September 2021
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
The Sixth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group-1, has issued ‘code red’ to humanity as we rush towards a planet hotter by 1.5oC by 2040.
According to the Global Carbon Atlas, India ranks third in total greenhouse gas emissions, with ~2.6 billion tonnes (bt) CO2 equivalent, preceded by China (10 bt) and the US (5.4 bt), and followed by Russia (1.7 bt) and Japan (1.2 bt). Of these top five absolute emitters, the US has the highest per capita emissions (15.24 tonnes), followed by Russia (11.12 tonnes). India’s per capita emissions are just 1.8 tonnes, significantly lower than the world average of 4.4 tonnes. However, 22 of the 30 most-polluted cities in the world are in India, it should be a major cause of concern for India. Thus it is high time for all of us to start thinking of adapting green technologies everywhere to reduce GHG.
We at Rameswaram are advocating such technologies right from the beginning of starting the project in the year 2014.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes on – Engineering Carbon Sinks
- Shri.Rangarajan, Chennai covers a rare book – Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami
- Regular Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Landscaping and Beautification – Tree plantation drive
- Livelihood Opportunities – covers Pasumai group’s activities
- Green transport – E-Rickshaws
- Revival and Renovation of Parameswara Teertham
- In Social capital Teertha pooja, Teertham cleaning, regular webinars and finally ‘Green Rameswaram newsletter’ by the students and for the students of Rameswaram
With best wishes,
Editorial Team
Green Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram – 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 – 222296(office)
E-mail: greenrameswaram@gmail.com
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
Newsletters
Engineering Carbon Sinks
Dear Friends,
Last month I had written:
‘Bending the curve implies drastic reduction in human CO2 emissions, while at the same time engineering carbon sinks (yellow) and reverse the GHG emissions from land use and land use change. I shall explain this in the next blog’.
This month I shall attempt to discuss in simple terms what is the meaning of ‘engineering carbon sinks’. We shall deal with reversing the GHG emissions from land use and land use change in the next month. In order to link these ideas with our own context, I have attempted to link this with the issue of stubbles burning and offered a solution.
A Rare book – Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami
This classical work on Sri Ramanatha Swami of Rameswaram was composed by “Palapattadai Chokkanatha Pillai”. This work was discovered by Sri U.Ve.Saminatha Iyer after comparing multiple versions. He also wrote a commentary on this rare text.
With the blessings of Lord Ramanatha Swami, Mother Parvathavardhini & Lord Rama, I am attempting to provide a reasonable translation of this work, in English.
Solid Waste Management
Door-to-Door Collection and Garbage Segregation
Irrespective of the pandemic scenario, the green friends continued to serve the community and ensured cleanliness of Municipality. Door-to-Door waste collection and segregation along with street cleaning carried out uninterruptedly.
Source Segregation Demo Programme
On 10th, 12th, 14th, 23rd, 24th, 28thof September, we conducted Source Segregation Demonstration Programmes at Venmani Nagar (Ward – 12), Anna Nagar (Ward – 13), Gandhi Nagar (Ward – 13), Kalavai Street (Ward – 20), Maravar Street (Ward – 20), Kalavai Street (Ward – 20), Chettiyar Street (Ward – 3), Vannar street (Ward – 11). During the demonstration progaramme, staff and green friends gave a brief about the types of wastes, segregation of waste and the significance and benefits of recycling to the public and environment at large.
Landscaping and Beautification
Tanjore Kalaimamani Thiru.Ramanathan Aiya donated 108 Bilva plants to Sri Ramanathasamy Temple on 8th September. The saplings were planted in the Ram Park near Railway station owned by HR&CE.
From Green Rameswaram Sister Saraswathi, E-Rickshaw Sangam president Shri.Muthuramalingam, Smt.Gopilakshmi from Neithal, Shri. Gopi Sankar from Hand in Hand India and his team members, Shri.Abdul Jaffar, Tahsildhar, Rameswaram and volunteers from Sewa Bharathi participated in tree plantation. Shri.Ramanathan and his family members enjoyed the entire exercise.
Thiru.Ramanathan also donated 501 Trees – both ornamental and horticulture trees on September 26, 2021 for planting at Ram park. Volunteers completed this massive work in a single day.
“Livelihood Opportunities”
In the month of September, we added six more Pasumai groups. Thus, we have a total of 110 groups with 1354 members.
“Revival and Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies” Parameswara Teertham
Parameswara Teertham work completed in this month which was started in the month of July 2021.
Green Transport
In this month also there were restrictions of three days leave on Friday, Saturday and Sunday because of Covid-19. However, our Green transport (E-auto) could help 2146 passengers of which 35 were Senior citizens, 25 differentially-abled and 28 Children.
