STS Global

Training 8,000,000 People on Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction: India’s Ambitious Resilience Agenda   India is on a mission to train 8 million individuals in climate and disaster risk reduction as part of its resilience agenda. Achieving this goal requires 15,000 trainers across 12 critical themes, a national network of centres of excellence, specialised training institutions with the right infrastructure, structured modules, a robust accreditation system, and above all, a strong commitment from all quarters.   The foundation for this monumental task was laid in the Long Term Training and Capacity Building Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction in India, developed a while ago. This comprehensive roadmap, developed by STS Global in partnership with Knowledge Links for National Institute of Disaster Management, includes a white paper, a strategy document, key modules, an accreditation system, and guidebooks. It outlines a structured approach that engages all sectors, levels of governance, civil society, and the media. The initiative was carried out under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA, supported by The World Bank, but extended to cover all hazards, and all geographies of the country. It was a privilege for me to have been the team leader on this mission. All related information can be found at the NIDM website: https://lnkd.in/guufkfaP.   Reflecting on this journey today, memories resurfaced as I conducted a session at the Faculty Development Programme of NIDM and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. The focus was on the need for capacity-building programmes to stay current with evolving contexts and technologies. As climate change accelerates, it is crucial to continually update our understanding of risk based on rapidly emerging lessons. Likewise, cutting-edge technologies like #AI are empowering us like never before to prepare for and respond to both acute shocks, such as cyclones and flash floods, and chronic stresses like droughts and heat-related productivity losses.   Gratitude to Rajendra Ratnoo IAS, Anil Kumar Gupta, and the teams at NIDM and GGSIPU for today's event, and for driving this agenda with dedication. This is resilience building behind the scenes. Memories with Deepak Singh Saurabh Dani Santosh Kumar Vinod Sharma Manu Gupta SATENDRA SINGH K J Anandha Kumar Ajinder Walia Vandana Srivastava Mohan Sajnani Nisheeth Kumar Suranjana Gupta Shivangi Chavda Meghna C. Vijayalakshmi V. Mihir Joshi Sumeet Agarwal Shalini Jain Amit Tuteja Suman Nag Sunny Kumar Anjali Verma Suranjana Gupta Surashree Shome and the team, and officials and community members we engaged with. Much more to do on capacity building for risk reduction in India, and globally, Praveen Pardeshi, NDMA, NIDM, Amit Prothi, Mukherjee Ranjini, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). #CapacityBuilding #DisasterRiskReduction #ClimateResilience #AIforGood

Unlocking Resilience in the Indian Himalayan Region: Climate and disaster risks are looming over the Indian Himalayas as a new study by IIT Madras highlights the increasing possibility of hazards and risks owing to climate change. The study identified Shimla in Himachal Pradesh as the most hazard-prone Indian Himalayan district, followed by East Sikkim. The hazards endangering the Indian Himalayas include drought, forest fires, landslides, cold waves, floods, extreme snowfall, and hailstorms along with other man-made hazards. Out of 109 Himalayan districts, 64 have been categorized as highly vulnerable. We must act now to prevent disastrous events such as the 2013 Kedarnath floods and the 2023 Sikkim flash floods. The Sikkim floods were caused by a glacial lake overflowing, cracking open the biggest hydroelectric dam in the state and then cascading through towns in the valley below. We can minimize the risks by: ·        Enhanced Monitoring and Early Warning System ·        Community-focussed Adaptation Programs ·        Policy Interventions for Sustainable Development ·        International Cooperation and Funding By acknowledging the above challenges and taking proactive measures, we can collectively work towards safeguarding the Indian Himalayan region's communities and ecosystems against the adverse impacts of climate change. Together, let's advocate for informed decision-making and sustainable actions to ensure a resilient future for all. Mountains are calling! WE MUST ACT NOW!!! #ClimateChange #Himalayas #Sustainability #ClimateAction #DisasterRiskReduction #EnvironmentalScience #CommunityResilience #DataDrivenInsights United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) UN Environment Programme National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA National Institute of Disaster Management ICIMOD UNFCCC UN Anshu Sharma Miyamoto International The World Bank Asian Development Bank (ADB) Source: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras(Climate Change department of PhD Studies)

What is the potential for building successful businesses in the climate and disaster management space? This was the question under deliberation at Asia Pacific Science Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction, at IIT Roorkee with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Our founder Dr. Anshu Sharma showcased his experiences of working in the domain of building business in Climate and Disaster Resilience 1. The problem of growing hazard risks needs to address the complex questions that have gone unanswered in the past. For example, understanding the impact of a particular cyclone on a specific building is crucial since each cyclone is unique, and so is each building. 2. Technology is providing solutions that can significantly boost the climate and disaster resilience market. Dr. Anshu highlighted our work on Artificial Intelligence for humanitarian action, which offers risk assessments from as low scale as an individual building levels. This further provides impact warnings and actionable insights for families and building occupants. 3. Governments and development aid agencies need to create a market space for innovation and climate tech entrepreneurs. While the investor ecosystem has started to take an interest in climate-tech startups, achieving scale and sustainability will only be possible with policy-level adoption of such innovations. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Rajib Shaw Aslam Perwaiz Sanjay Srivastava Ravi Sinha Prakhar Suresh Sharma Samhita R Manu Gupta #urbaninnovation #urbanresilience #disasterriskreduction #innovationforDRR

Rani struggled to climb her usual route through the canopy. The harsh sunlight beat down, leaving the forest leaves brittle and dry. Panic surged as she remembered the elders' stories of scorching days turning the forest into tinder. One careless spark or a bolt of lightning, and the forest could be consumed by flames. Memories of the last fire flickered – a horrifying inferno and the desperate screams of animals leaping from branch to branch. Summer's heat is turning India's forests into tinderboxes. According to the Forest Research Institute, 95% of fires are human-caused, but heatwaves are making them worse. Less rain and hotter days dry out trees, making them prime fuel for fires. The result? Ecological damage, wildlife losing homes, and air pollution harming our health. Rani does not have a voice, but you do! We can fight back with: #ControlledBurns: Small fires set by experts to clear dry undergrowth. #Firebreaks: Clearings that stop wildfires from spreading. And most importantly, #Educating communities about fire safety and heatwave risks. #HeatwaveAction: Be a voice for the forest. Prevent wildfires! #SaveOurForests #ForestFires Harini Nagendra Ravi Chellam MoEF&CC; Mongabay ; The Hindu UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre

The recent Delhi heatwave wasn't just bad for business, it was a health crisis for women street vendors. A new report by Greenpeace India and the National Hawker Federation paints a concerning picture: https://rb.gy/updbqg >7 out of 8 women street vendors reported experiencing high blood pressure due to the extreme heat. >Many middle-aged women vendors raised concerns about delays in their menstrual cycles. >All women participants reported sleeplessness due to the heat, leading to exhaustion throughout the day. Over 80% of street vendors saw a decline in customers during the heatwave. Nearly half (49.27%) experienced income loss due to the harsh weather conditions. This impacted their health and ability to earn: Vulnerability to health problems: Exposure to extreme heat takes a significant toll on their well-being. Loss of income: Fewer customers due to the heatwave translates directly to financial hardship. Over 82% of vendors lacked guidance on handling heatwaves. This lack of awareness and resources puts women street vendors at even greater risk during extreme weather events. We need immediate action to protect Delhi's women street vendors. Heat shelters, improved access to healthcare, and awareness campaigns are crucial steps to ensure their health and livelihood. #Heatwave #ClimateChange #Delhi #WomenStreetVendors #GreenpeaceIndia Samantha Power Jagan Chapagain Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India Anshu Sharma Manu Gupta Samhita R

Contrary to the perception of wetlands as neglected and polluted ecosystems, the Gharana Wetland in Jammu offers a compelling example of proactive management. The Gharana Wetland Authority champions a holistic approach, ensuring the wetland's health and biodiversity and can serve as one of the model for a proactive #wetlandconservation. The key takeaways are: 1. Cleanliness and Hygiene: Impeccable cleanliness, achieved through proper demarcation fencing to prevent #wastedumping and well-maintained #drainage channels, ensures a healthy #wetlandecosystem. 2. #Biodiversity Haven: Over 150 migratory bird species call Gharana home, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. 3. Proactive Management from the authorities: The dedicated officer meticulously maintains a visitor book, reflecting his enthusiasm for promoting wetland tourism. #Wetlandmanagement #GharanaWetland Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Government of Jammu and Kashmir Kirtiman Awasthi Kunal Bharat Anshu Sharma Manu Gupta Samhita R Kh Samuel Poumai Prakhar Suresh Sharma

This #WorldEnvironmentDay, STS Global, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Wular Conservation & Management Authority, joined forces with local schools, authorities, and passionate volunteers for a impactful day at Wular Lake! • Community Clean-up: Students and volunteers came together to remove waste and debris from the lake, making a visible difference for the environment. • Capacity Building: We hosted an educational session for the community, introducing the Wetland Mitras Initiative and empowering them to take ownership of their wetland. • Pledge Wall: Residents signed their commitment to reduce waste in specific ways, fostering a collaborative spirit for a cleaner future. By working together, we can create a positive environment where communities actively protect their natural resources. We're proud to have played a part in this initiative, and we encourage everyone to take action for a healthier planet! #WularLake #WetlandConservation Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , 51A Wildlife Conservation & Research Foundation Kirtiman Awasthi Kunal Bharat Anshu Sharma Manu Gupta Samhita R Kh Samuel Poumai Sanjeev Arora

#Wular Lake is the second largest fresh water lake of Asia in district Baramulla. STS Global is celebrating the #worldenvironmentday with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), 51A Wildlife Conservation & Research Foundation and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India • Plog run with WUCMA • Interactive sessions on waste management around wetlands Join us in the run for Wular 5th June, 2024 at WUCMA office, Bandipora District, J&K RSVP: Samuel@sts.global We are re-imagining climate solutions to build a safe, sustainable and resilient world. Government of Jammu and Kashmir Kirtiman Awasthi Kunal Bharat Anshu Sharma Manu Gupta Samhita R Kh Samuel Poumai Jubin Jacob Mathew Prakhar Suresh Sharma Ankit Gupta Shreyasi Neogi #ClimateChange #wetlands #worldenvironementday #wastemanagement #sustainablefuture #climatesolutions #resilience

Indoor heat is emerging as a huge problem for all, but more so for low income families with little means to cool their homes. An incredible 80% of heat that a house gains happens through the roof. Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group) and STS Global partnered to mobilise local women and their families, and we designed and installed three different models of cool roofs across three houses, ensuring they were cost-effective, easy to install, and made with locally sourced materials. This initiative was a true community effort, with local residents actively participating and building their skills and capacity. This was done at Vivekananda Camp, a low income settlement in South Delhi, where the residents primarily engage in waste recycling for their livelihood. Additionally, we aimed to reduce the urban temperature by covering streets with materials sourced from waste, again with significant community involvement. We set up early warning systems to alert residents about heat levels and trained a group of women called the "Climate Sakhis" to monitor these warnings and prepare accordingly. We also issued heat advisories to improve preparedness. The clear impact of the initiative was witnessed in the form of reduced internal temperature of upto 12 degrees due to the cool roofs, along with an active community awareness. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)INDIA Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure South Delhi Municipal Coroporation - SDMC Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board - India Bharati Chaturvedi Anshu Sharma Samhita R Ankit Gupta Jubin Jacob Mathew Prakhar Suresh Sharma Shradha C. Resilience AI #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableSolutions #ClimateAction #HeatResilience #Heatwave #ClimateChange #ClimateSakhi

Don’t let the heat stop you from exercising your right to #VOTE! With some preparation, you can stay cool and safe while casting your ballot. The World Health Organisation suggests that protective clothing, like hats, umbrellas, headgears can significantly reduce heat exposure and decrease the risk of heat stroke by 30-50% taking in account direct exposure. Here are a few tips to help you beat the heat on voting day:  1-Vote early in the morning (7-11 AM) or late in the afternoon (after 4pm) to avoid peak heat.  2-Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and glucose/ORS for energy boost.  3-Protect your head with a cloth, cap or umbrella.  4-Wear light-coloured, breathable cotton clothes for lesser absorption of heat and air circulation.  5-Keep an eye out for elderly voters; senior citizens can skip the queue.  6-Carry a small, portable fan or mist spray for extra cooling. Your vote is your voice, so stay cool, stay hydrated, and make it count! World Health Organization India Meteorological Department Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India Anshu Sharma Manu Gupta Samhita R #VoteSafe #StayHydrated #CivicDuty #heatwave #climateemergency #climateaction