The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
Overcoming auto dependence: the Singapore way TRAFFIC CALMING FAVORING ALTERNATE MODES ECONOMIC PENALTIES NON-AUTO- DEPENDENT LAND USES To start with, less space to make roads to cater to private cars. Heavy investment in mass rapid transit systems. High cost of car ownership and use through high taxes on cars and …
The Sahanis are known as "masters of water'. This fishing community had been living in the wetlands of north Bihar for aeons, relying on them for sustenance. They did so by fishing or helping people cross the surging rivers that crisscross the floodplain. Or by displaying their art of trapping …
Before buying a car in Singapore, it is mandatory to first buy a right to own a car. The "Certificate of Entitlement" system introduced in 1994 requires would-be car owners to bid for the right to buy a vehicle. The prospective owner will first have to buy the certificate. The …
massive flash floods in the Sutlej river have left a trail of destruction in the Shimla, Kullu, Mandi and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh. At least 150 people are reported to have been killed and several crore of rupees worth of property damaged in what is being seen as the …
What is traditional ecological knowledge? The agricultural practices of indigenous people perfected over a period of time is termed as traditional ecological knowledge. Most of the farmers have been using this knowledge for making their agricultural production more yielding. Are there instances were such knowledge has not been validated? The …
It's been 50 years since politicians have been mouthing the slogan: Jai jawan, jai kisan (Long live soldiers, long live farmers). Now it has started to sound like a raucous chant, at least to the farmers struggling to survive. They till the soil harder, increase their spending to replenish their …
Gian kaur, 50, is a breast cancer patient. But in her village her ailment does not make her unique or get her visitors to check on her health. Almost every house in her village Giana in Bhatinda district has an ailing patient to tend to. Cancer or less fatal diseases …
A few months, India was besieged by a drought. But the drought did not lead to a famine. A comfortable grain reserve of 26 million tonnes -11 million tonnes more than would be required in a normal year to stave of the famine. But this may be the last time …
nature has a way of moderating the effects of good and evil. Down the years humankind has demonstrated a general disregard for natural resources and often exploitated bio-diversity to the hilt. Fortunately, this has been coun-tered by a few dedicated people engaged in protecting and conserving nature without any ulterior …
Undoubtedly, GR made Punjab one of the richest states in India in terms of per capita income. From Rs 2,674 in 1980-81, the per capita income at current prices rose to Rs 19,770 in 1997-98. Compared to Punjab, Tamil Nadu's per capita income was only Rs 12,989, while that of …
The Earth Charter has been launched officially at the Hague, the Netherlands. Through this charter, its organisers are hoping to achieve their goal of reaching an International Covenant on Environment and Development. This is expected to be to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, the tenth …
it is an example that many industries in India will find hard to emulate. The successful run of a power plant in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, has proved that commitment of employees and their wholehearted approach towards building a green environment can even make an 50-year old coal-based power plant run without …
W e can start this story like a science fiction thriller. But we want to talk reality. So, before discussing the hype that fuel cells generate, let us start on a rather elementary note. The dictionary will tell you that a cell is a unit in a device for converting …
Although it will take large amounts of research investments and government incentives before fuel cells become a commercial reality, there is no reason to get disappointed. The advantages of fuel cells are not restricted to cutting down emissions of greenhouse gases. Fuel cells are silent and economical. Praveen Dhamija, principal …
Fuel cells promise a lot, but there is little hope if shortsighted business interests get the better of policymakers. For one, fuel cells will eat into the earnings of oil companies. The June 1999 issue of the Fuel Cell Bulletin quotes the oil consultancy Kline & Co as saying that …
The automobile sector has pursued the r&d of fuel cells more aggressively than any other sector (see box: Have power, get hot water ). Automakers around the world are showing optimistic signs. Some developed countries in Europe and North America are leading the way: they are already operating fuel cell-powered …
Although the technology can of be immense value to a developing country like India, the r&d of fuel cells is still at its infancy in the country. "We are still at the familiarisation stage," says an official from the mnes. In Hyderabad, bhel is working on the development of 50-kilowatt …
