09-11-2009Pulka and her friends after receiving training under a DFID programme in solar power technology came back to bring light and power in their villages. Known as India’s female barefoot solar engineers, today these tribal women are engaged in spreading solar power far and wide, writes journalist Alex Renton.
more...
Image: The barefoot solar engineers of Tinginaput, India. Left to right: Talsa Miniaka, Pulka Wadeka, Meenakshi Dewan and Bundei Hidreka/ Photo credit: DFID/ Abbie Trayler-Smith
05-11-2009As the clock ticks to climate change summit, the world is ill-prepared to bring climate-renegade US on board. Is a bad deal in Copenhagen better than no deal? asks Sunita Narain, Director of the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.
more...
24-10-2009Debates around climate change need to focus more on governance, integrating institutions and addressing gender inequalities than just advocating market-based technical solutions, says Dr Sara Ahmed, senior programme specialist, IDRC. On the occasion of International Day for Climate Action, she argues that the world should espouse gender-sensitive solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
more...
Image: Dr Sara Ahmed/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
22-10-2009As a developing nation with hundreds of millions trapped in rural poverty, India’s adaptive capacity is weak compared to others, writes Dr D.K. Giri, Director, Schumacher Centre. He feels adaptation is already an unfortunate necessity, even if it appears to some like surrender.
more...
06-10-2009With the Copenhagen meet on climate change drawing closer, the fractiousness between the developed and the developing nations is getting increasingly strident. In a clever move, the Western nations have swiveled the spotlight on India and China, who can make or break the deal, writes Neeta Lal.
more...
05-10-2009The people of Sri Lanka are battling the drastic effects of changing weather patterns. Some parts of the country are severely crippled by a heavy monsoon, while others are in the grip of water scarcity and drought, writes Amantha Perera.
more...
Image: A farmer stands in his parched paddy field in Ampara district/ Photo credit: Perambara
03-10-2009Climate change poses a complex security challenge in the form of forced migration and resource based conflicts, says Dr Tobias Feakin from the London-based Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. In an interview with OneWorld South Asia, he discusses the government’s role and challenges facing the countries.
more...
Image: Tobias Feakin/ Photo credit: Finnish Institute of International Affairs
30-09-2009Gender advocate Cate Owren wants to make gender issues integral to climate change policies. At the latest round of climate talks at Bangkok, she talks of her expectations from Copenhagen and the lack of research data about climate change impacts on women.
more...
18-09-2009Economists are taking a shortsighted and uninformed view of the failure of this year’s monsoon that has affected a vast number of people living on the margins of survival, says Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science and Environment. There is a need to take adequate action to push the water agenda more strongly, she adds.
more...
31-08-2009Geo-engineering will help 'decarbonise' the global economy, claims a new report. Artificial trees, among other solutions, can help capture a thousand times of carbon dioxide than a real tree and store it. Judith Burns reports.
more...
Image: Artificial trees could be used in areas of high carbon emissions/ Photo credit: BBC
