Human activities are causing unprecedented changes, and which are sometimes irreversible. If we look today, the impact of climate change are already evident; increase in temperature, floods, extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, droughts, floods. These changes are leaving a long-lasting impact on people across the world.

Climate change can be an overwhelming topic to read or talk about, but there is an abundance of ingenious solutions to the problem and many passionate people working hard to implement them. Let’s take a look at why reducing the pollution in our atmosphere is such an important part of protecting the environment.

Is Climate Change and Global Warming same?

Both the processes are closely linked but they’re not exactly the same.

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre- industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere.

Global warming refers to the fact that the Earth’s atmosphere is gradually getting hotter.

Climate change is a broader term that describes all the ways in which our natural environments and weather systems are changing. This includes rising temperatures but also the ‘side effects’ of these rising temperatures – things like melting glaciers, heavier rainfall and longer droughts. In the past 150 years, the average global temperature has risen by about 1°C. The increase has been fastest in the past 20 years, and it’s only getting faster. 1°C might not sound like much of a change but it has dramatic impacts on our planet.

Why Is the Planet Getting Hotter?

The rise in temperature is mainly due to an increase in something called ‘The Greenhouse Effect’. Here’s how it works…

• The Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases that act like a blanket. They trap some of the heat energy in the Earth’s atmosphere and prevent it from escaping into wider space, keeping the planet warm.

• The process is called the ‘Greenhouse Effect’ because it’s similar to what happens in a garden greenhouse – heat is trapped so that the inside climate stays warm even when the air outside is colder.

• The gases that trap the heat are called ‘greenhouse gases’. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour.

This process has occurred since before humans walked the Earth. It is natural and necessary in order to keep the planet warm enough for living things to survive. However, the problem is that over the last 150 years or so, human activity has caused more and more greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere. As a result, the Greenhouse Effect has been increasing, causing the planet to heat up.

What Have Humans Got to do With It?

97% of scientists agree that human activity is the main cause of climate change…

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

CO2 is the most prominent greenhouse gas. Humans increase CO2 levels by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to produce energy. This happens in power plants to generate electricity, in the engines of vehicles and industrial machinery, and in boilers to produce heating for buildings.

Methane

Methane is another powerful greenhouse gas. It is released from landfill sites (where our rubbish goes to decompose) and via agricultural practices. Farming animals for meat and dairy is a particularly significant contributor. The use of fertilisers in agriculture is also problematic because it releases nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas.

Deforestation

As well as producing emissions, humans have been adding to the problem by chopping down vegetation to clear land for things like farming and housing. Trees and plants naturally absorb CO2, so removing them means less CO2 is being taken out of the atmosphere.

Current Scenario

India has the world’s worst air quality. The vehicular pollution arising from the increasing stock of private vehicles, especially internal combustion engines (ICE) has contributed significantly to deterioration of air quality in Indian cities. The increase in ICE vehicles stock has led to India becoming the third-highest oil consuming and greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting country worldwide.

What Can We Do About It?

It has become even more important to start taking measures to avoid the worst effects of climatic change. We need to take measures that can bring down the level of increased carbon dioxide, and to reduce our Carbon Footprint.

#MakeASwitch

Making a switch is the need of an hour. We need to make a switch towards more sustainable solution which will help us to move ahead towards a sustainable environment.

#MakeASwitch to Electric Vehicles.

By switching to Electric Vehicles we can minimize our carbon footprint with a significant numbers. With the launch of Delhi EV Policy, Delhi Government has planned to reduce carbon emission by 4.8 mn tonnes in 4 years.

Recently, Delhi Government also launched their Electric Bus.

You too can #MakeASwitch and be a part of the mission to reduce carbon footprint, and to move towards healthy and sustainable future.

You can adopt EV as your commute option and can switch to going green with electric mobility.

It is not too late, and collective actions taken now can help us to curb the carbon situation and can help us to head towards a healthy future.

Climate Change. Climate Crisis. Climate Emergency. Increased Pollution. Ozone Depletion.

These are few terms that we hear every day, and trust us these are just not Jargons used to represent Climatic Change, but represent a serious issue currently being faced by the mankind.

At present it requires a serious thought to be given to- ‘What we are doing?’ and ‘What measures to be taken to move towards sustainable environment?’, else soon we will be heading towards a catastrophic end.

“To halt the decline of an ecosystem, it is necessary to think like an ecosystem.”

– Douglas P. Wheeler

There was a time when Climatic issues were not considered as a mainstream issue. But today Climatic Issue has become a major concern for all the countries and nations.

And, Declination of Ecosystem is no more just a topic for debate but has become a serious concern for the entire globe. And, to find the solution for the same is now no more an option but has become a necessity.

Ecosystem is declining at a rapid pace, and thus requires a quick, long-lasting solution.

Earth temperature at present is 1% above and warmer than what should be the appropriate temperature, and this requires a serious thought to be given and look after

With continuous and rapid development, we are moving towards becoming developed nation but along with that we are also leading to depletion of ozone layer and declination of ecosystem.

With increased development rate, pollution level is simultaneously is increasing leading to Global Warming, Ozone Layer Depletion, Green House Effect, Increased Carbon Foot-print.

We need to give a serious thought about it, and collectively need to find a solution for the same.

COP 26 (Conference of the Parties)

Recently, COP26 was held in Scotland in November. So, the question here is What Actually Is COP26?

COP26 is the next annual UN climate change conference. COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and the summit will be attended by the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty that came into force in 1994.

COP aims to achieve the goals set in UN Framework Convention and keep the world on track for meeting those goals for Climate change.

As per UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) and the Paris Agreements (2015), both the environmental treaties state that in order to avoid devastating climate change, we must reduce the amount of harmful warming gases we put into the atmosphere.

What’s the Point of COP?

“Destruction is a man’s will,
Nevertheless Prevention is also a man’s will,
It’s a man’s choice to choose between Destruction and Prevention.”

― Babu Rajan

Climate Change is a nightmare that is becoming today’s reality, and is becoming a major concern for all the countries. Rapidly deteriorating climatic conditions are now becoming a threat for a sustainable future.

Climate Change is Real, and we can’t solve climate change individually, and for the same global cooperation is essential. COP26 ensures that the voices of all nations are heard, and we all can set goals which will enable us to move towards a sustainable future, and to minimise the carbon footprint with our collective actions.

COP is being conducted since the mid-90s. Earlier, Climate Change was never considered as a mainstream issue. But, with changing times with the help of many woke groups, it is being considered and is given a serious thought about. Thus, COP26 is conducted, where the voices of all the nation can be heard and can discuss on the different initiatives that can be taken enabling us to move towards a sustainable future.

Small acts when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world. It only requires small efforts from our end to bring a change and to move towards a sustainable future.

Major Points of Discussion in COP26, Gaslow.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed everyone at ‘Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation & Development’ session of COP26 on 2^nd November focusing on India’s plan to reach Net Zero emission by the year 2070.

Discussed on issues that how fossil fuel industry, though has led us to the path of development, but also resulted in Environmental Declination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed about how we can adopt alternative methods and can reduce carbon footprint to achieve the goal of Net Zero emission by 2070.

What can be done from our end to contribute towards Net Zero Emission?

Together we can make a difference, and as said earlier it takes collective action to bring a difference. Before discussing what steps can be taken, we must be clear what Net-Zero Emission is?

Net Zero Emission refers to the balance between the amounts of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. It is achieved when the greenhouse gases added is not more than the amount removed. The net emission in this case amounts to zero, hence, net-zero term.

To achieve Net-Zero Emission, following steps can be taken:

1. Use energy more efficiently

Energy that is being used must be used efficiently. Several small steps can be taken from our end on daily basis that will enable us the efficient use of energy, such as, Maximum utilisation of natural source of Light, Turning switches and light equipment off when not in use, Switch to LED Lights etc.

2. Remove Carbon Dioxide from nature.

We should start focusing on our carbon footprint and carbon emission, and should take care that carbon dioxide that is being released in the environment should not be more than that could be absorbed.

3. Switching to electric Mode of Commute, rather fossil-fuel based vehicles.

We should now start look for an alternative in the way we commute. A switch should be adopted in our commuting way, and we need to adopt electric vehicles to reduce the carbon emission produced by fossil-fuel based vehicles.

Fujio Cho (1937- ), honorary Chairman of Toyota Motors; North American International Auto Show, 2004, once said

“Environmentally friendly cars will soon cease to be an option… they will become a necessity.”

Now is the time to make a switch to Electric Vehicles and opt for a sustainable mode of commute.

There is a long way to go, and with all our collective efforts and individual measures can help us to bring the change.

As Greta said, “No One is Too Small to Make a difference.”

We should start making small changes from our end, and those small changes will lead us to the path of difference we want to move ahead at, and these small changes will help us to bring a change in the environment and will enable us to achieve the goals in the set time.

Gone are the days when people used to perceive it to be a vehicle for the Eco-Warriors. Nowadays, we can see a shift in the notion as we see the change in attitude towards Environment, and many developments in technology. We are seeing Electric Vehicles being accepted as they have become more viable, Commercially and Socially. Here we bring you some pros & cons of today’s electrifying topic. Weigh it yourself, and analyse it yourself.

1 – Saves Money, and Increased Savings.

When you invest in any asset, you think it that how much value will it provide me in the long-run? We all think that. And we believe investing in Electric Vehicles when looking for an option of daily commute is a smart investment. 5 years back, Petrol used to be Rs. 62/ litre. And, now if we see it is touching Rs. 100/litre in majority of states. When everyday there is hike in petrol rates, ain’t it would be better to just find a permanent solution to that. Buy an Electric Vehicle, and you don’t need to worry about Hiked Petrol Rates. SIMPLE. And, not only is the amount we save on Petrol, but also government providing subsidies on purchase of Electric Vehicle, so there you go… More Savings!!!

2 – Making a green shift, with electric.

We all remember in 2017, when we observed a thick layer of pollution covering the city, which resulted in many health related problem. Though pollution from vehicles was not the only reason for the smog, but it was one of the reasons. Then only we observed the ‘ODD-EVEN’ System adopted by Delhi Government, to curb pollution.

Air quality is poor now, so why not take stronger action?

Electric Vehicles not only saves money, but helps us too by saving Environment, by reducing carbon footprint from environment that is caused by excessive pollution caused by fuel. As currently we are experiencing many Climatic changes be it, Amazon Forest Fire, or depletion of Icebergs, these are all results of increased pollution causing heat. And, one of the solution to curb pollution is Electric Vehicles. Though government is looking at ways to incentivise consumers to buy electric now and launching new schemes and providing many incentives for Electric Vehicle Industry. But these incentives won’t be around forever, especially as electric Vehicles become the norm. So, to save ourselves from the pollution Electric Vehicles seems to be a smart switch to commercial vehicles.

3 – Changes in Electric Mobility Infrastructure.

I remember a few days ago, was in C.P, when I first saw an Eectric Car using a public charger to charge its battery. Reminding me to go back to the days when people use to hesitate to buy an Electric Vehicle as there use to be a constant fear of running out of power. Earlier it could have been an issue of Lack of Charging Points for an Electric Vehicle. But, we can see today that as Government is taking many initiatives to Install Charging Stations. As recent news items indicate, of the 106 proposals received from public/private entities for about 7000 EV charging stations, the government has sanctioned 2636 charging stations to 62 cities across 24 states/UTs to be installed by 19 public entities. Out of the 2636 charging stations, 1633 charging stations will be fast charging stations and 1003 will be slow charging stations. Though, one need to plan their journey when going out on a trip, as a long travel on Electric Vehicle may prove difficult for Electric Vehicle, as we are in the initial phase of making a shift to EV. But the fact is the number of charging points is only going to increase. And, with many new schemes being launched and to be launched by government will only incentivise the growth in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure.

4 – Technology becoming more viable.

Another reason for the push towards Electric Vehicles recently is that technology has become viable. With the time we can only see technology developing and bringing to us new developments and innovation in Electric Vehicles Industry to provide us that hassle free smooth ride experience. With wide range of varieties in the market offering best specification, it leaves the customer with an ample amount of products to choose from.

5 – Ban on all petrol & diesel vehicles?

In 2017, an ambitious decision was taken by Indian Government to ban All Diesel & Petrol vehicle will be banned by 2030 in India as per Niti Aayog’s recommendation, after UK government decided to ban All Diesel & Petrol Vehicles by 2040. But implementing such a large plan in short span of time seemed to be difficult, the plan was not implemented. Though, Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal Government has issued an advertisement stating that 10- year-old Diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles will no longer be able to run in Delhi. With Government taking small steps and measures to control pollution, they are moving towards Electric Mobility, one step at a time.