Opinion
More than just hot air: The Montreal conference gives us a chance to recognize the threat of climate change
13 Dec 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| Daily News & Analysis
The 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is currently taking place in Montreal. This session has special significance because it is also the first meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which came into existence on February 16 this year with Russia's ratification. There are expectations all round that this gathering would be able to bring about some movement towards defining what the world needs to do to meet the threat of climate change beyond 2012, when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol would end.
Can global warming be controlled? Enough resources available for mitigation
06 Dec 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Economic Times
The scientific evidence on human induced climate change is now overwhelming and generally accepted across the world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a credible body with objective processes, has so far brought out three major assessment reports and several special reports in the field of climate change. The fourth assessment report is to be completed in 2007 and will mobilize even larger numbers than ever before.
Scary future: more hot days, floods likely
24 Oct 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The world, in general, and India, in particular, have been hit by a series of disasters over the past 10 months. First, the December 26 tsunami wreaked havoc and then the sudden floods in Mumbai during the monsoons this year shook the whole nation. And now the earthquake of October 8 in Jammu and Kashmir! Though earth-quakes have no direct linkage with human-induced climate change, we need to reflect on the possibility of an earthquake of the intensity of the one that caused the tsunami last year occurring, say, in the year 2080. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects sea level rise between the years 1990 and 2100 at between 9 cm and 88 cm. If, let us say the average sea level was to be even half a metre higher in the year in 2080, a tsunami of the severity of the one that took place last year would cause massive devastation.
For an integrated energy policy for India
11 Oct 2005 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Economic Times
An integrated energy policy needs to clearly recognize the trade-offs in energy choices in an economy and optimize over the same such that the end-uses for which energy is demanded are met in the most efficient and least cost manner. Several such trade-offs exist in India that could go a long way in alleviating the potentially crippling energy shortages that the economy is facing.
Wait and watch?
03 Oct 2005 |
Mr R K Batra
| The Pioneer
Immediately after India's vote at the IAEA meeting in Vienna, the Iranian ambassador met his Indian counterpart and told him that as a direct consequence, the LNG deal between Iran and India would not take place. This set off alarm bells in Delhi and the Government was at pains to state that energy ties between the two countries remained unchanged.
India heading for a major energy crisis
03 Oct 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Tribune
With the international crude oil prices hovering around $65 per barrel and the oil import bill set for a jump of over Rs 55,000 crore, to reach over Rs 1,75,000 crore this year, India is heading for a major energy crisis. With a population of around 110 crore, we cannot afford to follow the high-energy consumption pattern of the West that has resulted in an indiscriminate exploitation of fossil fuels and high pollution levels, says Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Director-General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The situation will aggravate if necessary steps are not taken in time, he says.
Should policy promote small cars?
23 Sep 2005 |
Mr S Sundar
| The Economic Times
As urban India grows and personal incomes rise, peoples' aspirations too rise. Owning a car is one of them. Providing for inexpensive private vehicles helps to bridge the mobility divide. Perhaps, these have influenced the FM to consider a reduction in excise duty for small cars. But would that be wise?
No roadblocks
20 Sep 2005 |
Ms Pragya Jaswal
| The Financial Express
The new concession agreements for national highway projects, recently approved by the Cabinet, are both innovative and imaginative. They recognise some of the major obstacles that have stood in the way of furthering public-private partnerships in highway construction.
People's power in Delhi!
27 Aug 2005 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Financial Express
The situation in Delhi vis-a-vis the electricity sector is signaling the awakening of the Indian consumer and this needs to be applauded. We have, for far too long, passively accepted the very poor quality of services provided. As such, it is wonderful that the 'civil disobedience' movement led by the RWAs in Delhi have found a reverberation in Parliament and all parties concerned are scrambling for solutions.
Need to take up new energy R & D in mission mode
23 Aug 2005 |
Dr Sameer Maithel
| The Financial Express
In his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President APJ Abdul Kalam emphasised the need for 'energy independence' wherein 'energy security' is a strategy in transition only. He stated: "The strategic goals for energy independence by 2030 would thus call for a shift in the structure of energy sources... The most significant aspect, however, would be that the power generated through renewable energy technologies may target 20-25% against the present 5%".