Unit 7- Human Communities and the Environment Dr. Uzma Nadeem • CARBON FOOTPRINT • Environmental Justice: National Green
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Unit 7- Human Communities and the Environment CARBON FOOTPRINT Environmental justice: National Green Tribunal and its importance Role of various religious and cultural practices in environmental conservation Environmental communication and public awareness: case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC), National Green Corps (NGC) “Eco-club” programme, etc) CARBON FOOTPRINT A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide—released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity. A carbon footprint can be a broad measure or be applied to the actions of an individual, a family, an event, an organization, or even an entire nation. For example, driving to the grocery store burns a certain amount of fuel, and fossil fuels are the primary sources of greenhouses gases. But that grocery store is powered by electricity, and its employees probably drove to work, so the store has its own carbon footprint. Causes of Carbon Footprint: Carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases are caused by the burning of fossil fuels in the environment. In fact, any activity to fulfil a human need requires energy that emits carbon dioxide. The electricity we use is mostly made from fossil fuels (such as coal, natural gas and oil). Although greenhouse gases do occur naturally, human activity contributes a great deal to greenhouse gas emissions. Your carbon footprint or your impact on the environment measures the greenhouse gases that you are responsible for creating. Common activities like using electricity and driving a car emit those gases. Trouble looms when we emit more CO2 than our flora can absorb. High carbon dioxide producing activities include: Consuming electricity: Burning fossil fuels emits CO2, with coal releasing twice as much of the gas as petroleum. Worldwide, fossil fuels generate 85 percent of electricity. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint from Driving All vehicles have an estimated miles-per-gallon rating. Electric cars emit no CO2 if they're charged with clean electricity. Driving style Speeding and unnecessary acceleration reduce mileage by up to 33%, waste gas and money, and increase your carbon footprint. 7 Instant Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Dr. Uzma Nadeem Unit 7- Human Communities and the Environment 1. Stop Eating (or Eat Less) Meat. The single most effective action you can take to combat climate change is to stop eating meat. 2. Unplug Your Devices. 3. Drive Less. 4. Don't Buy “Fast Fashion” 5. Plant a Garden. 6. Eat Local (and Organic) . 7. Line-Dry Your Clothes. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Could Prevent Premature Deaths. ... Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat, helping warm the globe. The surge in carbon dioxide levels due to human activity since the Industrial Revolution is now causing an overall warming of the planet that is having impacts around the globe NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN Narmada Bachao Andolan is the most powerful mass movement, started in 1985, against the construction of huge dam on the Narmada River. Narmada is the India's largest west flowing river, which supports a large variety of people with distinguished culture and tradition ranging from the indigenous (tribal) people inhabited in the jungles here to the large number of rural population. The proposed Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada Sagar will displace more than 250,000 people. The big fight is over the resettlement or the rehabilitation of these people. The two proposals are already under construction, supported by US$550 million loan by the World Bank. There are plans to build over 3000 big and small dams along the river. It is a multi crore project that will generate big revenue for the government. The Narmada Valley Development plan is the most promised and most challenging plan in the history of India. The proponents are of the view that it will produce 1450 MW of electricity and pure drinking water to 40 million people covering thousands of villages and towns. Some of the dams have been already been completed such as Tawa and Bargi Dams. But the opponent says that this hydro project will devastate human lives and bio diversity by destroying thousands of acres of forests and agricultural land. On the other hand it will overall deprive thousands of people of their livelihood. They believe that the water and energy could be provided to the people through alternative technological means that would be ecologically beneficial. Baba Amte (1914-2008) was one of India’s most respected social and moral leaders, while Medha Patkar, a graduate in social work, is one of the initiators of The Save the Narmada Movement (Narmada Bachao Andolan, NBA). NBA has mobilised itself against the disastrous Narmada Valley dams project – the epitome of unsustainable development, both for its huge ecological impact and the displacement of about a million people that it caused – shifting the political focus to the promotion of alternatives designed to benefit the poor and the environment. Dr. Uzma Nadeem Unit 7- Human Communities and the Environment Led by one of the prominent leader Medha Patkar, it has now been turned into the International protest, gaining support from NGO'S all around the globe. Protestors are agitating the issue through the mass media, hunger strikes, massive marches, rallies and the through the on screen of several documentary films. Although they have been protesting peacefully, but they been harassed, arrested and beaten up by the police several times. The Narmada Bachao Andolan has been pressurizing the World Bank to withdraw its loan from the project through media. The strong protests throughout the country not only made impact on the local people but has also influenced the several famous celebrities like film star Aamir Khan, who has made open efforts to support Narmada Bachao Andolan. He said he only want that those who have been rendered homeless should be given a roof. He pleaded to the common people to take part in the moment and come up with the best possible solutions. NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL AND ITS IMPORTANCE The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has emerged as an important player in Indian environmental regulation. It has issued orders on a variety of issues–ranging from pollution to deforestation to waste management. It recently directed the Delhi government to de-register all diesel vehicles more than 10 years old–a decision being opposed by many stakeholders, including the Central Government. The National Green Tribunal was set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT Act). The objective of the NGT Act is to provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to the protection of the environment. Even though the Act came into force on 2 June 2010, the first hearing of the Tribunal was held only in May 2011. The Tribunal suffered from serious ‘teething troubles’. Despite being a body constituted by an Act of Parliament, the Supreme Court had to intervene to ensure necessary administrative arrangements were made by various branches of the government for the Tribunal to become functional. How does the Tribunal function The members of the Tribunal are a mix of persons with a legal/judicial background and those with knowledge and expertise in environmental issues or with administrative experience. There is a principal bench of the Tribunal in New Delhi and four regional benches in Bhopal, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai. These are ‘co-equal benches’ i.e. the principal bench is not ‘higher’ in a judicial hierarchy than the other benches. Each bench has a specified geographical jurisdiction. For instance, cases arising from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, and Lakshadweep have to be filed in the Southern bench in Chennai. Occasionally ‘circuit benches’ are also constituted. These are specially constituted benches, which visit a particular city for a few days to hear cases relating to that state. The Tribunal has original (to be the first judicial forum to hear a case) and appellate (review a regulatory authority's decision) jurisdiction with regard to the implementation of seven environmental laws. These are the : 1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 3. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 4. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Dr. Uzma Nadeem Unit 7- Human Communities and the Environment 5. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, 6. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and 7. Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The notable exception is the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which is not included. A significant number of cases that may arise under the Wildlife (Protection) Act are criminal cases–and the Tribunal has no jurisdiction over criminal cases. The Tribunal has original jurisdiction over all civil cases raising a substantial question relating to environment and which arise out of the implementation of the seven laws. This makes the Tribunal a crucial avenue for grievance redressal for persons who wish to highlight environmental issues which have serious implications but are not linked to a single government decision. For instance, cases relating to the widespread pollution in the River Ganga and Yamuna, increasing air pollution in the National Capital Region, and illegal mining activities in different parts of the country have all been brought before the Tribunal under its original jurisdiction. While exercising its appellate jurisdiction, the Tribunal decides cases in which a regulatory