The Hindu

As cyclists are increasingly crowded out of our roads, this article quotes a study by CAG that found that livelihood cyclists (or captive cyclists, as they cannot afford a motorised form of transport) are the ones mostly left on our roads, battling traffic. Sumana, CAG, explains that piecemeal approaches to making cyclists safer, such as isolated cycle tracks on a few roads, are not good enough to solve the problem of the vulnerable cyclist.

CAG's Climate Action Month drew to an end, after a month of activities that reached over 10,000 Chenai-ites. Speakers at the event stressed the need for both individual and collective action to adapt to and mitigate the inevitable changes from the climate crisis.

As part of #ClimateActionMonth2023, CAG organised a discussion on the Chennai Climate Action Plan which threw up interesting observations on the practicalities of the plan. Plan points on renewable energy, solid waste management and just transitions were some of the aspects that were analysed.

Climate Action Month has been envisioned as a space for multi-stakeholder engagements on the critical topic of climate change. With an array of events across Chennai, the event reached out to wide cross sections of Chennai-ites through popular mediums of comedy, music, and technical engagements.

This article quotes CAG’s report which aptly highlights that despite having more installed renewable energy capacity than non-renewables, Tamil Nadu still depends on coal for electricity and lacks a framework for hybrid solar-wind systems.

CAG and the Dr. Ambedkar Law University together organised 'Consumer Protection - today and tomorrow' to mark World Consumer Rights Day. With speakers urging students to be aware and knowledgeable about their rights, Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, spoke on the government's consumer oriented initiatives such as the Right to Repair portal, and National Consumer Helpline.

As part of its Climate Change Mission, the state has begun planning a climate literacy programme for school students and other citizens. CAG is conducting a survey on climate literacy among school students which will provide the baseline for assessing outcomes of the programme. 

An expert panel comprising doctors and nutritionists gathered at the multistakeholder consultation on hypertension organised by CAG. They called for better awareness campaigns on the 'silent killer'. Hypertension produces little to no symptoms of its own and can therefore be easily missed.

CAG's National Conference on Air Pollution and Climate Change saw top government officlas, distinguished academia, and concerned public come together to discuss the undeniable link between air pollution and climate change.

The recently notified Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act 2022 permits re-development of buildings more than 30 years old with the assent of just two thirds of the apartment owners. Commenting on this Saroja, CAG, explains that the move could place vulnerable groups at risk, who might be unable to move out of the property for various reasons; and that decisions as important as this should consider every resident's unique needs and ability to comply.