"Eleven of the last twelve years were the warmest since 1806. At 370 ppm, C02 levels exceed by far the natural CO2 levels in the last 650,000 years."
"Photo voltaic cell prices have dropped by 28% as production increases by 40%. Better processing could bring down oil prices to $30 a barrel."
Climate change and a resource crunch threatens our survival as technology opens up new avenues for clean energy.
"Dharavi is Asia's largest slum, and has an area of 0.7 sq miles. In Dharavi 1440 residents share 1 toilet."
"Dharavi has 1 million residents, an annual turnover of over $600 million, and it lies in the financial capital of India: Mumbai."
Urban centers are growing at a rapid pace, yet often lack basic civic amenities and infrastructure.
"Worldwide, in the energy sector alone, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that investments of US$ 45 trillion will be needed up to 2050 to halve global greenhouse gas emissions."
As on 17 March 2009, 398 out of total 1455 projects registered by the CDM Executive Board are from India, which is next only to China with 453 projects."
Clean technologies need a supportive financial policy framework.
The IIT Madras Symposium on Sustainable Development gives you a platform to draft innovative policy recommendations in the focus-areas of Energy, Urbanization and Finance and be heard by Government agencies, leading corporates, prominent NGOs and think-tanks.
The need exists. The technology exists. The capital exists.Smart policies don't. You need to take initiative.
Citations:
1. World Bank paper by Martin Ravaliion and Shaohua Chen.
2. IMF World Economic Outlook database: India.
3. UN Study about availabity of toilets to the poor.
4. IPCC Summary for Policymakers.
5. Goldman Sachs report on India's rising growth potential.
