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Sustainable Development

Health Ministry Calls for Local Action Plans on Climate Change and Health

Leave a Comment / By / Health & Wellness Community

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged States and Union Territories to draft district and city-level action plans under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH). The initiative aims to address the growing health challenges posed by climate change and air pollution. In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries and Advisors of all States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the importance of including air pollution mitigation strategies in the action plans. She also called for the expansion of sentinel hospitals to monitor illnesses related to air pollution, ensuring a robust surveillance mechanism. The updated health advisories shared by the Ministry provide guidelines to strengthen existing healthcare systems and advocate for raising awareness among vulnerable populations and high-risk occupational groups. Srivastava highlighted that the combined efforts of local governments and stakeholders could effectively tackle the intertwined crises of air pollution and climate change. The NPCCHH framework encourages community participation, innovation, and capacity building to mitigate the health impacts of environmental challenges. The Ministry’s focus on air pollution reflects its acknowledgment of the urgent need to address respiratory illnesses and other health conditions exacerbated by poor air quality. This directive follows an increasing recognition of the impact of climate change on public health, including rising cases of heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory disorders. By empowering local authorities to devise actionable plans, the Ministry aims to create resilient health systems capable of addressing future challenges. With this initiative, the Ministry underscores the role of proactive governance and intersectoral collaboration in safeguarding public health amidst changing environmental conditions. Source: newsonair.gov.in Photo Credit: newsonair.gov.in

Sanchana Navaneethakrishnan, Trustee, Vivekam Sr. Sec. School, Coimbatore emphasised on the use of technology in education

Leave a Comment / By / Interviews

“we ensure that these technologies are used minimally, as it is the teacher who can bring innovative thinking into the minds of children” said Sanchana Navaneethakrishnan Can you tell me more about your institutions? Yes, to be particular, we have two branches in Kuwait. The name in Tamil means “Brilliance.” As the name indicates, one thing that we have been focusing on is the quality of education. Our first institution has been around for over 25 years, and the second one for 14 years. Over time, we have always focused on the quality of education we provide, ensuring equality in how we treat children, regardless of their skill levels. We also emphasize values significantly. Being the only daughter of my parents, I was certain from my schooling that I would take up the institutions. Therefore, I have been training myself specifically to become an educationalist. We aim to instill in children the quality and attitude to perceive the world correctly, focusing more on how to do things better rather than just what not to do. How is your institution adapting to the transition from traditional to digital modes of education? We have recently associated with Oxford and are incorporating artificial intelligence and virtual reality to prepare children for future technological updates. However, we ensure that these technologies are used minimally, as it is the teacher who can bring innovative thinking into the minds of children. Mere books and facts cannot achieve that. What modules does your school have to motivate teachers? We are conducting back-to-back workshops and training sessions for teachers. We also plan to provide a wide range of facilities to help teachers educate themselves. Since most of our teachers are female and have household responsibilities, we are digitalizing our library and providing resources within the campus to help them keep up with the knowledge level of the children without having to do extra work at home. What have you taken away from today’s session? This event has been fantastically organized and is much needed. Most of the discussion comes from top-level people who do not implement changes, but as implementers, we can bring real change on the ground. I have found that many people think like me, and this event has provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with other schools. We can contribute to changing society as a whole since children from various schools are part of a larger educational community. Do you have any message for ArdorComm Media Group? Yes, I would like you to organize more such events, focusing on the next generation, especially in schools. It’s important to concentrate not just on sustainable development but on what is needed overall. We often compare ourselves with the United States, but there are significant differences in population and culture. We need to correct ourselves according to our country’s characteristics rather than relying solely on research or statistics from institutions like Harvard University. It would be wonderful if initiatives could be taken to create our own statistics relevant to our population. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this event.

Unplanned Urbanization Spurs Water Crisis in Bengaluru, IISc Study Reveals

Leave a Comment / By / Governance Community

An in-depth study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) sheds light on the alarming consequences of unplanned urbanization in Bengaluru, with concrete structures engulfing 93% of the city’s landscape. Over the past five decades, the city has witnessed a staggering 1055% increase in built-up areas, accompanied by a 79% decline in water spread areas and an 88% loss of vegetation. This uncontrolled urban expansion has led to severe water scarcity, exacerbating existing challenges such as air pollution and resource inequity. According to Prof. TV Ramachandra from IISc’s Centre for Ecological Sciences, the dwindling water spread area, which has plummeted from 2,324 hectares in 1973 to just 696 hectares in 2023, is a primary contributor to the depletion of the groundwater table. The study highlights the detrimental impact of encroachment and pollution on Bengaluru’s water bodies, with 98% of lakes encroached upon and 90% receiving untreated sewage or industrial effluents. This degradation has hindered groundwater recharge, exacerbating the city’s water woes. Ramachandra also underscores the adverse effects of vanishing green cover on air quality and temperature regulation, emphasizing that the city’s current tree population is insufficient to sequester respiratory carbon. Remote sensing data reveals a stark reality: only 1.5 million trees support a population of 9.5 million in Bengaluru, indicating a critical imbalance between green cover and urbanization. To address these pressing concerns, IISc has developed the Bangalore Information System (BUiS) and Bangalore Lakes Information System (BLIS), providing researchers and policymakers with essential tools to visualize urban dynamics, tree distribution, and ecologically sensitive areas. The system aims to raise awareness about the adverse effects of rapid urbanization and facilitate informed decision-making to mitigate its impacts. As Bengaluru grapples with its evolving urban landscape, the findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable urban planning strategies to safeguard natural resources, mitigate pollution, and promote ecological resilience in the face of rapid urban expansion.  

Global Leaders Convene in New Delhi for 18th G20 Summit

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The 18th G20 Summit, hosted by India, kicked off today in the national capital, New Delhi, with more than 30 heads of state, top officials from the European Union, and invited guest countries in attendance. The two-day summit is being held at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam, and it promises to address critical global challenges under the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future.” The summit commenced with world leaders arriving at the venue, Bharat Mandapam, from 9.30 am onwards. The first session of the G20 Summit, titled ‘One Earth,’ took place at around 10.30 am. This session is dedicated to accelerating climate action, focusing on increased mitigation efforts and strengthening the global net zero emission agenda as soon as possible. The theme underscores the interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth, emphasizing the value of human, animal, plant, and microorganism life. In the evening, a dinner hosted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, was scheduled to bring together foreign delegates, parliamentarians, and ministers, along with former senior leaders of the nation. Key leaders attending the event include US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. However, notably absent from the summit are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. China will be represented by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia. This marks India’s first time hosting the G20 Summit, with extensive preparations showcasing India’s tradition and strength. During its presidency, India has focused on various critical issues, including inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. India seeks to achieve the dual objectives of adding the African Union as a member of the G20 and resolving disagreements related to a joint statement concerning the conflict in Ukraine. The participating countries in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the African Union (represented by Comros), South Africa, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union, and Singapore. A warm welcome was extended to world leaders upon their arrival in Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the summit would chart a new path toward human-centric and inclusive development. Leaders who have arrived in the national capital for the G20 Summit include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The leaders were welcomed with traditional dance performances. Other distinguished attendees include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Egypt President El-Sisi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Additionally, African Union Chairperson Azali Assoumani, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have also arrived in Delhi to participate in the summit. The 18th G20 Summit holds the promise of fostering collaborative solutions for the benefit of the global population and contributing to overall global well-being in a rapidly changing world.