DP-Index-dec07-lead7
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A section of
DOCPOST which is an
extract, executive
summary, index
rolled into one.
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ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY
NATURAL
ECONOMY
In
the recent history of anthropogenic climate change, there has thus
far been a largely inverse relationship between political power and
action taken. Faced with unthinkable calamity for all life, the
international response has been an unending string of ineffective
conferences, a panoply of meek targets with weak enforcement, a raft
of business- and industry-friendly market mechanisms, and a seemingly
eternal wait for binding international agreements.
Germany
has consistently supported renewable energy and has made excellent
gains in increasing the share of it in the national energy mix,
thereby reducing inputs of fossil fuels and nuclear. It is in fact
committed to phasing out nuclear energy, although this is being hotly
debated once more by those with vested interests. Because Germany's
energy demand has remained fairly flat, the use of renewables has
achieved a net reduction in national CO2 emissions. It has to be
acknowledged that much of the success in achieving these goals is
because of government power-sharing with the Green Party.
by
Miguel Mendonca. Resurgence. 01/12/2007
For
green homes, here comes the sun
There
are several viable products available for those who are looking at
the sun for cleaner energy to run their household devices, finds
Kavita Kukday
IN
THE MARKET
Some
interesting solar products available in the market these days
A
basic solar lantern will cost about Rs 2,000
Another
type of solar lantern that also runs run radio as well as charges
your mobile phones, will cost you about Rs 2,200
For
frequent travellers it's a good idea to invest in an appliance called
the Mantack. This is basically foldable solar modules, which let you
charge laptops and
wireless radios which will cost you
about Rs
12,000
If
you are looking for a simple solar mobile charger which can be put up
on the panel of your car you can get one for Rs 500
by
Kavita Kukday. The Times of India. 02/12/2007
Solar
fencing in areas prone to man-animal conflict: Minister
The
Government is according greater impetus for installation of solar
fences along fringe areas of forests prone to frequent man-animal
conflict, Forest Minister N. Selvaraj said here on Wednesday
(12/12/2007).
He
was talking to reporters at KG Hospital after visiting forest watcher
Perumal, who sustained injuries in an attack by a wild elephant herd
at Appanaickenpatti, near Sulur, on Tuesday(11/12/2007) evening.
Earlier,
solar fences used to be installed for 10 to 20 km every year. But,
now under tiger and elephant reserve programmes, more trenches were
being dug and solar fences installed along forest borders. The Chief
Minister had requested the Centre for enhanced fund allocation for
man-animal conflict mitigation measures and last year 262.5 km of
solar fencing was provided at an outlay of Rs.4.24 crore. During the
current year, the Government allocated Rs.4.85 crore for installation
of fencing covering 303.25 km.
The
Hindu. 13/12/2007
Solar
power, organic & cheap
Physicist
Neil Greenham would like his work to lead to 'something that's going
to generate some useful power'. Physicist Neil Greenham of Cambridge
University's Cavendish Laboratory likes turning a good idea on its
head. His PhD involved researching polymer light emitting diodes,
since used for displays in some televisions, MP3 players and mobile
phones. But then he joined a research group trying to use similar
polymers to generate electricity from light. Now, more than a decade
of pioneering work has resulted in an organic solar cell that doesn't
use expensive silicon.
by
Michael Pollitt. The Deccan Herald. 11/12/2007
From
dust to design...
A
major chunk of India's population lives in houses made of mud. You
could say that these are generally the poor and the rustic, people
who can't afford or don't have access to modern construction
materials that are stronger, more durable and give a better, slicker
finish.
But
the fact remains that our country has a long tradition of building
with earth, and in pockets like Kerala and Goa, there are mud
structures that have stood the test of strength and durability by being
aroung for a hundred years or more. That's more than the life span of
many concrete structures.
by
Gargi Gupta. The Business Standard. 01/12/2007
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