If we can’t put it in place, there will be no real incentive to move away from the current, unsustainable, economic growth model. Third, can we transition to green energy? For it, do we have the guts to build a global feed-in tariff mechanism? It is well understood the transition to low-carbon growth will require massive investment in new renewable technologies, as also in distribution systems which reduce transmission costs and losses. The challenge is compounded: the global majority of households remain energy-deprived and energy-insecure. The world has to find energy options, affordable to all and sustainable. It is also clear the South has the opportunity to leapfrog into new energy solutions, for it has still not invested, completely, in the fossil-based energy systems that threaten the Earth. The transition to low-carbon energy futures can be paid through a global feed-in tariff mechanism, which would pay for the differential cost of generating more expensive energy-using renewable technologies. Many countries have adopted domestic feed-in tariff regulations. Germany, where consumers are relatively wealthy, requires power utilities to pay the differential. In India, where energy insecurity and energy costs are high and consumers poor, the approach is to bundle cheaper energy with expensive energy to cut prices. These approaches will make us learn the options for the future. But it is not enough. Global leaders have to stand up for some “inconvenient messages”, which challenge the current business-as-usual model. In Rio, all leaders should take a bus, to say they want a car-free world. Say it clearly, openly and without hesitation. Change the game. We want that. We are not waiting. Post your comments on this editorial online at http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/20-years-where ======================= MORE FROM DOWN TO EARTH ======================= - Cover Story: Lives of others As the world gears up to celebrate Wildlife Week in October, Down To Earth gives a lowdown on the state of conservation in India. http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/lives-others - Special Report: Rs 3,300 crore omission Subsidies given annually to industries for pollution control are unmonitored http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/rs-3300-crore-omission - News: The great Western aid trick Countries donate on condition that recipient nations buy goods from them, shows a report http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/great-western-aid-trick - News: Honey trade just got stickier US industry shows distrust in India, sets its own certificate to ensure source of honey http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/honey-trade-just-got-stickier - News: Nanotech’s mega hazard Nanoparticles are harmful, but India is yet to regulate their use http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/nanotech-s-mega-hazard - News from the mining front Cabinet approves new mining bill http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/cabinet-approves-new-mining-bill Mining in Goa: damage to the environment greater than loss of revenue http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/mining-goa-damage-environment-greater-loss-revenue - S&T: Cancer-immune, naturally How controlling what you eat can help reduce the risk http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/cancer-immune-naturally - South Asia Special Report: Darkling waters The Bagmati loses its way in Kathmandu amid political vacuum and urban chaos http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/darkling-waters - Blogs: The desperation of farmers http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/desperation-farmers - Interview: ‘Forest department is the encroacher’ Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs, Mr. V Kishore Chandra Deo in conversation with DTE http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/forest-department-encroacher Down To Earth is now on Facebook and Twitter. Do follow us, share, comment, and discuss and stay in constant touch with our reporters on www.facebook.com/down2earthindia and twitter@downtoearthindia. ========================== Web DTE ========================== Reporter's Diary: Pee, poop and paani Bharat Lal Seth recounts his experience of drinking water reclaimed from sewage http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/pee-poop-and-paani Reporter's Diary: The last mayor of Kathmandu Aditya Batra in conversation with Keshab Sthapit, a mayor famous for muscling his way to urban renewal http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/last-mayor-kathmandu Web Special: Who are the poor? Identifying the poor and measuring the poverty is a contentious issue. Down To Earth attempts to give perspective to the current debate on poverty http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/who-are-poor-0 Web Special: Environment ministry creates a record in forestland diversion A new study by Centre for Science and Environment slams system of green clearances http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/environment-ministry-creates-record-forestland-diversion For more on this, please visit http://www.cseindia.org/content/system-green-clearances-not-working-environment-and-people-and-clearances-not-impediment-gro =========================== Gobar Times =========================== Open Forum: For the health conscious - A friend in deed? http://www.gobartimes.org/content/friend-deed =========================== On India Environment Portal =========================== - Sub-portal on South Asia and Sustainable Development: Provides in-depth information through news, reports, analysis, opinions and events, linked to other key institutions and websites etc. Please do contribute studies, reports, court orders etc, especially from our neighbouring countries in the South Asian region. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/indepth/term/9790 - CSE Environment Photo Library CSE's perspective and collection of photographs is now here to help illustrate your views on environment. Reach the online CSE Environment Photo Store at http://www.flickr.com/photos/csepictures - Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/indiaenvportal and join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/indiaenvironmentportal/228015872817 - Get linked. List and provide links of your organisation (or your library's website) on the portal as a 'free-to-use' online resource on environment. For any assistance, please contact ki...@cseindia.org, kiran...@gmail.com ============================================= LEARNING WITH CSE Courses offered by Anil Agarwal Green College ============================================= Rainwater harvesting training programme for municipal functionaries Date: October 18-21,2011 A four-days programme focusing on how municipalities can augment their water availability by using public spaces to recharge their groundwater and by bringing in required laws to enable individuals to undertake rainwater harvesting. Course details: http://cseindia.org/content/rainwater-harvesting-training-programme-municipal-functionaries-october-18-212011 Course Contact: Sanyukta Dasgupta, Urban Water Programme, Tel: 91-11-2995 5124; Fax: 91-11-2995 5879 Mobile: 8826849773 Email: sanyu...@cseindia.org ------------------------------------------------------------ Covering India: Where Journalism Meets Environment Date: November 1-30, 2011 This certificate course is designed as a hands-on 'boot camp', and targets those interested in a career in mainstream or niche news media, development communication, civil society campaign and advocacy initiatives, and industry CSR, among others. Course Modules: - Environment as a subject of coverage - Ecological rights, natural resource management and food security - Urban growth: contemporary challenges - Climate change policies, politics - Hands-on research labs - News writing & editing studios - Supervised field-based reporting and writing Some fellowships for participants from South Asia available. Course details: http://www.cseindia.org/node/2607 Course contact: Sharmila Sinha Emails: a...@cseindia.org / cseindiasharm...@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------- A training programme on Social Impact Assessment Date: November 9-11, 2011 Last Date of Application: October 24, 2011 To build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, NGOs and academicians to understand SIA process, Centre for Science and Environment is organising a short term training programme for regulators, policy makers, developers and other stakeholders. Course Modules: - Exposure to aspects of SIA, from theory to applications - Integrated approach for addressing SIA and EIA process - Knowledge on review of SIA reports and identification of strengths and weaknesses - Post SIA monitoring - Role of SIA in planning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Procedure for institutional strengthening and capacity building - Experience sharing on national and international best practices adopted in SIA Course details: http://www.cseindia.org/content/cse%E2%80%99s-short-term-training-programme-social-impact-assessment Course contact: Sujit Kumar Singh Industry & Environment Unit Centre for Science and Environment 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi-110062 Ph: 91-11-2995 5124 / 6110 (Ext. 281) Mobile: 9899676027 Email: su...@cseindia.org ================================ UPDATES FROM OUR PROGRAMME UNITS ================================ South Asian Media Briefing Workshop on Climate Change, 2011 Journalists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, interested in the climate debate, are invited to apply for the two-day workshop in Delhi. Date: November 16-17, 2011 For online registration, click http://cseindia.org/node/2937 For more details, visit http://cseindia.org/content/invitation-cses-south-asian-media-briefing-workshop-climate-change-2011 or get in touch with Papia Samajdar at pa...@cseindia.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second National Research Conference on Climate Change CSE, in association with the Indian Institutes of Technology in Delhi and Madras, is organising the Second National Research Conference on Climate Change. The conference will be held in Delhi. We invite abstracts from faculty, students, and practitioners in the areas of climate science, impacts, adaptation and mitigation. Date: November 5-6, 2011 Abstract submission deadline: September 25, 2011 For more details, visit http://cseindia.org/content/2nd-national-research-conference-climate-change ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jaipur Citizen's Survey: Transport and air quality challenges CSE's Clean Air Campaign team is organising a citizens’ survey in Jaipur to understand the challenges of air pollution and transportation that the city faces, and identify the way forward. Would you like to volunteer your participation in the survey? Just fill out a form at http://cseindia.org/node/1190 and send it to us. ------------------------------------------- RainWater Harvesting Technical Support Every Friday between 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, CSE provides detailed technical guidance to interested individuals, RWAs and institutions to implement rainwater harvesting. The technical assistance will be provided at CSE’s office at 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area. For details, see http://www.cseindia.org/content/catch-rainwater-solve-your-water-problems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technical advice: Decentralised wastewater treatment systems Every second and fourth Friday, meet our experts at CSE, 41, Tughlaqabad Institutional Area for guidance on planning and designing these systems. For details, contact Deblina at debl...@cseindia.org or call her on 9899596661. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Environment Health Bulletin The second edition of The Environment Health Bulletin, a quarterly by CSE's Food Safety and Toxins unit soon. This edition will include articles on energy drinks, endosulfan, pesticide management bill, BRAI bill and the Food Safety and Standards Act. To subscribe, please get in touch with Savvy Soumya Mishra at sa...@cseindia.org ==================================== >From our stores =================================== Books from CSE that you might have missed: Mobility Crisis - Agenda for Action 2011 Our publication on the way cities are being held hostage by rising vehicular traffic, and some thoughts on how to break the gridlock (Pages 116) PB: Rs 290 / US $12 Challenge of the new ballance Based on a CSE study of the six most energy/emissions-intensive sectors of the country to determine India's low carbon growth options, this book is a must have for all who are interested in development economics and the way ahead for the country. The six sectors -- power,steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizer and paper & pulp -- together account for an estimated 61.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in India, excluding emissions from agriculture and waste. Their energy profile is no less intensive... (Pages 156) PB: Rs.690 / US $39 To order please visit: www.csestore.cse.org.in Coming soon: Excreta Matters CSE's 7th State of the India's Environment report on water and wastewater, based on a comprehensive survey of 71 Indian cities. ==================================== About this e-mail ==================================== You are receiving this newsletter because you have asked to be included in our list, attended a CSE event or requested information. CSE is an independent, public interest organization that was established in 1982 by Anil Agarwal, a pioneer of India's environmental movement. CSE's mandate is to research, communicate and promote sustainable development with equity, participation and democracy. -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________