PLASTIC MESS (Not Degradable)

by: Arun Bhatia

This article was on the editorial page of TOI(ME) dated: 20/01/2009
My earth-loving conscience hurts every time i go shopping. The store guys put the selected fruit in one plastic bag to keep it apart from the plastic cheese packet and the plastic milk sachet that is in another. The soap and insecticide are in another, and flour, dal and sugar in one-kilo plastic packs are put along with all those in the cloth bag one carries. My cloth shopping bag, full of plastic thingies, is just a salve for my conscience. Cashing in on the growing awareness of the public about the limited options for disposal of plastic packaging, there are many multinational companies now offering what they term as degradable and biodegradable plastics. These claims need a closer look. Degradable plastics, i.e. photodegradable (broken down by light) or biodegradable (broken down by decay) are neither made by changing the polymer chain chemically or by mixing ordinary plastic resin with cornstarch or similar vegetable material. Calling the latter biodegradable is false because only the cornstarch decays while the plastic remains. The landfills where most plastic waste is deposited have been studied. These landfills do not have light, water or air and therefore do not allow either photodegradation or biodegradation. In fact, some decades old landfills, studied by New York’s Cornell Waste Management Institute, have yielded newspapers that can still be read and banana skins that can be identified as such.
Moreover, plastics, made by styrene and vinyl chloride and other toxic varieties of chemicals have many types of additives e.g. flame retardants, reinforcing agents, plasticisers, stabilisers, fillers and pigments, which are toxic. Plastic pigments have chemicals including lead and cadmium. All such chemicals trapped in plastics remain inert, but when plastics are broken, toxics are released in the environment. Degradable plastics are thus more damaging to the environment. They are also more likely to be ingested by animals. While the so-called degradable plastics are worse for the environment, they are also weaker than virgin chemicals and are less likely to be recycled. In sum, the ‘degradable’ plastics are neither as good as regular plastic nor will they disappear, nor do they perform well, nor can they be recycled. They are merely gimmicks of commerce. Environmentalists would do well to change from plastics altogether, regardless of whether they are claimed to be degradable or otherwise.

Paper house offers home for all

TOI (ME) dt: 19th Jan, 2009

London: A scientist has created a house that is literally made from recycled cardboard and newspapers, thus effectively becoming the first “Wall paper” house, which could prove to be a cheap option for the poor and the displaced.
According to a report in the Times, the inventor of the house is Gerd Niemoeller, a design engineer, who has given the name “the Universal World House” for his creation. It has been designed together with the German development aid agency GTZ, and with the architect Dirk Donath, from the Bauhaus University in Weimar.
The 36sq m paper house weighs barely 800kg, and is light, can be easily assembled, environmentally friendly, earthquake-proof and, crucially in the age of recession, a bit of a bargain.
“Without the foundation block, the whole house actually weighs in at about 400kg,” said Niemoeller. “It will not, however, simply blow away. The basic material is resin-soaked cellulose recovered from recycled cardboard and newspapers,” he added.
Adding heat and pressure makes the paper extremely stable. The interior of the prefabricated building panels resemble honeycombs; an air vacuum fills each of the units. The result is a strong and stable exterior wall, well insulated. A similar construction technique is used in aircraft and high-speed yachts.
The house has eight built-in single and double beds and a veranda with a sealedoff area housing a shower and a lavatory. Apart from the sleeping area, there are shelves, a table and benches. The whole wall of the kitchen can be tipped open to let air in and to blur the distinction between inside and outside.
First inquiries for the house have come from the Delta State oil developers in Nigeria, and from Angola. ANI

2008 was 8th warmest year on record

Article from TOI (Mumbai Edition [ME]) dt: 19th Jan, 2009

Last year was the eighth warmest year on record, according to the National Climatic Data Center. The world’s temperature in 2008 tied that of 2001 according to the center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Preliminary calculations show the world’s average temperature for 2008 was 0.49°C above the 20th century average of 13.9°C. The ranking means that all of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1997. Researchers fear far-reaching effects of global warming, ranging from changing storm patterns, damage to crops and wildlife, droughts to spread of disease. The climate center noted that since 1880, the annual combined global land and ocean surface temperature has increased at a rate of 0.05°C per decade and the rate has increased over the past 30 years.

The implication of the above article is global warming....floods....scarcity of food.....loss of lives.....END OF THE WORLD.

Himachal set to become first carbon-free state

by Priya Yadav (TOI)

Chandigarh: Himachal Pradesh, which has mandated all government departments to begin the environment audit, is on its way to becoming the country’s first and the world’s second carbon-free state.
The people of Himachal will be expected to undergo lifestyle changes, according to the environment master plan and ‘Policy & Strategy on Climate Change & Harnessing Carbon Credits’. The policy will focus on the functioning of all departments, especially those involved in development. “We must ensure that the technology used for projects like road cutting and tunnel digging is not harmful to flora and fauna,’’ said Arun Sharma, secretary to CM P K Dhumal.
The plan entails a novel approach towards how civic bodies dispose off garbage and contractors involved hydel projects do away with the muck. The HP government will sign an MoU with the state of California in this regard. Over the years, India is expected to earn $2.27 billion from selling certified emissions reduction to the US. “The state will announce the implementation of its carbon neutral policy by March,’’ said environment and forest minister J P Nadda. “About 12,000 hectares have been made available for carbon credits. A validator from World Bank is to verify that this land is available for only growing trees.’’ Most of this land is under panchayats where at least four CFL bulbs have been distributed free of cost per family.

A Roadmap for a Greener Future

Construction sector needs to contribute towards environmental responsibility. Architect Niteen Parulekar tells Bombay Times (TOI)

India is witnessing tremendous growth in infrastructure and construction development. Reports state that the construction industry in India is one of the largest economic activities and is growing at an average rate of 9.5 per cent as compared to the global average of 5 per cent. As the sector is growing rapidly, preserving the environment poses lot of challenges and at the same time presents opportunities. The construction sector therefore needs to play its role and contribute towards environmental responsibility. The Green Building Movement in India is a step in this direction — to minimise the negative impact of construction activity on the environment.
Green Architecture is a term used to describe energy-saving, environment-friendly and sustainable development. On the aesthetic side of green architecture or sustainable design lies the philosophy of designing a building that is in harmony with natural features
and resources surrounding the site. By using the traditional practices of sustainability and marrying them with contemporary applications we can create architecture that can be humble, stylish and green all at once. Among the world recognised Green Building rating system is US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. India (IGBC) and Canada are the only two countries that have a USGBC affiliated, yet indigenised LEED rating system. We have also launched a green rating system TERI- GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) in August 2008 which evaluates building on a green scale.
In today’s times of world-class marketing and cut-throat competition, it is important that the developer is almost voluntarily forced to build green buildings. Hence we must not just use regulations, but provide incentives in the form of faster and easier approvals, quantifiable tax benefits, carbon offsetting, and thus encourage use of discounted green and local techniques. It is important for them to understand that practicing green could be an added marketing tool for better property investment, increased leasing rates and improved well-being from quality living. They will then realise the value of green rated buildings.
There is a tremendous potential for green building materials since a lot of those were being imported for a few years. This could open up a plethora of opportunities for several stakeholders like architects, material and equipment manufacturers and vendors. All these industry professionals need further incentives for extensive material research, manage inventories and use local resources. They need special discounts and tax breaks for the products. The adoption of green building materials is increasing over the years. There is also a change in the mindsets of the stakeholders. Earlier, there was a general perception that materials with recycled content were inferior in quality. However with increased awareness on green materials and their advantages the trend is rapidly changing.
A much talked about idea to deal with greenhouse emissions is Carbon credits or offsetting. Offsetting can be done in a myriad of ways; one is by buying shares in a company that will offset your gas emission by planting the required number of trees. The idea could be applied both at a company as well as an individual level. There is now a need for skilled and knowledgeable professionals who have deep understanding of sustainability and energy systems. The main objective is to enable faster reach of green concepts to wider sections of stakeholders and to provide a platform for networking at all levels.
The key to change is making people behave differently, to consume more wisely and thus “leave a smaller footprint” on the planet. It’s important that we now ‘Walk the Talk’.
Niteen Parulekar Architects Pvt Ltd actively pursue green design and encourage sustainable design professionals in their enterprise. They also conduct in-house green awareness and educational workshops.

Its Time 2 Shape Things Up!

Hey...

I am an Environment lover, Rohan, willing to contribute his part in saving the environment. I am an unemployed management post graduate from Mumbai, India. I would like to work towards the Renewable Sources of Energy and Sustainable development and bringing it to the masses.

AKAR Inc., that what i have named my company, is the first step towards my mission. The next being starting up this blog.

This blog will include the recent articles from the newspapers or the internet based on Green Environment with the purpose of spreading awareness of whats going on in and around the world. I would also try to include Green Jobs for the people interested to work in the related field.

Ideas to develop this blog and make it more fruitful in creating valid awareness of the Green Technology.

Keep in touch...

Warm Regards (its winter time baby!)

Rohan Ag.

Get me at: rohany2r@yahoo.com
roan.aga@gmail.com