How green are our cities?

How green are our cities?

The key number in measuring that now is the per capita emission or how big a carbon footprint an individual leaves.

The developed world pegs India's per capita emission at 1.7 tonnes. But a study by a non-profit organization of 40 Indian cities says it is much lower at less than 1 tonne.

The worst big city in India is Kolkata, at 1.83 tonnes, but it is nothing compared to Washington DC, which has per capita emission of 19.7 tonnes, or China's Shanghai and Canada's Toronto, both over 8 tonnes.

Both Chennai and Bangalore have per capita emission lower than 1 tonne.

The Carbon Culprits

• Washington DC: 19.7 tonnes
• Shanghai, Toronto: Over 8 tonnes
• Kolkata: 1.83 tonnes
• Chennai, Bangalore: Lower than 1 tonne

In cities that top the list, the transport sector and industry seem to be playing a big role in upping carbon emissions.

Interestingly, key Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai were not part of the survey because the local administration was not too keen about divulging energy data.

This data could give India the edge at the negotiating table in Copenhagen next month.

But India's fast-growing cities, like Gurgaon, already high at over 2 tonnes per capita emission have to be extra careful.

"We have already started initiating action that will bring down the per capita emissions in Gurgaon. Solid waste is a big contributor so we have put a plant in place to tackle the situation," says RK Khullar, Gurgaon Commissioner.

Now the challenge is to keep the emission figures at these levels or even lower it.

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{Another argument!!!!}

You and I are constantly changing, so why should the earth remain constant? The climate here on earth is constantly changing too. Sometimes because of natural causes like erupting volcanoes and ocean currents. But our daily activities are only speeding up the earth's ageing process by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. So how does climate change affect you and me?

Here are the facts:

For one the heat is building up! (The surface temperature is up by 0.3 degrees in the last 40 years).

The 10 hottest years recorded have been since 1990.

An increase in temperature will affect the quantity of crops available to eat

A warmer climate will also lead to freak weather conditions leading to droughts and floods

Sea levels will rise

Plants and animals will wilt and die

So what is it that we are doing wrong? For one we use too much electricity which means thermal power plants release a lot more greenhouse gases; we are clogging up the streets and the earth with emissions from our cars and buses and we are still using plastic bags!

India alone produces 4 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and the rate of emission is growing by 2 to 3 per cent annually.

We have done our bit to heat up the world; now it's time to cool it down. You've heard this before, but now it's time to listen!

Here are some of the things that you can do - switch off that fan when you leave the room. Secondly, by opting for a 45-minute jog in the park as opposed to a treadmill you save 1 kg of greenhouse gases. Thirdly, try a car pool for your daily commute. And last, but not the least, shut down your gadgets - don't leave them on standby.

So, when do you begin making these changes?