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‘Save thy <keyword id="6356826" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="environment">environment</keyword>’ is a cause that is not new in any way. The battle started long ago with scientists, researchers and technology experts highlighting the varied <keyword id="74957" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="climatic-changes">climatic changes</keyword> and their ecological impacts occurring across the world, most often with disastrous results. There are several on-the-face environmental scenarios that also pinpoint how the imbalance created by rapid urbanisation is accelerating the depletion of <keyword id="6368742" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="natural-resources">natural resources</keyword>. But this <keyword id="2034087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ecological-disparity">ecological disparity</keyword> is man-made and it is our responsibility to try and control it. And there can be no better way to act than starting it from your home. 
 
On the macro level, green buildings or eco-friendly homes as a concept are at a nascent stage in India. As of now, it constitutes a very small percentage of the booming Indian real-estate market. But there is optimism among developers, governments and experts indicating, as a tremendous opportunity exists for expanding energy-efficient construction in India. 
 Also, the ‘green construction technology’ is a wide category, covering everything from energy-efficient appliances to <keyword id="1226286" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="geothermal-heating">geothermal heating</keyword> to <keyword id="70990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-power">solar power</keyword> to bio-degradable paints and many more. Given the breadth of this category, this article will narrow down the theme to three key product categories – <keyword id="2034096" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-closets">water closets</keyword>, <keyword id="1609750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Faucets">faucets</keyword> and tiles, elements that a home cannot do without. As every act counts, every micro step is a step towards a macro initiative and ultimately, the objective is to build a greener environment in and out of home. 
 Clean and <keyword id="95422" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Green-Technology">green technology</keyword> is more advanced than ever before, and can be as beneficial for your wallet as it is for the Earth. What’s more, adopting or rather installing those products is not at all cumbersome. Plus, they are well-designed to match your taste. A variety of products are already there in the market and that will make designing your <keyword id="2034084" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Green-home">green home</keyword> even easier. Here are some simple choices to look at when you build your home or renovate it. 
 
Water closets: Bathrooms happen to be the primary source of water and its usage. So the products used here are designed around eco-friendly technologies. The modern-day water closet is an intelligent toilet. The 3/6 litres per flush has become the norm and products like NANO, which uses 1.5 litre per flush, waterless urinals and star-rated, WEP-certified closets usher in a contemporary outlook to the concept of water-saving. 
 In India, we have already switched to energy-efficient appliances, ranging across various products, even the light bulbs. But when it comes to a stamp of approval for water-saving products, both awareness and a trusted certification seem to be missing. But things are now getting better, with the <keyword id="2034080" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="International-Association-of-Plumbing">International Association of Plumbing</keyword> and Mechanical Officials (<keyword id="2034102" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="IAPMO">IAPMO</keyword>) issuing its <keyword id="524544" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="WEP">WEP</keyword> certification. A safe and sustainable environment is everyone’s responsibility and IAPMO has taken the initiative to blend experienced leadership and broad resources, necessary to ensure a focused code development and produce model codes to help the industry and the consumer go green. 
 And the result? The WEP – 1 star-rated certification designed to provide information through labelling at the point of sale to consumers buying products that use water. A natural choice for authentication across the world with its 80 years of experience, IAPMO is equipped with the tools to build a better, more sustainable co-existence with the planet. So, if you have set your mind on being a wholehearted person looking to save our precious natural resources, choose from India’s first <keyword id="2034103" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-star-rated-product">water star-rated product</keyword> and you can save over 50,000 litres of water per year. Over 10 models of <keyword id="2034105" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Star-rated-water-closets">star-rated water closets</keyword> are available under the Hindware Italian Collection, all in different shapes and designs. The choice lies with you. 
 
Faucets: After water closets, faucets are probably the most used in a house! Be it your washroom or kitchen, faucets are in use every two minutes or so as you wash your hands or clean vegetables or rinse your crockery. So is it possible to do without water and a faucet? The answer is – no. 
 However, what you surely can do is to choose the right faucet to lessen <keyword id="66392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="water-wastage">water wastage</keyword>. Several ranges are available in the market, which are technologically smart, in tune with consumers’ diverse styles and requirements, of superior quality and offer best value for money. The single-lever faucet mixes hot and cold water smoothly, made possible by the new cartridge technology incorporated in the faucets. Then there is the quarter-turn faucet, a traditional two-handle faucet with the ability to turn from full turn to half turn to quarter turn, as per usage. Not only does it make the entire experience better, but it also helps reduce water consumption without compromising on the water pressure. 
 Modern faucets use a technology called the <keyword id="2034111" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Faucet-aerator">faucet aerator</keyword>. It adds air to the stream of water coming out of the faucet by breaking the water into fine droplets. Finally, there are the sensor-operated, <keyword id="2034113" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pressmatic-faucets">pressmatic faucets</keyword>. They have a standard, <keyword id="2034114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Predetermined-water-flow">predetermined water flow</keyword> timer, which controls <keyword id="2034112" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-flow">water flow</keyword> for every usage. 
 
Flooring: The main purpose of floor tiles is protection. But technological advancements such as digital-printed, <keyword id="1064949" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="glazed-vitrified-tiles">glazed vitrified tiles</keyword> and stain-free, multi-charged vitrified tiles offer plenty of designs and surface finish options like marble, wood, stone, rustic, metallic, satin and matt. High-definition, <keyword id="2034118" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Multi-colour-digital-printing">multi-colour digital printing</keyword> technology offers the perfect replacement of natural marble and wooden flooring. These are technically superior and reduce the consumption of precious natural resources. GRIHA-certified tiles are easily available in the market today, and the product range reaffirms the commitment towards our environment. Once you install them, you become a part of the go-green community as well. 
 In short, the best way to design a green home is to make the most of the space and elements around you. This includes using <keyword id="790505" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="natural-light">natural light</keyword> and environment-friendly materials &amp; products. Your home can run on the beauty and wonders of nature, with a <keyword id="2034127" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Minimal-carbon-footprint">minimal carbon footprint</keyword>. 
 
About the author: Sandip Somany is the JMD of HSIL Ltd. 
 
Image: Wikipedia

Eco-friendly Home Technology: Now Design Your
Green Home

The saga of <keyword id="19895037" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="keywords">Bengaluru</keyword>’s infrastructural challenges has been widely discussed for some time now. This year, the city is facing a severe <keyword id="6355017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-shortage" source="Orion">water shortage</keyword> — a recurring problem that arises every few years. <keyword id="142764" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urbanisation" source="Orion">Urbanisation</keyword>, depletion of green spaces such as water bodies and vegetation, and unpredictable weather patterns are cited as contributing factors by experts. The question arises: how much <keyword id="19921986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenery" source="keywords">greenery</keyword> does the '<keyword id="64660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="garden-city" source="Orion">garden city</keyword>' still possess? A recent study by <keyword id="19910180" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iisc" source="keywords">IISc</keyword> indicates not much. Utilising a new public information system — BuiS (<keyword id="6355033" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bangalore" source="Orion">Bangalore</keyword> Information System) and <keyword id="21015526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blis" source="keywords">BLIS</keyword> (Bangalore Lakes Information System) — researchers have revealed the detrimental impact of unplanned urbanisation on Bengaluru. Examining the city's development over the past five decades, scientists have made alarming discoveries. Bengaluru's urbanised area has expanded by a staggering 1055% since 1973, from a mere 8% to 93.3% in 2023. Consequently, there has been an 88% reduction in vegetation. Presently, Bengaluru has only 1.5 million trees for a population of 9.5 million, equating to just one tree for every seven individuals. This insufficient green cover fails to meet the daily respiratory carbon sequestration needs, as outlined by Professor TV Ramachandra from IISc's Centre for Ecological Sciences. The decline in greenery has resulted in heightened air pollution and temperatures. Additionally, the reduction in water bodies has exacerbated the city's water crisis. Bengaluru's water spread area has dwindled from 2,324 hectares in 1973 to a mere 696 hectares in 2023 due to unchecked urbanisation. Furthermore, 98% of lakes are encroached upon, with 90% being contaminated by untreated sewage and industrial waste, severely impacting groundwater replenishment. BuIS provides a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers, facilitating the assessment of Bengaluru's ecological health on a ward-wise basis, including tree distribution and water bodies. It also identifies ecologically sensitive zones. This study underscores the perils of unplanned urbanisation. Professor Ramachandra warns of a cascade effect, leading to pollution, resource disparities, traffic congestion, and increased reliance on fossil fuels. Bengaluru's plight serves as a cautionary tale for other rapidly growing cities. Prioritising sustainable development and environmental preservation is crucial to ensure a healthy and sustainable future.

Garden city to concrete jungle: Bengaluru city has just 7% green cover left, reveals IISc study

<ul><li>Delhi Annual Art Fair was held between 1st-4th Feb</li><li><keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> showcased art made with <keyword id="19925666" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipad" source="keywords">iPad</keyword> &amp; Macbooks</li><li>The exhibition was dubbed Forces of Nature </li></ul> At the highly anticipated annual art fair held in Delhi, Apple left an indelible mark with a unique and captivating art exhibition titled "Forces of Nature." This distinctive showcase seamlessly blended the worlds of technology, art, and environmental consciousness, embodying the brands commitment to innovation and sustainability. We were there and even shot a video which you can check out - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_5SMG743PtA?si=AYvJJZKpG2-zhy5F">here</a>. The thematic core of "Forces of Nature" revolved around the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment. Apple ingeniously integrated their technology into each artistic creation, resulting in an experience that was not only visually striking but also remarkably interactive. Among the four main attractions that captured the attention of attendees, the first was the "Arboretum." In this immersive exhibit, visitors could actively engage with the art by selecting words to compose poems, witnessing their creations come to life. "I'll be back," the second attraction, presented a thought-provoking portrait that juxtaposed an idealized vision of a bright world with the stark reality of our present surroundings. Utilizing an iPad as a lens, viewers could gain a poignant perspective on the disparity between aspiration and actuality. The third attraction, aptly titled "It Takes a Long Time to Grow a Mountain," introduced a puzzle game exclusively crafted using MacBook and iPad. Through this engaging game, attendees discovered the profound impact of seemingly small actions accumulating to shape a grander environmental narrative. Perhaps the most captivating of them all was the fourth attraction – the "Ornithoscope." Housed in a dedicated chamber, this exhibit provided a unique journey through the timeline of environmental transformations over a decade. At the heart of the experience was an iPad serving as the control hub, allowing participants to navigate and witness the evolving landscapes and ecological shifts.

Apple at Delhi art fair 2024- creativity meets tech

The Indian <keyword id="761780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce-market" source="Orion">e-commerce market</keyword> has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by factors such as increased internet penetration, smartphone adoption, digital payments, and changing consumer behaviour. This growth has created opportunities for livelihoods and has been supported by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which plays a crucial role in India’s economy. Contributing significantly to employment generation, economic growth, and poverty reduction, MSMEs hold immense potential. The <keyword id="44734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-government" source="Orion">Indian government</keyword>'s initiatives, such as "<keyword id="6354869" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="make-in-india" source="Orion">Make in India</keyword>" and "Startup India", and the ₹1,700-crore allocation in the budget for MSMEs’ digital infrastructure to fuel growth in these enterprises, have been in the right direction. In the grand scheme of India's retail fabric, <keyword id="35621" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="e-commerce" source="Orion">e-commerce</keyword> is only warming up. However, its potential to revolutionise how we buy and sell is an indisputable fact.The Emergence of E-commerce in India and the industry trendThe dawn of Internet accessibility fanned the flames for online trade in India. From books to electronics, gadgets to fashion wear — Indian consumers suddenly had a vast digital marketplace at their fingertips. Amid this e-commerce bull run, Flipkart emerged as a trustworthy platform for millions of customers that catered to the evolving demands of Indian consumers.With incessant tech advancements and evolving consumer behaviours, the e-commerce landscape is constantly shifting. Convenience, transparency, and personalisation will be major driving forces transforming how we buy and sell online.India’s <a href="https://www.bain.com/insights/how-india-shops-online-2022-report/">online shopper base</a> is estimated to increase to 400–450 million by 2027. 50 million new shoppers were added to the Indian e-retail market, which is ~35% growth over the online shopper base in 2020. New shoppers majorly belong to tier-3 or smaller cities and include Gen Z, a critical cohort that typically starts buying at entry price points. 3 out of 5 shoppers belong to tier-2 or smaller cities, 1 in 3 shoppers belong to low-to-middle income segments, and 1 in 3 shoppers is Gen-Z. Consumers now spend 20% more time per month on a retail platform vs last year.Flipkart’s impact on India’s e-commerce landscapeFlipkart, a homegrown marketplace platform, has been at the forefront of this transformative journey, <keyword id="65467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="empowering" source="Orion">empowering</keyword> MSMEs and driving inclusive economic growth in the country. Given that more than 95% of MSMEs in India are micro in nature, a ready-to-go platform that Flipkart provides is immensely crucial to market the products coming out of Make in India and help them become small-to-medium in nature. Indeed, through its innovative approach and steadfast commitment to inclusion, Flipkart is inspiring a new cadre of entrepreneurs while playing an instrumental role in harnessing the true potential of India’s e-commerce maze. Today it stands as more than an e-commerce company – it’s a catalyst reshaping India's retail ecology.Over the last 15 years, Flipkart has been a transformative force in India’s e-commerce landscape.●It has driven the rapid growth of the online marketplace.●It has helped businesses embrace digital technology to increase their reach and profits.●It has contributed to economic development by enhancing India's global competitiveness.With a remarkable 220% seller growth on the platform since last year, Flipkart has earned the trust of over 14 lakh sellers— reflecting the faith that Indian MSMEs, small businesses, and enterprises have in their capabilities. Flipkart, with a registered user base of 500Mn+is well-positioned to cater to these emerging customer preferences.By bringing meaningful market opportunities to MSMEs and small businesses, Flipkart has helped promote inclusive growth by creating job opportunities, empowering women, and enabling entrepreneurship among disadvantaged sections of society.Empowering rural entrepreneurs MSMEs especially have a big role to play in providing employment opportunities, income generation, and skill development in rural areas, thereby uplifting local economies and reducing regional disparities. Flipkart, too, has been playing its part – it launched the Flipkart Samarth Program in 2019 to build a sustainable and inclusive platform for under-served domestic communities, with a special focus on uplifting and onboarding artisans, weavers, women-led enterprises, and people with disabilities.Flipkart isn't only changing how it does business; it's also making change happen in society:1.Inclusive growth: Flipkart promotes widespread prosperity by offering new opportunities to MSMEs and small businesses.2.Creating jobs: The platform supports countless livelihoods across the country.3.Empowering women: Flipkart believes in smashing glass ceilings, and its platform facilitates female entrepreneurship.4.Supporting the disadvantaged: Through its operations, Flipkart aims to uplift marginalised sections of society. Under the Samarth program, rural entrepreneurs from across the country are onboarded to the platform by securing multiple strategic engagements with state and central ministries, departments, livelihood missions, NGO partners, and entities across the country. To date, Samarth has reached out to sellers across 28 states, grown its seller entity base by 300% over the last year and has also helped entities &amp; businesses grow by 300%. By bringing millions of ambitious entrepreneurs access to a pan-India market, Flipkart Samarth is impacting more than 1.5 million livelihoods nationwide today. Paving the path for inclusive economic growthSupporting the development of MSMEs is crucial to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth, poverty alleviation and bridging the rural-urban divide. Thus, as India's e-commerce market continues to evolve, the collaboration between platforms like Flipkart and MSMEs will be pivotal in shaping a thriving and inclusive digital economy. Disclaimer: This article is authored by Rakesh Krishnan, Vice President and Head of marketplace, Flipkart. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India.

Empowering India's e-commerce market

<ul><li>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (<keyword id="6360409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nasa">NASA</keyword>) is funding four new research projects to determine the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the planet. </li><li>Scientists will measure everything from air quality to the economic impact of the lockdown. </li><li>NASA is hoping that the information will help guide future policies by illustrating how small changes can have a domino effect on the environment for the better. </li></ul>The ‘new normal’ isn’t just about working from home or social distancing, it’s also about the effect that the coronavirus pandemic having on the entire planet. To discover the nuances of how society’s response has brought around a change overnight, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/nasa-funds-four-research-projects-on-covid-19-impacts">NASA</a>) announced that it’s going to fund four different projects to measure exactly how big the impact has been — and what it could mean for the future. On the one hand, there’s the impact that you can see with your eyes — empty roads, clear skies, and more animals reclaiming their territory. On the other, there are changes in the atmosphere, water, and the economy that are just beginning to surface. With a little help from satellite data, on-ground sensors and the treasure trove of computer-based data sets at NASA’s disposal, four Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science (RRNES) proposals have been shortlisted to determine just now unique the ‘new normal’ is going to be for everyone that lives on Earth. These are the four projects that are going to drill down on the changes seen due to the impact of COVID-19: Air pollution has fallen, but the decline is far from equal <div type="image" title="2020_no2_w_colorbar_date_print_1" msid="75754169" hostid="261"></div> Ever since countries started shutting themselves down, some of the most polluted cities in the world, including Mumbai and New Delhi in India, saw a dramatic decrease in air pollution levels. However, Susan Anenberg and Dan Goldberg from George Washington University believe the decline in NO2 concentration during the lockdown period across the world is “inconsistent.” Some show a greater decline in nitrogen oxide — a hazardous greenhouse gas found in air pollution as a result of fossil fuel combustion — than others. Anenberg and Goldberg plan to link satellite remote sensing with traffic and weather to determine the reason behind the disparity. “Since air pollution may be a risk factor for increased severity of COVID-19 outcomes, accurate information about air pollution levels during the COVID-19 crisis is critical to protect public health," <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/nasa-funds-four-research-projects-on-covid-19-impacts">Anenberg</a> said. The analysis will help determine how transportation policies can improve public health in the long run. The fall in air pollution could be changing the ‘chemistry of the atmosphere’ <div type="image" title="BD367A2F-D1E4-4EEA-B351-7E7CA636E88E" msid="75754345" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Post the lockdown, not only has Delhi&amp;#39;s air quality improved considerably, but with industries shutting down -- Yamuna too appears cleaner while flowing through Delhi.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Even though air pollution has fallen to a record low level, experts fear the effect may not be a temporary respite.Kang Sun from the University at Buffalo plans to create a process that will help figure just how just the effects are going to last and how they are going to affect the “chemistry of the atmosphere” in near future. "Using a new data-driven framework that combines satellite and meteorological data, we will take NASA satellite assets one step further to quantify the reduction in emissions and its impact on air quality chemistry," said Sun. His research will focus on three regions — at different phases of the pandemic — taking into account the different regulations and policies that are in place to regulate air pollution. With time, the algorithm can be applied to other regions and time periods as well to track harmful gasses in the atmosphere. What happens to the air, affects what’s happening in the water <div type="image" title="A9AA144B-FA1B-48F5-B6B5-23C9C487A0FC" msid="75754326" hostid="261"></div> The effects of air pollution aren’t restricted to the skies. They often have a negative effect on water quality as lakes are often left without sufficient oxygen levels. "Socioeconomic policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a dramatic decline in atmospheric nitrogen pollution across the globe. Yet, the impacts on atmospherically deposited nitrogen and resulting changes in coastal aquatic ecology remain unknown," said Maria Tzortziou from the City University of New York, who will be leading the project with her colleague Brice Grunert. The more nitrogen oxide in the air means more algae, which in turn eats up more oxygen as it dies. The scientists explain that the crunch on oxygen levels in the water kills off other aquatic life, degrading water quality. Understanding the correlation between oxygen levels and water quality will in instrumental in guiding future environmental regulations, socioeconomic policy responses and decision making. Nighttime satellite images will show economic impact of COVID-19 Lastly, a team of researchers plan to use satellite nighttime light data to analyse the social and economic impact of lockdown across the world. Aside from volatile markets, how many lights are on in the night can help in understanding how people are adhering to the coronavirus lockdown and if contaminants are actually effective. Kind of like how people used to shut off electricity to avoid getting bombed during the second world war. "Our research team has been analyzing images of Earth at night to decipher patterns of energy use, transportation, migration, and other economic and social activities," Miguel Román said, who will be leading the project. The analysis can help policymakers and other stakeholders figure out the extent, duration, and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic — and make policies for efficient to address future outbreaks and disasters. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/picture-show-clean-air-in-north-india/slidelist/75341522.cms">North India’s air is cleaner than it’s ever been in over 20 years — and here are the pictures that prove it</a>

You Searched For "Ecological disparity" and got 5 results

Eco-friendly Home Technology: Now Design Your Green Home

Sandip Somany

Garden city to concrete jungle: Bengaluru city has just 7% green cover left, reveals IISc study

Ashmita Gupta

Apple at Delhi art fair 2024- creativity meets tech

Dhruv Mohan

Empowering India's e-commerce market

Rakesh Krishnan

NASA is funding four research projects to figure out how COVID-19 will damage the world

Preeti Soni

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