Travel pollution

There are many ways to go from here to there. And the mode of transportation we choose can have a big impact. It can affect time, comfort and cost. But how we travel can also have a big impact on the planet. Airplanes are about 3% of total global climate emissions. Business travel is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Travel accounts for an average 15% to 20% of a business’s total emissions, reaching as high as 80% for service business. Carbon pollution from aviation is the fastest-growing source of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change. 

• Short-haul air travel by regional flights of less than 300 miles, create the most carbon emissions because of the high fuel consumption during takeoffs and landings. 
• Planes also emit carbon dioxide directly into the earth’s upper atmosphere, making it especially harmful.
• Trains use 50% less fuel per passenger than planes for the same trips.
• Bus travel emits less carbon dioxide than trains on short and long trips.
• On longer trips of more than 700 miles, train and plane emissions per passenger are comparable. Bus travel is still the greenest option. 
• Solo car travel is the biggest culprit when it comes to emissions, producing nearly twice that of trains and three to four times that of buses.
• Reducing unnecessary trips, using buses, eliminating solo car travel minimizes carbon emissions.

Driving a car solo has the same basic climate impact as taking an 80% full plane flight a similar distance. It pays to carpool. Trains and buses have an average occupancy of only 40%. If the plane is full, it beats the solo car. If your travel is fully booked, the diesel bus comes out on top, followed by the high-speed train, the car with three people in it, then the medium aircraft. Environmentally speaking, the growth of air transport is not desirable. It can be good if people use their cars less and use train or bus rather than taking the plane instead.

Environmentally speaking - train is the best, followed by bus , then car with 3-4 persons, then solo car and lastly air travel. Business & First class air travel is 3-6 times burdensome on both costs and emissions.

Why do we need economic growth?

Most things don’t grow forever. If a person grew at the same rate for his whole life, he’d become gigantic. Yet most economists are united around the idea that the economy needs to grow, always. And at a high rate, for the good of the country and its people.

• Economic growth is the increase in the goods and services produced by an economy, typically a nation, over a long period of time. It is measured as percentage increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) which is gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for inflation. The economic growth every year is essential to a country’s stability and prosperity. But some economists argue that it makes more sense to focus on measures of well-being than growth.
• Maximizing growth doesn’t necessarily help people, but also that rapid growth can itself come at a cost, such as when the pursuit of growth is used to push through policies that are expected increase the GDP but may have negative consequences for millions.The pursuit of growth can be quite dangerous. The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred from a measurement of national income.
• For a developing economy where the basic need isn’t met and growth is necessary for more food. Economic growth in a developing economy can go a long way to improving living standards. When people are living in poverty, they experience a deprivation of basic human needs, such as food, shelter, education, basic health care. Economic growth can enable many of these basic needs to be met and this economic growth can radically increase living standards among those countries.
• It's an election winner. Politicians see growth as very important. Elections are won or lost on the state of the economy. Look what happens if growth disappears and recession looms. People get very concerned about falling incomes and rising unemployment. 
• If poverty is to be relieved and the rich are not to be made poorer, then growth is necessary. Making the poor richer is not easy and there are many political obstacles in the way. But at least growth makes it easier.
• When real incomes are already quite high, economic growth can have a marginal impact on living standards. There is a strong diminishing marginal utility to extra income. 
• Economic growth is driven by technological improvements, which reduce the costs of production and enable more to be produced. This technological progress in many ways feels an inevitability. How could you stop this technological progress? Technological improvements have particularly improved the productivity of agriculture and manufacturing. This means we can support ourselves with a smaller % of the workforce on agriculture and manufacturing. Many of new jobs are in service sector.
• In theory, economic growth should enable people to work less, enjoy more leisure time and would enable to retire earlier, if they are able and willing.
• Increased GDP offers the potential for higher living standards but certainly doesn’t guarantee it because of uneven distribution and how it is used. GDP measures activity in the economy, but there’s no way to know whether that activity is actually good for society. The BP oil-rig explosion, which killed 11, and the subsequent spill, which leaked 3 million barrels of oil into the Gulf, actually lifted GDP because of the amount of money spent cleaning it up.
• Economists often say that without growth it will be impossible to address income inequality. But even with growth, there’s no guarantee that inequality will decrease. The economy’s current trajectory is of increasing inequality. Economic growth leads to the depletion of resources - a problem that's likely to get worse as world population and world consumption grows.
• One of the biggest sources of rising expenditure in western economies is health care. There are simply more things that can be treated. Also, there is the irony of having to treat diseases of affluence (such as obesity, heart attacks, cancer etc).
• Economic growth will not solve the fundamental problems of human psychology / behaviour. It can increase sense of inequality. Growth will not reduce the incentives to cheat and steal. It does not make people more charitable and good-natured.
• Environmental problems facing humanity, economic growth could exacerbate these issues and reduce living standards.
• Some of the most content people in the history of the world got by on a lot less. Some saints have argued they were much happier when they forsook their wealth.
• Rather than worrying about increasing real GDP, we could spend time promoting greater social harmony.
• The point is that life is a struggle for most people in developed economies, and technology and increased efficiency has not done much to fix that over the last 40 years. No doubt there are a few that have enjoyed increased leisure time, but at the expense of the masses.

Do we need economic growth? Not really. But, if managed well, it doesn’t have to do any harm and gives the potential to make improvements in our material well-being. Needless to say, economic growth is far from the panacea to make society better. It is a neutral component of human well-being. There’s nothing wrong with targeting economic growth as long as you are aware of its imitations. Governments and society need to be judged on so much more than simply whether their economies are growing.

We have to find a way to make the aspects of capitalism that serve 

wealthier people serve poorer people as well.

If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. 

The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of 

knowledge, experience, and ability ... Henry Ford

Money has no utility to me beyond a certain point ... Bill Gates

For India with large number of unemployed youth, economic growth is the only way to create enough jobs and security. The present phenomenon of jobless growth is unsustainable. The current trends of economic growth are also associated with increased pollution, over exploitation of non-replenishable natural resources, destruction of ecology etc is a destructive growth. Additional wealth created is grabbed by top 10% wealthiest people. The disparity between rich and poor is widening. This kind of growth is absurd. In an ideally developed world all people should be equal, even though perfection is unachievable. We need to grow to accommodate ever rising population.

We must quit coal

  

We have far more oil, coal and gas than we can safely burn. Fuel is enormously useful, massively valuable and hugely important geopolitically, but tackling global warming means leaving most of it in the ground – by choice. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels. It produces per kilogram the least amount of energy and the greatest amount of pollution. Coal supplies a third of all energy used worldwide and makes up 40% of electricity generation, as well as playing a crucial role in industries such as iron and steel. The coal industry stands in the way of a safe and healthy future for us all. From destructive mines to polluting stacks and toxic ash dumps, coal lays waste to our environment. Coal threatens our most basic needs: clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and a safe climate. 

• Fossil fuels are a finite resource and each year they get more expensive relative to renewables and nuclear.
• India is the world’s second-largest coal consumer last year.
• Despite legitimate concerns, coal use will continue to be significant in the future. Therefore greater efforts are needed to embrace less polluting and more efficient technologies to ensure that coal becomes a much cleaner source of energy.
• The burning of coal for heat and energy is responsible for 46% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide and accounts for 72% of total  greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector. They also  fuel global warming, making coal the single greatest threat to our climate. Coal mining is also a source of methane, a very potent global warming gas.
• The coal industry uses fresh water enough to meet the basic needs of 100 crore people. We are already at risk of a global water supply crisis. Adding further strain on our water supplies, pollution from coal mines and coal plants contaminates groundwater and waterways.
• Between 2001 and 2010, world consumption of coal increased by 45%. During the same time period, total anthropogenic GHG emissions were the highest in human history. 
• Mining and burning coal release harmful pollutants into the air. These include mercury, fine pollution particles, and chemicals that form smog — all damaging to our health. Pollution from burning coal also leads to acid rain, which kills fish and plants and damages soils.
• Open-pit, open-cast or open cut mining disturbs landscapes on a vast scale, destroying forests and scraping away soils. So severe is the damage, in most cases it cannot be repaired. When mines unearth and disturb rock and earth, toxic chemicals within can mix with water. This leads to acid main drainage, harmful to streams, soils, and plants, animals and people.
• People living near the destruction are 50% more likely to die of cancer and 42% more likely to be born with birth defects compared with other people.
• Shifting to clean, safe solutions including renewable energy; close down coal power plants and prevent new ones being built.
• Coal industry's true costs including the harm it does to our air, water, lands and health are enormous.
• 23 countries, states and cities will have either phased out coal-fired power plants or set a timeline to do so by 2030.
• To avoid catastrophic climate change, it is clear that we must end our dependence on coal and invest in affordable and sustainable renewable energy. We need make the shift to 100% renewable energy as soon as possible.
• The renewable "fuels" used — sun, wind, water, and heat from the earth — are unlimited and free for the taking. It's an obvious advantage over volatile costs of fuels needed to power coal, oil, gas and nuclear plants.
• Greater energy efficiency is key to a clean, safe and secure energy future for all. We must make better use of energy from the sun, wind, water and earth. Efficiency is all about smart use of energy, not doing without. It saves us money, helps the environment, and improves our health and comfort. It is to get things done using less energy.
• It’s time we end the age of fossil fuels and help workers and communities transition over to renewables.

Read the source article

With less than 1C of temperature increase so far, we are already seeing some profound changes, including a collapse in Arctic sea ice coverage. It is impossible to say what changes another three or four degrees would bring, but the impacts could very plausibly include a collapse in global food production, catastrophic droughts and floods, heatwaves and the beginning of ice-sheet melt that could eventually raise the sea level enough to wipe out many of the world's great cities. But can we bring ourselves to prioritise a safe planet over cheap fuels, flights, power and goods? Can humanity muster the restraint and cooperation needed to leave assets worth trillions in the ground?

Cars - Petrol Vs Diesel

Cost: Diesel cars are expensive between Rs. 1 - 2 lakhs depending upon model in hatch back and entry level sedan models.

Mileage: At current 2016 prices, diesel cars mileage is generally 30-40% higher than petrol model. Petrol cars fuel expenses would be 40% more than diesel cars for city driving and 30% for highway driving.

Fuel Prices: About 20 years ago diesel price used to be half of petrol price. However, ever since the deregularisation of diesel prices, the gap between prices of petrol & diesel has come down from Rs.21/litre in 2013 to around Rs. 11/ litre in 2016, i.e. less than 15%.

Monthly running:  Natural choice is a petrol car. But if your average monthly running is higher than 1,200-1,500 km a month purchasing of a diesel car would be economical.

Other Factors: Servicing costs, costs of spare parts and insurance costs are higher for diesel cars than petrol ones. Right from the cost of oil replacement to the battery and clutch plate, etc. all cost more in case of diesel cars. Also, the noise, vibration and harshness levels of petrol cars are lower than that of diesel cars. While diesel engines save with no spark plugs but they do get turbochargers which will push up maintenance costs.

Holding period: While one can hold the petrol car up to 10 years with reliability of usage, diesel cars can be held for about 7 years at the best.

Resale value: Diesel cars  depreciates much faster than petrol cars. After 3 years, while petrol cars gets you about 60% of purchase value, diesel can get you at best 50% of purchase value, in the secondary market.

Pollution: Petrol driven vehicles are easier on the environment.

Conclusion: If your average usage is less than 1,500 kms per month PETROL CAR with lower capital cost, higher fuel costs and lower servicing, spares & insurance costs is suggested. If your average usage is more than 1,500 kms per month DIESEL CAR with higher capital cost, lower fuel costs and higher servicing, spares & insurance costs would prove beneficial.

My View:
About 20 years ago, Maruti was making only petrol cars and diesel cars were preferred only by taxi operators. The advent of CRDI diesel cars offering  improved pickup, higher power, lower fuel consumption and reduced vibrations as well as lesser maintenance costs consumers preference shifted towards diesel vehicles. Today diesel cars share is as much as 40-50% of market. Maruti's lobbying for price preference for petrol cars and restrictions on diesel cars was not heeded to by central government.

With rapid increase in number of cars, year after year, cities are flooded with diesel cars increasing traffic congestion, non availability of sufficient parking in public places and above all pollution levels have crossed alarmingly to higher levels especially in Delhi. Despite banning 15+ year old cars, promoting CNG and banning SUVs with 2L+ capacities have only controlled the pollution growth rates only but pollution levels remained at higher levels. Reducing diesel & petrol price gap didn't yield much result. Now there is thinking to ban diesel cars & diesel SUVs throughout the country which will definitely happen sooner or later first in cities and rest of the country later.

As a responsible citizen, people should voluntarily opt for lower polluting, smaller or optimal power petrol cars only and contribute minimal pollution and help save environment.

Pollution in New Delhi

During past one week New Delhi experience 17 times more pollution with dangerous consequences. Delhi govt closed schools for 3 days. The pollution is described as smoking 5 packs (50 no's) of cigarettes a day. In addition to high automobile pollution, burning of millions of tonnes of agriculture waste by farmers in adjoining fields in UP, Haryana on which there is government regulation is the reason.

• Agriculture waste could be used for generating power and dealing with ash & smoke with technologies to restrict to statutory levels.
• Dust on the streets could be handled by spraying water and increasing green cover and using recycled sewerage water for watering the greenery.
• Grow plants in all government lands.
• Make it mandatory to earmark 30% land for tree plantation in all future housing layouts.
• All polluting industries in Delhi should be moved out of NCR and strict pollution control measures enforced including stone crushers and brick kilns.

Automobile pollution could be tackled ...

• Strengthen and subsidise metro and public transportation.
• Ban all SUVs and diesel cars.
• Limit petrol cars engine capacity to maximum of 1600cc.
• 2 Wheelers (four stroke petrol engine) below 100cc should be encouraged. 
• Ban 2 wheelers with engine above 150cc. 
• All vehicles should be retired within 10 years.
• All buses, mini buses & school buses must run only on CNG.
• Promote battery powered small cars with incentives and subsidies.
• Ambulances should run only on petrol.
• Multi occupancy car travel should be encouraged.
• Share car to work by 3 or 4 people should be encouraged and campaigned.
• Diesel generator sets should be replaced with battery powered inverters. Also eliminate power cuts and interruptions.

My View:

Concentrated development is very cheap model of development suitable for countries with small population. Distributed development is also an option but very expensive. Developing multiple cities/towns development is another feasible option. In a populous country like ours limiting consumption and controlling wastage and emissions should be mandatory and made culpable & cognizable offence.