Opinion
Environmental security: challenges ahead
02 Jun 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(11)
On 15 and 16 June, the German Foreign Ministry held a conference on 'Environment and Security: Crisis Prevention through Cooperation' at Berlin, which was attended by very senior officials from the German government, including Dr Ludger Volmer, State Minister in the Foreign Office. I was one of the three or four participants from overseas and the only speaker from a developing country. The tone of the entire proceedings was very heartening, with considerable emphasis on how the developed world has created environmental crisis worldwide through excessive consumption and use of the environmental space of the developing world. This has led to the threat of climate change with all its harmful impacts on sea level, agriculture, forestry, and water availability.
From ashes to abundance
01 Jun 2000 |
Ms Anuradha Vashisht
| The Indian Express
Fly Ash is an environmental hazard in Delhi which has somehow escaped the attention of the environmentalists. The media too has focused rather inadequately on it. Fly ash, which consists of silica, alumina and oxides of iron, calcium and magnesium, is the waste generated by thermal power plants. It is the most undesirable part of coal, which causes erosion, corrosion and creates environmental pollution.
The drought dilemma: planning for the rainless day
17 May 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The current drought in several parts of the country could affect over a 100 million people and their livelihood. The increasing water scarcity will drive perhaps over a million people away from their homes in search of areas where there is water and, therefore, the hope of life. This problem of environmental refugees is likely to become acute in the coming years, with increased population pressure and growing scarcity of water in several parts of the country.
Benefits of high oil prices
16 May 2000 |
Mr Ardhendu Sen
| The Economic Times
Do high oil prices benefit only oil producers? Or can we, if we look hard enough, find some benefits to consumers also? The year 2000 began well for the producers; the WTI (West Texas Intermediate), the US marker crude oil, crossed $30/barrel in February and Brent followed suit in April.
Global oil industry and the environment
16 May 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(10)
Petronas of Malaysia was host to the Fifth Asian Oil and Gas Conference. This conference, which was opened by Malaysia's Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, attracted a total of over 700 participants including the chairmen of Shell, UNOCAL, and several other companies. The global representation of organizations at this conference was a clear indicator of the interest in Asia and the hydrocarbon development taking place in the region.
Poor communities and the reforms process: partners not victims
02 May 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(9)
Most multilateral and bilateral development organizations have recently shifted their focus to alleviation of poverty. Yet this remains an area in which several misconceptions persist. The removal of poverty is a complex challenge, which cannot be met only by directing large sums of money through government channels for standard poverty removal programmes. In its widest sense, the removal of poverty goes beyond meeting basic minimum needs to the provision of opportunities that every citizen in a society is enabled to pursue on par with those who are born to situations of privilege. Education, health care, sanitation, and provision of safe drinking water are clearly important inputs for creating a large span of opportunities such that the poor have an equal right to these similar to those in richer sections of society.
Quality improvement: a regulatory challenge?
29 Apr 2000 |
Mr S Sundar
| The Economic Times
Until recently, monopolistic provision of infrastructure services by public agencies and lack of their effective regulation invariably led, among other things, to lack of concern for quality of services. The relevant legislations did not cast any obligation on the service providers to ensure quality.
Eco-friendly growth
23 Apr 2000 |
| The Economic Times
Over 20 million Americans filled the streets and parks on 22 April 1970 celebrating the first Earth Day. This movement gained momentum and soon was instrumental in the passing of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act by the US Congress. A study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that Americans gained $45 for every dollar spent in controlling air pollution.
Water resource management: new approach vital
17 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| TERI Newswire VI(8)
Several parts of India are currently in the grip of a severe drought, with widespread misery for several millions of people in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa. The country has also been experiencing record temperatures, hardly ever experienced in the month of April. President Clinton during his visit to India made it a point to remind us that the six hottest years in recorded history throughout the world occurred during the 1990s.
Against the tide: do not foreclose big dam options
11 Apr 2000 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The World Water Forum held in the Hague last month attracted participants from all over the world, including government officials, international bureaucrats, water resource specialists, NGOs and corporate executives. The Indian presence was very visible on the occasion - and noticeably vocal - with activists like Medha Patkar and her recently acquired compatriot, Arundhati Roy. It is reported that much heated debate took place between a minister from Gujarat on the one hand and Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy on the other.