Latest news with #G.Sundarrajan
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
‘State media should improve its reporting on climate in mega cities like Chennai'
The media in Tamil Nadu should improve climate reporting by creating a climate desk, publishing climate-related stories on a daily basis with climate-centric perspectives, including the viewpoints of marginalised communities, fact checking on climate-related solutions and training programmes, G. Sundarrajan of environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal said. Speaking at the 'Editor's Meet on Climate Change and Tamil Nadu' organised by the organisation and the Chennai Press Club on Saturday, Mr. Sundarrajan said, 'Chennai is the hottest megacity in India. It is vulnerable to heat stress. Heat-induced deaths seldom get reported. The media has to play a key role in sensitising the government and shaping public policy for a safe future with holocene-like conditions.' 'Temperature stability has been crucial for the formation of nation states. This is a very crucial juncture in the history of the world, facing five problems — climate change, mass extinction, pandemic, pollution, and inequality. Humans have been the single factor responsible for mass extinction. If you say, we will see when it comes, there will be nothing to see when it comes. In 2024, a temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius was registered, which was a watershed moment. As a result of the climate change in 2024, a disaster was registered across the world every day,' he said, adding that Tamil Nadu ranked 12 in the climate vulnerability index. Inclusive reporting Stressing the need for better reporting of climate-centric perspectives in Chennai, Mr. Sundarrajan said the media in Tamil Nadu should include the viewpoints of marginalised communities in projects such as the proposed airport in Parandur. The projected rise of 4 degrees Celsius will spell doom for the world. At present, 29.1% of the Chennai Corporation area has been projected to be at a risk of inundation due to extreme precipitation in the city at a return period of five years (20 cm of rainfall), he said. Pointing to the need to fact-check climate-related solutions and inadequate bus connectivity in Chennai, Mr. Sundarrajan said the media should question the policy on bus transportation and the delay in the implementation of Metro rail projects in the city, which has had an impact on climate.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Lending an artistic touch to the lives of common people
Inspired by the tales of ordinary people such as a farmer who lost his land to a thermal power station, a home maker who loves shell fish from the Ennore Creek, and a seashell picker who struggles to make ends meet, students of the Government College of Fine Arts have drawn sketches and made collages that are among an array of works on display at DakshinaChitra at Muttukadu as part of the Environment Action Month. The exhibition – titled Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams – also gives a solution to clean up the Ennore Creek, and safeguard it for future generations from the common man's perspective. It will be on till June 30. G. Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal, who inaugurated the exhibition on Sunday, pointed out that for thousands of years, people learnt everything through stories and tales. He stressed the importance of creating awareness about the environment through art forms such as music, dance, paintings, collages. 'These days, arts is being used even as a medium of protest. If Chennai is to become a climate-resilient city and march into the 22nd Century, technology and traditional knowledge should join hands,' he added. G. Karthik and B.M. Benisha, co-founders of Aram Thinai said the exhibition was the result of a research project funded by the British Academy and anchored by Coastal Resource Centre. 'We wanted to connect with the people of Ennore through their stories, and wanted more people to understand the importance of the Ennore Creek to the city,' they said. Pictures of the Kodungaiyur dump yard clicked by Sakthi of the Vyasai Thozhargal team are also a part of the exhibition. According to Anitha Pottamkulam, Director (culture), DakshinaChitra, this is the first time that they are holding month-long events for creating environment awareness. 'We have put together walks, art exhibitions, and even a programme on lime wash. We are looking to work with a range of collaborators, who are working with the community,' she said.
