Category Environtal Studies

The river as a dumpyard

The Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world, cutting across several Asian regions from Tibet and China to Thailand and Cambodia. But spanning a large area means the threats it faces are just as huge. What are they? Come, let’s find out.

Waste generated in any region is disposed of in many ways, including being dumped at landfills. (Only a minuscule fragment of waste is recycled globally.) Some countries export their waste. Several Asian countries have been taking in plastic waste from such countries, without really being equipped to handle waste disposal safely. In addition, these Asian countries have their own waste to deal with. The waste in landfills reach rivers and oceans through winds, rains, and drains. One such river is the Mekong. Painfully, three “of the worst six plastic polluting countries China, – Thailand, and Vietnam – have a presence in Mekong”, meaning the quantum of waste this river takes in is huge and increasing. The pandemic, with its masks, plastic sanitiser containers, take-away plastic boxes, etc., has exacerbated the situation. And, this is of grave concern.

The Mekong is a treasure trove of biodiversity – several species of plants, birds, reptiles, and fishes call the river and its surrounding regions home. But in the current scenario, rubbish is finding its way into the water, endangering wildlife. Animals and birds are in danger of being affected by plastic debris through entanglement or ingestion. There have been instances of dead whales “turning up in Thailand and Indonesia with many kilograms of plastics in their stomachs”. It is not just wildlife that’s affected. When humans consume creatures such as fish, we end up consuming plastic, which has the potential to cause serious health problems such as cancer. Since rivers drain into larger waterbodies such as seas (the Mekong mixes with the South China Sea) and oceans, the pollution they carry is transferred too.

An increase in the pollution of waterbodies is an indication of increasing pollution on land. And a grim reminder that unless we change our lifestyles to make this planet greener, we are likely to face the negative consequences of our own actions.

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How is climate change affecting penguin in Antarctica?

The warming climate is having an impact on Antarctica and its large penguin population. Here’s a firsthand account of a trip through the frozen continent by an agriculture and environment scientist

No one owns Antarctica, but the penguins call it home. A frozen landmass that is over four times bigger than India, it has become a bellwether of the climate crisis.

Last year, a large chunk of ice-1.270 sq. km wide-split from the continental shelf causing concern among scientists. Was it due to climate change? Scientists are not sure. But what they know is that the rate of ice loss in Antarctica has tripled since 2012 compared to two decades earlier. Large chunks are splitting regularly from ice shelves, often requiring maps to be redrawn. The warming climate is having an impact on the 6-km-deep ice sheets and the resident penguin population.

Home of penguins

An estimated 12 million penguins live in Antarctica, though it is not their only habitat. Of the 18 species, only five live in Antarctica, including the renowned emperor penguins who march across the frozen tundra in a mating ritual that was featured in the documentary. “March of the Penguins” (Unfortunately, a new report forecasts that the entire population of emperor penguins may disappear by the year 21001)

Inspired in part by the movie and a desire to see the impact of climate change, I flew with two friends to Antarctica a few years ago. It was quite an adventure.

A plane took us from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Chilean air base on King George Island. As it landed, a group of curious gentoo penguins came out to greet us. They were probably wondering who we were and why we were invading their space! We saw more of their cousins and their colonies as well as elephant seals and leopard seals when we explored the land and the sea over the next few days.

Cause for concern

About 90 per cent of the world’s ice and 70 per cent of fresh water is in Antarctica. Some have calculated that if all of Antarctica’s ice melted, sea levels would rise 60 to 70 m. drowning all coastal cities. Should we be concerned? Most certainly, as we would want to bequeath a better planet to future generations.

Antarctica is regarded by scientists as the perfect place to do research on flora and fauna, climate and a variety of issues-so there are 70 research stations involving 29 countries. Though there is no native human population, visiting researchers hope to find new organisms or data that could reveal the Earth’s climate history and signs of a changing environment.

 

Living and doing research in a place, where temperatures can dip to minus 90 degrees Celsius and dark winters last six months, can be a challenge in the best of times. But it became a bigger challenge during the pandemic. In December 2020, the Chilean research station reported 36 COVID cases and the affected persons had to be evacuated to their home country.

New research

In 1985, British scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica, which revealed the damage done to the Earth’s atmosphere by manmade chemicals. In 2012, U.S. researchers discovered that Antarctica was melting twice as fast as previously thought. They also found that a warming ocean west of Antarctica would enable the king crab to move from the deep sea to shallower waters, making it a big predator and disrupting the ecosystem.

In 2017, India’s polar biologists stumbled upon a species of moss they named Bryumbharatiensis. How had moss survived in this barren landscape? Dr Felix Bast, a member of the Indian research team, observed that the moss is nourished by penguin poop, which contains nitrogen and does not decompose in a frigid climate.

Impact of climate change

Sadly, Antarctica will not remain a winter wonderland for long on account of climate change. A group of scientists led by Stephen Rintoul have presented two stark images of Antarctica by 2070. In Vision 1, assuming global air temperatures rise 2.9 degrees Celsius, they predict sea levels will rise 27 cm, ice sheets will be reduced by 23 per cent and damage to the ecosystem will be most severe. In Vision 2, assuming a 0.9 degrees Celsius temperature rise, sea levels will rise only 6 cm, ice shelf loss will be 8 per cent, and damage to the ecosystem will be less severe. The outcomes will be determined by the climate actions we take in this decade. If global warming remains unchecked, it is quite possible that Antarctica will “be the world’s only habitable continent by the end of this century,” warns Sir David King, former Chief Scientist to the British government. Will humanity rise to the climate challenge?

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Why is it important to increase forest cover?

When we speak about increasing forest cover, the main reason for doing so is perhaps that it takes in carbon, and so will help in tackling climate change. But, that’s not the only thing forests do. Their benefits are interconnected in a way it can help humankind as a whole live well. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways in which they help us

Cooling effect

Keeping tropical forests standing provides a 50% greater impact on lowering global temperatures than can be accounted for simply through their carbon-absorbing abilities, according to a new report by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a think tank.

Stands of trees, for instance, provide “evapotranspiration” – the process by which water is released from the soil into the atmosphere to fall as rain. Such additional cooling impacts must be integrated into governments climate policies to fully reflect what forests do for the planet, the report said.

Food and water security

Forests help to maintain stable rainfall patterns and local temperatures, which are vital for food and water security, according to the WRI report.

The Brazilian Amazon, for example, the report said, helps to maintain vital rainfall in several other countries, affecting agricultural production as far as Argentina. As deforestation turns parts of the world’s largest tropical rainforest into dry savannah, scientists are concerned that the Amazon is edging towards a tipping point beyond which it might never recover.

A buffer against natural disasters

Another benefit that forests provide is their ability to act as a buffer against natural disasters, which have become increasingly common due to climate change. Tree canopies can intercept rainfall and slow it down in a storm, allowing up to 30% of the water to evaporate into the atmosphere without reaching the ground, according to Britain’s Woodland Trust charity. In fact, some cities are using urban forests to become more resilient to flooding, as trees provide more permeable land to absorb rainwater.

Also, across the world’s equatorial regions, mangrove forests not only store significant carbon but provide a defence against coastal erosion and storm surges

Global biodiversity

Another vital contribution of forests is their impact on biodiversity, with such ecosystems home to more than half of the world’s land-based animal and plant species. As well as protecting nature, forests can provide a range of benefits to people, from forest foods to medicines. Especially in tropical regions, deforestation has been linked to increased outbreaks of infectious diseases, in particularly as animals come into closer contact with people. According to a recent analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s wildlife populations have declined by more than two-thirds since 1970, with deforestation a major driver.

Sustainable living

Deforestation leads directly to increases in local temperatures, exposing people and crops to heat stress, WRI said.

These local temperature extremes are a particular threat in the tropics for small-scale farmers, agricultural workers, indigenous people, and other local communities. Indigenous communities in particular rely on forests for their way of life. Research shows that they are also the best people to conserve these areas, leading to calls to put more in the hands of frontline communities.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Forests are the largest carbon sinks on land – they remove about 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 each year from the atmosphere.

• In the Amazon, more than 10,000 species are at risk of extinction due to the clearing of rainforest for uses such as cattle ranching and soy farming.

• In the Amazon basin, a 2021 report by the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) showed that deforestation rates are up to 50% lower in indigenous peoples’ forest lands than in other areas.

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What is Air Quality Index?

Air Quality Index indicates how safe or polluted the air is, and the health concerns involved

The air quality deteriorates throughout India in October and November every year due to festivals, among other reasons. Post-Deepavali, Air Quality Index (AQI) is the most-talked about.

What is AQI?

The AQI is the yardstick used to report how clean or polluted the air is. It is used to help people know how the local air quality impacts their health. These indices indicate whether the amount of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide in the air exceeds the criteria set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or not.

How is AQI calculated?

To calculate AQI, an air monitor and an air pollutant concentration over a specified averaging period is needed. The results are grouped into ranges, and each range is assigned a descriptor, a colour code, and a standardised public health advisory.

The AQI categories are – Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor  (301-400), and Severe (401-500) – with colour coding ranging from green to dark red.

What are AQI pollutants?

India launched the National Air Quality Index Standard (NAQI) on September 17, 2014. The National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP) covering 240 cities in the country is operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In India, the AQI keeps a tab on eight major air pollutants in the atmosphere – Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (03), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb).

Health risks

An increase in AQI increases public health risks, especially affecting children, elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular issues.

During these times, governments generally urge people to reduce physical activity outdoors, or even avoid going out altogether. The use of face masks such as cloth masks are also recommended.

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What’s your carbon footprint?

If you want to be a part of the solution to climate change, you need to check your carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide, methane and other gases generated by our actions that are harmful to the planet. It is expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The average carbon footprint for a person in India is 2.7 tonnes. But this average masks the wide differences between urban and rural residents, and between rich and poor households. So if you want to be a part of the climate solution, you need to check your carbon footprint.

There are many carbon calculators on the Internet, but few are fine-tuned for the Indian consumer. Some of the local calculators are from Tata Power and ICICI Bank. The calculations cover your energy, gas, paper, and other uses whose manufacture generate carbon emissions.

Once your footprint is known, various options are available to offset your emissions. These include planting trees, helping to set up solar or bio gas installations in villages, etc.

Voluntary carbon offsets

Many airlines provide voluntary carbon offsets for domestic or international flights as part of ticketing. For example, if you fly from Mumbai to London on British Airways (BA), your round trip will generate 1.1 tCO2e in emissions. BA will charge you separately to offset the emission, which will be used to protect forests in Cambodia or Peru or supply smokeless cook stoves in Sudan.

So what is the benefit to you? There is no direct benefit, except for some satisfaction that you have done your bit for the environment, that you have been a good global citizen, and that instead of just talking about climate change, you are taking action to address the climate crisis.

Planting trees

I will give you a personal example. My carbon footprint for 2020 was 7.1 tCO2e, which is above the Indian average on account of two flights. I decided to offset this emission by contributing towards planting trees in the village of Pekhri in Himachal Pradesh. I was helping not only to create a ‘global good’ but also local villagers who had no work on account of the pandemic. The money will help Pekhri village to plant a thousand fruit, fodder and timber trees on degraded slopes. The trees will be selected by the local people. In a small way, the plantation will also help store carbon in the soil, a global benefit.

But critics of carbon offsets say this is a Band-Aid solution, that it enables the well-off people to continue to pollute the Earth and just write a cheque to offset their bad behaviour. What is needed, they argue, is a complete change in lifestyle, a behavioural change that recognises the damaging impact of consumerism on the planet.

Getting out of our comfort zone

This is a valid argument, but changing human behaviour is not easy. Try convincing a car owner in Mumbai or Delhi to give up his precious car, motorcycle or scooter! Or a middle class housewife in Chennai or Hyderabad not to run the home air conditioner in the summer. Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of a modern lifestyle. To convince the urban middle class to move out of its comfort zone is very hard, but one must try through raising awareness.

Calculating one’s carbon footprint is the start of this awareness. As my high schoolteacher said, “To be a part of the solution, you must recognise you are part of the problem.” You can’t solve the climate crisis without recognising your role in it.

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What plants purify the air we breathe in at our homes?

With concerns about air pollution on the rise, what can we do to purify the air we breathe in at our homes? Let’s learn about some indoor plants that can clean up the air considerably.

Air pollution is not merely an outdoor menace. The air we breathe in at home also contains high levels of pollutants. Besides biological pollutants like dust, fungi and allergens, solvents and chemicals in perfumes, hair sprays, air fresheners and furniture polish are also potential hazards. They release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides in the air lead to allergies, headache, dizziness and other health disorders. Here are some indoor plants that can clean up the air considerably.

Aloe vera

It is a succulent and perennial plant which belongs to the lily family though it looks like a cactus, with its thick fleshy leaves and thorns.

This common plant which people often hang outside their doors to ward off evil has the ability to filter benzene and formaldehyde. It requires ample sunlight but it is easy to grow and there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Besides cleaning up the air, it has immense medicinal properties. The aloevera gel helps treat sunburn and tanning, and is good for treating pimples, too. It heals burns and several skin diseases like psoriasis, scabies, rashes and itches. Extracts from the juice are mixed with other herbs to make a drink that helps deal with gas and other stomach ailments.

Snake plant

It is so called because certain varieties have geometrically patterned scales like snakes. This indoor plant has sharp and pointed tongue-like leaves and so it is also called Mother-in-law’s tongue! It removes toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide from the air. An ideal bedroom plant, it requires little sunlight and water and is easy to maintain. There are more than 50 species of this evergreen plant.

Bamboo palm

This slow-growing plant which originated in Central and South America helps to eliminate carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene and formaldehyde.

It needs to be kept in a shaded area which gets indirect or filtered sunlight. It does not need much water. It is enough if the soil is kept moist. It produces small yellow flowers which have a nice aroma. It is not only beneficial but can also serve as an ornate plant with its attractive upright stalks and elegant fronds.

Money plant

This long-wandering plant is an effective air purifier, removing VOCS. Native to Asia and Australia, it is so called as it symbolises wealth and prosperity in the Chinese system of Feng Shui. This creeper grows well indoors, is durable and adapts to any condition.

Rubber plant, Peace Lily and Dracena are also suitable to fight pollution.

Spider plant

It cleans up the air of benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene. This tough plant has arching grass-like leaves. It has tiny white flowers and it is so called because baby plantlets dangle from the mother plant resembling spiders on the web.

It is a no-fuss plant and adapts to any environment.

Chrysanthemum

This seasonal plant has countless varieties. It brightens up the place with its colourful flowers. Chrysanthemums remove benzene and contain a natural insecticide called pyrethrum. The flower heads are harvested and ground into a powder for use as insecticide.

Ecological balance

Different plants thrive in different seasons. For instance, while one species flowers in May, another could come into bloom as late as September. Scientists say that this time lag is crucial. This is because a huge variety of plant species are all competing for the same resources like air, sunlight and soil. The fact that plants bloom at different times ensures that each plant gets adequate resources to grow well.

However, ecologists point out that pollution is changing world climate and could disrupt this fine ecological balance in the future. For instance, increased levels of carbon dioxide could stimulate grasses and wildflowers to flower at the same time although currently they flower at different times. Tests indicate that in the presence of higher levels of carbon dioxide, grasses flower later while wildflowers flower earlier, resulting in an overlap!

This means animals that munch on grass may have to wait longer for grazing while this sudden profusion of flowering plants could well deplete natural resources, perhaps even leading to the extinction of certain plant species that aren’t tough enough to survive.

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