Fighting Climate Change – the Innovation Way

It took two decades to understand the real consequences of changing global climatic conditions. Though many schools of thought exist as far as explaining the climate change phenomenon, two of them became widely accepted world wide. First is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which expounds that the climate change process is triggered as a result of anthropogenic activity. Rapid industrialization, urbanization and increased demand for energy are few but important elements of this anthropogenic activity. But, the UN – led Inter – governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its report attributes natural climatic variability and anthropogenic activity as reasons for the global climate change. Setting aside those differences in points of view, it is very much evident that the earth’s temperature is rising due to increased human intervention in to nature’s processes. The human race is experiencing the hottest years of its known history. The problem is equally serious to other habitats of life on the earth. Plants getting subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses, animals becoming extinct are some striking consequences resulting from the increased surface temperature of the earth. The impact of climate change on the food security of nations is the issue widely discussed both at national as well as international level. As much as 40 percent of agricultural production is reduced directly or indirectly due to climate change phenomenon. The most vulnerable are the ones living in the poor and developing countries of the world and the most polluters are the developed countries. Though it is a platitude yet it has its long term bearing on every living being on the earth. Therefore, the alarm bells are ringing too loud and it’s time to wake up from deep slumber of complacency and attend to the multitude of problems at our door steps.

In order to have a stable and predictable rainfall pattern and healthy bio – diversity a country has to have a geographical area of 33 percent as forest cover. This doesn’t mean that small bushes and shrubs constitute the forest cover. Rather it is the tree canopy which is to be considered while mapping the spatial distribution of forests. Going by these standards, India’s forest cover accounts 8 – 10 percent of its total geographic area. Deforestation for bringing more land under the plough, increased tapping of forest resources and wealth for livelihood, agricultural, commercial and medicinal purposes is leading to the decrease in the country’s prime forest area which is an important sink for carbon sequestration. Therefore, the problem of climate change should be addressed by getting to its origins i.e. through increasing the forest cover. Several forestry development programs were launched in the past with a view to tackle various problems emanating from climate change. Lack of proper understanding and low priority accorded to these programs both in terms of funding and resource allocation made them unable to take off.

Post Kyoto protocol, countries have embarked on the mission to reduce green house gas emissions and move towards sustainable development. This is achieved by adopting clean development mechanisms (CDM) in place of polluting and environmentally unsustainable systems of production and consumption. So, the demand for a shift in the means of production towards greener technologies is the need of the hour. Introducing toxic free, recyclable and smartly engineered electric vehicles for transportation would greatly reduce those tailpipe (COx and NOx) emissions. Notwithstanding transportation, radical transformation has to happen in urban planning. Sound urban planning will obviate the need to travel for longer distances there by reducing the traffic density and also the resultant pollution. Similarly, encouraging farmers to adopt solar powered cells for running electric motors for irrigation and other farming operations will reduce the necessity to depend on polluting power generation systems.

Having said that, we also need to examine the tacit growth of industry which is driven primarily to address the global climate change. Manufacturers of climate-change-related products represent about 4% of global market capitalization (Financial Express, 05 May 2009). Greener technologies are hitting the market every year and this momentum has to be sustained through proper incentives to companies and individuals engaged in serious research and development of these technologies. One important option the governments can consider is to accelerate the innovation process in this area. Technology development and transfer can be encouraged by offering sufficient protection to and opportunity for commercializing the technology. Efforts should be directed towards reducing the waiting time between the conception of the idea and its commercial exploitation. The government should encourage this industry the same way it has encouraged the IT industry through appropriate interventions and incentives because in no time the greener technologies are going to turn existential in nature for the very sustenance of human habitats. For all these things to happen, green innovations must find a special place in the National Innovation System.

Geographical Indication & Chennapatna – a toy town’s odyssey

India, being a signatory to World Trade Organization (WTO) and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), requires protection for its products originated with specific quality and geographical origin under GI so that the producers of other countries do not corner the benefits arising out of the unique products. Producers/inventors can claim protection in other WTO-member countries only if their items are protected in the country of origin. Therefore, the Government of India has started the task of identifying potential cases of GIs, the products of which have not just demand and value in the domestic and export markets but also the priceless recognition. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks attached to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry also acts as the Registrar of GI. The most awaited GI certificate for Chennapatna toys has finally been issued. The Geographic Indications Registry of India has granted GI certificate (application number 23 under class 28) to Chennapatna toys and dolls, thereby enabling the skilled producers of these toys to prevent others from exploiting their products without permission.

Chennapatna toys are a particular form of toys that are manufactured in the town of Chennapatna of Bangalore rural district of Karnataka state, India. At the border of the village of Chennapatna is a forest that is a source of the wood. The evolution of this craft can be traced back to the days of the then ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. He ventured into inviting skilled craftsman from Persia to train the local craftsman in making the wooden toys. This craft has a long history of 500 years and in all these years it transformed in to a community based traditional occupation offering livelihood to 6000 people. The characteristics which make the toys of Chennapatna so special are shape, carving and color. In the early days, Ivory wood was used to make the toys but slowly the community has started bringing in other types of wood like sycamore, cedar, pine and teak. Occasionally, they do use rosewood and sandalwood for making toys for special purposes. Vegetable dyes are used in the coloring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are safe for use by children. So, the available raw material and skills of artisans in this area has contributed for the development of this cottage industry since the 15th century.

These craftsmen called chitragars are involved in this traditional craft since ages mostly reside in several villages around Chennapatna like Makkan, Yelekeri and Diara and make beautiful toy sets to include a complete kitchen ware set with a grinding stone, mortar, pestle and rolling pin, as well as to hold water. Other creations include telephone, planes, engines, trains, trucks and balls. Even balancing dolls which require higher degree of precision to maintain counterpoise is done with much ease. Very small beads on a string (sold on a 100 lots) and small pencil caps with face painted for effect are all part of their products. Apart from these traditional models, contemporary toys like wonder stackers, building blocks, sets of beads for threading, abacus, tableware, bangles & jewels, furniture items and cradles are being manufactured by these artisans. Now, they also produce articles for interiors in addition to traditional products. Colored with natural dyes, these toys play a role in the child’s motor development, hand-and-eye co-ordination, building up of word skills, spatial and conceptual skills and counting ability. The delightful ‘pom-pom’ rail toy crafted by traditional Chennapatna toy makers, was the proud recipient of the prestigious UNESCO – CCI Seal of Excellence Award for Handcrafted products.

The Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation (KHDC) provides assistance to artisans by extending technical & financial support, infrastructure and training to suit the changing trends. However, life for these artisans is not a feather bed. As much of the demand for these toys comes from abroad, the necessity to maintain highest quality standards has become a challenging task for these people. Even if there is a minor defect in one of the toys, the entire lot is bound to get rejected. Despite Government’s intervention, there is still a significant population who couldn’t modernize their working equipment with lathes and other tools. This limitation inhibits them from mass production and thereby preventing them from enjoying the benefits of the economies of scale. Devising appropriate strategies for leveraging the benefits arising out of the grant of GI and continued assistance from the Governmental & Non – Governmental institutions are imperative to sustain this invaluable craft.

Why I choose IP ?

I graduated with majors in Agricultural Engineering in the year 2006. Then, I went on to work for a Tractor & Ag Machinery manufacturing firm. My brief stint with the organization has given me an opportunity to understand the true value of innovation in the market place. Companies invariably try harder to steer themselves clear out of the commodity hell. They wanted their products to be seen as products rather than as mere commodities. This reinforced my conviction on innovation and the importance of managing it effectively. When I first came across admission notification for this program on IP & Technology Management, I felt it was something that I was looking for to enhance my understanding and further hone my skills especially at times when the effect of recession is taking a deeper cut and making careers redundant over night. Having closely seen the role of IP attorney in shaping the company’s direction, I felt excited to wear that hat and so I am here today doing my PG Diploma in Intellectual Property & Technology Management.