Opinion
The cost of tackling climate change
20 Jul 2009 |
Ms Nitu Goel
| Financial Chronicle
In international climate negotiations, developed countries have increasingly argued that large developing countries must take binding emission reduction targets to ensure their participation in the international regime. Recently India and China have been targeted the most to share these reductions.
Don\'t miss the bus
15 Jul 2009 |
Ms Chhavi Dhingra
| The Times of India
If there\'s one amenity all cities require for better air quality, reduced congestion and noise as well as quicker, safer travel opportunities for all, good and efficient public transport systems would be it. Unfortunately, our cities are centred on the personal vehicle, causing environmental and social damage. Public transport, on its part, has been inadequate. In terms of receiving the government\'s financial support and priority or general popular acceptance, it has failed miserably. Cities like London, Singapore, Brisbane and Bogota are trying to ensure people abandon personal vehicles and use public transport, at least on weekdays. But we seem to have taken the opposite path, towards the personal two-wheeler or car. No wonder urban transport has become a serious threat to the environment.
Living in a powerless India
14 Jul 2009 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| Financial Chronicle
Energy shortages in India have increased from about 7 per cent in 2003-04 to nearly 12 per cent in 2008-09, after nearly Rs 200,000 crore have been allotted to the power sector in annual plans covered in this period.
This situation prevails despite the major reform programmes that were announced in the early 1990s, the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act 1998 and the Electricity Act in 2003. In the time period between 1998-2003, on an average, the utility sector added approximately 4,000 mw of electricity capacity per annum, and in the period between 2003 to 2009, it added between 6,000-7,000 mw a year.
Where did the 'green' go?
07 Jul 2009 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| DNA
The Budget dashes the hopes generated in the run-up. The key issues concerning energy and environmental challenges were given a rather lukewarm treatment.
One of the burning issues that should have been resolved when oil prices slumped is petroleum pricing. Despite all the hype, recognition of India\'s import dependence and, in turn, sensitivity to international price fluctuations, the only big promise in the Budget was yet another expert group on the subject. The focus is only on petrol and diesel. It\'s time the government addressed LPG and kerosene subsidy as well. Even if we have to wait for a smart card system, before moving to an effective subsidy delivery system, the groundwork for these changes is needed.
Budget for low-carbon economy
06 Jul 2009 |
Dr Divya Datt
| The Financial Express
The Budget of any government makes a powerful statement of its priorities and signals the political will for reform. World over, fiscal policy is addressing itself to environmental concerns through the introduction of eco-taxes, but more importantly by internalising the environmental consequences of expenditure budgets, taxes, subsidies and pricing policies across sectors.
US cleans up its energy act
30 Jun 2009 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| Financial Chronicle
The US House of Representatives on Friday passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a narrow margin of 17 votes. It still has one more test to pass, which would be when it is presented to the Senate for final approval. Everyone realises that this will not be a cakewalk and may result in further dilution of the Bill, which would obviously impact its contribution to climate change mitigation efforts.
The nowhere people
29 Jun 2009 |
Mr Sakarama Somayaji
| Financial Chronicle
In Singur, West Bengal, when several villagers protested against the takeover of their land by the state government, to be handed over to the Tatas, what they were afraid of was not that they would not get the compensation money, but that they would not benefit otherwise from the development. Their children would not get employment; they would have to move away from the area; and politicians would make money from the industrialists.
Action on warming is imperative
25 Jun 2009 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| Taipei Times and Gulf Times
Today, international action on climate change is urgent and essential. Indeed, there can no longer be any debate about the need to act, because the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), of which I am chairman, has established climate change as an unequivocal reality beyond scientific doubt.
For instance, changes are taking place in precipitation patterns, with a trend toward higher precipitation levels in the world\'s upper latitudes and lower precipitation in some subtropical and tropical regions, as well as in the Mediterranean area.
How the media is creating a climate for change
24 Jun 2009 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| SciDev.net
The media has played a central role in spreading awareness on climate change over the past two years. I find this particularly satisfying because when I was elected vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1997, I highlighted the importance of outreach for disseminating IPCC reports as rich sources of scientific knowledge on climate change.
The agenda for environment
16 Jun 2009 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| Financial Chronicle
The ministry of environment and forests got a new minister, Jairam Ramesh, who took charge just a few days before World Environment Day on June 5. Recognised for his penchant for infrastructure growth and the role of industry, it came as little surprise that most TV media channels on June 5 focused their debates on the prospects for India’s environment and forests under such a proponent of economic growth — especially when he was widely interpreted as having stated that the environment would not be an impediment to economic growth!