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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
World Environment Day 2025 puts plastic crisis under global spotlight
Listen to article As the world marks Environment Day on June 5, environmental groups are renewing calls to 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' a global theme repeated for 2025 amid rising concerns over plastics' health and environmental impacts. the organisation behind April's Earth Day campaigns, is urging individuals, communities, and policymakers to take decisive action. Their 2025 theme, Our Power, Our Planet, focuses on grassroots strength in the face of sluggish international negotiations. Despite hopes that this year would see the finalisation of the UN Global Plastics Treaty, talks in Busan failed to reach consensus, forcing a sixth round of negotiations (INC5.2) later this year in Switzerland. Countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and China have resisted proposals to limit plastic production and toxic chemicals. 'Delays now mean more harm for both the planet and human health,' said in a statement. The Rio Sucio or "Dirty River", where one branch is colored yellow/brown by the minerals it carries from the Irazu Volcano, is seen mixing with the clear waters filtered by the tropical rainforest in the Braullio Carrillo National Park, 50 km (31 miles) east of San Jose, June 5, 2012. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate Plastic's invisible toll According to the organisation's data, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, half of which is single-use. Much of it never reaches landfills, instead polluting ecosystems and entering food and water sources. 2023 Babies vs Plastics report and its follow-up campaigns have linked plastic chemicals to cancer, infertility, developmental disorders, and even dementia. Recycling, once a hopeful solution, is now under scrutiny for spreading microplastics and being mostly ineffective. Ram Singh (L) and his relatives, dressed in traditional Hindu saffron-coloured clothes walk on a garbage-strewn beach against the backdrop of monsoon clouds on World Environment Day in Mumbai, June 5, 2012. According to the United Nations Environment Programme website, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to raise global awareness and motivate action for environmental protection. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash Local cleanups, global impact Despite slow progress at the diplomatic level, organisers are championing local action through the Great Global Cleanup. In 2025, over 4,000 cleanup events have removed more than 7 million pounds of waste globally. Activists also urge public support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and the Global Plastics Petition, aimed at pressuring lawmakers to adopt stricter controls. 'Change doesn't have to wait on governments,' the group said, calling back to the grassroots success of the first Earth Day in 1970, which led to key US environmental laws. Boats are docked at the polluted Amatitlan Lake, 30 km (18 miles) south of Guatemala City June 5, 2012. REUTERS/William Gularte A call to act, not wait While World Environment Day is annual, the group stressed that its goals require constant, year-round effort. 'This is a fight for our health, our planet, and our future,' said A dead tortoise is seen near the shores of Lake Xolotlan, also known as Lake Managua, which has an area of approximately 1000 sq km and has been receiving raw sewage from Managua's one million residents since 1920, in Managua June 5, 2012. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Members of global think tanks form alliance to scale up net-zero energy transition
New Delhi: Experts from several global think tanks have joined hands to launch the Net Zero Energy Transition Alliance (NETRA), a not-for-profit initiative to drive commercialisation and scaling of zero carbon emission technologies across grids, transportation, and industry. NETRA will work on six key pillars -- policy advocacy and regulatory support; industry-led research and development and innovation collaborations, market development and commercialisation, capacity building and skill development, knowledge sharing and networking, and access to capital and partnerships, according to a statement. The alliance was launched on the occasion of 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 at a virtual conference on 'Our Power - Our Planet'. Organised in collaboration with the event saw over 300 global thought leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors deliberating on practical solutions for accelerating the net-zero energy transition in the decade ahead. "For many of us who have been working on clean energy for over two decades, this is a pivotal moment," said Rahul Walawalkar, Founding President of NETRA. "Through NETRA, we are creating a platform that connects the dots between innovation, investment, and implementation -- because the future will not wait for us to catch up." Kathleen Rogers, President of said: "We are proud to partner with NETRA to amplify the voice of solutions -- solutions that are scalable, inclusive, and urgent." According to Ashish Khanna, Director General, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), NETRA should focus on new and emerging energy technologies and their quick implementation in green energy sector and sustainable mobility space. Organizations like LDES Council, Norway India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI), GH2 India (Green Hydrogen Organization), Australian Microgrid Center of Excellence (AMCoE), UL Research Institute (ULRI) and PIXII, Europe's 3rd fasted growing energy tech company, have signed agreements with NETRA and also joined as key partners and members. According to the statement, NETRA will focus on various energy transition areas including renewable energy (solar and wind), bio fuels and biomass energy, hydro and nuclear energy, and sustainable transportation including EVs, UAVs, among others. Other key focus areas will include industrial and commercial sectors such as cement, steel, plastics, petroleum, and data centre; green buildings; batteries and energy storage; carbon capture; grid operation and utilities; financing; supply chain and circular economy. NETRA will also engage with global organisations and industry leaders periodically to develop first 12-month action plan -- building alignment across regions and sectors to overcome key deployment barriers and fast-track commercialisation of clean technologies. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, a Padmashri awardee, as part of the advisory board of NETRA, invited industry players to enhance the collaborative effort to accelerate the energy transition journey. Other members of the alliance included Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF; Erik Solheim, former UN diplomat from Norway; Frank Wouters, Chair, Advisory Board, DII Desert Energy & MENA Hydrogen Alliance (UAE); and Tim Buckley, Director, Climate Energy Finance.
Mint
22-04-2025
- General
- Mint
World Earth Day 2025: History, theme, significance - All you need to know about the need to protect the planet
As the world celebrates "Earth Day' on April 22, the festivities mark a consciousness occasion to raise awareness about concerning environmental issues and address the associated problems that impact our planet. Earth Day Network, which is now known as is credited with establishing the day as an initiative to mobilise the environmental movement worldwide to address concerning issues such as climate change, pollution and deforestation. ' founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, Earth Day Network also known as has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet," the website states. The world's first Earth Day was observed in 1971 on April 22 when UN Secretary-General U Thant held a special ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York. In 1962, US Senator Gaylord Nelson lobbied the federal government to observe Earth Day, considering that the 'planet is at risk'. This day aims to make an impact as it demonstrates support for environmental protection through a range of events. To educate the masses across the globe, numerous events, rallies, and campaigns are organised on this day. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is 'Our Power, Our Planet.' It focuses on measures to achieve 'triple clean electricity' goal by 2030 using renewable energy. The day advocates protection of natural resources such as air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health by harnessing renewable sources of energy. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal energy are in focus to create clean, inexpensive, and unlimited energy for the entire planet. This year, Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary with global activations aimed at mobilising a billion people worldwide to take transformative action for our planet for a sustainable future. Invest in energy-efficient systems. Reduce wastage of energy at home like electricity. Participate in clean-up drive. Plant a tree. Reduce plastic use. Adopt the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle in daily life. Use clean energy. Promote sustainability. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 08:10 AM IST
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Earth Action Day: Unleashing our power for our planet
Soon, April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The power of those 20 million voices that came out on the streets that first Earth Day led the United States to create the Environmental Protection Agency and the first generation of environmental laws addressing clean air, clean water and toxics. Fast forward to today. Under the banner of, 'Our Power. Our Planet', the global organizer of Earth Day, is calling on people from all walks of life to join in 'Earth Action Day' — an effort to once again mobilize people power to tackle the current generation of environmental crises. Last year was a disaster for the planet and its people. According to NASA, it was the warmest year since temperatures began being recorded in 1880. In the U.S. alone there were 27 climate and weather events resulting in at least a billion dollars of damages — second only to 2023 with 28 such events. While a number of factors have contributed to the increase in these catastrophic events, research demonstrates that 'human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather that lead to billion-dollar disasters — most notably the rise in vulnerability to drought, lengthening wildfire seasons in the Western states, and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall becoming more common in the eastern states.' The news about plastic pollution is similarly dark. Earth Action reported that on last September 5 – Plastic Overshoot Day – the amount of plastic waste exceeded the capacity of waste systems to manage. An estimated 220 million tonnes of plastic waste were expected to be produced in 2024 with 66 percent of the population living in places where the amount of waste exceeds local capacity. While negotiation of a strong global treaty on plastics in Korea and INC 5 held forth the promise of handling some of these issues, negotiators failed to reach agreement and the talks drone on. All of this is taking place in the face of increasing scientific news about the harmful impacts of plastics on humans and their health. World Wildlife Federation reported that humans could be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic each week and a recent report found that high levels of plastics have been found in human brains. Additional research has shown that plastics are associated with everything from cancer to endocrine disruption, which can impair reproduction, growth and cognitive abilities. Wildlife too is suffering, with plastic ingestion and entanglement contributing to starvation and strangulation, among other issues. For years we have been told by the plastics industry we can clean up and recycle our way out of this problem – continued use of plastics, however, means continued use of fossil fuels and recycling has been demonstrated to be in large part a myth due to factors including quality degradation, contamination and non-recyclable content. What is the common thread of all these challenges facing our planet and the survival of its people – the cause of all of these threats can be traced to one source – humanity. The encouraging and hopefully inspiring news is that the solutions to these problems also rest in the hands of the people. We have the collective power not only to protect our planet but also to improve lives and livelihoods. The link between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is now scientifically indisputable. According to the United Nations, fossil fuels make up 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The good news from the International Renewable Energy Agency is that 90% of global electricity can and should come from renewable sources by 2050. Slowing the climate crisis is only one of many reasons to switch to renewables. Renewable energy prices are falling and in most places of the world today, it is the least expensive option. Other benefits range from preventing unhealthy air associated with the burning of fossil fuels to creating up to 30 million jobs to supporting energy security. Whether you choose to power your home or vehicle with renewable energy, support community solar, or call on government leaders for more research and investment, the options for taking action to accelerate the transition to renewables are many. Similarly, as consumers we can choose plastic free products, demand a reduction and transition in the use of plastics from business while at the same time pressuring government leaders to reduce production globally, end the use of toxic ingredients, and improve waste management systems. So this Earth Action Day exercise your power! We need to demonstrate to our leaders in government and business that we are still here, we are a witness to their actions and we will hold them accountable to do right by our planet and its people. Susan Bass is Senior Vice President of the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement with thousands of partners in 192 countries. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Between climate, plastics, energy, we need Earth Action Day | Opinion
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India Continues to Expand Renewable Energy Resources
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated his pledge to more than double his country's current renewable energy capacity, telling delegates to the India Energy Week 2025 conference in New Delhi that he wants to increase generation from renewable resources to at least 500 GW. Modi said there are five 'key pillars' to reach that goal: 'resource availability, a skilled workforce, economic strength, political stability, and strategic geography.' Modi said increasing development of energy is a necessity for India's economy, and he talked about how renewable energy is key to economic growth. India is now the world's third-largest generator of solar power, behind China and the U.S. Government officials in February said the country now has more than 100 GW of solar power generation capacity installed across the country. Government data shows the solar power sector in India has experienced a 3,450% increase in capacity over the past decade, increasing from just 2.82 GW of capacity in 2014. Officials said that 100.33 GW of solar power capacity was in place at the end of January, with another 84 GW being built, and about 47.5 GW in the tendering stage. Government data shows 24.5 GW of solar power capacity was added last year alone. Modi at the New Delhi event acknowledged the importance of legacy power generation—coal-fired power plants continue to produce most of the country's electricity—and said his country will continue to work on sustainability as part of energy development. He said that the 500-GW goal for renewable energy will support a target of 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen production annually by 2030. The prime minister also said his country continues to look at the potential of its hydrocarbon resources, and is expanding its natural gas infrastructure via pipelines and power plants in an effort to increase the share of natural gas in India's energy mix. Karuna Singh, regional director for Asia with told POWER: 'India is making significant progress in the field of renewable energy; however, the transition away from coal presents a complex and ongoing challenge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2070. Nevertheless, a rapid decommissioning of thermal power plants is not anticipated in the near future.' India's coal-powered fleet is the world's second-largest behind China, at about 240 GW of installed capacity. Even with an expansion of renewables, the country is building more coal-fired generation, primarily state-owned facilities. A 2024 report from Carbon Brief said nearly 100 GW of new coal-fired generation is proposed or under construction in the country. Singh told POWER that 'the Indian government demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, recognizing the imperative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To address this conundrum, India is increasingly turning to renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, having made and fulfilled ambitious pledges to enhance its renewable energy capacity under its Nationally Determined Contributions framework, as part of the Paris Climate Agreement.' This commitment includes an objective of meeting 50% of the country's total energy requirements through non-fossil fuel sources by the year 2030. 'Indian renewable energy and solar power are on the transformative curve of major change in meeting the ambitions set by an energy-hungry nation with the raised demand for continuous power,' said Manav Mittal, senior engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project manager at Ampirical, a Louisiana-based engineering firm that does EPC work on large-scale electric sector projects. 'India ranks among the top countries of the world according to population, and it is an ever-growing economy that has posed immense hurdles to the energy requirements of its people. It has thus managed to strike at one time the recognition that solar power forms part of the solution for the buoyed power demand in the country, as well as the reduced dependence on fossil fuels, coal being the major one. Further, the country has set itself an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable power capacity integrated with solar power as the backbone of the strategy.' Mittal told POWER: 'Solar is emerging as an affordable alternative to coal. Solar energy is becoming cost-effective quickly, and the prices of solar modules are continuing to come down, which is making diversification of the power mix just favorable for India. Since the sun is available throughout the year, India stands to boast the highest solar potential rates. Solar energy is also very eco-friendly.' Mittal continued, 'Coal has been India's core power generation source and has been synonymous with as much as 70% of electricity generation over the years. Naturally, with the expanding solar sector, a gradual displacing of coal from India's energy mix is predicted. Solar power is not only economically viable but also has to be part of the environmental necessity of India's future. The energy scenario in the country has a challenge directly posed to it because of expanding solar energy.' Simon Stiell, executive secretary for climate change at the United Nations, at a meeting in New Delhi in mid-February, noted that India, China, the U.S., and Germany are the only countries with more than 100 GW of installed solar power generation capacity. He said the focus on an expansion of renewable energy should be on better living standards, and job creation, not just on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 'India is already headed firmly in this direction, but an even stronger embrace of the global clean energy boom will supercharge India's economic rise,' said Stiell. Pralhad Joshi, the New and Renewable Energy union minister, in mid-February said, 'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's energy journey over the past 10 years has been historic and inspiring. Initiatives like solar panels, solar parks, and rooftop solar projects have brought about revolutionary changes. As a result, today India has successfully achieved the target of 100 GW of solar energy production. In the field of green energy, India is not only becoming self-reliant but is also showing the world a new path.' Gilbert Michaud, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, told POWER, 'India is pushing for more renewables, especially solar energy, as a means to reduce emissions and gain energy security and independence. India also has a growing population and new business developments, which is increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions.' Michaud said, 'Renewables are now cost-competitive with fossil fuels, making this transition even more viable. Clearly, this will have an impact on the coal sector in India. Coal-fired power generation will likely decline in the coming years. This will impact jobs in coal-heavy regions, and it will also create stranded assets for utilities. The costs and challenges of both of these are substantial.' A program launched last year called 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana' brought a surge in solar power capacity. The effort supported residential rooftop solar; officials said that as of mid-February it has resulted in almost 900,000 rooftop solar installations. Modi in an address in New Delhi said, 'Every expert of the world is saying that the 21st century belongs to India. India is not only driving its own growth but also driving the world's growth, and our energy sector plays a very big role in this.' 1. Tata Power last year commissioned this 101.6-MW floating solar power project in the Indian state of Kerala. Courtesy: Tata Power Tata Power, a leading Indian energy company also known for its floating solar photovoltaic projects (Figure 1), via its TP Solar subsidiary, recently commissioned a 4.3-GW solar cell and module manufacturing facility in the state of Tamil Nadu in southeast India. The new factory is the largest single-site solar manufacturing complex in the country. The new facility is much larger than TP Solar's Karnataka plant, which is now the country's second-largest solar equipment manufacturing plant. Karnataka has an annual capacity of 682 MW of modules and 530 MW of cells. TP Solar said the new plant will make both tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) products, but did not specify the manufacturing capacity for each technology. 'We are immensely proud to launch this advanced solar manufacturing facility, which is a testament to Tata Power's commitment to building a sustainable and self-reliant India,' said Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and managing director of Tata Power. 'Not only does it showcase innovative technology, but it also plays a crucial role in community development by creating job opportunities, with 80% of the workforce comprising women.' India is incentivizing greater domestic production of several renewable energy products, including solar cells and modules. The government in 2023 launched a production-linked incentive program, which has supported 48 GW of module manufacturing capacity. Government officials earlier this year announced a 'National Manufacturing Mission' designed to support more domestic manufacturing of renewable energy equipment. India-based Jupiter Renewables, along with Tata Power, is taking advantage of government incentives. The company in January announced plans to build a $231 million cell and module manufacturing plant in India, with an annual production capacity of 4.2 GW and 3.6 GW, respectively. Premier Energies, another Indian solar equipment manufacturer, recently paused plans to build a solar equipment manufacturing plant in the U.S., citing uncertainty about whether U.S. government support is still available under the Trump administration. The muddled U.S. regulatory environment could help India's solar sector attract foreign investment. Mittal told POWER, 'Most importantly, transitioning to solar power will be vital to India's energy security. Considering solar energy investments, India is actually becoming self-sufficient even with a reduced import of coal and oil, conditioned on globally indexed prices. Thus, more energy independence brings India into a position of control over its future energy scenario and stabilizes the country's energy grid.' Mittal said India's solar industry is seeing foreign investment, particularly 'in large-scale solar projects. The solar sector is one big driver for rural economic growth and job creation because solar projects are most constructed in rural places.' Mittal noted that coal-fired power remains 'a major part of India's energy mix,' but said the country 'is doing its utmost to ensure that the renewable energy transition is a just one: cleaning up the dirty coal plants, investing in clean technology, and retraining the affected workers into new jobs in renewables.' —Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
