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.
The Smart Urban Roads project under the Chennai City Partnership Programme does not align with crucial mobility targets.It prioritises motorised transport, and for the most part, sidelines walking, cycling and public transit. Sumana, CAG, comments that if done right, this is an excellent opportunity for the city to meet the livelihood and mobility needs of its people.
Riding on the wrong side of the road can be a costly infraction. An article that explains that public behaviour, road design and enforcement changes are needed to fix this problem.
The National Conference on Air Pollution and Climate Change organised by CAG was a common space to discuss the air pollution / climate change nexus, sources of air pollution and sustainable solutions to break the chain.
An article based on CAG's report on how commuters access public transit information; and why easy, reliable access to this is central to popularising public transport usage.
Saroja, CAG, discusses the new set of rules announced by the Department of Consumer Affairs to curb fake reviews and reviews on e-com sites and how these rules will offer consumers a safer shopping experience.
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.
Saroja, CAG explains why FSSAI's recent draft regulations on Front of Pack Labelling can potentially mis-lead the public. It gives the impression that all processed foods are healthy at some level. This will allow manufacturers to manipulate the system by just adding a few positive ingredients into their otherwise unhealthy mix.
Despite instructions from the government to stop the sale of seatbelt blocker clips, these are still easy to purchase across the country. (Seatbelt blocker clips stop the car's alarm system from going off when the seatbelt is not engaged.) Interestingly, even these clips are made to fit only the front seats, because rear passenger seats are not fitted with an alarm system at all. It is no surprise then that CAG's study on seatbelt use found zero compliance among rear seat passengers.
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.