Role of Women in Combating Climate Change”
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i ii Compendium of invited talks and presentations National Seminar on “Role of Women in combating climate change” 7- 8 January 2010 Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment Sasthra Bhavan Pattom Thiruvananthapuram & Co-sponsored by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India iii ROLE OF WOMEN IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE Compendium of invited talks and presentations Editor in Chief Dr. C. T. S. Nair Executive Vice President, KSCSTE Compiled and Edited Dr. K. R. Lekha Scientist-E2 & Head ,Women Scientists’ Cell KSCSTE Secretarial assistance Ms. R. Asha Devi Ms. Meenu. V.S Published by: Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 004 NOT FOR SALE 2010, KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala No. of copies 150 NOTE: The views expressed in this Compendium is purely that of the authors and KSCSTE undertakes no responsibility on any of the points or views expressed by the authors in this Compendium. iv CONTENTSi Page No. Preface……………………………………………………………………………………..i Foreword…… Dr. C T S Nair, Executive Vice President, KSCSTE…………………….ii Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………...iii Inaugural Address Smt. P.K. Sreemathy Teacher……….…………………………..…………………………………1 Presidential Address Dr. E.P. Yesodharan…………………………………….………………………………..………..3 About KSCSTE and background of the Seminar Dr. K.R. Lekha ………………………………………………………..………………….……….6 Women in the management of water resources Prof. J. Letha…………………………………….…………………………………………………8 The Science of Climate Change – Key Note Address Prof. J. Srinivasan……………………………………………………………………….………10 Climate change in relation to community health Dr. K Vijayakumar……………………………………………………………….…….……….17 Climate change and health – why gender matters? Dr. Manju R Nair……………………………………………………………….……… Waste management, Global warming and Climate change Shri. Jayaprasad S D ……………………………………………………………….……….….21 Interventions in Built Environment for reducing the Carbon Emissions Dr. A. Praveen……………………………………………………………………………….…29 Equity, Gender and Sustainability issues in Climate change P.V. Unnikrishnan…………………………………………………………………………..…33 Sustainable Technologies in the Fuel and Energy sector Sri. C.M. Sushanth………………………………………………………….……...…………39 v Women Empowerment – The Kudumbasree Experience Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan………………………………………………………………….46 Sustainable Agriculture and food security for all: the key role of women Prof. P.S. Ramakrishnan………….…………………………………………………….…….49 Climate change and food security in Kerala Prof. G.S.L.H.V. Prasada Rao………………………………………………………….….…73 Agriculture and climate change: Role of women Dr. Binoo P. Bonny and Rajendran P………………………………………..………………77 Climate challenges in Water Resources Sector Smt. Latha Kumari. A. Pillai…………………………………….…..…………….……..….83 Feedback & Concluding Remarks ..……………………………………………………….88 Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………….... 89 vi PREFACE Women Scientists and Technologists have made significant contribution in every sphere of development. In India, the number of women scientists in various fields of Science, Engineering and Technology is still very low. Women Scientists not only play an important role in their respective areas of expertise but can play significant role in engineering social changes. Science and Technology play a vital role in the development strategy for various sections of the society. Full utilization of sufficient number of educated and trained women resources in Science and Technology is an economical and effective option to meet the challenges in development. There is a growing recognition of the need to strengthen women’s capabilities and to promote their participation in decision making. This can be achieved by increasing their access to information and education particularly in the areas of Science and Technology. The national seminar on “Role of Women in Combating Climate Change” is organized by the Women Scientists’ Cell, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, in association with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, during 7-8 January 2010. The Seminar is coordinated by Dr. K.R. Lekha, Head, Women Scientists’ Cell, KSCSTE. Hon’ble Minister for Health, Family and Social Welfare, Government of Kerala, Smt. P.K. Sreemathy Teacher inaugurated the seminar on 7.01.2010. The minister, in her inaugural speech pointed out that action plan on coping with climate-change need to address issues such as increasing temperature, change in the chemistry of atmosphere and ocean, shift in water availability and vegetation etc., on a gender perspective, which is essential in evolving appropriate remedial measures.10 technical presentations primarily on the process of climate change, specific issues in various developmental sectors, impacts on the daily lives of women and the specific role women have to play in climate change mitigation etc., were presented. Dr. E.P. Yesodharan, the then Executive Vice President of KSCSTE presided over the function; Prof. J. Srinivasan, Chairman, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore delivered the Key-note address. The two-day deliberation brought out a set of recommendations on reducing climate change impacts and also on the need to involve women in various stages of planning mitigation process. vii FOREWORD Dr. C. T. S. Nair Executive Vice President Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment Undoubtedly climate change has become the most important environmental crisis confronting humanity requiring fundamental changes in our lifestyles and our perception of what development really means. While meaningful action at international level still remains elusive and there are still several “climate change skeptics”, the business as usual approach to development has become untenable. There is an urgent need to move on to a green path to development that drastically reduces carbon emissions and enhances sequestration. It is in this context that the effort to articulate the role of women in combating climate change becomes relevant and timely. Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change will have to begin at the grass roots level, in our homes, farms, enterprises, etc. The preponderant role of women in these sectors underscores their enormous potential to spearhead the various climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Curtailing profligate consumption will have to begin from our homes; so will be the efforts to reduce energy consumption and the shift to renewables. Of particular concern is the need to enhance energy efficiency from the use of biomass fuels. This has direct implications not just on climate change mitigation, but also on the health of women and children, who are highly exposed to indoor pollution. Uncertain rainfall patterns will require us to conserve water and to economise its use. Unsustainability of intensive agriculture using fertilizers and pesticides requires a major shift in agriculture, especially by way of adapting more environment-friendly organic farming. The pivotal role of women in these efforts is well recognised. This compendium, which brings together the presentations made during the National Seminar “ Role of Women in Combating Climate Change” held in January 2010, provides a good overview of the different aspects of the issue. In addition to outlining some of the larger issues of climate change, the compilation addresses a number of topical themes, including the science of climate change, greening the construction sector, enhancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, sustainable agriculture, food security, etc. From the science and technology perspective, this requires that we take cognizance of the gender dimensions, especially considering the end uses/ users of the technologies. I am sure this compendium will enhance our understanding of the role of women in climate change mitigation and adaptation, helping to mainstream gender perspectives in science and technology development. viii Smt. P.K. Sreemathy Teacher Hon’ble Minister for Health, Family & Social Welfare Government of Kerala Inaugural Address during the Inaugural function of the National Seminar on “Role of women in combating Climate Change” At the outset I congratulate the Principle Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Kerala, Dr. E.P. Yesodharan, for taking the lead role in organizing a seminar on a very relevant topic in today’s context namely “Climate Change”. The title “Role of Women in Combating Climate Change” is very apt in today’s context and is a much talked about topic all over the world. Climate change is recognized as the greatest global challenge in the current century. Experts warn that a rapid warming of the planet is underway, with the threat of far- reaching environmental changes that could have very severe impacts on life on earth. Climate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). It is predicted that this change in the climate may bring catastrophic disruptions to the natural environment which we depend on for food and other vital resources. It is being caused mainly by the build up of green house gases that are released by human activities, in particular the burning of fossil fuels, deforestations and certain types of agriculture etc. Climate change will affect all countries but developing countries are particularly vulnerable by being least able to afford the cost of adapting