Aug.18: ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS
Smartphone most destructive device by 2020: Study
Production costs
The smartphone will be the most environmentally destructive device by 2020, according to a recent Canadian study. The research titled ‘Assessing ICT global emissions footprint: Trends to 2040 & recommendations’ was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. It said the energy consumption of a smartphone is going to be more than that of a personal computer and laptop.
The study says 85% of the emissions impact comes from production because a great deal of energy is needed to produce the chip and motherboard of a smartphone. Also, since smartphones have a short life, they are produced more and are an enormous source of wastage.
Huge source of waste
Indians consuming banned GM food
Endangering health
Genetically modified food items are flooding the Indian market because of the lack of clear regulations. This is despite the fact that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told the Supreme Court last year that GM foods were not allowed in India, according to Down to Earth.
The Coalition for a GM-free India has complained to the FSSAI with pictorial evidence asking it to remove such products from the market and fix liability on those involved. Apparently, since 2007, GM soybean and canola oils are being imported in India without the approval of FSSAI. Taking cognizance of the issue, FSSAI is now in process of prescribing guidelines on GM food.
Need for food safety
‘India most vulnerable country to climate change’
Agriculture hit
India is the most vulnerable country to climate change, followed by Pakistan, the Philippines and Bangladesh, a ranking by HSBC has showed. According to news reports, the bank assessed 67 countries on vulnerability to the physical impacts of climate change, sensitivity to extreme weather events, exposure to energy transition risks and ability to respond to climate change.
In India, climate change could cut agricultural incomes, particularly in unirrigated areas that could be hit hardest by rising temperatures and declines in rainfall. The five countries least vulnerable to climate change risk are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia and New Zealand.
Asia at risk
