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Friends, here we are in the middle of year 2009, which started with lot of hope and
expectation to bring the economic reforms. Although signs are now looking up but still
uncertainty persists. Industries are working hard to overcome this turmoil by putting all
resources from all possible directions and win the challenge. Even in this scenario the
concern for climate change and sustainability is of prime importance. As stated in my
earlier message concern for the environment and concern for the society have been
assuming higher and higher importance and all organizations have become aware of
their corporate social responsibility. The chemical industry at the corporate level needs to
ensure the society that it handles with great responsibility issues concerning to climate
change during manufacturing and distribution of chemicals. Environment is highly visible
and emotive subject, and we as chemical engineers, have a large stake in the way this
issue is addressed.
Traditionally, environmental protection has been considered to be 'in the public interest'.
Governments across the world have always been the custodians of the environment
assuming principal responsibility for ensuring environmental management and have
focused on creating and preserving a safe environment. They directed the private sector
and public sector to adopt environmentally sound behaviour through regulations,
sanctions and occasionally, through incentives. However with the onset of the era of
privatization, the roles of sectors have been changing, with private sector becoming an
active partner in environmental protection and the corporate world gradually realizing
that environmental preservation and economic growth are not always in conflict. In the
emerging economy, where information revolution shines light on business practices
around the world, companies are more frequently judged on the basis of their
environmental stewardship. With environmental concerns looming large and threatening the very existence of mankind, the corporate world has taken up the mantle to preserve the Planet Earth by analyzing the impact of its activities on the environment and taking
measures to protect it. IIChE has also taken major initiatives to act in a socially responsible
manner directing its efforts to bring awareness on very important subject by conducting
workshops, seminars and other promotional activities. We as an institute need to
continue our efforts in this direction.
The recent L’Aquila Summit has given an essential impulse to international negotiations
on climate change, bringing G8 positions closer and setting the stage for an effective
global agreement at the UN Conference to be held at Copenhagen in December 2009.
The Major Challenges identified are Greenhouse gas emissions caused by human
activities which have increased by 70% since 1970 and that the concentrations of these
gases are causing global warming, with potentially devastating consequences for
present and future generations. Recent analysis has clearly shown that the costs of
inaction far outweigh the costs of moving towards low-carbon societies.
The vital step to Combat Climate change started with Kyoto Protocol of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was signed in 1997 and
entered into force in 2005. This document contains quantified commitments for the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the period 2008-2012 for the industrialised
countries that have acceded to it but no quantified commitments by developing
countries. In the long term it is necessary to overcome this distinction to take into
account the increase in emissions also in developing countries. Thus the developing
countries like us need to pull their socks and get onto actions. At L’Aquila there has been
an important convergence in G8 positions, which has provided a strong impulse to the
upcoming negotiations to reach an ambitious and effective global agreement in
Copenhagen in December 2009. G8 countries have committed to reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions by 80% or more by 2050 with reference to 1990.
I am very happy that IIChE-Mumbai Regional Centre has taken initiative to organize
AQUA-2009 a two day Residential Resource Development Programme on Water and
Waste water Management. We rarely think about how important water is to life, even though water is the key to human survival. The pressure on our water resources is
continuously increasing, the demand for water in future would undoubtedly increase
sharply and the gap between demand and supply will desperately widen, causing
alarming situation. Recent estimate reveals demand for gross water virtually is going to
get double from its present consumption level. It has been predicted that we will run out
of water before we run out of oil. There is a descending trend in water availability per
person in developing country like ours. It is shocking to know that 200 million people of
India do not yet have access to safe and clean water. In actual less than 0.007% of all
the water on earth is available to drink. We would therefore have to accelerate our
efforts to develop the untapped water potential, especially rain and ground water,
within a reasonable time frame. We also have to focus our efforts on improving the
efficiency of the present water management system in all possible manners. Thus urgent
coordinated and concerted attention and strategy for water conservation and waste
water management is required.
It was really heartening to organise a one day seminar on “Climate Change and
Corporate Opportunities” under Ankaleshwar Regional Chapter at Bharuch.
Deliberations by eminent speakers on topics related to Sustainable Development,
Cleaner Production , Cleaner Technology and Low Carbon Economy were very
educative and useful. These programs are showing we have more than enough
expertise, enthusiasm and interest to foster sharing and learning. The only way mankind
can survive if Industries are on the path of Sustainable development alongwith growth.
IIChE is developing a perfect platform to ensure sustainable future.
Sustainable development is one of the most frequently used but least understood term
and hence there are many definitions in use. Brundtland commission defined it as“development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their needs”. Sustainable development has three pillars
namely economy, environment and society and all three need to be considered
equally. The development model lead by globalization & privatization in last two- three
decades have provided better homes, improved health, better food, communication,
transport, etc. However, the net effect is the increase in gap between the rich and poor
and a gloomy picture in the area of natural resources, energy, water, land use and
sanitation. We the Chemical Engineers have to think that we are part of this world and
are responsible for its betterment. The message is vital and clear that everything and
anything we do should satisfy our soul, and this is possible if we do something good for
the self, for family, for organization, for society, for country and for the world as a whole.
There is a great saying, “Don’t Live, ‘cause you are Born, We are Born to Live”
My dear colleagues we have to work for water management, energy conservation,
environment preservation and sustainable development. And chemical engineers can
do it.
Friends, do write to us at iichehq@vsnl.com or sushil.kumar@ril.com with your ideas and concerns to sustain this journey of excellence.
With Best Regards,
Sushil Kumar
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