'Clothes make a man', they say. But do we know what makes clothes these days? Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, researcher at CAG, explains the dangers of plastics in textiles and debunks the common misconception that all textile waste is biodegradable by nature.
Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher, CAG comments that standards for road laying need to be in the public domain, to keep authorities accountable. Currently, in an effort to cut costs and maximise profits, contractors relaying roads are tempted to skip the crucial step of milling, with disastrous consequences for neighbourhoods around. #RoadRelaying #SustainableCities
As the Greater Chennai Corporation plans gender studies to make public places and public transport women-friendly, Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher at CAG comments that in addition to looking at physical infrastructure (lighting, bus stop locations), it would be useful to improve passenger information systems so women don't wait for long periods at bus stops especially during non-peak hours. There is also a lack of communication regarding existing safety measures such as how the installed panic buttons work.
Vamsi Kapilavai, Senior Researcher at CAG, commenting on the large quantities of supposedly 'non-toxic' coolant packages and discarded close to the Pallikaranai marshland, asks how these can be treated as non-toxic materials. Even just the plastic packaging is well established as having toxic properties. They are known to leach several toxins into the soil, air and water when exposed to even ambient conditions.
Are civic agencies doing enough to engage with the public, via social media? Sumana, researcher at CAG, comments that grievance redressal is important content to the public, and one that should be prioritized by civic authorities.
Saroja.S, Executive Director, CAG comments on the long overdue Front of Pack Labelling system for processed foods in India. With the much contested draft regulations recommending a star rating system, Saroja points out the practical problems behind such a system. This begins with the assumption that all foods are nutritious at some level, since the regulation does not allow for any food to be given less than half a star.
Sumana Narayanan, CAG, comments on the fewer new car registrations in the State that it does not mean fewer new cars on the road. If discouraging private transport, and easing congestion is what the government aims to achieve, it needs to be done through strengthening the public transport network.
Sumana Narayanan, CAG, commenting on the rise of the bike taxi, and the recent move by the TN government to ban these, emphasises that the role of bike taxis in improving sustainable mobility options must be looked at.
The Metro Rail construction, along the OMR, has significantly disrupted movement of traffic on this major artery. Sumana, CAG, emphasises the need for a more robust public transport network along the road to ease the congestion. Will a BRTS network go towards solving some of these issues? We need data and feasibility studies to inform this further.
A waste map that will show methane emissions from landfills around the world is to be launched at COP-28. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, CAG, describes Chennai's landfills as 'methane ticking bombs' but also adding that when presented with data on these, Municipality authorities are receptive to addressing these issues. The proposed AI map (which will make organic waste, visible through satellite imagery) will therefore give governments and CSOs much needed data to address methane emissions and its contribution to the climate crisis.