EcoVisionary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries, streamlining operations, and transforming human-computer interactions. While the benefits of AI are profound, its environmental impacts are becoming increasingly significant and warrant careful attention. From high energy consumption during model training to substantial carbon and water footprints during usage, AI is emerging as a new environmental concern. 1. Energy Demands of Artificial Intelligence Training and Operating AI Models AI models, especially large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-4, require massive computational resources. According to a study by Strubell et al. (2019), training a single large AI model can emit as much as 626,000 pounds (over 280 metric tons) of CO₂ , equivalent to five times the lifetime emissions of a car . Modern data centers running AI applications are energy-intensive. A 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that global data centers consumed over 460 ...

In a world facing climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and rising social inequality, the way companies behave and report their activities is becoming increasingly important. People are not just asking “ How much profit did the company make? ” but also, “ Is the company harming the environment?” , “Is it treating its employees fairly? ” and “ Is it transparent in its business practices? ” These questions are at the heart of ESG  Environmental, Social, and Governance practices. In India, the organization that ensures companies are doing the right thing in the stock market is called SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India). Recently, SEBI announced that it would review its ESG disclosure requirements , and this decision is expected to have significant impacts on the way businesses operate, especially in terms of their environmental behavior. What is SEBI? SEBI stands for the Securities and Exchange Board of India . It is a government organization set up in 1992 ...

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a historic water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan , brokered by the World Bank . It is often regarded as one of the most successful water treaties in the world, having survived multiple wars and political tensions between the two nations. However, recent geopolitical developments have led India to suspend its participation in the treaty, triggering debate and reflection on its fairness and implications, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir . Background of the Indus Waters Treaty The Indus River system comprises six major rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas , and Sutlej . These rivers originate in India and flow into Pakistan, making them crucial for both countries. The treaty, signed on September 19, 1960 , was aimed at the peaceful sharing of this vital water resource. Key Provisions: India was given full rights to the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas , and Sutlej . Pakistan received control over the we...

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s official theme is: “Our Power, Our Planet” , a powerful call for collective action and personal responsibility toward environmental restoration and climate resilience. Earth Day is more than just a date. It is a global movement , a wake-up call , and a reminder of the fragile beauty and vulnerability of our home, the Earth. In a world facing increasing threats from climate change, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity, Earth Day unites people across nations under one goal: to protect and heal our shared planet . What is Earth Day? Earth Day is an international environmental event celebrated annually on April 22 . It is recognized as the largest secular observance in the world , involving more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries . Earth Day aims to: Raise awareness about environmental issues, Encourage eco-friendly actions at the individual and community levels,...

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, driven by rapid technological advancement and ever-shorter product life cycles. India, currently the third-largest e-waste generator in the world after China and the U.S. , produces more than 1.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually . Despite the scale of this issue, only 43% of India's e-waste was officially recycled last year , according to government data. An estimated 80% of the sector still operates within the informal economy , where scrap dealers, often without licenses or safety training, use crude methods like open burning and acid leaching to recover valuable materials-posing serious environmental and health hazards. In response to these alarming trends, the Indian government implemented the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 , effective from April 1, 2023 . This policy aims to overhaul the system and move toward a more sustainable, regulated e-waste management structure. However, ...