India and Bangladesh to suffer most from #climatechange

Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict in South Asia | Center for American Progress: "South Asia will be among the regions hardest hit by climate change. Higher temperatures, more extreme weather, rising sea levels, increasing cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, as well as floods in the region’s complex river systems will complicate existing development and poverty reduction initiatives. Coupled with high population density levels, these climate shifts have the potential to create complex environmental, humanitarian, and security challenges. India and Bangladesh, in particular, will feel the impacts of climate change acutely."

'via Blog this'

Cars choke India cities, no place to walk

The Hindu : Life & Style / Homes & Gardens : Cities are for cars only: "India has nearly 60 cities that have a population of over or approaching a million. Mobility for an average citizen in these urban spaces is emerging as a key challenge. Economic liberalisation has expedited the pace of urbanisation. But given the poor infrastructure and pathetic planning, the urban sprawls tend to be totally unwieldy. "

'via Blog this'

Pune's save bus campaign groups demand free bus travel - The Times of India

Pune's save bus campaign groups demand free bus travel - The Times of India: "PUNE: The 'PMP Bus Seva Bachao Abhiyan' - an initiative taken by city based bus commuters groups to save the city bus transport, has cited the example of how China has taken steps to encourage people to choose public transportation."

'via Blog this'

Climate change, carbon economy killing 5 million a year - study - AlertNet

Climate change, carbon economy killing 5 million a year - study - AlertNet: "LONDON (AlertNet) - Climate change and the world's addiction to polluting fuels are costing nearly 5 million lives each year and lowering global output by some $1.2 trillion annually, demonstrating the need for swift action to stem mounting losses, a study said on Wednesday"

'via Blog this'

Public transport cuts obesity: some more evidence

Straphangers United | The voice of the Chennai commuter: " So what we need to do is campaign for walking spaces and good, comfortable and affordable public transit systems."

'via Blog this'

U.S. losing India in the oil wars

Iran drawing India closer with talks on train, road access to Afghanistan - The Washington Post: "India’s closer cooperation with Iran will likely offend the United States, which has been pushing the international community to punish Iran over its nuclear program.

India has come under increasing pressure from Washington over its ties with Iran, but New Delhi needs Iranian crude supplies to power its economic growth. Iran supplies about 12 percent of India’s energy needs.

India’s talks with Iran will explore ways to expand trade to improve the heavily skewed balance of trade between the two countries, Mathai said.

Two-way trade in the last year totaled about $16 billion, of which Indian oil imports from Iran accounted for $13.5 billion.

Mathai said India would accept sanctions imposed by the United Nations, but would not heed those imposed by others, referring to harsher sanctions maintained by the United States and Europe."

'via Blog this'

Massive highway project was a huge mistake

The Demise Of The Car  |  Peak Oil News and Message Boards: "Alas, the irony is rich. India conceived of this highway project as oil prices hit deep lows at the end of the past millennium. Now that the highway network is constructed and oil prices have more than quadrupled, it is massive investment in the powergrid that hundreds of millions of Indians so desperately need instead—not road building."

'via Blog this'