The document discusses the end of the Mayan calendar's b'ak'tun cycle on December 21, 2012 and argues that the world is unlikely to end suddenly on that date. It asserts that humanity faces a more gradual threat from the massive and growing problem of e-waste, which generates over 50 million metric tons annually and contains highly toxic materials. Positive steps are being taken to increase awareness and regulations around e-waste, but more robust solutions and legislation are still needed to properly address this issue.

1. ED’s Note
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D
ecember 2012 marks the conclusion of a b’ak’tun, or an
age as per the Mayan Calendar. More precisely, Dec. 21 is
said to mark the date of the “4-Ajau, God 9 of the Night,
3-Kank’in, Year Bearer 1-Kaban,” which accordingly heralds the
dawn of a new era. But before creation comes the destruction.
Hence, according to quite a few sensationalist predictions, the
world as we know will come to a sudden end in this very month!
I do have much respect for all that the Mayan civilization
achieved, minus of course the decapitation in the name of the sun
god Kinich Ahau. Somehow, the end-of-the-world interpretation
doesn’t cut much ice with me. And that is solely because I don’t
subscribe to a one-day Armageddon scenario. Just like the evolu-
tion so far, the end should also logically come through a gradual
descent, barring a cataclysmic event, like the 10-km diameter
asteroid that supposedly landed at Chicxulub, Mexico some 65
million years ago and wiped out the dinosaurs. We humans have
Shashwat DC ascended the food chain over very many thousands of years, and it
Editor -in-Chief will take quite a few to displace us. To humans, danger would come
from within, than outside.
One of the biggest battles that humanity would be faced with
would be the digital junk that we are currently piling up, year-
Blows to on-year. This e-waste is taking on gargantuan proportions. Some
studies estimate that we are generating over 50 million metric tons
humanity of digital dump every year, with as little as 9 percent of that being
recycled. Keeping in mind the sort of elements that make up this
need not come junk—plastics, silicate and other highly toxic stuff—it’s about time
that we took notice of the monster that’s taking shape, quite like
hurtling from the one on the cover of this issue, albeit only infinitely bigger.
The good news is that there are some positive steps being under-
gods; we are taken: the customer has become aware, companies have become
sensitive, and governments are formulating rules. India requires
sufficiently self- this awareness even more, as not only does it have to cope with the
eWaste generated locally, but also with the tons and tons of illegal
afflicting—the shipment from overseas.
E-waste recycling is still in its infancy, with only a handful of
E-waste creation players that have the will and the wherewithal to provide a robust
solution to enterprises. On the other hand, there are quite a few
is a proof OEMs that have taken the onus of product lifecycle management.
Hopefully, when the government brings in legislation in this
regard, there will be lot more action on this front.
Speaking of action, this issue of SustaiNuance captures a
variety of that, right from detailed discussion on the proposed
amendment of the CSR Bill to how premier fashion designers are
going green in their use of fabrics and dyes. And there’s a complete
rejoinder on the wind power segment. Hopefully, you will like the
varied fare served up.
In January, as the new rings out the old, we will catch up with
a very special collector’s edition on sustainability. Stay tuned!
December 2012 Sustainuance 3