Consultant, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi
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: 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
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
‘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 …
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
Slums and the story of India's housing crisis
The rate at which informal housing is being destroyed probably far exceeds the rate at which formal housing is being constructed