The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Broadening access to sustainable energy is essential in solving many of the world's challenges including food production, food security and poverty. For a rapidly developing economy such as India it is all the more critical that there is sustained production and consumption of energy but it is done in a manner that advances environmental sustainability.

Apprehensions that India is rapidly moving towards energy insecurity are real. Energy fuels economic growth, and without growth, it is nearly impossible to lift people out of poverty. So, the challenge of ensuring growth in a sustainable manner is daunting. Obviously, there is no one-step, simple solution to the issues of hunger, poverty and climate change.

We need to move in multiple directions simultaneously. For climate change, distributed clean power generation in rural areas is an activity that can bring inclusive and sustainable growth by ensuring rural energy security.

Recycling

Worldwatch Institute, a Washington DC-based independent research body that works on energy, resource and environmental issues has come up with a 12-point action plan that can potentially reduce our impact on the environment. While many of the suggestions may be more relevant for a developed country such as the US, it is worth examining the feasibility adopting these in our country.

Interestingly, it is all doable. What's required is the ‘will to do'.

High on the list is of course ‘recycling'. It is not difficult to recycle bottles, cans and paper.

Households and businesses can take part in recycling and composting collection programmes. According to the US Environment Protection Agency, for each pound of aluminium recovered, energy resources necessary to generate roughly 7.5 KW-hours of electricity is saved – enough to power a large city for years.

Environmental consciousness

As part of Earth Hour, a movement to address climate change, on the last Saturday in March, hundreds of people, businesses and governments around the world turn-off lights for an hour. Why restrict it to one hour once a year?

Turning off lights, fans and other electrical gadgets not in use when you will be away for an extended period of time will help save energy and power cost.

A unit of energy saved is a unit of energy produced. Why not switch to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) from incandescent light bulbs? CFLs reduce energy consumption but create the same amount of light; so do LEDs. This helps reduce electricity bills and carbon emission.

Reduce use of bottled water. Plastic water bottles create environmental problems. Bottled water industry consumes enormous amounts of energy for production and transportation.

After you have turned on the tap for water, please turn down the heat. Adjusting the thermostat of heating and cooling devices can lead to cost savings. Home or work, when you leave, turn down the thermostat. Settings can be controlled by using programmable thermostat.

Food consumption

Let us support food recovery programmes.

According to FAO, each year, roughly a third of all food produced for human consumption – about 1.3 billion tonnes – gets lost or wasted. Much of it may be perfectly edible, but cosmetically imperfect or has passed its expiration date.

These can be donated to food rescue organisations or food banks and shelters. If there is none in your area, please help set up one. Clear your fridge and food cabinet from time to time and donate non-perishable or dried foods that you won't use.

Support and sharing

‘Buy local' is an effective way of supporting smaller environmental footprints. Instead of relying exclusively on large supermarkets, consider farmers' markets or local farms for your food needs such as eggs, dairy and meat. Food from these sources is usually fresher and tastier too.

Direct support to the small producer is personal and joyous. Carpooling and using public transportation helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions as well as fuel bills.

Ride a bicycle when you want to commute a short distance. Share a car whenever possible.

Kitchen gardens

Many city dwellers are now trying kitchen garden. It does not take up lot of space. One can plant some lettuce in a window box. If you are fortunate to have a small patch of land, you can grow your own vegetables. Researchers at FAO and UNDP estimate that 200 million city dwellers around the world are already growing and selling food, feeding some 800 million of their neighbours. Won't you like to join this growing global group? What better way to fertilise your garden than using your own composted organic waste that works as manure?

Composting is the way forward. Consult appropriate Web sites for specific information. Last but surely not the least, why not reduce meat consumption. Livestock production accounts for about 18 per cent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 23 per cent of all global water used in agriculture.

Yet, global meat production has expanded by a fifth since 2000 to meet the rising demand for meat.

It is really not tough to cut down on meat consumption.

In India, supply chain inefficiencies lead to enormous loss of precious food commodities and result in escalating costs. Investment in back-end infrastructure – warehouses, grading/sorting centres, packaging, cool chambers or cold chains and so on in addition to disintermediation – can go a long way in cost reduction, reduction of environmental footprint and consumer benefits.

Let's resolve to make 2012 a healthier, happier and greener year for all. Have a great year ahead.

> gchandra@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics