Northwestern releases comprehensive integrated solid waste management plan

Northwestern University has launched its first Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP) aimed at reducing waste and protecting the environment by taking a greener approach to waste management.

This Plan supports the University’s Strategic Sustainability Plan, which establishes objectives for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste and fostering environmental and ethical stewardship.

The ISWMP identifies strategies for meeting the University’s objective of diverting 50 percent of campus waste from landfills by 2020 and further outlines waste reduction opportunities.

Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding remediation of mercury contamination, Hindustan Unilever, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Navroz Mody Vs Union of India & Others regarding remediation of mercury contamination on account of manufacture of thermometers by M/s Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) at Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.

The Tribunal had directed CPCB to obtain an expert opinion from an institute having expertise in Mercury contamination.In the report filed by CPCB the experts unanimously has said that screening level of 6.6 mg/kg could not be treated as a remediation standard.

Various recommendations given by CPCB includes:

• To permit remediation of mercury contaminated soil in the premises of closed thermometer factory and its adjoining areas to the recommended remediation target level of 20 mg/kg (total mercury) with valid authorization from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
• A detailed site assessment be carried out to ascertain the extent of contamination and if required, an ecological risk assessment study may also be carried out.

Scientific assessment of ozone depletion

The latest Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion reveals a healing ozone layer, global warming reduction potential, and options for more ambitious climate action.

 Its findings confirm first and foremost that actions taken under the Montreal Protocol have led to long-term decreases in the atmospheric abundance of controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and the ongoing recovery of stratospheric ozone.

EnviStats India-2018: supplement on environmental accounts

The System of National Accounts (SNA) is an accounting framework for measuring the economic activities of production, consumption and accumulation of wealth in an economy during a period of time.
The SNA provides a comprehensive conceptual and accounting framework for analyzing and evaluating the performance of an economy. It also provides a structure for addressing emerging concerns related to the determinants of economic growth and their links to different sectors of the economy.
This supplement gives time-series data on the `stock-position' of various natural resources across the States of India.

Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal felling of trees at at Chak Ganjaria Farm at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of We the People Vs Union of India & Others regarding illegal felling of trees at at Chak Ganjaria Farm at Lucknow where a Hightech City has been developed by the State of Uttar Pradesh.

The report of the Remote Sensing Applications Centre (RSAC), Department of Science and Technology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh shows that under ‘Vegetative Cover’ sub-category ‘Tree Cover Density 40% to 70%’, the area was 0.684 hectares in the year 2012, which became zero in the year 2017.

Adopting Precautionary Principle as well as Polluter Pays Principle, Nationl Green Tribunal directs the State Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh to undertake Compensatory Afforestation on 500 hectares. Also the State of Uttar Pradesh has been asked to deposit a sum of Rs. 5 crores towards the loss of the ecological services, with the Central Pollution Control Board, to be utilized as a part of Environment Restitution Fund.

Failure to stop degradation of Western Ghats worsened Kerala

The center recognized the need for preventing further degradation of fragile ecology of Western Ghats in 2014.

Even then, it failed to take the necessary steps in 6 states.As a result , 56,825 sq.km of ecologically sensitive area could not be earmarked as "no go" zone.

Earmarking Kerala's 9,993 sq km as Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) four years ago may not have saved the state from excessive rainfall but the delay is certainly making the state, along with five others in the Western Ghats, more vulnerable.

Brahmaputra Turning Black Due To Natural Causes

A preliminary study has found that the water of the Siang river, which originates in southern Tibet and becomes the Brahmaputra upon entering Assam through Arunachal Pradesh, is turning black due to a recent earthquake in the region.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has started looking into the matter recently and people have been sent to the internal areas.

According to the preliminary findings, the path of the river was temporarily obstructed after an earthquake in Tibet on November 17.

Coca Cola, Pepsi, Nestle Top Ocean Polluters: Report On Plastic Pollution

Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle are among the companies that contribute most to ocean pollution with single-use plastics.

The environmental movement, launched in 2016, has helped clear the coasts of 42 countries around the world of discarded plastics.

These brand audits offer undeniable proof of the role that corporations play in perpetuating the global plastic pollution crisis.

These large corporations must take responsibility for polluting the environment, as production of plastics exposes harmful substances to communities living near factories and pollutes foods and products contained in plastic wraps.

Morning After Diwali, Kolkata Air Quality Falls To Near-Delhi Levels

Pollution levels in Kolkata nearly matched that of Delhi today, with its air quality index (AQI) slipping into the "very poor" category.

Official sources said the city's PM2.5 count stood at 356 around eight on the morning after Diwali, just 10 points behind that of Delhi's 365.

Kolkata's pollution had crossed that of the national capital on October 23 -- notching an unhealthy 245 to the latter's 240.

Diwali In Delhi More Polluted This Year Than In 2017

This year's Diwali was more polluted than last year's due to heavy fireworks and unfavourable weather conditions like low temperature and wind speed, triggering a spike in particle pollutants.

Particulate concentrations were slightly higher this Diwali as compared to last Diwali (2017) as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) report.

Compared with the average Particulate Matter during November 1 to 7 in 2017 with the same period this year, the city average particulate concentration for Delhi is lower in 2018.

The CO levels at Dilshad Garden were 983 units in 2016, 1,423 in 2017 and 1,441 in 2018. At Shadipur, the NO2 levels were 58 units in 2017 against 94 in 2018.