To Rise in Unison Against Climate Change: neither for me nor for you, but for us.

After every 940 Million Kilometers elliptical journey, the Earth finds itself warmer than what it was during immediately preceding year. Global meteorological parameters are continuously scaling upwards. 2016 will soon be declared the warmest year on record. Below are just two of the indicative links that provides more than strong indications.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/climate-trends-continue-to-break-records

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/14/2016-will-be-the-hottest-year-on-record-un-says

It would be less exaggeration but a more likely scenario that Santa clause will soon have to order more climate-suited apparel and prefer contemporary mode of transport to sledge. Nobody knows for certain how soon will soon be? There is a 18% chance that it could be within 2025; 45% chance that it could be by 2040 and almost certainty by 2050!    (Santa images - courtesy Mr. Sajeev.C. Rajan, IIITM-K)

If white to blue transition is to the arctic, green to grey is to the tropics. With almost 40% grey, tropical city of Trivandrum, India seems to have exceeded an unknown threshold of long wave emission. This result in the cityscape acting as a hot furnace that blows up and away moisture laden clouds. [can explain reason for absolute lack of both monsoons in 2016].

Top figure depicts arctic ice sheet fracture. Botom figure: Screen shot of Trivandrum as seen by satellite. Note the predominant greying on the left side and historic greenery on the top right.
(Source: Top figure: link 1 above. Bottom figure: Screen capture from Earth Explorer.)
 

An increase of 10% greenery within the cityscape will ensure precipitation of moisture bearing clouds. Since it is not going to be a fete that can be achieved in one year, we will need a lot of strong, extensive interventions to cool the furnace.

In a society that is fractured along multiple planes, does anybody know how solution(s) can be implemented? If you believe, you have an answer, let’s join hands.         

Reiterating the Need for Neutral Moderation of Innovative Ideas Submitted for Start-up Funds

In August 2016, apprehensions on the fate of ideas that get rejected by start-up funding agency were discussed  
(http://envinfoiiitmk.blogspot.in/2016/08/what-happens-to-rejected-ideas.html).

Well today, I happened to hear straight from the horse’s mouth that out of a staggering 1200 ideas submitted to a multi-national company by budding entrepreneurs; they selected 6.  This pegs the success rate at an abysmal 0.005 %.

It is too obscure to believe that 99.995 % of ideas submitted are not worthy enough.  

This re-emphasizes the need of neutral external moderation.

The quoted statistics were spilled by the company's representative who was at IIITM-K, Trivandrum today.  

National Council for Education and Research in Environmental Sciences (NCERES)

In a world of accelerating changes, increasing complexity and compounding uncertainty, our success in physical and social security depends on prescience of our environment. It necessitates development of an operational system for continuous monitoring of bio-physical environments and ability to generate real-time alternatives or solution to the risks. At a national scale, it translates into a National Ecosystem Monitoring Program (NEMP).

Unlike Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), etc. which caters to homogenize and ensure coordinated efforts, whilst preserving necessary geographic thrusts in their respective disciplines; environmental studies and research remain incoherent.  

A National Council for Education and Research in Environmental Sciences (NCERES) will act as a catalyst to metamorphose the spectrum of environmental studies and research within India and realize NEMP.

Caveat:      If we genuinely learn from history, the single biggest challenge                 would be how to ensure that NCERES does not get                                  monopolized.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation - A Way Out of The Quagmire

A solution to seemingly perpetual crisis faced by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) requires an out-of-the box approach.

With the almost cylindrical pricing (fare) and burgeoning human and operational expenses; there exist no straight jacket solution.

A possible way would be to broaden the perspective of the meaning of the word 'Road' in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.

What constrains the Government from expanding 'road' to encompass all modes of hard surface transport that operates in the state? Why does it hover around buses only?

KSRTC should become the single point operator that handles every vehicle that is owned/ hired by any Government/ Autonomous institutions/ Government funded projects, etc.

Private players earn handsome profits by renting out vehicles (cars, mini buses, etc.) to almost all Government Departments. All such private transport hire should be routed through KSRTC.

KSRTC should initiate uber/ola type cab service. They can seek help from retired drivers, ex-military, etc. Excess staff, if any can be redeployed in this venture. 

Supporting Government orders like official reimbursement for car hire if linked to such cab service will constructively aid stabilization.

Government of India has resorted to similar measures to help Air India. Then the common mans carrier (KSRTC) deserves same consideration. 

These come with added responsibility, but facilitates organizational sustainability. 

In the long-term, something innovative like Dynamic Route Scheduling  (DRS) needs to be developed.

Sustainability of KSRTC has a bearing on the state's carbon foot print. Apart from being a commoner, my specific interest in this has a bearing to academics of sustainability