Introduction

Doomsday movies invariably are set in barren landscapes where nothing grows with the sun beating down mercilessly. I wonder when we have our Apocalypse, whether it might not be closer to the truth that these future humans will be struggling through a landscape piled high with plastics, so high that the actual earth is not visible.

There is something hopeful and inspirational about summer. It is that time of the year when nature is at its bountiful best with flowers blooming, birds singing, bees buzzing and the environment in general is more vibrant and colourful. However, climate change is threatening to take away from us everything that we have come to love.

"We are ravaging the very ecosystems that provide us with the food, water and resources we need to survive. The Earth is resilient, but she needs our help”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 

Across the world people are coming to realise that roads, especially in our cities, should not be about the metal monstrosities that we call vehicles, but should be about people. That people use these spaces, which are public spaces, for a variety of purposes - from the obvious one of mobility to livelihood to recreation. Yet all our planning, our laws on roads and transport is focussed on the inanimate, polluting vehicles. 

Have you ever spent your summer afternoons at home feeling the heat or wondering why your air conditioning is taking too long to kick in?

Well, here is a simple solution that can save us from feeling the heat indoors whilst also making  energy and cost savings. - Insulation of walls! 

Globally, unhealthy diets are the main reason for the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, obesity,  diabetes and the like, resulting in innumerable deaths year after year. Varieties of processed and ultra-processed foods, which contain trans fats, high salt, sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates, are  available in the market making it  hard for consumers to identify and select the ones that are nutritious.