India

The Republic of India is on track to become the world’s most populous country by 2050, making its plans for renewable energy of utmost importance. India was one of the first countries to establish a separate ministry of non-conventional energy resources in the early 1980s, and in July 2009, announced its plan to produce 20GW of solar power by 2020. Renewable power sources (India has the fifth largest installed wind power capacity in the world) could make up to five percent of the country’s installed power capacity by 2012.

The Global Day of Conversation

In conjunction with the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the Global Day of Conversation will illustrate the commitment of millions to make the natural environment a priority for 2010 and beyond. Through these conversations, local officials will help bridge the gap that exists in public engagement through education and a course of action. Ultimately, this day will elevate the collective voice of local governments and communities in a national and international environmental dialogue.

The Global Day of Conversation marks the third year that mayors and local government elected officials hold conversations in their communities with their constituents to deepen understanding of the paramount environmental issues facing humanity today. The first two conversation initiatives were held in cities across the United States. In 2010, Earth Day Network is eager to work with cities and local governments around the world to advance engagement by citizens and communities to implement positive actions to mitigate environmental impacts and advance the green economy in the 21st century.

 Water

A campaign that started two years ago has led to improved sanitation in parts of rural India. As part of this campaign, girls refuse to marry unless the boy is able to provide a toilet. This has various health, sanitation and environmental benefits; it reduces the spread of diseases and the pollution of water sources. "The 'No Toilet, No Bride' program is a bloodless coup," said Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, a social organization, and winner of this year's Stockholm Water Prize for developing inexpensive, eco-friendly toilets.

Religion and Climate Change

The NGO Raunak Evam Jagruk Samaj Sanstha (REJSS) in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh in India has been using the religious tradition of Prasad (usually a food offering) to combat climate change. Instead of the traditional fruit or sweet that are usually offered as Prasad, they have been using plant saplings. Within the religious context, devotees take these saplings willingly. Planting trees is a small act that can be performed by everyone at all different levels. This simple action in the context of a long-standing tradition has vast potential for change. Energy Solar energy holds great potential in many parts of India. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh drafted the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which outlines eight different missions to promote development goals that would also address climate change. The first of these eight missions, the National Solar Mission (NSM) was approved in November 2009. This mission calls for 20 gigawatts of solar capacity in India by 2020 and eventually resulting in 200 gigawatts by 2050. In addition to installing photovoltaic cells, the government will also provide subsidies to make the energy affordable. This is a big step for India that will hopefully achieve multiple ends – energy security, green jobs and lower carbon emissions. The full text of the NAPCC is also available online.

The Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

The following discusses India's plans for biodiversity nationwide:

India is one of the 17 “megadiverse” countries and is composed of a diversity of ecological habitats like forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, and desert ecosystems. Almost 70% of the country has been surveyed and around 45,000 plant species (including fungi and lower plants) and 89,492 animal species have been described, including 59,353 insect species, 2,546 fish species, 240 amphibian species, 460 reptile species, 1,232 bird species and 397 mammal species. Endemism of Indian biodiversity is significant with 4950 species of flowering plants, 16,214 insects, 110 amphibians, 214 reptiles, 69 birds and 38 mammals endemic to the country. One of the major causes for the loss of biodiversity in India is the expansion of agriculture in previously wild areas. Other impacts include: unplanned development, opening of roads, overgrazing, fire, pollution, introduction and spread of exotics, excessive siltation, dredging and reclamation of water bodies, mining and industrialization. In this century, the Indian cheetah, Lesser Indian rhino, Pink-headed duck, Forest owlet and the Himalayan mountain quail are reported to have become extinct and several other species (39 mammals, 72 birds and 1,336 plants) are identified vulnerable or endangered.

The main goals identified in India’s National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on Biodiversity (1999) include: i) Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity including regeneration and rehabilitation of threatened species. ii) Securing participation of State Governments, communities, people, NGOs, industry and other stakeholders. iii) Realizing consumptive and non-consumptive values of biodiversity through research and development iv) Ensuring benefits to India as country of origin of biological resources and to local communities and people as conservers of biodiversity, creators and holders of indigenous knowledge systems, innovations and practices. v) Ensuring consideration of biodiversity concerns in other sectoral policies and programmes. Numerous and wide ranging policies, programmes and projects were initiated which directly or indirectly serve to protect, conserve and sustainably use the country’s biological resources. In the National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on Biodiversity (1999), India identifies the current conservation efforts and some significant gaps in these efforts. Various action points are then enumerated including the formulation of policies for protection of wetlands and sacred groves, and the undertaking of surveys on a priority basis of islands, the Himalayan region, and marine and coastal areas. A large-scale participatory exercise has been completed for providing inputs towards preparation of a National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Source: Convention on Biodiversity