Related Posts
Breaking News: India to cut carbon intensity by 24%
***UPDATE – 'Four days ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit, India on Thursday announced it will reduce...' src='http://gf3.statico.be/wp-content/themes/greenfudge/thumbnails/6491.jpg' alt='indias-coal-furnaces-present-economic-and-environmental-dilemma' class='art-teaser' width='95' height='95' />India’s coal furnaces present economic and environmental dilemma In India, many factory workers heavily depend on coal power - which can be very environmentally harmful -...
Solar job growth in California and the world
Despite the well-publicized bankruptcy of California-based solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, solar power is a growth industry in the...
Green economics? Get off of growth already!
I'm not one for proverbs as they tend to be overly reductive and are often used to win...
Video: Solar power solutions for off grid India
Rural India does not have much infrastructure or development, but it does have plenty of sun.
450 million people...
Get your Eco Starter Kit
Create an account and start harvesting Carbon Credits! Exchange your Carbon Credits for green goodies, like the Eco-Hatchery Starter Kit!
-
Green network users
3,146 Users - Show All
Green Directory
Tip of the Day
Keep eggs out of the fridge to save energy when cooking them
India’s low-carbon growth strategy
solar panels in Pondicherry, India; photo by Amaresh S K (source: Flickr Creative Commons)
India is a country of over one billion inhabitants and already the fourth largest emitter of CO2. While India’s per capita emissions are still low, the South Asian powerhouse has a projected annual economic growth rate of 8-9%. This means a growing middle class and a concomitant demand for the hallmarks of affluent society, such as cars, televisions and other high-energy lifestyle products.
Besides the obvious rises in greenhouse gas emissions and industrial pollution that go hand in hand with this kind of development, there is another looming problem: fossil fuels are running out. In order to meet the energy appetite of the growing middle classes, India needs to embrace alternative energy sources.
In January, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh formed a panel of experts, chaired by Dr Kirit Parikh, with the expressed purpose of developing a strategy for green economic growth in India. For India, low carbon growth means development of solar and biomass, which at present contribute 8.8% of the nations power generation. But the reality is that India is overwhelmingly dependent on coal.
From a Reuters article:
Parikh said given the dependence on coal, the only way forward was to enhance the efficiency of coal-based power plants by using technology such as super-critical boilers which would help cut coal use by about 20 percent.
In an interview featured in China Dialogue, Parikh discusses India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, plus issues of energy-intensity, energy efficiency and energy security. He sees three promising ways towards sustainable development in India:
First is definitely solar technology – and making it cost-competitive with coal as soon as possible. That could bring a hugely transformative change. Second would be a major programme of rainwater harvesting and watershed development. This could transform the whole water and agricultural scenario and is clearly of importance. Third, if one were to speak in terms of the future, maybe the development of cellulosic ethanol…
Perhaps most remarkable is India’s shift in political language from aggressive development to include the pursuit of a low-carbon economy, something that would have been unthinkable just a couple of years ago.
by Graham Land
Tags: carbon, coal, development, economic, emissions, energy, growth, India, low, Parikh, Solar, strategy
Other Greenfudge.org posts
EU: Fishermen to catch plastic bottles
There used to be jokes about going “condom fishing” in dirty city canals, but now an ambitious EU plan aims to encourage professional fishermen to haul recyclable plastics from Europe's suffering seas as part of their catch. This could mean a significant shift in the normally environmentally harmful behavior of commercial fishing. EU fisheries chief Maria Damanki unveiled bold plans to eliminate the practice of fishing boats throwing back unprofitable, yet edible, catch. Smaller, younger fish or less valuable species are...
No nukes: Japan’s eco-town
Since the tsunami and resultant meltdowns at Fukushima nuclear plant, views in Japan towards nuclear power are changing. In a country with a history of earthquakes, which has suffered so much from a recent natural disaster, unease regarding nuclear power is understandable. While the true consequences wrought by the nuclear meltdowns remain unknown; caution and even fear influence public opinion in Japan regarding atomic power, and to a lesser extent, government policy. Aside from countries like Germany, which announced a shut down...
Oil Rig Explodes Off Louisiana Coast; At Least 11 People Missing
An explosion and fire happened off the coast of Louisiana late Tuesday night, leaving a titled offshore drilling platform and at least 11 missing workers in its wake. The Deepwater Horizon rig, located about 52 miles from the coast, was still burning Wednesday morning. The good news is most of the 126 people on board are believed to have escaped to safety. However, they did not go unharmed. At least 7 people had critical injuries, including 2 that were taken to...
HomeSun: Get free solar panels on your UK roof thanks to the Free Solar and SolarShare programs
I can’t wait to have solar panels installed on my roof. When I think of electricity, the continuous rising price of it and the traditional, sometimes really dirty way it’s being produced I feel guilty when I turn on the lights. But when I think of the possibility of creating my own electricity, using the sun’s power, I just know it’s the right thing to do. Electricity and gas prices are on the rise. In the UK, although prices are usually...
Breaking News: China’s Yellow River may be Threatened by Oil Spill
Last week, an oil pipeline burst in northern China, causing one major oil spill. Thousands of gallons (liters) of diesel flowed into a main tributary of the Yellow River. The pipeline, operated by CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation), is located near Shaanxi province and is used to transport diesel from Gansu province in the northwest to the more centralized places in the country. Investigations show that the bursting was caused by a local construction project. To make matters worse, oil has already...
Bloody animal rights activists protest against fur
Yesterday, as part of the World Day Against the Use of Fur actions, AnimaNaturalis activists paraded wearing fur and with fake blood dripping down their chins to protest against the use of animal furs and leather for clothing. The protest was held outside a prestigious shopping center in Mexico City, not shy of shops selling fur. Winter is the heyday for the fur industry. Every year this industry generated massive profits from the death of millions of furry animals like seals,...
Rachel Maddow gives President Obama’s speech that should have been
Rachel Maddow for president? Yesterday on the Rachel Maddow Show, Rachel gave what she wishes to have been President Barack Obama's speech regarding the gushing BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Many believe that President Obama's 'battle plan' speech, broadcasted live from the Oval Office on Tuesday, fell short in assurances and failed to 'seize the day' on climate change legislation. Some believe that it was a grand opportunity to truly inspire the American people to get off fossil...
Videos: Activists oppose mining projects in Ecuador, UK
A rainbow coalition of indigenous groups and social/political activists recently hit the streets of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, in protest of large-scale mining projects approved by the country’s president Rafael Correa. Correa praised the Chinese mining project, claiming they will bring 50,000 jobs and billions in revenue. Though Correa is popular in Ecuador, the project is facing opposition. Ecuador has already suffered a massive oil spill in the Amazon region, and some 50% of the country is already covered by mining and...
Everything you ever wanted to know about trees
Evolutionary biologist Olivia Judson is in full tree hugging mode this week in her opinion piece for the New York Times, in which she gives thanks and praises to the humble tree. Judson has bestowed the honor of April's Lifeform of the Month upon the tree and provides us with some interesting facts that are guaranteed to elicit oohs and aahs of amazement from even the most cynical of readers. For example, did you know… A tree is a form rather than...
Eco-friendly alternatives to Air Purifiers
Before understanding why eco-friendly alternatives to air purifiers are needed, you should know a thing or two about air purifiers and indoor air pollution. Air purifiers are used to rid the indoor air of pollutants. You will be surprised to learn that indoor air is heavily polluted by a variety of sources - chemicals used in furniture, fumes from cooking fuel, outdoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke, asbestos coated insulation, pesticides and more. The pollutants in the indoor air keep accumulating leading...
View all articles
You can also log in to post a comment.