Parochial western press have their own agenda, but there is a good amount of international support available to the Indian stand as well that equity has to be considered while debating the climate change mitigation commitments. Part of this discussion is based on some of the recent studies that post-2000 increases in GHG emissions has a positive correlation with population growth regions in the world, perhaps politically targeting India and China to commit to COP 15 agreement. However, I am sure any sensible student of political science or economics would immediately realise the short-termism in this attempt! Standard ethics says that the poor of this world cannot pay for the luxurious lifestyle of the rich - I think this is the time when the rich nations should also be reminded simultaneously of their pending commitments to the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) to bring the poor out of their miseries.
However, while I entirely agree that India should stick to its stand of not accepting the proposed emission cuts at Copenhagen, I want to see a road map and a time line of what Indian Government sees as the specific development requirements for India! I am not convinced of any honesty from our politicians and bureaucrats either, because except for vague repetition of GDP growth numbers, I am yet to see a concrete plan from our government for poverty alleviation and growth, and any corresponding commitments to mitigate global warming.
1. Climate Change affects the Planet in general - therefore, as Indians it is our moral obligation to ourselves, and to the rest of the world and its future generations, to make significant efforts to deal with the problem
2. The historical context of the problem needs to be recognized. Major historical emitters need to bear the major share of the burden of mitigation and adaptation
3. India shouldn't hide behind its poor. it is important to accept that India currently is emitting in huge volumes while historically India's emissions are insignificant. Thus, the concept of "common but differentiated responsibilities" applied internationally, needs to be applicable internally too.
The benefits of equity in emissions which India rightly and fully deserves on the international forum, needs to be applied in the case of its citizens. Un-sustainable emitters within the country need to take actionable steps to reduce and nullify the results of their actions. Citizens who are unable to enjoy a certain standard of living need to be provided with enabling measures
4. Emission carries with it the additional cost of cleaning up. Is India prepared, and does it have the resources and the will to clean-up later on when its emissions reach un-sustainable proportions?
5. While climate change receives a lot of attention with regard to its effect on the economy, the corresponding effect on the environment and the corresponding environmental degeradation isn't talked about in the media. Steps need to be taken to understand that while its acceptable to enjoy the benefits of economic growth, it also comes with a set of responsibilities to the planet. As human-beings its time we start accepting our responsibilities to the planet.
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However, while I entirely agree that India should stick to its stand of not accepting the proposed emission cuts at Copenhagen, I want to see a road map and a time line of what Indian Government sees as the specific development requirements for India! I am not convinced of any honesty from our politicians and bureaucrats either, because except for vague repetition of GDP growth numbers, I am yet to see a concrete plan from our government for poverty alleviation and growth, and any corresponding commitments to mitigate global warming.
2. The historical context of the problem needs to be recognized. Major historical emitters need to bear the major share of the burden of mitigation and adaptation
3. India shouldn't hide behind its poor. it is important to accept that India currently is emitting in huge volumes while historically India's emissions are insignificant. Thus, the concept of "common but differentiated responsibilities" applied internationally, needs to be applicable internally too.
The benefits of equity in emissions which India rightly and fully deserves on the international forum, needs to be applied in the case of its citizens. Un-sustainable emitters within the country need to take actionable steps to reduce and nullify the results of their actions. Citizens who are unable to enjoy a certain standard of living need to be provided with enabling measures
4. Emission carries with it the additional cost of cleaning up. Is India prepared, and does it have the resources and the will to clean-up later on when its emissions reach un-sustainable proportions?
5. While climate change receives a lot of attention with regard to its effect on the economy, the corresponding effect on the environment and the corresponding environmental degeradation isn't talked about in the media. Steps need to be taken to understand that while its acceptable to enjoy the benefits of economic growth, it also comes with a set of responsibilities to the planet. As human-beings its time we start accepting our responsibilities to the planet.