Can we save our world including India from Global Warming and Pollution? Is there any remedies? What should be citizen response and government policies towards its mitigation and for sustainable Environment? What is your thinking about environmental taxation as penalty towards environmental polluter widely adopted in developed countries?
Lets separate the issue of hlobal warming from envirinmental pollution for sake of better discussion. Many time times, origin of these two issues is quite different...
Lets separate the issue of hlobal warming from envirinmental pollution for sake of better discussion. Many time times, origin of these two issues is quite different...
I don't agree with our colleagues Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Global Warming and Environmental Pollution are fully interrelated, as Global Warming is a result of green house gases(GHG) which pose pollution to the environment. For details please refer to:-
https://www.nrcm.org/projects/climate/global-warming-air-pollution/
My answer is yes we can by stopping any activity of pollution imposed by the man. Regards
What kind of pollution , you are looking through global warming..
Global Warming is itself Heat Pollution which is a very known type of pollution. Please Anoop Kumar Srivastava, refer to the link above inside my comment. Regards
I would like to agree partially with both Dr. Srivastava and Dr. Nabeel. Environmental Pollution is a very broad subject, but some of the pollution activities related to release of GHG do have direct relation to Global Warming.
You consider heat as a pollutant..?? Let's consider the causal factors which aid in building up heat. The GHG coupled with temperature triggered by various anthropogenic activities predominantly hold more promise to be attended than coining them collectively as pollution.
Please also remember , there are certain countries which would be strong agriculture beneficiaries of this global warming . Which pollution does so to agriculture..??
Anoop sir see the increase trend of carbon dioxide concentration in atmosphere. This will enhancing the global warming and carbon dioxide pollution in environment.
I agree with Dr.Anoop, yes ,global warning is caused by a cloud of pollution that absorb or traps heat around the earth and it one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. Global warming pollution is one of the biggest threats to our environment today , but both are different concepts due to global warming is global phenomenon while pollution in some cases may be local. Low materials might be beyond GW,while causes of pollution are a large number of chemicals ,radio active isotopes ,particulate matter and biological materials .Also damages and harm on human and living organisms may be so different.
I think, it is possible to combat global warming, by increasing the awareness and environmental culture, and provide respect for the motherland (earth planet).
Isam sir... In the name of economic development the natural resource are badly exploited whereas the population increase also altered Landuse/Landcover pattern for their needs and the consequences are in-front of us in the form of global warming and pollution. Citizen/public environmental awareness / education are important for achieving long term goal.
I am sorry, but the truth is that there are 100s of questions so far posted on RG on this hot & debatable topic "Global Warming". The way the questions are posed is different, but the ultimate quires are related to causes & remedies. The causes are known, the remedies have been suggested. One of the major causes for all this happening is stated as population growth, and related to this are the land cover changes, urbanization & industrialisation. This means if we control the population growth, may be to some extent this "Global Warming" problem can be reduced, but can not be stopped, as there are many other natural causes for this "Global Change".
The question posed was very straightforward. The person asking the question chose to ask the question as two questions in one. Some of my Researchgate colleagues have decided to find a relation-ship between the two and dwelt in providing a solution; in my judgement, they have made a mistake. While global warming issues can be addressed with specificity and certainty, the word pollution is so inclusive of so very many things that to attempt giving a specific response, would be like swimming to cross the Indian Ocean -where you have put yourselves in so many hardships, that would make untangling ourselves difficult.
Anybody wishing to address the question as posed would have provided a way out if they chose to give insights on global warming, separate from pollution. For those who insist on linking the two, how would they untangle themselves if we considered cultural pollution as a moral issue? How would they link this to global warming as a pollution issue, contributing to the same phenomenon of anthropogenic temperature increase, as global warming is so defined?
Global warming rapidly occurs due to anthropogenic activities that emits GHGs and partly due to natural phenomenon. In the same way , pollution is also triggered due to anthropogenic activities. We cannot compare India with certain developed nations. With the population exploding day by day, where one faces difficulty in paying his own tax, it is impossible for the citizen to pay the penalty for creating environmental pollution. There must be PPPs to create awareness among the people and educate them upon the disaster to be faced by global warming. Unless and until the individual's perception change towards environmental protection and indulges in such activities nothing can be done to safeguard the environment.
Here environmental taxation as penalty towards environmental polluter means not from citizen but industrialist.
Dear Firoz Ahmad, in terms of multidisciplinary studies, global warming and pollution are interlinked. But can we save our world including India from Global Warming and Pollution? Recently even though global emissions of climate-warming carbon dioxide remained static in 2016, a welcome sign that the world is making at least some progress in the battle against global warming by halting the long-term rising trend, according to data published by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA). However mainly developing nations, still have rising rates of CO2 emissions. Stalled global emissions still means huge amounts of CO2 are being added to the atmosphere every year – more than 35bn tonnes in 2016 – driving up global temperatures and increasing the risk of damaging, extreme weather. Furthermore, other heat-trapping greenhouse gases, mainly methane from cattle and leaks from oil and gas exploration, are still rising and went up by 1% in 2016. So in theoretical terms, it seems true (But, here's a rare victory for the environment we can all celebrate (although Still more need to achieve: The hole in the ozone layer is the smallest it's been since 1988. (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ozone-hole-smallest-30-years-though-humanity-cant-take-credit-180967082/), but In practical terms I donot think it will happen actually.World wide disparity and income , comfort difference will not allow to reach on a common platform (that’s why many treaties are participatory not binding, recently America Quit from Kyoto). In terms of solution we prefer technological solutions and technological solutions are not always solutions. We need to avoid the “gloom and doom pessimism and blind technological optimism. To save nation Even in India how many are ready to realize we are part of nature, and our role is to understand and work with nature and not to conquer it, ? Then how many of us automatically choose the method that contribute least to climate change. Are we not responsible for pollution as a stakeholder. Extreme Weather storms, cloud burst etc are getting stronger because the global commons like Himalayas, arctic, poles and similar others are degrading. Oceans are getting warmer. Every country is exploiting the nature and mother earth, how can we reached on
Dear Firoz Ahmad, in terms of multidisciplinary studies, global warming and pollution are interlinked. But can we save our world including India from Global Warming and Pollution? Recently even though global emissions of climate-warming carbon dioxide remained static in 2016, a welcome sign that the world is making at least some progress in the battle against global warming by halting the long-term rising trend, according to data published by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA). However mainly developing nations, still have rising rates of CO2 emissions. Stalled global emissions still means huge amounts of CO2 are being added to the atmosphere every year – more than 35bn tonnes in 2016 – driving up global temperatures and increasing the risk of damaging, extreme weather. Furthermore, other heat-trapping greenhouse gases, mainly methane from cattle and leaks from oil and gas exploration, are still rising and went up by 1% in 2016. So in theoretical terms, it seems true (But, here's a rare victory for the environment we can all celebrate (although Still more need to achieve: The hole in the ozone layer is the smallest it's been since 1988. (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ozone-hole-smallest-30-years-though-humanity-cant-take-credit-180967082/), but In practical terms I donot think it will happen actually.World wide disparity and income , comfort difference will not allow to reach on a common platform (that’s why many treaties are participatory not binding, recently America Quit from Kyoto). In terms of solution we prefer technological solutions and technological solutions are not always solutions. We need to avoid the “gloom and doom pessimism and blind technological optimism. To save nation Even in India how many are ready to realize we are part of nature, and our role is to understand and work with nature and not to conquer it, ? Then how many of us automatically choose the method that contribute least to climate change. Are we not responsible for pollution as a stakeholder. Extreme Weather storms, cloud burst etc are getting stronger because the global commons like Himalayas, arctic, poles and similar others are degrading. Oceans are getting warmer. Every country is exploiting the nature and mother earth, how can we reached on such conclusion.
Dear All
Of course, the practices for these two subjects are different as you mentioned but I think the global warming can increase the pollution values in water bodies and air in some cases. Some examples are as follow:
1-By global warming the water bodies can decrease. With decrease of water bodies the doze of the pollution materials can increase as well. For example, a lake might not be pollution for drinking water based on standards in one year but when the volume become half (because of global warming) it might not be usable for the same purpose.
2-By global warming, the use of power (for example by air conditioners) can also increase, so it can increase the fossil fuel consumption in the power plants and more air pollution by Co2 emission.
Best Regards
Pirouz
Yes, we can save our world. We can if all stakeholders whether individuals, cultures or industry, know and understand the implications of anthropogenic alteration of our environment. Yes, we can save our world if our governments create and implement policies that protect the environment from pollution and the release of GHGs. And yes, offenders should should be made to face the law so that things can change in the right direction.
This is rather compransive question that need very carfull answer about it. Many human activity cause GHG emission and and some other making pollution. The activity make GHG emission need to be reduce or at least use alternative solution. Finally, if human care about envirinment more than profit than they can save our planet.
All says GHG emission is the fact of global warming. Pollutant emit GHG and result warming. Obliviously we agreed all CC impacts ... increasing tem. globally due to.. fossil fuel combustion.....bla..bla. I disagree that the theory of global warming have not reachable facts to 100%. Its has still several doubts that the actual facts its identified through projections. Secondly, India will not be the country suffering through pollution and GHG impacts. Definitely a city or country can be identified as pollutant country or city. But we cant say India has more GHG impacts than the other. So my opinion relates to unsolved mystery of climate change.
Global warming is becoming a great menace in the world. And its absolutely surprising the rate at which heat is continually increasing in the environment. Plants and animals are going into extinction because of global warming. Our vegetation cover has totally changed as well. The basic question I've always asked myself is "how is the world going to be in the next 50 years to come". If you think of this you'll realize that we need to reduce emissions as fast as global warming is increasing. Global warming and pollution are interrelated. Thus, the are having cause and effect relationship. Thus, global warming can be cubed if really we want to. But the funny aspect is that, the issue is global i.e whiles others are trying to cut emissions and pollution as a whole, others will continuously pollute. And the effects of their pollution affects everybody in the world.
Promote clean energy/green energy and reduce fossil fuel consumption. Only one solution to reduce such impacts
As can be seen from the answers so many suggestions are given. I agree to all these, however how to implement the same?? So far we are only talking but no action on ground by the Governments or individuals. Also there is no time limit set. May be the effect of Global warming can be to some extent reduced if there is mass movement on the same and every individual person and every country seriously ACT on the mitigative actions.
If we want to minimize global warming and to save the world we have ensure the following issues:
1.We have to reduce to burn fossil fuel
2. Have to plant more indigenous species
3. Ensure the conservation of forest land and its ecology, total ecosystem as well,
4. have to minimize the emission of the green house gases like CFC, Methane, CO and CO2
5 We must stop to demolish the hills and to remove permanent river dam, etc
All the suggestions of Md Zafar is fine and well known, but the basic problem is:
How to do these?
Who will do these or take initiative to do these?
Any body has implemented any one of these any where in the world?
Is there any plan by any Government to implement any of these?
Means, all of us are for many decades talking these, but no ACTION from any corner!!!
Well asked Dr. Narasimha Prasad. It's 100% true.
We all are expressing our views and greivences here. But how many of us follow the steps to combat global warming in our day-to-day life?
I think we should make a vow to reduce GHG emission individually and stand accordingly.
Like a water drop contributing to the making of ocean. let us as individual contribute to combat global warming.
Dr. Narasimha Prasad Sir and Sumathi Malairajan .
There are many plan by Government to implement any of these. And belive me you , me and all others are contributing to bring the positive change . lets talk first about government plans. Following plans are working towards it
National Solar Mission: This aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other uses, with the ultimate objective of making solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. Currently many urban and rural electrification is going on solar. Even private owner are switching towards it as the cost of solar Panels decresed drastically and and their ROI are good in terms of DG set.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency: This recommends mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-consuming industries, with a system for companies to trade energy-saving certificates, financing for public–private partnerships to reduce energy consumption through demand-side management programs in the municipal, buildings, and agricultural sectors, and energy incentives, including reduced taxes on energy-efficient appliances. That’s why now a days not only public sector but private sector is opting for Star ratings appliances.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: this also aims at promoting energy efficiency as a core component of urban planning by extending the existing Energy Conservation Building Code, strengthening the enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards, and using pricing measures to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles and incentives for the use of public transportation.
National Water Mission: This aims a goal of a 20% improvement in water use efficiency through pricing and other measures to deal with water scarcity as a result of climate change.
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem: This particular mission sets the goal to prevent melting of the Himalayan glaciers and to protect biodiversity in the Himalayan region. (ICIMOD , GBPIHED and many others organisaton are doing commendable job in this regard)
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: This aims to support climate adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-resilient crops, expansion of weather insurance mechanisms, and agricultural practices. (IARI and others are working in this direction)
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change: To gain a better understanding of climate science, impacts, and challenges, the plan envisions a new Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modeling, and increased international collaboration. It also encourages private sector initiatives to develop adaptation and mitigation technologies through venture capital funds.
Implementation: Ministries with lead responsibility for each of the missions are directed to develop objectives, implementation strategies, timelines, and monitoring and evaluation criteria. That’s why many municipal co operations are using NOW LED lights , similarly Solar Panels are widely using as sources of energy , similary we can say about efforts about waste management and others. As a stake holder we are also contributing towards it by changing our behavior and life style. Using E rickshaw , LED , Renewables, Enviornmental friendly items and others a small but a significant contribution. I Know these are small initiative but if you see it on basis of “KUZNET CURVE”, we will achieve remarkable progress in coming future.
Indeed we are talking about these from decades , and i also agree results are not so impressive but "Rome was not built in a day". Steadily by creating awareness and promoting, together India can achieve.
Dear F. Ahmed
may be we can, when increase the plant cover, decrease heating gases and human growing
Dear Mr. Kundan, with the full knowledge of all those you have mentioned, I have expressed my concern (I have worked in this field for 35 years). If you really examine some of these are decade old. According to me, many of these are like the election manifestos!!! Never meant to be implemented and achieved.
Many of the actions to be taken are inter-departmental / inter-ministerial, and bringing different departments on a single platform is very difficult, though not impossible. Here only my concern is - who will coordinate ? Anyway my appreciations to your positive thinking.
Sir,
The discussion is quit interesting and revealing as well. The fact is that pollution arises owing to over consumption as well as over use of natural resources. our consumption exceeds replacement. we have exhausted and damaged all our natural resources in irreparable level.
Moreover, the pollution and global warming are trans-boundary. It affects even if some one not at all producing any pollution.
we have crossed the limits and very difficult to alter the situation. Nonetheless, if every one act responsively, then there is a possibility to overcome the problem related to pollution and global warming.
with regards.
Lakshmanan Rathakrishnan well said! Indeed many pollution's like Marine litter, Smog, etc now a days become a transboundary issue. However zero pollution or some one not at all producing any pollution is a hypothetical situations, according to me.
Since World War Two, waste volumes have been increasing in all our shared spaces: space waste has become a hazard for space exploration, life in the oceans is jeopardised by indigestible plastic particles, the CO2 level of the atmosphere keeps rising.These phenomena are the result of a linear and globalised ‘throughput’ economy, which ends at the point of sale with manufacturers passing ownership and liability to the consumer.
A circular economy enables us to change this.
It rests on five pillars:
· Nature: the need to conserve nature and the natural environment as the basis for life on Earth, considering nature’s carrying capacity.
· Toxicity: the need to conserve the health and safety of people and animals by not releasing toxic agents into the environment.
· Resource productivity: the need of industrialised countries to dematerialise their lifestyle; a quantitative issue, measurable in megatonnes, to reduce resource consumption by 90 per cent through daring, innovative and creative business strategies.
· Social ecology: the need to reinforce the fabric of societal structures – including peace and human rights, dignity and democracy, employment and social integration, security and safety – based on sharing and caring.
· Cultural ecology: the need to embrace education and knowledge, ethics and culture, attitudes towards risk-taking, and values (of national heritage and other assets) at the individual, corporate and state level.
The circular economy is based on an intelligent, decentralised use of water, energy, materials and people – “economics as if people mattered” as and a search for holistic solutions. problem is that,today, public policy does not guide individuals to instinctively choose the path of sustainable reuse. Nor does it incite manufacturers to change course towards strict producer liability, as imposed on the tobacco and asbestos industries in industrialised countries.
Mr. Kundan, my appreciations to your above interesting notes on "Circular Economy".
Dear Sagar K
Thanks for the new thinking and new idea. Is there any new book on this thought?
Regards
Dear Lakshmanan Rathakrishnan , Please see the attached link and check their publications.
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy
The international community, especially the major industrialized nations, are not serious about moving in the right direction to preserve the our planet (Earth). The reason for that is the economic outlook of these States, which explains the selfishness of these States in terms of destroying the planet to preserve the material gains. If we look at the Kyoto Convention, the industrialized countries are working on the black market to buy CO2 from developing countries, where their production does not reduce carbon emissions to maintain their economy
I think we can make good decisions if we start with good information. If temperature is not tracking with CO2 concentration increases in the atmosphere ; then global temperature change may be a more complex dynamic.
Has anyone read the NIPCC Report from 2009, or the followup from the 2011 Interim Report? There is extensive review of the existing climate studies which is quite interesting. Especially the chapter on temperature and localized heat zones. I found the summary information very interesting.
http://climatechangereconsidered.org/
Lets separate the issue of hlobal warming from envirinmental pollution for sake of better discussion. Many time times, origin of these two issues is quite different...
The best report one can get is old people and how they see the change in climate.
First of all it is a serious issue, therefore politicians are not the ones to tackle it. Only scientists can and they make a report (Like Paris Agreement). If you don't follow the recommendations of their report, the chances the global warming going beyond repair are great indeed.
The young people of the next generations are the ones who will suffer from the effects of global warming not the incompetent and often illiterate politicians of today like Trump.
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