As residents of small and medium sized apartments come to terms with the increases in electricity tariff for their common areas, Bharath Ram, CAG explains that this could have been a hike that was done in stages.
The Chennai Climate Action Plan proposes to achieve 100% renewable energy in the city, by 2030. Consumer friendly tariffs are key to achieving the switch to solar, to make this target achievable. Vishnu, CAG, asks if the GCC has a plan to incentivise the switch, as without it, the target is vague and not actionable.
Afroz, CAG explains why those extensive networks comprising the city's waste workers are absolutely key to any recycle-reuse efforts. As this article explains, it's their work that saves about 2000 tonnes of used clothes from ending up in landfills.
'Energy efficient appliances (as indicated by the Energy Star Rating) can help you cut down on your energy bills', explains Bharath, CAG. And if you're worried about the new electricity tariff, there are more tips here to help you save electricity.
With different agencies carrying out civic work in nearly 500 locations across the city, throwing it into chaos, Saroja, CAG explains why improvements need to be undertaken in a planned and phased manner, keeping the public informed at all times.
Vishnu Rao, CAG, speaking on the proposed TANGEDCO scheme to incentivise middle income households to give up their subsidy explains that the scheme should instead target the creamy layer of consumers. If these users can be encouraged to openly declare that they have given up their subsidy, it could inspire similar change from their followers. The scheme is yet to be approved by the TNERC.
Sumana, CAG, explains why the TN government's initiative to offer free bus travel to women, is likely to result in better livelihood outcomes, especially for those women from the disorganised sector. She also points out that for continuation of the scheme, we need more than intuitive justifications; we need data on the actual results.
Afroz, CAG, speaking to the Citizen Matters explains how a combination of affordable fashion and over consumption are leading to landfills piled with fabric waste. The article also contains useful pointers on how concerned citizens can move away from 'use and throw' to 'use, reuse and recreate'.
There is an urgent need to bring climate change discourse into the classroom. Children need to understand why rising sea levels, floods and droughts are a risk no matter where they live. As Mala Balaji, CAG says, strengthening teachers' capacities to provide accurate information, integrating local context and promoting critical thinking are all crucial in our fight against climate change.
An article that makes a case for why bus services should be viewed as essential services that governments should not hesitate to subsidise. As Sumana Narayanan, CAG, points out, one of the fallouts of a poorly run bus service is that users are tempted to switch to private transport, resulting in serious consequences to environmental health and road safety.