Rain Water Harvesting

Rain Water Harvesting is a way to capture the rain water when it rains, store that water above ground or charge the underground water level and use it later. This happens naturally in open rural areas. But in congested, over-paved metropolitan cities, we need to create methods to capture the rain water.

Most metro cities in India have grown enormously in last few decades. Since most of the growth was unplanned, these cities suffer from lack of basic amenities and natural resources. Water is one of these scarce natural resources. The water shortage problem becomes more acute during summers as the level of ground water falls down. Rain water harvesting can be of great help in raising (or maintaining) the ground water levels. Rain water harvesting is relatively a new technology in India. However there are some solutions available in the market.

In recent years, Tamil Nadu State government has taken initiatives to encourage the use of rain water harvesting systems. Apart from creating awareness (through various programs) about the benefits of rain water harvesting, the state government is also providing easy loans and subsidies (for weaker sections) for installation of rain water harvesting systems.

Save Himalayas

A “Ski Village” is being set up in Himachal Pradesh, which not only would make thousands of people to loose their lands, but will also threaten the ecological balance in this region. Major investment for this ski village is coming from Mr Albert Ford (great grandson of Henry Ford). Despite great opposition from environmental activists, Mr Ford has managed to get the final clearance for this project which will open by end of year of 2008. Some environmentalists in able leadership of Mr SunderLal Bahuguna (who headed the chipko movement) are still fighting against this project for environmental cause.

This project would leave several hundred without any work as against its claim of providing employment to 3,500 people in the tourist resort. The ski village being set up on 3,000 bighas of land at 8,000 to 13,500 feet height would not only cause irreparable loss to agricultural land but also make several medicinal plants extinct. The land that had been given to the Ford Company on lease for 99 years would adversely affect natural water resources and several drinking water supply schemes in the region. Besides, the chemicals being used in freezing the natural water would contaminate water and render the land unusable for agricultural purposes in future following which several of these schemes had been banned in the western countries.
- Sunder Lal Bahuguna

If you agree with Mr Bahuguna, please try best on your own level to support this cause. Please sign this online petition to support the cause. It is easy and it hardly takes a minute:

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More Information on the Ski-Village Project
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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051228/himachal.htm#1
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/205079.html
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/15/stories/2005061500691700.htm

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Let us Fight Global Warming

Global warming is one of the greatest threats which we are facing in our lives. But most of us are either ignorant of this threat, or we refuse to accept its seriousness. This post is aimed at creating awareness about Global warming amongst people. Please circulate this information as much as possible.

GLOBAL WARMING and its CAUSES
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Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. The prime reason of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect . Natural phenomenon such as solar variation combined with volcanoes contribute to the greenhouse gases. But a great percentage of these gases are being generated by human activities. The most common greenhouse gas generated by human activities is Carbon Dioxide (from combustion of coal, oil, and gas). Automobiles and power plants are the greatest contributors to global warming.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
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Unless global warming emissions are reduced, average temperatures could rise another 3 to 9 degrees by the end of the century — with far-reaching effects. Sea levels will rise, flooding coastal areas. Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense. Droughts and wildfires will occur more often. Disease-carrying mosquitoes will expand their range. And species will be pushed to extinction. shows, many of these changes have already begun.

STEPS WE CAN TAKE TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
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(1) Reduce the Energy Consumption:
Today, most of the power plants run on coal. More energy usage means more burning of coal and more Carbon Dioxide.
(a) Avoid un-necessary usage of electicity. Many of us, keep more than sufficient lightings in our home/offices. Switch off the lights if not needed.
(b) Use smart lamps (rather than filament bulbs) - which run on lesser power.
(c) Avoid using lifts, electic appliances, as much as possible.
(2) Less usage of Transport
Automobile engines are the second greatest source of Carbon Dioxide (after power plants).
(a) Avoid using Transport for small distances - walk down.
(b) Prefer public or shared transport.
(c) Buy fuel efficient cars.
(3) Bio-fules and Renewable Energy
(a) use solar-energy appliances if possible.
(4) Generate awareness against global warming amongst the people you know.
(5) Save Water - Use less water (for bathing, washing, cleaning, cooking). If you use hot water, try getting adjusted to less hot water (this will save energy).
(6) Plant a tree - save forests.
(7) Use recyclable products.

Some Useful Resources on Global Warming:
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http://www.globalwarming.org/
http://www.climatehotmap.org/
http://www.globalwarming.net/
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/
http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/

Solar Energy: Alternate Energy resource

In recent years there has been a lot of advancement in solar energy technology. Today there is a wide range of products available in market, which can help to reduce the demand of conventional energy. Since the generation of conventional energy involves heavy emission of greenhouse of gases, Solar Energy is a way towards cleaner and greener atmosphere. Though, the solar energy operated products are very common and reliable, but most of us are not aware of them. For these reasons, such products are generally restricted to the government’s environmental programs and schemes are much far from the reach of common public. Some of these products are reasonably priced, and we can consider using them.

Solar water heating is the most common usage of alternate energy. You might find this “FAQ on Solar Water Heating” quite useful.

Indian Public Sector Unit, Bharat Electronics Ltd makes a lot of interesting Solar Energy Projects. Solar operated Traffic Lights (installed at most of the signal in Bangalore), is the most common product. Solar Lanterns is another popular domestic product - I owned this marvellous piece and found it quite useful. I recently gave it to one of my friend. BEL also provides home lighting, street lighting and pumping systems.
Solar cookers are also an interesting product. But their usage is mostly restricted to remote areas. As cooking process is very long and tough.
Government India also provides easy loans and subsidies for installing solar water heaters.

If you happen to visit this page, and you have some thing more to share about solar energy (or any other alternative energy resource), please post your comments here. This information may be useful a plenty of readers.