BEACON ’12 the sixth edition of the LIBA BEACON series will draw attention to environmental problems facing the country and the pressing need to augment investment, development and diffusion of eco-friendly technologies. BEACON 2012’s theme is Eco-Innovation: Time to Wake Up! It will be held on February 17, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai.
The Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius in 1896 had forewarned that human activities would hamper the way in which the sun interacts with the earth, leading to global warming and climate change. His presage has come true and now climate change has left global environmental stability in disarray. The past few decades have seen an increase in environmental issues namely ozone layer depletion, loss of biodiversity and global warming.
Environmental degradation affects all mankind on a universal scale not withstanding any particular country, region or race. This makes the whole world a stakeholder and in turn implies a responsibility on the part of every nation to combat environmental degradation.
Emerging economies such as India have their unique set of environmental problems; some are exacerbated by the growth of economic activity (e.g. destruction and degradation of forest and agricultural land, waste mismanagement, air and water pollution) while others are due to lack of economic development (e.g. inadequate sanitation and clean drinking water). Poverty further aggravates the problems faced by developing countries with dense populations and limited resources.
But there is promise in the fast evolving space of investment in and development of eco-friendly technologies. As consumers and companies alike, have developed a sense of responsibility to the environment over the years, commitment to sustainable, green living has made its way past the living room into the corporate boardroom. With millions of jobs in eco-industries and a growing demand for environmental products and services, there is potential to meet the environmental challenges of the future. In order to tap this potential to the fullest, clever ideas and new environmentally-friendly solutions need to reach the marketplace. Eco-innovation boosts economic growth whilst protecting the environment. The increasing number of solar, wind, hydro powered companies, waste management agencies and organisations in the eco-innovation domain is proof of a paradigm shift towards sustainability. However for a sustainable and inclusive future catering to the 7 billion global population aforementioned sectors and their efforts need to be adopted and rapidly diffused especially in emerging economies such as India. In addition to competitive gains they create lasting social and environmental benefits.
Public policy can play a vital role in furthering this cause. The right policies can improve the returns on innovation with respect to renewable energy sources.
Understanding the current state of the environment, the crises that lie ahead if uncontrolled and careless consumption continues, the current best case practices and emerging solutions to environmental issues are some of the topics that will be discussed and debated at BEACON 2012. Recognising eco-innovation as the need of the hour, BEACON 2012 promises to be an exciting conference that will deliberate over current and future environmental challenges, solutions and sustainability.
