Climate change: Pachauri moots new crop pattern

Reiterating what he called the "horror story" to a small audience at the Bangalre International Centre was Dr R K Pachauri, none other than the man who helped script it, or rather put the global warming story on the front page. As chairman of the International Panel on Climate Change, Pachauri has played no small role in the panel's four assessment reports which have looked into the various aspects of global warming.

Touching upon various factors that contribute to global warming, predictions for the future and the urgent measures required, Dr Pachauri stressed again that it was the poor nations who would suffer the most.

"Adaptation is inevitable. India, which is very vulnerable in agriculture, needs to look into new cropping practices to adapt to climate change."

"New research looking at new strains of crop will be required as also on methods on how to use water optimally in agriculture," he said.

The changes will have to come with governments, companies and individuals coming together and creating a market for technological solutions.

"It can be done with existing technologies and without affecting the GDP much. All it means will be putting off the levels of prosperity in 2030 off by a few months!" he said, adding that lifestyles and behaviour patterns of individuals can contribute to the mitigation.

Former chief justice of India M N Venkatachalaiah who was chief guest later addressed the audience expressing concern at the way population was rising and mankind was exploiting the resources of the planet.