Summary. In addition to the natural disasters for our planet and directly to us like earthquakes, Tsunami, hurricanes etc., we are faced with man created disaster- global warming. Global warming is real and can be observed through unusual weather events.

The use of fossil fuels- firewood, coal and oil are the main responsible for the emissions of carbon dioxides gases and consequences climate change . Renewable energy like wind, water, wun, volcanos and energy conservation are the main answers.

The speaker has worked in India and presently is working in Costa Rica doing research on thermal and photovoltaic applications like water heating, cooking, distillation, drying and electricity generation amongst other activities for last 30 years and is also a user of some of these innovations at home and in his office. He will be mentioning mainly two simple and practical applications as solar cooking and water heating. The energy saving and corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide will be mentioned briefly too.

Depending on the place, both developing and developed countries can at least tttempt to use solar energy for different applications.

NOTE: The participants from developing countries will be especially benefited from
this talk.

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(*) Biodata

1. Ph.D. Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India, Nov. 1973.
2. First Visit to ICTP, Trieste, Condensed Matter Course and workshop, Jan -Aug. 1974.
3. Changed interest in Solar Energy, March 1976.
4. Worked at Centre of Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India March 1976- July 1978 on Solar Energy.
5. Second Visit to ICTP. 3 weeks first course on Solar Energy, Sept. 1977 and got the offer to work in Costa Rica.
6. Since July 1978- Working (both research and dissemination) on different applications of Solar Energy
· Patent on Solar cooker, 1982.
· About 60 research papers on different aspects of Solar energy in technical journals and Conference proceedings,
· Popular Book on Solar cooking (in Spanish)- making, working, using and recipies
· Given about 300 technical and popular lectures in 35 countries, (Schools- Rural Communities- Universities).
· Organizer of various national, regional and including one international, workshops, seminar on different uses of Solar Energy, with the partial support of Office of External Activities of ICTP and TRIL.
· 1992 University Highest Academic award,
· Ex Board member of Solar Cookers International, Sacramento, CA, USA. for 6 years.
· ICTP Regular and Senior Associate Member for 18 years.
· 2002, TWAS- TWNSO (Third World Network on Scientific Organizations), recognition for best practice on Renewable Energy in Costa Rica,
· 15 visits to ICTP- mostly responsible for all these achievements.