Age Correspondent

Jairam warns of drastic emission steps , Friday, November 20, 2009
Correspondent : STAFF Reporter
Nov. 19. Ahead of the much-anticipated Copenhagen Summit, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday stated that the government will not agree on any legally-binding agreement on emission cuts, while at the same time put in place measures to cut emissions domestically.

Speaking after releasing a United Nations report on population, the Union minister stated that the "country should not have too much expectations from the Copenhagen Summit. It seems there is a long haul before we arrive at an international commitment," Mr Ramesh added.

"While we reject legally-binding emission cuts, on domestic front we have to be very careful. Low carbon growth will be a part of the next five-year plan," he added.

The minister said that though climate change was a fundamental issue for India. "I think there is an abundance of evidence to show that climate change is not related in any way to population growth. It is more of a lifestyle issue and consumption pattern," he said. He pointed out that though China was recording negative population growth during the 1990s, its emissions kept on increasing.

The minister pointed out that climate change was in fact a domestic issue for India and the country should be prepared for ruthless measures. "India is very vulnerable on the climate front. Nobody is more vulnerable than India," he said. "We need to have mandatory fuel efficiency standards, a prospective water legislation and renewable energy source," he said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations report "Facing a changing world: women, population and climate", released by the minister stated that women, particularly those in poor countries, were among the most vulnerable to climate change. "Women are among the most vulnerable to climate change, partly because in many countries they make up a larger share of the agricultural work force," the report said.

The minister also stressed on the importance of the development of women in tackling climate change and said that climate change was a women’s issue.

He pointed out that the landmark Chipko movement of 1970s that resulted in a number of actions for environment protection was essentially a women’s movement.

 
SOURCE : http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/jairam-warns-of-drastic-emission-steps.aspx
 


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