The World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5. People of all age groups actively involve during the celebration to save their planet in original form as gifted by the nature. This encourages people to make their nearby surroundings safe and clean to enjoy safer, cleaner and more prosperous future. Many awareness campaigns are also run at schools, colleges and other educational institutions to motivate students towards their environmental safety. ‘Join the race to make the world a better place’ is the theme and slogan for the day in 2016.This slogan carries a clear message and asks everyone to get involved in making the world a better place to live in.
Human population generates more waste and pollution than any other living organism on the earth. More demands for day-to-day basic needs deplete natural resources. The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in its report popularly known as the ‘Brundtland Report’ named after the Chairman of the Commission GH Brundtland.
According to the report, sustainable developments mean development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Two decades ago, the Brundtland Commission report - Our Common Future - addressed the links between development and environment, and challenged policy-makers to consider the interrelationships among environment, economic and social issues when it comes to solving global problems. The report examined emerging global challenges in population and human resources, food security, species and ecosystems, energy, industry and urbanisation.
Odisha is prone to tropical cyclones, storm surges and heat waves. Approximately 70 to 80 per cent of the State’s population depends on natural resources to survive. This makes Odisha further vulnerable to climate change impacts. Food security is both directly and indirectly inked with climate change. Any alteration in the climatic parameters such as temperature and humidity which govern crop growth will have a direct impact on quantity of food produced. The consequences of global warming on the coastal zones are one of the major concerns among scientists. Rise in sea levels, a direct impact of global warming and climate change, is the key factor threatening the coastal areas.
It is well known that urbanisation changes the climate of a place. Urban macro-effects are effects that are created by the urban pattern itself. They include Albedo effect, which is the tendency of buildings and paved surfaces to convert solar energy to heat energy and increases the greenhouse effect. This adds to the heating of cities. Heat island effect has the tendency of air to become trapped between buildings, especially tall ones, and heated above ambient levels. Again, this increases the heating of cities and can exacerbate heat wave effects. Throughout the world, cities are summer heat islands. They are hotter than their rural surroundings. The temperature in urban area could be 5 to 10 degree celsius warmer compared to rural areas. The effect is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) and is seen almost at all the big cities.
Currently cities suffer from severe environmental problems. Paying attention to the environmental impacts of growth is critical for the provision of adequate housing, energy, water, sanitation and mobility. They have to be ensured in a manner that does not cause major depletion of natural resources or endanger future generations.
Bhubaneswar is currently witnessing several modern buildings and high-rise apartments to accommodate its growing population. Today, the city’s growth is so fast that it is spreading towards Khordha and Jatni. The development activities in the city have led to large-scale deforestation, an increasing volume of traffic, pollution and temperature rise. The city’s expansion and lots of concrete structures are also the reason for microclimatic change over the years. The effects of climate change have been observed since last few years in Bhubaneswar.
It has been found to be excessive heat in summer both during day and night. Bhubaneswar recorded highest temperature in the State compared to Bhawanipatna, Bolangir, Titlagarh and Malkangiri. The tempeeature in Bhubanesware is steadily rising and this year the city created many records in temperature rise. In addition to this, loo prevailed in many parts of Odisha. Dry hot wind creates problem for the commuters. The number of rainy days has been decreased. The ground water level has been decreased by one meter in major areas of the city. The different sources of air pollution in Bhubaneswar are small scale industries, motor vehicles etc.
The choices of food, housing, entertainment, work and mobility all directly or indirectly affect the environment. Building resilience and adapting to climate change is increasingly a high priority for cities.
There is a need to integrate town and regional planning, climate change mitigation and adaptation and emergency management for sustainable human settlement planning. To protect the environment, communities should develop sustainable solutions to meet the basic needs in every sphere of their life. Developing climate-responsible master plan will protect the environmental hazards. Master Plans and Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) need to incorporate climate change considerations. The plan should contain proper green space for plantation with suitable tree species. Components of land-use plan including zoning, FAR, setback etc. should be implemented properly for sustainable development. If planned well, developments can make our lives and the lives of future generations better.
Numerous agencies in India along with Government are trying to make cities more climate-responsive. After the Government of India’s initiative to strengthen municipal governance by the enactment of the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act in 1992, cities today are quite well-placed to make decisions and to initiate innovative responses to climate change. Besides, every individual has a key role for protection of the earth. To protect the earth, communities should develop sustainable solutions to meet the basic needs in every sphere of their life.
The environment can play a significant role in contributing to development and human well-being. But non-sustainable use of natural resources can threaten individual livelihoods as well as local, national and international economies. A holistic approach is required to mitigate climate change effects by all agencies and stakeholders through initiatives of awareness, training, capacity building and adopting more scientific approach towards development. Every person has to make his or her own choices about protecting the environment. Citizen involvement is crucial to the implementation of an effective environmental protection regime.
(Dr Praharaj works in Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)