Climate Solutions

Strengthening the Eco-Clubs of Rural Schools in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:57:40 +0000

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Bidisha Banerjee

State/District/Town/Villiage:

Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu and Labpur, West Bengal

your details will remain private

Summary:

As part of an Indicorps Fellowship in 2006-07, I helped strengthen eco-clubs in rural schools in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, reaching around 6000 students in 7th-12th Standards. While environmental education is mandatory in all Indian schools, I wanted to encourage proactive hands-on leadership.

Climate solutions included: installing a school vermicomposting project and rainwater harvesting tanks in 40 schools; a month-long mural project focusing on local biodiversity; creating an environmental leadership camp for adolescent girls; building and cooking with a solar oven from cardboard and tinfoil; writing and performing a play about water issues; and holding debates on environmental issues.

Description:

Stakeholders:

8th-12th Std. students of CSI School, SNSN Girls’ School, and Karunnahar High School.

Mr. W. Mahendradoss, Principal of CSI School, Nagapattinam, and Mrs. Kalyani Das, Eco-club Head, SNSN Girls’ School, Labpur.

Bidisha Banerjee, Indicorps Fellow

The Institute for Motivating Self-Employment (IMSE)

Mechanisms: The project took one year and was primarily supported through the labour and enthusiasm of volunteers, school staff, and students; while the rainwater-harvesting tanks were installed by IMSE and paid for by foreign donors, the rest of the activities mentioned above funded by rural community members and parents at negligible cost. Neighbours donated paints for the mural project; local youth volunteered to help run the environmental leadership camp.

Major Benefits: Rural youth seized the chance to become environmental leaders.

Contact Details:

hailbidisha@yahoo.com

Opportunities:

While the eco-club project ended in 2007, Indicorps, the organization which helped create this project, has opportunities for interns, staff, and fellows. Please see www.indicorps.org for more information.

Extended Answers

Finance - Did this climate solution require funding?:

As above; while the rainwater-harvesting tanks were installed by IMSE and paid for by foreign donors, the rest of the activities mentioned above funded by rural community members and parents at negligible cost. Neighbours donated paints for the mural project; local youth volunteered to help run the environmental leadership camp.

Policy - Are there any policies relevant to this solution? :

n/a

Benefits - Have the carbon savings of this solution been quantified?:

Barriers - What barriers has this solution overcome?:

Lack of funding and institutional support are the biggest barriers this project overcame; the enthusiasm of rural youth for environmental leadership helped overcome this challenge and revealed that volunteers who can devote time to encouraging climate solutions can have a significant impact.

Upload Video/Images/Documents

Document:

Pictures of the Projects

The Navdanya Freedom Seed Kit

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:10:21 +0000

Name:

Seeds of Freedom Campaign

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Navdanya Trust

vandana@vandanashiva.com

Summary:

The Indian Food and Agricultural system is facing a major challenge: Biotechnical Corporations are pushing to introduce controversial and potentially dangerous technologies to our markets: Genetically Engineered seeds.

With lax national government policies, as well as the absence of reliable information for consumers and producers, farmers' livelihoods, public health and the environment are being placed under threat. GMO seeds, as part of industrialised agricultural practices, can also contribute to an increase greenhouse gas emissions and hence to climate change.

As part of our campaign for non-GMO seeds, Navdanya is freely distributing The "Freedom Seed Kit", a charming envelope that brings close to any interested community the fascinating world of native seed cultivation.

The kit contains 9 varieties of seeds of well-known grains and vegetables essential to the Indian kitchen, that are currently in process of genetical modification. The envelope also contains a leaflet with updated information on GMOs.

Description:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) form are part of industrial agriculture; the origin of approximately 25% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 60% of methane gas emissions, and 80% of nitrous oxide emissions.

Industrial agriculture consumes ten times more fossil fuel energy than it produces as food, and is highly dependant of chemicals (which impoverish soils and can be highly polluting), and on intensive irrigation (which uses large amounts of water). Industrial agriculture is also based largely around monocultures, a production scheme highly vulnerable to changes in climate, and to pathogens.

As climate change becomes more severe, changes in water patterns leading to drought and flooding, extreme weather events and a change in the location of disease will mean that all crop production comes under increased risk of damage. Monocultures pose particularly high threat to international food security for this reason - lack of adaptability, and resilience.

Despite the astonishing figures demonstrating that industrial agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, and the evidence of the extreme vulnerability of the present food model, agriculture systems are barely discussed by either governments or civil society movements engaged in climate and energy issues.

GMOs, to be introduced to our food markets for human consumption (BT brinjal is expected for April 2009), are exacerbating the problem: GMO cultivation promotes monocultures associated with increased machinery use, and the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers produced by the same corporations that sell the seeds. They also pose public health risks (with recent research studies carried out on mice showing links between GMO consumption and infertility), increase the dependence of farmers on corporations (as the seeds are often designed to be terminal (ie not to produce crops that re-seed), pose environmental risks of genetic pollution through cross-pollination with native species, and threaten native biodiversity through the means by which they are cultivated, through competition with local species, and through hybrid formations.

Navdanya is proposing a viable alternative to the present agricultural model: biodiverse organic farming; Based on organic cultivation techniques, native seeds (nutritious, adapted to local climates and environment and free to conserve and exchange among farmers) and decentralized marketing.

The Seeds of Freedom movement is an initiative at the grassroot level, conceived as a way of providing reliable information on the importance of the protection of biodiversity and about the threats posed by GMOs, with the final goal of promoting people's participation on food system decision making, through their consuming choices or through public acts and demonstrations.

The "Seeds of Freedom" campaign, launched by Navdanya in September 2008, is a direct response to the demands of an increasing number of people in India.

It has 2 major goals:

(1) To defend our native seeds: Nutritious, tasty, diverse, productive, and free to conserve and exchange.

(2) To provide public information on the dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

Our common Seed Satyagraha:

Because cultivating our native varieties of cereals, vegetables, trees and pulses means defending our food security, our health, our livelihoods, and our independence from foreign corporations, Navdanya invites you to take action now: Plant the Freedom Seed!

Contact Details:

To join the Freedom Seeds Movement and obtaining your Freedom Seed Kit please check our website: www.navdanya.com. Contact us at vandana@vandanashiva.com

Solar-Powered Electric Cycle Rickshaw - Soleckshaw

Anna da Costa — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:15:40 +0000

Name:

Anna da Costa

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research

City (if relevant):

Delhi

your details will remain private

Summary:

A cycle rickshaw with an electric assist, charged at solar-powered charging stations, which it is hoped will both reduce the physical burden on its driver (still called a 'puller', after the old rickshaw simply pulled by a man) as well as the environmental burden of burning more fossil fuels if cycle rickshaws were eliminated altogether.

Cross-posted from: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/solar_powered_r_3.php

Description:

The Soleckshaw seats three people and can go at a maximum speed of 12.5 mph. It has an electric light, FM radio and mobile phone charger. The rickshaw’s 36-volt battery need is charged every six of seven hours (or about 45 miles of riding) from solar powered charging stations.

Extended Answers

Finance - Did this climate solution require funding?:

At a price of Rs22,000 (compared to Rs8,500) for a non-electric cycle rickshaw micro loans are likely to be needed for drivers to be able to afford them.

The Soleckshaw's developer, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, has indicated that a loan program will be put in place that will allow drivers to pay back the purchase price at a rate similar to that which they already are likely paying to rent their current rickshaw.

Making Clothing a Matter of Concern

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:01:28 +0000

Name:

Goonj

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Goonj

City (if relevant):

New Delhi

State/District/Town/Villiage:

Delhi

rrross11@hotmail.com

Summary:

When it comes to recycling, Goonj is one step ahead! Goonj has developed over 30 different products from waste cloth to paper in 20 states across India. Goonj, founded in 1998, began introducing India to the life-or-death importance of clothing. Since its inception, Goonj has evolved into a strong force, with over 300 volunteers, operating in 20 states across India. Goonj works through the year to channel resources, such as used clothing from cities to the far-flung villages.

Description:

Goonj, first and foremost, does all it can do to ensure that old clothes do not go to waste.

By setting up collecting agencies around India, Goonj has effectively introduced "Vastradaan", its most recognized initiative that turns someone's waste into a resource for another.

Goonj also works closely with offices and urban schools, collecting stacks of one-sided used office paper, and assembling the pages into notebooks and sketchpads for schools in villages.

Goonj crucially promises dignity to their recipients, thus, if donated clothing appears too threadbare, they will find an alternative way of using it.

Goonj recently won the World Bank's Development Marketplace award for its "not just a piece of cloth" initiative. In this respect, Goonj transforms useless cloth into sanitary napkins to be used by needy women in villages and slums. The napkins provide an essential function in the biological process of menses, where so often, women in these areas contract infections and other life-threatening conditions by using dirty rags and paper. Goonj's creativity has enabled the recycling of almost anything.

The talented craftsmanship of Goonj employees allows them to turn old sarees into skipping rope, old cushion covers into balls, and old cloth and polythene into tents. Goonj even creates hand bags and mats by weaving feet and feet of cassette tape into colorful patterns of old fabric. Goonj, in its "school to school" initiative, also turns urban school wastage into valuable resources for rural education.

Goonj's target is to benefit remote rural schools by channelizing material like old books, uniforms, shoes and school bags. Goonj, concerns itself with the warmth of those in need, but in this process, has revolutionized recycling with commitment and creativity.

Contact Details:

www.goonj.org

Opportunities:

See Website: Plenty of opportunities to "Spread the Goonj"

National Law University Decreases Plastic & Motorized Vehicles

Caroline — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:08:14 +0000

Name:

Suyash Manjul

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Prakrati, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University

City (if relevant):

Lucknow

suyashmanjul@gmail.com

Summary:

After attending the IYCN and IIT Kanpur Youth Summit as a part of IITK's Antaragani cultural festival, students from the university returned to campus and presented the ideas of the charter to various student bodies who gladly took up the cause to reduce pollution. We are working towards making the NLU fest also zero waste and carbon neutral.

Description:

The law college now does not allow motor vehicles in the campus and there is no use of plastic glass for drinking purposes. What was done was that the university already has some committees in our college which are managed by the students such as Students welfare committe, Mess Committee, and others. When these student-run committees were told about the impacts of these actions and their power to reduce pollution on and off campus, they were also committed. The higher authorities who were concerned about students health, decided that they would not allow any vehicle in the college. With regards to the plastic cups what was done was that, initially we have got the plastic cups for drinking water banned, but still for evening snacks tea/coffee plastic cups are used, so that students are not faced with difficulties, but soon we will find some greener option to plastic cups.

Extended Answers

Finance - Did this climate solution require funding?:

No, not as of yet; though providing other kinds of cups would be more difficult. Now, students simply won't come to this food court and will go to others. We need to provide low-cost alternative bags on a very large scale.

Policy - Are there any policies relevant to this solution? :

University policy banning vehicles and discouraging all plastic cups would help.

Benefits - Have the carbon savings of this solution been quantified?:

Not yet.

Barriers - What barriers has this solution overcome?:

Mostly, the barriers were difficulties in getting student support for no plastic cups for all beverages. It is much easier to carry a water bottle as most people do, but it is difficult to also bring a mug for chai or coffee.

Cloth Bags Use Waste Fabric and Empower Girls

Caroline — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:06:58 +0000

Name:

Beverly Solomon

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

American Women's Association

City (if relevant):

Delhi

beverlysolomon@yahoo.com

Summary:

Beverly Solomon created a program to take waste fabric from a garment factory in Delhi, pass it to Save the Children: India, an NGO in Delhi, where young girls now make cloth bags from the fabric. The girls are simultaneously educated about the problems with plastic and empowered as a critical part of solving this problem!

Description:

Beverly Solomon became the Thrift Shop Coordinatior this year and in a meeting came to know that some of the ladies really wanted to end the use of plastic bags being given out with purchases. And so she came up with a plan to help, as she felt it is an important issue and those that understand this must educate others that do not. She contacted a very good friend Bonnie Uppal, who runs several factories, including some that make material for the garments that they then make and export. She agreed with the importance of eradicating plastic bags and offered to give Beverly material from her large scrap pile! She then spoke to Neelam, the person that started and runs Save the Children India in Delhi. Neelam was in Mumbai before with Mrs Kadri who has done many wonderful things in that city but passed away suddenly a few years ago. Neelam took her knowledge and started up in Delhi. While Save the Children India in Delhi works mostly on its own, they are supported by the team in Mumbai as well. Neelam agreed to have the girls make the bags and use this project to educate them on the evils of plastic. It helps them to also feel they are a important part of society and empowers them as well to help make the changes needed to move India and the planet ahead not behind. Without much time given to design the team at AWA made up very standard looking cloth bags because we had a dead line to meet in the shop. It has been working well and they will be giving our second order now but with more thought as there is a need a few different sizes.

Contact Details:

beverlysolomon@yahoo.com

Opportunities:

Beverly is very interested in expanding the project and ensuring it can continue to work in the embassy long-term. Please let her know if you have ideas on how to expand the project or replicate it in other cities.

Extended Answers

Finance - Did this climate solution require funding?:

No, it only required a few links being created between individuals so that waste material was distributed where actually needed. The girls at Save the Children were involved in numerous projects, but this is an additional project with high benefit.

Benefits - Have the carbon savings of this solution been quantified?:

No, but hundreds of plastic bags have been eliminated, not only at the Thrift Store itself, but as the shoppers take cloth bags rather than plastic home, they reuse the cloth bags at other shopping trips.

Centralized Cooling System in HP Data Centers

Ethan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:59:08 +0000

Name:

Ethan

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Hewlett Packard

City (if relevant):

Bangalore

your details will remain private

Summary:

Hewlett Packard has made a change in Bangalore that is now saving the company 2 million annually. To save on data canter cooling costs, 14 separate data centers were consolidated into one 70,000 square foot facility. Traditionally, data centers are pumped with cool air, causing energy waste . HP's data center has 7,500 temperature sensors that are part of a centralized system which allow for spot cooling, which saves approximately 40% of the cooling energy.

Description:

This solution works because it approaches data center cooling as a dynamic energy system rather than as a bottomline cost. It saves a great deal of energy, and each sensor stops about a ton of carbon dioxide from escaping to the atmosphere each year. A simple cost-benefit analysis would show those with decision-making power that this project ought to be implemented.

Extended Answers

Finance - Did this climate solution require funding?:

Yes, but it also caused significant savings.

Benefits - Have the carbon savings of this solution been quantified?:

This project has saved 7,500 megawatt hours of electricity and has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide escaping into the atmosphere by about 7,500 tons.

Biogas Plants save tigers in Ranthambore National Park

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:01:50 +0000

Name:

Kartikeya Singh

Name of Organization, Community or Implementer:

Prakratik Society

kartikeya@iycn.in

Summary:

Nearly 500 biogas plant installations of two or three cubic meter plants have been installed in the 96 villages surrounding Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan. These biogas plants make the most of an abundant source of decentralized energy in rural India: cow dung. Approximately 40 kilograms of dung (easily provided by 3 cattle) and 40 liters of water are required daily to operate the plant and produce enough methane gas to feed a family of six three meals. The cooking fuel is clean, the food cooks faster thus health is improved and more time is available for other activities (fuel wood collection can take up to 8 hours a day). More importantly for villages living outside protected areas, the stress on the jungle is reduced as people decrease their consumption of fuel wood by 50 to 100%--thereby giving endangered species such as the tiger a fighting chance for survival. For more information:

Description:

See attached report.

Extended Answers

Policy - Are there any policies relevant to this solution? :

Yes and indeed it has been. Biogas plants have been installed in India since the 1970s with great zeal. A few models down the plant is approaching near perfection but still needs a little bit more R&D. But biogas should be promoted in the villages surrounding all our protected areas in order to cut down fuel wood consumption.

Benefits - Have the carbon savings of this solution been quantified?:

I would figure out how to increase the methane generation process during the winter months as the bacteria slow down and gas production dips. There must be more R&D work done for biogas plants.

Barriers - What barriers has this solution overcome?:

Dependence on fuel wood (deforestation), health (no more smoke to affect lungs and eyes), women empowerment, poverty (by increasing household productivity).