Global | New briefing: “Energy systems that protect climate and health”

Global | New briefing: “Energy systems that protect climate and health”

Health Care Without Harm is pleased to join other leading global health organizations in supporting the Health and Climate Network’s recently launched briefing on  “Energy systems that protect climate and health.” This is the second in a briefing series presenting the link between climate action and health. 

The paper puts forward policies regarding energy systems that can help tackle the climate crisis while also improving human health, allowing national governments to address two important challenges at the same time. Efforts to limit global heating to 1.5°C …

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India | No vaccine for climate change: a new communication guide for health care professionals

India | No vaccine for climate change: a new communication guide for health care professionals

Healthy Energy Initiative India, in partnership with health organizations has launched a new guide: “No Vaccine for Climate Change – A Communication Guide on Climate and Health for the Healthcare Professionals in India”.

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India | Lessons from the 2018 floods: Kerala builds climate resilient health center in Wayanad district

India | Lessons from the 2018 floods: Kerala builds climate resilient health center in Wayanad district

Embodying the spirit of resilience learned from the 2018 floods, Kerala has started building climate resilient health centers to deal with future weather uncertainties, said Dr. Manu MS, State Nodal Officer on Climate Change and Human Health during a webinar organized by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on  World Environment Day 2021.

Dr. Manu spotlighted the rebuilding of Pozhuthana Family Health Center (PHC) in Wayanad as a flood resilient facility in the state. The case study has been documented by the National Health Mission (NHM) …

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India | New report: Coal ash pollution rampant in India despite COVID-19 lockdown

India | New report: Coal ash pollution rampant in India despite COVID-19 lockdown

New report finds coal ash pollution rampant in India despite COVID-19 lockdown; 17 major incidents in 7 states documented in one year

 

A new report released by Healthy Energy Initiative India and Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) has found that coal fly ash pollution was rampant in India in 2020-21 despite the COVID-19 lockdown. The report found at least 17 major incidents that occurred in 7 states from April 2020 to March 2021.

The report titled “Coal Ash in India – Vol II: …

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India | Air pollution and the impact on business

India | Air pollution and the impact on business

An in-depth analyses published by our partner Clean Air Fund, in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) zeroes in the the impact of air pollution on the Indian economy and workforce.

Each year, air pollution costs Indian businesses close to 50% the cost of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The staggering results show that India lost ~95 Billion USD (3% of Country’s GDP) in 2019 owing to air pollution. The research additionally established that:

Air pollution led to a loss of 1.3 billion workdays over …

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India | Regulatory blackhole in the implementation of emission norms for thermal power plants

India | Regulatory blackhole in the implementation of emission norms for thermal power plants

A report by Healthy Energy Initiative – India reveals that two Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in the Ennore thermal cluster in Tamilnadu was found violating the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) prescribed norms up to 53% of the total operational time in two years, between 2019-2020.

In March 2021, just as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was surging in the country, the MOEFCC issued a notification extending the deadline to meet the 2015 emission norms for thermal power plants until 2024. …

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India | Study finds healthcare professionals support climate action, role of health sector crucial

India | Study finds healthcare professionals support climate action, role of health sector crucial

The largest ever survey on climate change conducted among over 3000 healthcare professionals in India, has revealed that the health sector should play a crucial role in action and advocacy on climate change in India. Over 85% respondents believed that the healthcare sector has a responsibility to address climate change and reduce their own carbon footprint. 3062 healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, hospital administrators, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) health staff and healthcare students were surveyed in this study conducted between …

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Webinar: How prepared is India’s Health sector to lead on climate action and advocacy?

Webinar: How prepared is India’s Health sector to lead on climate action and advocacy?

COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on the health sector worldwide. There is no doubt about the need for greater preparedness and increased awareness among health professionals about the risks of climate and environmental impacts on public health. A new study conducted across India among more than 3,000 health professionals reveals the understanding and attitudes of health workers towards the changing environment and what it entails for the sector.

Join us in a webinar organized by Healthy Energy Initiative, Health Care Without Harm and Climate Trends, …

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India | Chhattisgarh leans on citizens’ science and participatory decision making to combat toxic air

India | Chhattisgarh leans on citizens’ science and participatory decision making to combat toxic air

State Health Resource Center (SHRC), Chhattisgarh is implementing a unique pilot in two polluted districts (Raipur and Korba) of the State to strengthen the health systems and prepare them to respond to air pollution related health problems. Their approach integrates citizens science and community health workers’ role in raising awareness on air pollution and health.

SHRC, in collaboration with Healthy Energy Initiative India and the health department, is also working towards setting up a network of 150 low cost monitors in polluted regions to provide real-time …

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India | New report: Strengthening pollution control boards to meet air quality standards

India | New report: Strengthening pollution control boards to meet air quality standards

The report, produced by Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) and Health Care Without Harm, highlights the institutional and informational barriers that hamper the goal of achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The findings reveal several key structural roadblocks that affect effective implementation of existing regulations, thereby broader achievement of ambient air quality standards.

Acute and chronic exposures to air pollution are leading risk factors for ill health in India, with exposures to Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Ozone alone contributing to over 1.2 million premature deaths annually. …

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