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Green Buildings Need & Benefits – Discussion Today – RSTV IAS UPSC

Green Buildings Need & Benefits Archives TOPIC: Environment In news: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for the launch of a mass media campaign on the advantages of building green homes, saying the Green buildings movement should become a people's movement.  Virtually inaugurating the 12th Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment Summit, the Vice President said that India has the potential to lead the Global Green Building Movement and emphasised the need to promote green building concept by both the private sector and the government.  He also appealed to the Finance Commissions and local bodies to encourage green buildings through various measures including tax incentives, and urged states to create online portals to provide single window clearance to green buildings.  According to the World Green Building Council data, buildings and construction account for 39% of energy-related CO2 emissions in the world. Therefore, there is an urgent need for concerted and coordinated efforts to ensure that the buildings are environment-friendly and energy & resource-efficient. Green Buildings A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life. There are a number of features which can make a building ‘green’. These include:  Efficient use of energy, water and other resources Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling Good indoor environmental air quality Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment Any building can be a green building, whether it’s a home, an office, a school, a hospital, a community centre, or any other type of structure, provided it includes features listed above. Several benefits – Environmental: Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can - in many cases - have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity. Economic: Green buildings offer a number of economic or financial benefits, which are relevant to a range of different people or groups of people. These include cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency); lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers; increased occupancy rates or operating costs for building owners; and job creation. Post-Covid, there has been a consensus to “build back better” and invest in those sectors of the economy that can generate jobs as well as fuel green growth. Green buildings provide an ideal avenue to support this goal. Social: Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment, and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too. Many of these benefits are around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes. Given the pandemic and its aftershocks, the appeal of green buildings has increased for the occupants of residential houses as well as workspaces. Post-Covid, individuals are expected to become all the more cautious about their health, well-being and comfort, and would want to live in buildings that have a better ventilation system, ample daylight and fresh water availability.  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), respiratory and lung diseases associated with poor indoor environment quality are three of the top five causes of death. The features of green buildings have proven to have a positive impact on health and well-being. Green homes and offices optimise natural light in the construction design and limit the usage of artificial lighting.  Research shows that natural daylight helps in reduction of stress levels, provides psychological comfort and increases employees’ productivity by approximately 15 percent in an office environment. Therefore, by investing in green designing and development, companies can ensure better returns on their most valued assets — employees. GRIHA GRIHA is an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment. GRIHA is a Sanskrit word meaning – ‘Abode’.GRIHA , the green rating system developed by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), is promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the National rating system. Given India’s commitments to Paris Summit, it has become all the more important to reduce GHG emissions and improve the environmental friendliness of every economic activity. Construction activities contribute a significant chunk to the Pollution level. Further careless building designs add onto the urban heating phenomena, which is on rise due to rising population and migration. The need to make constructions compliant to such codes are as follows: Reduced energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort levels. Reduced destruction of natural areas, habitats, and biodiversity, and reduced soil loss from erosion etc. Reduced air and water pollution (with direct health benefits) Reduced water consumption Limited waste generation due to recycling and reuse Reduced pollution loads Increased user productivity Enhanced image and marketability Optimize energy performance of building within specified comfort limits The Way Forward The Finance Commissions and local bodies to encourage green buildings through various measures including tax incentives.  States to create online portals to provide single window clearance for green buildings The implementation of Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) has not been uniform across the nation The roof cooling should be an area of priority for all. In India, over 60 per cent of roofs are made from metal, asbestos, and concrete - thus trapping heat inside buildings and contributing to heat island effect in urban areas. Cool roofs offer a simple and a cost-effective solution that can lower indoor temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius as compared to traditional roofs, especially in low-income households and slums in urban areas. Given the ongoing recession, green buildings can become a strong driver of economic growth and the prerogative to “build back better,” by providing nine million skilled jobs in both the renewable and construction sector by 2030. The government, in collaboration with the banking sector, can together provide fuel to the green construction sector and help India achieve its potential in this regard. Our civilisation teaches us to live in harmony with nature. We need to revisit our traditional house designs refined over thousands of years. Unfortunately, our modern structures are such that no sparrow can come and make a nest in our house. This is not our culture. Connecting the Dots: GRIHA Green buildings movement should become people’s movement. Discuss.

[INTERVIEW INITIATIVE] Think, Rethink and Perform (TRP) [DAY 2] 2020 for UPSC/IAS Personality Test!

Interview Discussion: Think, Rethink and Perform; (TRP)- Day 2   Set 1: Ask these questions to yourself; contemplate and come out with a concrete answer (not to be discussed on this forum). Invest at least 30 minutes on this set of questions.  What will be your order of priority in life among the following- money, family, love and success? Why? Will you compromise one over the other.  What will a career in the civil services give you from the above? Can you achieve all of them?  What if you don’t qualify for the civil services? Will you be able to achieve the above? Do you have a back up plan? Think about it.  Set 2: Analyse the following issue:  The recent floods in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district caused by a glacial outburst has once gain revived the climate change debate. What are your views on the disaster and its connection with climate change?  Can the current model of development continue for long? Can a middle income country like India afford to adopt the principles of sustainability in its growth strategy? Share your views.  We expect you to discuss the above question (Set 2) in the comments below and come out with a balanced view of the issues.   

IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine JANUARY 2021

ARCHIVES Hello Friends, This is the 68th edition of IASbaba’s Current Affairs Monthly Magazine. Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This edition covers all important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of DECEMBER 2020. Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you 🙂   DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE- CLICK HERE To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Thank You IASbaba  

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 3 Questions [8th February,2021] – Day 25

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1- ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies 3 Questions [8th February 2020] – Day 25 We will make sure, in the next 100 days not a single day is wasted and your mains preparation is solidified. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. We are giving 5 Mains Questions on a daily basis so that every student can actively participate and keep your preparation focused. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. Do you think the policy of liberalization has attained its full potential in India? Critically examine. क्या आपको लगता है कि उदारीकरण की नीति ने भारत में अपनी पूर्ण क्षमता प्राप्त कर ली है? समालोचनात्मक जांच करें।  2. What are the key challenges being faced by India’s MSME sector? Analyse. What are the recent steps taken to promote MSMEs in India? Discuss. भारत के MSME क्षेत्र को किन प्रमुख चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है? विश्लेषण करें। भारत में MSMEs को बढ़ावा देने के लिए हाल ही में क्या कदम उठाए गए हैं? चर्चा करें। 3. Can India emulate the Chinese model of export led growth strategy? What are the challenges on this front? Discuss. क्या भारत निर्यात नेतृत्व की विकास रणनीति के चीनी मॉडल का अनुकरण कर सकता है? इस मोर्चे पर क्या चुनौतियां हैं? चर्चा करें। 4. Do you think disinvestment of public sector units can bring in efficiency and promote competition? Critically comment. क्या आपको लगता है कि सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र की इकाइयों का विनिवेश दक्षत ला सकता है और प्रतिस्पर्धा को बढ़ावा दे सकता है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें। 5. What is an avalanche? How does it occur? Explain. हिमस्खलन क्या है? यह कैसे होता है? स्पष्ट कीजिए। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm everyday. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each others answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

Ace The Prelims (ATP)

Ace The Prelims (ATP) – 2021– PRELIMS – [8th February, 2021] – Day 31

ARCHIVES Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s Ace The Prelims (ATP) – 2021 – PRELIMS & MAINS – [8th February, 2021] – Day 31   UPSC Quiz - 2021 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 8th February 2021 UPSC CSAT Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily CSAT Practice Test – 8th February 2021 UPSC Static Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) – Polity [Day 30]   The way ATP molecules provide energy to every single cell of our body and help us in achieving our day to day tasks, similarly, the ‘Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021’ Programme will help in providing energy and direction to your prelims preparation and push you beyond the cutoff of Prelims 2021. Ace the Prelims (ATP) – 2021 will include Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) Daily CSAT Practice Test Daily Current Affair Quiz 60 Days Plan (starts from 2nd week of March) To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE   Thank You IASbaba

Daily Static Quiz

UPSC Static Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) – Polity [Day 31]

ARCHIVES DAILY STATIC QUIZ (PYQs) It will cover PYQs all the topics of static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. Daily 5 questions (Monday to Saturday) will be posted from static topics (PYQs) The questions will be in the quiz format so you will be able to answer them directly on the portal. Schedule Week 1 – Polity Week 2 – Economics Week 3 – History and Art & Culture Week 4 – Geography Week 5 – Environment and Science & Technology Same cycle will be repeated from Week 6. Make the best use of the initiative. All the best! To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

UPSC CSAT Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily CSAT Practice Test – 8th February 2021

ARCHIVES Daily CSAT Practice Test Everyday 5 Questions from Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension will be covered from Monday to Saturday. Make the best use of the initiative. All the best! To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2021 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 8th February 2021

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

Important Articles

[WORKSHOP] THANK YOU LUCKNOW!!

Thank you, Lucknow, for your hospitality and amazing response!   You made it despite all the challenges. We couldn’t have expected better. To see a cohort of highly dedicated students engaging with the faculty and mentors of IASbaba was a heartening experience. As we are receiving some great feedback on the session, we would like to assure all of you that the next few months are going to be insightful and full of unique perspectives. We are soon going to post the video of the session so that all of you can take the benefits of the engaging conversation that we had with the students. Once again, we thank you all for your support and motivation promise you that we won’t leave any stones unturned to give you the best support and mentorship possible. We will be with you in your journey towards success. All the Best IASbaba

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – dealing with negativity – Inspirational Educative Articles

Dealing with Negativity: By the very nature of how our minds function, it is a lot easier to get into a negative state of mind, as opposed to a positive one. There are so many more ways of experiencing negativity, when compared to experiencing something positive. Unless we are making a conscious effort to stay positive, it is very easy to slip into a negative state of mind. Mind is not only filled with lots of negative thoughts, it is also, in part, negative. A part of our mind is dedicated to negative thoughts which stem from fear; this is a useful survival mechanism of the mind. Of course, fear is a useful thing, without it, it would be hard to survive. But how much of fear is good is a question one has to seriously consider. Since a part of the mind always operates out of fear, it has a tendency to color even good, positive experiences with a negative shade. This quality of the mind is often referred to as pessimism. Pessimism is not just about being negative – it is about seeing things negatively even when it doesn’t call for it. One of the biggest fall outs of constantly engaging in negative thoughts is becoming pessimistic. Looking at life as an insurmountable obstacle is a natural consequence of entertaining negative thoughts. The easiest way to deal with negativity is by being conscious of your thoughts. Everything we experience happens through our thoughts. If we can watch the doorway to our thoughts, we can deal with negativity easily. More often than not, by not paying close attention to our thoughts, we give in to negative habits and behavior. Observing thoughts regularly is one of the best ways to cultivate positivity. This habit is called mindfulness. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”