EP20 How Can India’s Energy Transition Be Inclusive, Local & Just?
In this episode, Sanika Diwanji and Saurabh Kumar, VP of GEAPP India, discuss the critical themes of energy equity and justice, particularly in the context of India's energy transition. They highlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities, the importance of decentralized renewable energy, and the role of financing in achieving a just energy transition. The episode also addresses India's coal dependency and the innovative approaches being taken by GEAPP to foster sustainable energy solutions, including the GEAPP's Entice Project aimed at promoting startups in the climate tech space.TakeawaysEnergy equity is essential for a just transition.India has a significant number of people without reliable electricity.Decentralized renewables can drive inclusive growth.The PM Surya Ghar initiative connects millions to solar power.Energy access improves health and education outcomes.Financing is a major barrier for renewable energy adoption.Decentralized energy can enhance local livelihoods.The coal sector presents challenges for energy transition.Innovative financing models are needed for sustainable energy.The Entice Project aims to boost climate tech startups.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Energy Justice and Equity04:25 India's Energy Transition Paradigm07:26 Decentralized Renewables and Their Impact10:19 Innovations in Solar Financing13:13 The Role of Decentralized Energy in Rural Livelihoods16:19 Addressing Historical Inequities in Energy Access19:15 Coal Dependency and Transition Challenges22:08 Financing the Energy Transition25:10 The Future of Energy in India28:07 The Entice Project and Innovation in Energy31:03 Hope for the Future of Energy34:10 Regulatory Challenges and Private Sector Involvement41:52 Conclusion
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EP 19- The Future of Our Cities: Green, Just, Liveable?
📢 The Future of Our Cities: Green, Just, Liveable? 🌍🏙️Urbanization is shaping our climate future. Cities occupy only 3% of the world’s land but generate over 70% of global CO₂ emissions. With 416 million new urban residents expected in India by 2050, how we plan our cities today will determine the sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity of our future.In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji speaks with Ashali Bhandari, Managing Director of the People’s Urban Living Lab at Transitions Research , about:✅ Why cities are both the problem and the solution in climate action✅ The governance and financial roadblocks to sustainable urban planning✅ How Maharashtra is pioneering Climate Action Plans in 44 cities✅ The critical role of communities in shaping resilient urban spaces✅ How informal settlements and marginalized voices must be included in climate policy✅ What makes a ‘just transition’ in urban planning?🎧 Tune in to explore how cities can be designed to be greener, fairer, and more livable for all.#climatechange #urbanplanning #JustTransition #sustainablecities #india #podcast #climateactionpodcast #climatecrisis #urbandevelopment
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Narratives for Nature: Lessons from an Environmental Journalist
In this episode of The Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji sits down with Gopi Warrier, Managing Editor of Mongabay-India, to explore the evolution of environmental journalism in India. With stories spanning grassroots movements, climate policy, and the delicate balance between journalism and activism, this conversation sheds light on how storytelling shapes public opinion and drives action.
Dive into the rich tapestry of environmental storytelling with Gopi Warrier and discover why balanced reporting matters more than ever. 🌍
From pivotal movements like the Chipko Andolan to today’s energy transition debates, we explored:✨ The role of media in shaping India’s environmental discourse.✨ Lessons from grassroots movements and their modern-day challenges.✨ Striking a balance between activism, journalism, and policy.✨ Insights on how journalists can move beyond hopelessness to inspire action.
Timestamps:
00:00 - 05:00: Introduction: Gopi Warrier's journey and the pivotal moments that shaped his career.
05:01 - 15:00: Historical milestones in Indian environmentalism - From Chipko to Silent Valley.
15:01 - 25:00: Shifts in environmental journalism - What gets covered and what doesn’t?
25:01 - 35:00: Striking a balance - The role of journalism in navigating activism and public accountability.
35:01 - 45:00: Key stories from Mongabay-India and their policy impacts.
45:01 - 55:00: Challenges of reporting on environmental issues in India today.
55:01 - End: Parting thoughts - Advice for budding journalists and reflections on India's climate narrative.
📲 We are available on Spotify as well as YouTube.
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Building Climate Resilience: A Public Health Perspective
In this episode host Sanika Diwanji dives into the intersection of #climateresilience and #publichealth , joined by Abhiyant Tiwari, a leading expert in climate resilience and health at #nrdc India.
The episode highlights:
Key Themes:
Climate Change and Public Health Interlinkages:
Abhiyant explains how climate change exacerbates health risks, from heat stress and vector-borne diseases to air pollution and its impact on vulnerable populations.
Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan:
Abhiyant shares his experience in developing South Asia's first Heat Action Plan, which has become a global benchmark for tackling heat-related health challenges.
Critical Insights:
Rising Risks:
- 2023 marked alarming levels of heat stress, with each Indian experiencing 100 days of heat stress on average, according to the @Lancet.
- Increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and landslides due to climate change.
India’s Efforts:
- The National Program on Climate Change and Human Health aims to mitigate health impacts by building climate-resilient health facilities and enhancing early warning systems.
- Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat provide health insurance and revamp public health infrastructure, focusing on prevention and access.
Challenges and Solutions:
Challenges:
- Addressing systemic gaps in preparedness and governance.
- Sensitizing healthcare systems to climate-linked health conditions.
- Managing the burden of high out-of-pocket health expenditures for vulnerable populations.
Solutions:
- Community-driven initiatives like cool roofing in Jodhpur and renewable energy solutions in rural areas.
- Emphasis on **risk literacy** and localized resilience strategies.
Key Takeaways for Listeners:
- Small, impactful steps like understanding local risks, participating in community resilience programs, and embracing proactive measures can significantly mitigate climate risks.
- Empowering communities and integrating bottom-up approaches are crucial for scalable and sustainable solutions.
Join this engaging discussion to explore how we can build a climate-resilient future while safeguarding public health. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations!
#climateaction #publichealth #resilience #HeatActionPlan #sustainabledevelopment #india #Indiaclimatechange #podcast #climateeducation
Time Stamps
00:00 - Climate Resilience and Health Importance
05:37 - Abhiyant's Journey in Public Health
08:27 - Climate Change and Public Health in India
15:47 - Disaster Management in India's Climate Change
22:21 - Risk Literacy and Capacity Building
29:08 - Improving India's Healthcare System Challenges
33:16 - Addressing Vector-Borne Diseases in India
37:02 - Enabling State Disaster Policies
41:00 - Community-Led Solutions in Disaster Management
45:24 - Energy Access Solutions marginalised communities & future roadmap
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Global Goals, Local Impact: COP29 & The Road Ahead
In this episode of The Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji is joined by Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at IPE Global, to unpack the outcomes of COP29.
The discussion covers:
- The $300 billion annual climate finance deal finalized at COP29 and India’s strong objections to it.
- The shift in focus to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and the establishment of a global carbon market.
- How these decisions impact India and other developing countries.
- How climate action on ground will now be shaped based on these decisions.
Abinash shares his first-hand experience from Baku and provides insights into what’s needed to accelerate climate action in India amidst shifting global priorities.
🎧 Listen now for an informed take on the challenges and opportunities emerging from COP29.
Demystifying climate change, one witty chat at a time! Join us in candid conversations with experts to understand more. The Climate Conundrum Podcast aims at demystifying the complex concepts surrounding climate change, through candid conversations with scientists, policy makers and subject-matter experts. We are here to simplify and start a conversation surrounding climate issues, keeping the Indian context in mind.
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