Heatwave in Delhi: Are ACs adding fuel to fire?

Over half the electricity demand during heatwave months can be attributed to need for space cooling at offices, shops, homes

Ghazipur, Delhi: Just why has this landfill been simmering for so long

The reality is that all kinds of waste is being dumped at landfill sites since the system of segregation and recycling is not in place. This …

Delhi pollution crisis: The figure of 4-10% for stubble fires is not wrong but irrelevant

There need to be different strategies to address long- and short-term exposure to pollution problems in Delhi. Governments are aware of it, but …

Tokyo’s gamble with its Olympic architecture needs to be appreciated

This first of a two-part series examines the use of timber in designing the games village and venues rather than concrete

Tokyo’s gamble with its Olympic architecture needs to be appreciated: Part 2

This second of a two-part series examines the environmental benefits of reusing of old buildings as the games venues rather than constructing new

‘Sick-building syndrome’ fuelling India’s COVID-19 infections

Greed of the air-conditioning industry and architects mean that India’s new buildings don’t get adequate ventilation; now, the Centre …

Forest fires in Uttarakhand: Absence of real-time air quality monitoring plagues Himalayas

Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh do not have a single official real-time air quality monitor

Delhi’s air quality and number games

India needs to codify methodologies for processing air quality data to reduce confusion and build confidence in air pollution control measures. 

Similipal fire shines light on dark hole in India’s real-time air quality monitoring network

Most cities do have manual monitoring systems of air quality but related data becomes available only a year later

Counting north India’s stubble fires: Stronger data science needed to study winter smog

Severe smog in north India is a result of an evil alignment of many factors. Whether those factors co-conspire this year, remains to be seen

Counting north India’s stubble fires: How do NASA satellites capture them

Overall, it is safe to assume that even if satellite images do not show a fire, it does not necessarily mean that nothing is burning on the ground

India needs an energy disclosure policy

BEE needs to revisit, revive, and expand its star rating system for all designated consumers, especially buildings. It can’t be kept …

COVID-19: What about housing for poor?

Union government’s housing scheme tragets derailed; low-income house buyers face increasingly volatile financial markets 

COVID-19 flattens peak-hour pollution

The flat rates of peak-hour pollution due to the lockdown proves why strong action is needed to reduce traffic volumes and cut tailpipe emissions …

Will Delhi become a gas chamber again?

The national capital has been in the ‘severe’ AQI category since Diwali night

Overflowing pitcher of disquiet

It is high time to start investing and investigating ecological cost of holding the Kumbh 

Yes, Delhi Metro is more unaffordable than the New York City Subway

My own experience shows that the Delhi Metro pinches the minimum survival expense of a well-off Delhite at least twice as hard as the NYC subway …

Don’t get dazzled by these stars

Bureau of Energy Efficiency has just updated star rating standards for refrigerators and ACs, but the Indian rating system, especially for ACs, …

The fault in our stars

ISEER, the new system of rating and labeling ACs that began this year, seems designed to serve industry interest rather than consumer or climate …

Murky science of comfort part 5: Here’s how being mindful is good for the environment

We cannot wish away air-conditioning in today’s world, but we can be reasonable in choosing where, when and how to resort to the energy guzzlers

Murky science of comfort part 4: If you are poor, then simply tolerate heat

This is the expectation of the National Building Code, which defines standards for ‘comfortable’ temperatures for buildings in India

Murky science of comfort part 3: Industry defined standards make us feel uncomfortable without ACs

The Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry has made sure that we get used to heating and cooling appliances by setting arbitrary …

Murky science of comfort part 2: Why we feel suffocated in a building even when it is pleasant outside

Humans are built to get used to local environments but unfortunately industry interests have come to define what ‘comfortable’ room …

Murky science of comfort part 1: Debunking science behind 'comfortable' temperature

What is a comfortable temperature? The question seems benign on the surface but the answer has far reaching ecological consequences

Jostling for jhuggi land

The Shakur Basti eviction drive calls for a thorough review of the railways’ mandate, politics of urban land and housing of urban poor