Globally, the amount of carbondioxide emitted by industries every year stands at a whopping 38 billion tonnes. Adding to this are the other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrogen oxides that are also emitted on an extremely large scale.
With the issues of climate change and environment taking the centre stage today, formulating measures to tackle them has become the need of the hour. Efforts are coming in from people within academic as well as the business sphere.
IIT Delhi has recently set up an environmental friendly charging station in its campus. Powered by a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, it charges electronic items such as mobile phones, laptops, portable chargers, etc.
The charging station was designed and developed under the guidance of IIT Delhi faculty. The hallmark of the technology is the fact that it stores and utilises renewable energy that makes it non-polluting.
While this is just one among the many other instances of IITs endeavouring to achieve clean energy goal, their alumni have also been making equally, if not more significant contributions, in this regard. Rajat Khare, an alumnus of IIT Delhi, has been investing in the clean-tech sector, through Boundary Holding.
Among the list of firms that his company has roped in as investees is the Netherlands-based RanMarine that designs and develops industrial autonomous vehicles for clearing wastes around ports, harbours and other marine environments.
In addition to this, another IIT Delhi alumnus Prateek Sharma, who founded Nanoclean in 2017, has come up with AC filters that can turn any AC into an air purifier at a very nominal price.
Soon afterwards, his company developed Nasofilters Pollution Net that eliminates PM 2.5 and PM 10 dust particles, UV rays and allergens of all kinds from homes.
While these entrepreneurs and investors are doing their bit, it is to be noted that only their contributions will not suffice. Involvement from both government and large corporations is also imperative. For individuals, taking small measures such as replacing existing items at home with something that leans towards clean-tech or opting for a more sustainable lifestyle is also the way to go.