Glossary of Eco-Terms

Growing Love for Trees

Its Raining Acid!

Gear Up To Save Fuel

Warm Up to The Environment

Environment Day Wishes!

For World Water Day - IEI across locations!!

Ready, Set, OFF !

This Saturday, March 26, more than 6,000 cities across the world will turn off their lights for one hour at 8.30 pm to mark Earth Hour. 

Though representative, Earth Hour can contribute much to reducing our carbon footprint. It is a good initiative to spread awareness about how our lifestyles and energy consumption patterns affect global dynamics and to introduce us to the importance of considering alternate renewable energy resources like solar or wind energy.

In India, 43 cities are participating in the global awareness campaign to support climate change mitigation. Leading the charge will be the country’s brand ambassador for Earth Hour 2011 Vidya Balan, who will appeal to all citizens to switch off non-essential electrical appliances at the designated time. 

Mumbaikars small step is a big leap for mankind!

Earth Hour gained prominence in Mumbai in 2009. The campaign at present has the support of several corporate houses and buildings, including the Nokia Tower, Air India Building, ITC Maratha, Trident Hotel, Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC Bank. Other landmarks where the lights will be switched off are the Gateway, CST administrative building and Bandra-Worli Sea Link. 

Schools and higher education institutes, too, have pledged support to the movement, prominent among them being Mumbai University, IIT Bombay, St Xavier’s College and B N Bandodkar College, Thane. Then there are big residential areas like Godrej Colony (which has around 3,000 houses) and Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. 

23 MW saved in the city during Earth Hour 2009, ensured a three-hour power supply to 25,000 households outside the city. (Nationally, the energy saved was 1,150 MW in 2009 and 900 MW in 2010).

Fishy Quotes!

Little Love Notes

Happy Republic Day 2011

"I have loved India and sought to serve her not because of her geographical magnitude, not because of her great past, but because of my faith in her today and my belief that she will stand for truth and freedom and the higher things of life".

Rabindranath Tagore

Greenprint for Construction

Green or eco-architecture and construction are all about proactively protecting the environment.

The construction industry is booming again – and we need to be mindful of the significant energy and environmental impact of large scale construction. Hopefully, growing environmental consciousness coupled with regulatory norms may see a green building movement gaining major momentum.

Energy efficiency and savings can be successfully  obtained through  solar heating, maximising natural lighting and cross ventilation;  minimising heat ingress by use of cavity walls and  double glazing insulation; use of wind/solar energy for lighting and  of energy saving air conditioning;  harnessing heat generated by air conditioners; employing ozone-free equipment and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Apart from these energy saving measures , green features include rain water harvesting and zero water discharge through waste water, sullage and sewage  recycle;  water efficient and water  saving fixtures like waterless urinals,  sensor driven taps, aerators and dual flushes.  Other green initiatives are  recycle of construction waste, eschewing toxic paints and sealants, use of local and earth friendly materials and of  renewable resources as material; avoidance of “over building”, and integrating construction into the local landscape and environment. 

Many examples of eco-friendly construction in our country demonstrate that green buildings are possible and feasible.  The CII-Godrej Green Building Centre in Hyderabad is the first platinum rated building outside USA and the first platinum building in the world under the 2.0 Leed version. A year ago,  India had around 40 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) rated buildings and  around the same number awaiting a GRIHA  (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) rating. Many corporates like  ITC, ICICI, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, and Grundfos are engaged in or have  constructed green buildings. The number of  hotels and tech parks that incorporate green principles and practices is also on the increase.