Paris
Climate Summit is a good example of looking at the glass half-full or
half-empty.
Though
decarbonisation of the economy is the goal, it is not spelt out. It is close to
a miracle that despite the obvious drawbacks in the agreement (reduction of emissions
are not legally binding, annual funding of $100 billion by developed nations
failed, lip service to have 1.5 degree Celsius as an aspirational goal, lack of
accountability on the part of the nations, etc.), the summit can be considered
as an astounding success.
The
IEA had developed 450 scenarios under which temperature rise can be limited to
2 degrees. But such a scenario requires tremendous energy sector reform which
will not be easy. This can happen only if the world is ready to accept a
totally different development model.
It
is unfortunate that India missed an opportunity to promote its civilisational
values of 'simple living and high thinking'
as well as adoption of vegetarian food habits (livestock accounts for 15 per
cent of emissions) to contribute to reduction of emissions. Instead, the
country focused more on securing funds and technology.
Though
Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested adoption of simple life style at the summit
neither the Indian media nor the international media gave any importance to it.
Only if the world adopts the said values, there is some chance to achieve zero
GHG emissions in the second half this century as suggested in the Paris
agreement. Otherwise attaining such a nirvana seems doubtful though. We, in
India, are not ready ourselves, for our development model continues to be based
on the ever increasing consumption of natural resources.
(From the article “Reform
lifestyle” by Bhamy V Shenoy in Comments column of DH, 11 Jan 2015)
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