From the blurbs

Handbook of Environmental Economics in India, edited by Kanchan Chopra and Vikram Dayal, OUP, Rs 850 The need to balance economic growth, expanding consumption and population growth with environmentally sustainable development is increasingly considered important. This book captures the trends that have emerged over the past two decades in environmental economics. Legal Grounds, Natural Resources, Identity, and the Law in Jharkhand, Edited by Nandini Sundar, OUP, Rs 650

SOUTH ASIA

NO SUITS, TIES, IN SUMMER: In a bid to save electricity, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all male colleagues and male government employees to wear suits, jackets and ties only in winter. During the hot months, between March and November, they have been asked to wear trousers and shirts which need not be tucked in. Doing so, said Hasina, would minimize the use of air conditioners (ACs) in offices. She has also directed not to turn the ACs below 24C. The country suffers from long hours of power cuts every day as its power

India has climate targets for 2030

TWENTY years from now, India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions will be below the 2005 global average of 4.22 tonnes CO2-equivalent. The estimate is the result of five studies carried out by various research bodies including The Energy and Resources Institute, a Delhibased non-profit. The Union ministry of environment and forests released the report on September 2. Ministry officials said the report would be used in the climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh said the finding

Because the energy industry dictates our lives

Trade freely, free of liability THE Indian government's efforts to limit the accident liability of nuclear power plants show a disregard to the principles it swears by (the principles themselves are questionable, but that's for another day). The apparent motive is to increase India's power production, though there can be no mistaking it is an effort to ease the entry into India of US nuclear power companies

Visibly efficient

Tiny indicator bulbs evolve into energy-saving lightings

News Snippets

>> The Sydney Theatre Company is set to become environmentally sustainable under a federal government programme to "green" public buildings. The theatre's historic Finger Wharf building is being outfitted with solar panels and will also be fitted with a rainwater harvesting tank. >> Rockskilde, one of Europe's largest rock music extravaganzas created an environmentally friendly campsite for this year's event, which began on July 9 in the Danish capital Copenhagen. "Campers were encouraged to recycle their garbage, and to hop on wired exercise bikes to

The donkey has his day

Democrat Obama can set pace for climate change legislation US president Barack Obama completed 100 days in office recently. When he assumed office, the world's most powerful country was in the grip of financial crisis. Its stance in climate change negotiations was also questioned. Hundred days after Obama assumed office, one thing has become clear the president is willing to mend matters but Congress is weak.

Getting a city into shape

Bengaluru needs a little political will and a lot of community-level initiatives Many years ago, weather used to be the icebreaker in conversations in Bengaluru. Traffic and its interminable snarls is the only subject every Bengalurean or visitor to the city talks of now. There are 3.5 million vehicles in the city. Its roads can support no more than one million. Traffic jams are the rule.

5 stars for saving electricity

RBI bags certificates for its energy efficient buildings government and private organizations are queuing up for five star ratings for their office buildings from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (bee). The Bureau rates buildings on a scale of one to five depending on how efficiently they use energy. The scheme is voluntary and was launched in February 2009.

News Snippets

>> Malaysia's government has banned two newspapers, ahead of key political developments. Harakah and Suara Keadilan have been told they cannot publish for the next three months, with immediate effect. The announcement came a week before the expected designation of a new and controversial prime minister, Najib Razak, and two weeks before important by-elections. >> More than 50 million people across the world switched off their lights between 8.30-9.30 PM to observe the Earth Hour. The event was organized by the WWF.