Chandra Bhushan

This article appeared in Times of India World Ozone Day is a good reminder of what refrigerants used in millions of air-conditioners do to environment. Hydrofluorocarbons heat up earth even more than CO2 The ozone hole is healing. The layer that shields us from the sun’s deadly ultraviolet rays was severely damaged by chemicals like […]

This article appeared in OrrisaPost On September 2, 2025, Bhubaneswar became the first Indian city to release an Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) to comprehensively tackle two growing crises—rising heat stress and the explosion in air conditioning demand. Heat stress is not new to India. Over the past two decades, the country has

This article appeared in The Economic Times Today, the region stands as a stark paradox: rich in coal and industrial infrastructure, yet choking on resources that once made it prosperous. The air is thick with pollution, rivers flow contaminated and the economic model that once promised eternal employment is now creating a landscape of uncertainty.

This article appeared in Financial Express Scientific modelling, innovative planning, & forward-looking policy can help cities beat heat stress. Bhubaneswar has become the first Indian city to launch an Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP). On September 2, Bhubaneswar became the first Indian city to release an Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP)

This article appeared in Civil Society The Delhi government has taken a U-turn from its initiative to deny fuel and impound diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, largely due to public backlash. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which had given this direction, has now decided to

This article appeared in The Times of India Public outrage has muted Delhi’s drive to push out old cars. Bigger problem is that clean air policies are fashioned without scientific insight or robust data. Some actually hurt the environment Public backlash has forced Delhi govt to walk back from its initiative to impound ‘end of

This article appeared in Financial Express Plastic pollution needs industrial transformation, not just environmental regulations. On World Environment Day this year, hundreds — if not thousands — of events were organised across India to address plastic pollution, echoing the day’s official theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”. A quick scan of social media reveals that the primary

This article appeared in The Indian Express AC temperature cap, while not a game-changer, opens the door to much-needed conversations on an urgent developmental need The Indian government is reportedly contemplating to limit air conditioner (AC) temperature settings between 20°C and 28°C. This seem like a minor technical move, but it marks an important symbolic

This article appeared in The Times of India Heat Action Plans across cities will fail because they are not backed by money & they don’t factor in local conditions. Heatwaves must be classified as natural disasters, with legally binding solutions. The heatwave of 2024 had a devastating impact in most parts of the country. While

This article appeared in Financial Express Urgent reforms required to make District Mineral Foundations an instrument for social justice. The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was conceived as a transformative institution to ensure those who bear the brunt of mining activities also share its benefits. Set up in March 2015 under the Mines and Minerals (Development