Global warnings

Tackling climate change is the concern for all times to come, says Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

We are a profligate people. We first pollute, then clean. Abuse energy, then save. If this goes on, scientists feel the Earth by the year 2050 will be arid and empty.

The climatic thermostat of this planet is threatening to melt the Arctic ice cap and raise global sea levels and temperatures. As the ecological effects of global warming continue to threaten, talks to tackle them have reached a crescendo.

As with all problems, somebody needs to take the blame. Unfortunately, fingers are being pointed towards India for its emissions. And little is being said about how Europe's emissions have risen in the past year or how other countries are treating the environment.

However, this is not the time to play the blame game because every country is a victim of global warming.

Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the top body of climate-change scientists in the world, says, "Politicians will do what people expect them to. There has to be public pressure, which is presently not there.

"In fact, environment problems should be a part of the election campaigns. We should elect only those who are committed to cleaning the environment. This way there will be a direct and immediate effect."

Studies show that Asians will be worst affected by global warming. There is a need to build dykes to hold back surging waters and storm-water drains that will mitigate such disasters.

It is estimated that if the global sea level rises by one metre it would displace millions of people in India, and leave thousands of kilometres of land under water.

An engineer, scientist and economist, Dr Pachauri, currently Director-General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in India, is working towards finding the contributing causes of global warming.

He says, "Globally our contribution has been very small thus far in terms of emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Despite our large population, our per capita emissions of greenhouse gases are substantially lower than even the most efficient economies in developed countries."

A deadline has to be set for emission reduction targets. But first, we must admit and agree that the industrialised world is responsible for climate change.

Time is of value, and Dr Pachauri suggests damage control. "We need to use energy more efficiently through technology, which is already in place. We also need to bring about lifestyle changes to better utlise resources. We have become a wasteful species."

Dr Pachauri was born in Nainital, and spent his childhood amid snowy mountains. He loves nature and seeing it assaulted deeply affects him.

He talks about how technological innovations are extremely important in the long term to better manage the Earth's resources.

"These (Earth's resources) are taken for granted. This is a big mistake. We need to develop technologies that will reduce our dependency on fossil fuels so we can control carbon dioxide emissions."

Biofuel, carbon storage and nuclear power are options to save the planet. In addition, changes in consumption patterns must be brought about. Economists and scientists are stressing the need for a lifestyle change to make a difference.

Pachauri, a 66-year-old former railway engineer, admits, "Cutting down on energy consumption is crucial. In winter, people in India and other countries should wear warm clothing instead of walking around in T-shirts in an over-heated home.

"This applies to the concept of air-conditioning as well. In the summer, offices run at temperatures where it is impossible to work without wearing a coat. It is ridiculous.

"There are several ways to cut energy consumption. We should use public transport to a large extent. This unfortunately is still not available in many parts of the world. We also need to bring about a shift in our own preferences by opting for goods and services that have a low environmental impact," he says.

Developed nations should take action
Environmentalists believe that there is a need to reduce and control emissions, espcially in developed countries.
Dr Pachauri remarks, "Developed countries do not do enough. India's share in the destruction of the environment has been very small.

"We cannot be held responsible for it globally. Whereas other countries are responsible. In the process of industrialisation, they have consumed more goods, services and fossil fuels, resulting in degradation."

Dr Pachauri's wide-ranging expertise has resulted in several achievements. His immense contribution in the environmental field was acknowledged when he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India in 2001. He was also bestowed the Officier De La Legion D' Honneur by France in 2006.

According to him, the solution is to find low carbon growth strategies without compromising any nation's right to develop.

It requires finding ways and means of reducing emissions by changing our mindset and lifestyle. For instance, investing more in public transport instead of private vehicles. Singapore is a case in point.

"Almost all countries use energy so inefficiently, there is so much waste. We can make a difference collectively," he says.

He feels if these lackadaisical attempts continue, the poor would be the worst sufferers, and in India, the worst victims of the impacts of climate change.

"The rich will still be able to find ways of protecting themselves up to a point. The poor, on the other hand, will certainly be exposed to their own fate," he says.

Focus on India
Talking of India and its environmental issues Dr Pachauri remarks, "We have serious environmental problems. Take River Yamuna, for instance, which flows through Delhi. It is the most polluted sewer. In several cases, our
use of fertilisers and chemicals have resulted in polluted groundwater and soil.

"We also have air pollution in several towns and cities. Although India is not responsible for climate change as much as other developed countries, we cannot shut our eyes to the problems we face."

Does Dr Pachauri think India is seriously working towards tackling its environmental problems?

"There is a lot of good being done. However, given the size and complexity of the situation, we still have a long way to go.

"I see so many good examples, but it is not enough. For instance, in rural areas there are efforts made for watershed management and planting of trees. This shows that the forest department is doing a very good job.

"Moreover, we have had some measurable success with air pollution in some parts of the country, although water pollution is still a very serious problem. Very little is being done about it or at least very little that has shown any results.

"More than anything, what is heartening is the involvement of the people. I think people are now concerned about the environment. They are much more aware, and also there are NGOs and several societies that are quite active. These are good signs."

He says Indians should feel proud of the fact that India knew of recycling before other countries even started talking about it.

"If you go back to Mahatma Gandhi's time, he advocated using and re-using all kinds of waste material. I read a story about Gandhiji that he used to get a lot of hate mail.

"People did not agree with him and thought his time was up. He once got a letter saying it was time for him to go to the Himalayas, as he had done the country much harm.

"After reading the two-page letter he took out the pin used for clipping the pages together and kept it inside a small box he had kept. 'I have got something useful out of this letter,' he remarked.

"We have lost that spirit of reducing and recycling waste."
Will India still work towards it?

"I don't see any reason why we cannot do that in an industrial economy. We can recycle steel, glass, plastics, paper and almost everything that we consume.

"There has to be a two-way dialogue between the industrial and corporate sectors to bring about a change in societal thinking pattern. The consciousness among people is increasing, and this is definitely a distinct change."