The duty to protect our ecology is ours
The just concluded 26th UN Climate Conference (COP-26) climate talks have ended with a pledge to bring down the use of coal in the coming decades as a source of energy. The affluent nations wanted to have a deadline for complete end to use of coal but India backed by China forced the final communiqué to say that use of coal as a source of energy will be reduced.
Leaders from developed nations were torn between the need to look at their own national interests or look at the global climate. India could not be indicted for not doing enough since it has also committed to become Zero Carbon emission nation by 2070.
COP-26 saw a consensus among nations to collectively save forests
The COP-26 also saw a consensus among nations to collectively save forests and also contribute to the reforestation program though India is not a party to this agreement. The move by the developed nations to save forests is a necessity and this has been precipitated by their past reckless industrialization which has tipped the world ecology to the brink of apocalypse.
Therefore, the billions of dollars which the developed nations are pouring into this venture can be best described as making amends for past deeds. 12 nations will provide 8.75 billion pounds for this venture. As per Global Forest watch, mankind has lost two lakh fifty eight thousand square kilometres of forests and every day we are losing ten thousand hectares of forests.
India’s position over continuing use of coal is logical
India’s position that it will not stop use of coal is logical since 60% of its electricity is produced by Coal or fossil fuel. However, India is also reducing its dependence of coal for its energy needs.
As per data available, India’s 9.2% energy needs are obtained from green sources which include, solar, wind and other energy. Despite the fact that per person carbon footprint of India is much lower than most developed nations, still India is being indicted for not doing enough to combat climate change.
Efforts must be made to bring down carbon emissions in an economically viable manner
Having said that, India is already facing the brunt of climate change. The highest court of the land often cracks its whip on states and government for actions which are detrimental for ecology. India may not have signed the COP-26 treaty but thinning forest cover in the country is also a major issue.
The local population accrues the benefits of forests in the first place, then the world. Therefore, to postpone measures to reduce carbon emission is not a wise decision and efforts must be made to bring it down in a gradual and economically viable manner.
