Eco India (English) - Season 1

Loating islands on Bengaluru’s lakes, a cotton-like substance that can absorb oil, fighting violence against women, an 11-year-old climate activist from Germany and wild leopards in Mumbai.

Growing crops in greenhouses, indoor vertical farming in Germany and saving baby elephants in Assam. All this and more in the latest episode.

Zero waste management in Mysuru, a recycled plastic floating park in the Netherlands, innovative wooden stove technology, a matriarchal society in India and protecting coastlines with artificial seagrass.

Mumbais street dogs, the wild boars of Berlin, paying the price for Indias appetite for coal, Malaysias campaign to save energy, and raising awareness of air pollution and climate change with masks.

The woman building toilets for slums, Mumbai’s tree man, curbing bear bile farming in Laos, using big data to predict changes in ecosystems, and innovative water wheels with handles.

A man on a mission to fill potholes in Mumbai, how to recycle old wind turbines and vegan leather made from pineapples.

Recycling flowers offered in Indian temples, restoring moorlands and reviving a traditional handicraft.

How to get edible fish from dirty water, underwater gardening in the Mediterranean, a new air pollution forecasting tool, e-bike taxis and a female Indian comedian.

The snake rescuer tackling the human-wildlife conflict, environment lessons in schools and sharing solar power in Bangladesh

Turning crop stubble into plates, luxury sustainable tourism and adding environmental matters to school curricula.

The self-taught bird surgeons of Delhi, plants from paper and pencils and Rajasthans sheep herders.

Trying to revive the dirtiest river in India, traditional wells may save Bengaluru and flamingos campaign for the environment in Ibiza, Spain.

The impact of new alternatives to plastic, cleaner cities through digitization and empowerment for Indian women entrepreneurs.

Permaculture in India helps regions threatened by water scarcity, bread for the poor of Mumbai, a family experiment to reduce CO2, Germany’s wood detectives, and new hope for Indian child brides.

Scuba diving for ghost nets, how grass protects against landslides in Nepal, how sanitary pads can improve women’s lives, and how World Cleanup Day became a worldwide movement.

Building community with Ultimate Frisbee in Chennai, a German classroom goes green, feeding thousands of kids in India’s largest school kitchen and taking a German village off the grid.

From burning to composting: the potential of dried leaves for gardeners, clean and cost-effective: a German startup is making wind energy cheaper and hip-hop for change: youngsters in Mumbai uplift their community through hip-hop.

How to live happily without electricity for decades tide power for clean energy and financial independence empowering female artisans in Rajasthan.

On this weeks Eco India we celebrate Womens Day and bring you stories about villagers who plant trees to honor and defend the value of girls lives, a group of women organizing mangrove safaris and female role models from Germany and India.

The world population is nearly eight billion and rising, and we all need to eat. Farmers have to make agricultural production more efficient and adapt to changing conditions while ensuring their livelihoods. Eco India showcases some pioneering projects.

How can we make buildings more sustainable? An Indian organization shows how to use regional building materials and, in Germany, a team of researchers studies how concrete house facades can generate energy.

This weeks show is a sustainability special, featuring the environmentally-friendly tradition of dyeing fabric, smartphones made from ethical and sustainable materials, and the transformation of barren land in Karnataka into lush green forest.

Water, the basis of life: how oyster farming can provide a sustainable livelihood and purify water bodies, how an environmentalist is restoring India’s lakes and how the philosophy of Jugaad is spreading across France.

Training women as solar engineers, why spiders are important for the environment and supporting smallhold farmers in Indonesia.

This week we look at protecting the unique Kharai camels of Gujarat, how an Indian man is building hundreds of thousands of public toilets and an app developer who is making cities safer for women.

This week we look at waste and what to do with it. We show inspiring stories from India and Europe about people upcycling, recycling and reusing what others define as trash.

This time, we train the spotlight on changemakers, among them a marine conservationist saving Goas dolphins, a founder cleaning up the tanning industry and city planners who are turning a port into an eco-district.

Eco India meets people trying to make a difference: A woman who makes nutritious cookies with help from local farmers and rural women a developer of greenhouses for Indian farmers and Indians studying ecology in Germany.

This week we look at how food is produced sustainably in Berlin, why birds are important for the ecosystems in cities and hear from a pioneering architect in India .

This week with a focus on upcycling. A designer is ensuring that heirloom saris don’t lose their essence, a German company is rescuing worn-out sneakers and a Greek city is pioneering the art of printing public seating.

Exploring the extraordinary impact otters have on their ecosystem. Also on the show: a Spanish response to climate change and an artist who transforms old jeans into high-end pieces of art.

Green energy - for mobility, heating and electricity. Renting electric scooters in Kolkata, tapping geothermal energy to heat a German town, and championing solar energy in the Philippines.

We visit farmers in India using solar power to water their fields, consider the transition to renewable energy, present an innovative method for cleaning up waste water, and demonstrate how to build your own windmill.

How Delhi’s residents are getting more involved with their environment, how mobile veterinarians are helping remote areas, and what solutions climate change requires in a game - and in reality.

Village in Rajasthan which plants 111 trees every time a girl is born. Also: we see how eco-tourism can protect a forest from mining companies, and take a look at some sculptures made of leaves.

Track the path of a plastic spoon in the world showcase compostable organic film as an alternative to plastic film and we meet the women who hold the reins of power in Sumatra.

The food we grow comes from the 2.5 billion farmers around the world who brave droughts and floods, depleting arable land, and unequal land distribution. Today, lets look at why the practice of farming - today, and of the future - needs a serious rethink.

In Mumbai extremely hot summers, and aggressive monsoons and the floods that accompany it - bring life to a halt on many occasions. But this coastal metropolis now has another massive problem to deal with - Rising Sea Levels. Climate change is making the already vulnerable city, more vulnerable.

We’ve often shown you stories of changemakers inspiring the people around them to be the change they want to see in the world. They’ve made a difference for the better - to the everyday lives of people, and to the environment. Today on Eco India, we’ll dig deeper into how movements come together, and why big change occurs when the power is in the hands of the people

Every minute, we produce and process huge amounts of food - around the planet. And to make sure it reaches you - this produce is transported by ships and trucks from one part of the world to the other. But nearly a billion people go hungry every night. Food waste is one of the most important reasons for the hunger in the world.

The world’s growing population uses more and more resources everyday - and our lifestyles are becoming costly for the environment we live in. What does it mean to live sustainably in such a scenario - does it mean living a life of lack? Well, it’s actually the opposite.

Water is a basic human need - but with potable water depleting every day, it is also becoming a part of big business. Bottled water, chemical filters, water purifiers are a part of every jargon in many parts of the world. How can we take care of water better, and use it sustainably so that generations to come don’t lose access to it?

Plastic is everywhere - in our water bottles, lunch boxes, in makeup tubes and our favourite sneakers. And all of it turns to garbage faster than you’d imagine. According to the latest numbers, 360 miliion tonnes of plastic was produced in 2018. That number is growing every year - and most of it is not recycled.

Forests are the lungs of the earth - we can’t really afford to live life without healthy forests. But every year, 8.8 million hectares of forests are being destroyed - making way for every imaginable human activity - from palm oil plantations and soy fields, to roads, to amusement parks, to parking lots.

The world generates more than two billion tonnes of garbage annually. According to the World Bank, at least 33 of this is not managed in an environmentally-safe manner. And these growing piles of garbage not only pose a serious threat to the environment, but endanger human health worldwide.

Plants. And how they can be reused to offset the effects of harmful materials on our

Half of the oxygen on earth is produced by trees. They use energy from sunlight to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

Our love for the fish on our plate, and other seafood - is causing great harm and an imbalance to the marine ecosystem worldwide. How can we preserve our oceans and, even our rivers so that they continue to remain a living space?

The forgotten power of traditional knowledge. Take traditional farming practices, for example - they promoted biodiversity and defied climate change for hundreds of years.

Some of the most fragile ecosystems around the world are found where the ocean meets the land. And no matter how fast the world manages to curb its carbon emissions, sea-levels are going to rise - and 300 million people will be at risk of flooding by 2050.

Many discussions take place at different levels of the society to address exactly this - high level meetings and international climate conferences are held every year with representatives from most countries.

Life itself arose from water - It is where the essential building blocks were formed over millennia. It took thousands of years for aquatic animals and plants to make the transition onto land.

A habitat in the middle of an unliveable place. Whether it is a green lush oasis in the desert or the idea of a human settlement on the cold, dry, red Mars. Humans always try to transform inhospitable lansdcapes into vivid places.

Sustainable Consumption can be the solution. But how does that work? We show you some examples.

Nutrient rich soil, plentiful sun and water and many weeks or even months of careful work. A lot is needed to grow corn, rice.

Unspoilt world in the middle of the Amazon rainforest

A special episode of Eco India to mark Womens Day March 8. Throughout history, the central role of women in society has ensured its stability, progress and long-term development of nations. But their own needs are not always met.

Wild animals and humans: it can be a symbiotic relationship. But during the coronavirus pandemic weve also learned that being close to each other can be dangerous.

Forests rich with trees, large swamplands, and the expansive sea bed - are all, believe it or not, the biggest repositories of carbon dioxide on our planet.

An increasing number of young people are trying to live in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Rrapid urbanization comes with serious challenges. The demand for jobs, food, housing or education facilities will increase significantly resulting in a growing need to optimise the use of available space in cities and to find eco-friendly construction options.

In many societies, high-tech is replacing industrialization as a driver of change. Can it reverse the negative effects of modern living on our planet and help us to a more sustainable way of life? Change through technology, our focus this week.

Can economic progress happen in harmony with the environment? Perhaps they dont have to be enemies after all. This week Eco India looks at green solutions for progress.

The pandemic has changed the world as we know it. Will we be more conscious about our environment and the way we use resources now?

Waste is everywhere in our world. Plastic bottles end up in landfills or in our oceans and can take hundreds of years to decompose. How can we change this? What are the alternatives and solutions to this huge problem?

The motto of this weeks Eco India is good conscience: how we pursue sustainable living as a conscious decision by using solar energy or celebrating in an eco-friendly manner. Also looking after orangutans in a jungle school.

Swaraj is a traditional Indian philosophy of responsible self-governance and collective decision-making. Eco-Swaraj is a new environmental movement based on these principles. It encourages people to live more socially and sustainably.

All over the world, women continue to fight for gender equality - and also for climate justice. Women are more impacted by climate change and so there is a greater connection to the environment. We meet the women fighting the good fight.

Burning fossil fuels generates carbon dioxide and the other heat trapping gases causing the climate crisis. So why do we continue to do it? One answer is: energy. But there are innovations that provide an alternative.

There are about 7.8 billion people on Earth, and they all need food. But food production is responsible for many environmental problems. How can we feed the world in a sustainable way?

Human behaviour in our industrialized world often causes a lot of noise, garbage and other kinds of pollution. But what can we do to avoid pollution and its negative effects on environment and on ourselves?

Global hunger for energy is increasing with every passing year. Unless we make the switch to renewables, we will soon end up in climate disaster. But renewable energy also comes at a cost. This week, we take a more critical look at this alternative.

For many women worldwide, climate change and environmental destruction are very real, and often threaten their livelihoods. Which paths are they taking to protect the climate and have sustainable and successful lives?

A fast, fuel-guzzling car, a trendy new outfit every few weeks – not long ago, those were a primary aims for many of us. But things are changing. Now, we want e-cars and sustainable clothing. Were changing our lifestyle. So, is it for the better?

Recycling, riding a bike instead of driving, protesting for change - despite all our efforts to help the environment, sometimes it feels like were fighting an uphill battle. But small, individual actions can make a difference. We meet people working against all odds to make a change

Balance of Nature and Human Impact Our ecosystem hangs in a fragile balance. When a species is gone, or the climate has changed, or a landscape is destroyed it will always have consequences for all of us. We need the right balance between human beings and everything else. Can humans balance their needs with those of the environment?

Eco India - The Environment Magazine Trees provide essential services - shade, food, habitats - and they are the lungs of the Earth. But they are disappearing at an alarming rate. There are people trying to save them. We meet these tree guardians in this weeks Eco India.Every tree counts in Delhi Scroll, neu Its not uncommon for trees to simply disappear in Delhi. Activists, there, are turning to censuses in a bid to save them. They provide a map of the trees and proof of their existence. Mining Europes lithium Nicole Ris, neu Mining Europes second biggest lithium deposit would give the entire continent the ability to power its own e-cars and other electronic devices. But the Span

Environmental justice : Clean air and water, a healthy ecosystem - we all have a natural right to access these resources. But for many, its a distant dream. Is that fair? How can we ensure environmental justice is served to those who most need it?

In this edition of Eco India we show some examples of the circular economy concept: producing with recycled resources and reusing products so we can finally reduce waste to a minimum and protect the environment. Sustainable fashion in Delhi Scroll, neu An entrepreneur in Delhi is giving the traditional handloom industry a new lease of life, by upcycling textile fabric waste into yarn for making new garments. A sustainable solution that also provides employment for traditional weavers. Explainer: Circular economy Aditi Rajagopal, neu What does circular economy really mean? Conceptually, it’s about making sure that what we have and create causes the least possible harm to the environment, to our society and our businesses, while wasting as few resources as possible. From fast fashion to a circular model Wiederholung Global 10.05.21 Fast fashion has made buying clothes cheaper and easier. Its terrible for the environment because a lot of garments end up in the trash. But businesses are looking for ways to move towards a circular model in fashion. Making paper out of Rhino dung Wiederholung Scroll 15.01.21 An organization in the Indian state of Assam is implementing the circular economy in a unique way: by making paper from Rhino dung. And this project has also eased the human-wildlife coexistence in that region. Circular economy concept of Amsterdam Wiederholung Global 24.08.20 The city of Amsterdam has ambitious plans to switch to a circular economy by 2050. Waste and was

Food is the fuel of our existence. But the industrial production we use to get food has a severely negative impact on the environment. How can we change course so that future generations dont go hungry? Find out in this weeks Eco India. Food nurseries help Indian women out of poverty Scroll, Neu Guava, lemon, coconut, mango - growing these fruits could help rural women in West Bengal find a way out of poverty. An organization is giving them a helping hand, empowering women to set up their own nurseries. Explainer: Saving the worlds seeds Cornelia Boorrmann, Global 3000, Wdh 30.04.2021 Its risky to rely on a few varieties of crops. Climate change and disease pose threats that could one day wipe out any. Seed banks preserve as many strains of crop plants as they can. Some older strains are more resilient than current ones. Can we feed our population without chemical pesticides? Aditi Rajagopal, Planet A Pesticides have been instrumental in feeding growing populations throughout history. But critics say they have also brought about poor health and the decimation of biodiversity. So can we do without them? Keeping Indias traditional spices on the menu Scroll, Wdh. 31.12.2020 The globalized food industry has led to a shift away from traditional spices and greens. Few farmers now cultivate them. Through the revival project Sarjapura Curries, farmers and urban gardeners are learning to grow their own spices again.

Where you find water, trees, minerals, you often find people. Some communities have more access - and this can be a boon and a curse. We meet the communities most impacted by our increasing hunger for natural resources. The true costs of coal mining in India Aditi Rajagopal, Planet A Mining coal is detrimental to the environment. But while policymakers and activists debate the development versus environment protection, communities who live close to mines face some devastating consequences. Explainer: The history of coal Ajit Niranjan, Planet A Growth in the West was largely powered by coal. But if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we have to ditch fossil fuels. Asia is now the biggest consumer of coal — how can it quit its new addiction? Bringing communities together with radio in India Scroll, Neu Uttarakhand is a state prone to catastrophic flooding and forest fires. Its hard for communities. But Kumaon Vani radio station connects people, helping them tackle environmental problems in the region.

Water is fundamental to life. Despite this basic need, almost half of the worlds population experience water shortages or drought. We look at ideas to use water sustainably. Restoring ancient water tanks to deal with drought Scroll, Neu Water tanks have historically been a way to deal with water shortages in parts of Indias Tamil Nadu state. But rapid urbanization has destroyed some. An organization is working with residents to restore and maintain the ancient tanks. Solving our plastic bottle problem Aditi Rajagopal, Planet A Around the world, approximately one million plastic bottles are bought every minute. Disposing of them is one of the biggest environmental challenges humans face. But has Germany found a sustainable solution? Caring for Berlins city trees Julia Henrichmann, Wdhl. 27.11.2020 City trees lower temperatures and improve air quality. But climate change poses a threat to them. A project at Berlins CityLab has created a website showing residents which trees need water so they can help. From toilet to tap Scroll, Wdhl. 18.10.2019 Fresh, clean water from the tap is far from the norm in many countries. In India, many residents rely on water tanks for their daily needs. A company in Delhi is converting sewage water into drinking water. But barriers to acceptance are high

Nothing on our planet can survive without water. Yet in most parts of the world, it’s scarce. The global water crisis is threatening millions of people and their livelihoods. But there are ways to combat water scarcity.

The world produces 2 billion tons of garbage every year. Almost half is disposed of unsustainably. Fed up with mismanaged waste, people in India are taking the fight against trash into their own hands.

Whether it’s from the sun in the sky or the waste on our land, energy generated from renewable sources is already shaping the sustainable energy systems of tomorrow. On this edition of Eco India, we explore some game-changing technologies.

A simple plastic bag is used for only 15 minutes on average - but it can last in a waste pile without decomposing for over a millennium. Think about that. Our world produces 300 million tonnes of plastic every year - and it’s found everywhere - in cities, in towns and in villages. It pollutes our land and our oceans. What can we do to eradicate our dependence on plastic?

We are nearly 8 billion people here on earth. And we all need food - grains, vegetables, fruits and meat. But most of the food we cultivate and most of the meat we eat creates a huge imbalance in our environment. Is environmentally friendly food for all a distant dream? Are food substitutes sustainable and safe? Can humans unlearn old food habits to adopt new ones which could help our planet thrive?

Climate change is threatening many fragile ecosystems around the world. From international scientists to local NGOs, we meet people working to save precious resources and protect our endangered landscapes.

Food, water, climate regulation and flood management: The ecosystems that span our planet offer a wealth of services that sustain and support us. But human activity is undermining their ability to provide those benefits. On this edition of Eco India, we discover how preserving and restoring our natural lands can help us mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Biodiversity is a key element keeping the Earths entire ecosystem in balance. Its essential to preserve the habitats of rare and threatened species and enable humans and animals to coexist.

For millennia, people preserved the ecosystems that sustained them. Today, ancient practices are key to conserving our natural resources, but science too offers exciting innovations to promote environmental protection.

Cities are home to more than half of the people living on our planet today. These urban centers face a host of pressures: from the demands on infrastructure by growing populations, to the risks of climate change. On this episode of Eco India, we discover solutions to enhance the quality of life in our changing cities.

Everyone should have access to adequate amounts of healthy, affordable food. But more than 800 million people go to bed hungry each night and 2 billion are malnourished worldwide. How can we achieve food security for all?

The Earth’s vital natural ecosystems are under threat. Urbanization and agricultural expansion is largely to blame, as is human-made climate change. But sometimes we’re given a second chance to restore what we’ve destroyed.

Natural drought cycles and human activity have led to a rise in massive wildfires in recent years. Forest fires in Siberia, the US and Canada, and the Mediterranean are also caused by climate change. We look for solutions.

Rediscovering what our ancestors already knew. When looking for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, we often find that there are perfect solutions in nature. They are part of natures gift.

Our planet sustains life thanks to a delicate balance of nature maintained by all living organisms. But human activity is pushing many species to the brink of extinction. Scientists and volunteers are racing to halt the trend.

By safeguarding their ancestral lands for centuries, indignous peoples have protected our planets biodiversity. Often marginalized, these communities play a key role in caring for the Earth and its diminishing resources.

Floods, droughts and extreme weather events are not new to the world – but climate change has increased their frequency and intensity. Scientists warn that the window to avoid a climate catastrophe is closing. There’s a lot at stake for countries around the world – including India

Housing is one of the most basic human needs, and a fundamental human right. But more and more homes are under threat from global warming. How can lives and structures be protected from the impacts of climate change?

Farmers everywhere face increasingly volatile weather, making it harder for them to produce the food we eat. Some have found traditional or experimental methods can help them withstand the pressures of climate change.

Women bear a disproportionate burden of the climate crisis. Gender inequalities are largely to blame. We meet women tackling both the root causes and the effects of the crisis.

75 of the worlds population will live in cities by 2050. But that isnt a guarantee of survival for all existing cities. The more attractive, sustainable and environmentally friendly they are, the better their chances for prosperity. What needs to be done today to ensure that cities of the future are environmentally sustainable?

Our earth is bountiful: her forests, soil and seas provide us with food and the natural capital our economies are built on. But ever-increasing production, consumption and the relentless use of resources are fueling our biggest environmental problems. How can we balance the needs of society, our economy, and ecology?

Were always on the move - usually by car. But cars clog public space, emit greenhouse gases and cause noise pollution. On Eco India today, we explore alternative mobility concepts that could steer us toward more sustainable transport.

The UN is calling plastic pollution an ‘epidemic’ and there’s no question that it’s impacting our health and ecosystems. While nations seek a global cure, there are people already implementing remedies of their own.

The challenges of climate change seem to be having an ever more urgent impact on this planet and us humans. How can we tackle this by changing our behavior and our consumption? Synching back with nature is how we could solve this. That’s the topic of this episode of Eco India.

Plastic waste is everywhere, not only in landfills. It is also found in remote areas, and in oceans. But are there natural substitutes? Can nature help us to get rid of plastic waste? Our topic on this edition of Eco India.

Urban migration is speeding up as people seek jobs and opportunities in our ever-growing cities. The challenges in making these urban centers sustainable continue to mount. So what can we do to make life in cities better for everyone?