http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/world/asia/04india.html
Currently ranked 5th among the top contributors to greenhouse gasses, India is taking a pledge to reduce emissions by 20-25 percent by 2020. India has also said that they are ready to do more than this if a fair resolution is made in Copenhagen. Indian officials say that a major reason they are reducing their emissions is because of the monsoon season in India. If global climate change continues, then it is predicted that the strength of their monsoons will increase, making them more dangerous. India wants to make it clear that they are as of right now not prepared to sign anything that will legally bind their carbon emissions
Woo hoo! Represent! India isn't taking any major leaps, but it is taking baby steps. As the old saying goes, you need to learn to crawl before you walk. This pledge that India is taking is a significant step in joining the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. As the 5th largest contributor to greenhouse gasses, I believe that India is obliged to reduce its emissions. I believe that reduction of emissions will not only benefit them in the area of monsoon seasons, but it will probably improve the health of most Indians as well. The small area in which the emissions are produced give off a more dramatic effect on the population. India is less than half the size of the United States, yet it's contending for that top spot in total emissions. The reduction on emissions will do wonders for the motherland. India says that they are not prepared to make any binding laws on emissions, but they need those laws to assure that emissions are lessened. Sure, 20 percent is better than nothing, but as one of the top dogs for emissions, they need to do better. It's good to see that they are at least being receptive to change if not being all for it.
Source: Yardley, Jim "India Announces to Slow Emissions" N.Y. Times 3 Dec. 2009
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ReplyDeleteGeet you would. Very good piont to make baby steps, i think the same philosophy can work in America where we have such trouble passing bills because lawmakers, and political parties fight over bills so much. We need to be like India and make the babysteps passing at least enough legislation to put us back in the shape we were in during the 70's.
ReplyDeleteThere was a quote from the article that really seemed to sum up major concerns in the climate change debate.
ReplyDelete' "The game seems to be that all countries pick a politically safe number,” said Mr. Dubash, an analyst with the Center for Policy Research. “India is now joining that game. And the game started with the United States." '
This quote touches on the fact that the rest of the world looks to the United States as to how mold their policy. We are the biggest polluter today and our lifestyle is driving the climate change across the world. We have started this problem and we have the responsibility to end it. No one likes someone who won't clean up their own mess.
Also, this quote speaks to the politics that are involved with climate change. The state of our Earth needs to transcend politics due to the fact that it effects everyone and also the dire situation surronding climate change, but it doesn't. We seem content to make pledges that don't anger certain groups too much will only slightly appeasing others. We need to realize as a nation that this is unlike every other issue. To paraphrase Al Gore, this isn't about Left vs. Right. Its about right vs. wrong.
I think it's fascinating that India has decided to act before the United States. I am quite ashamed of us, Americans, since we are fully capable of creating change and with our leadership, we could have convinced many other countries to support the cause earlier than now.
ReplyDeleteHowever, India's reason for the change in attitude results from their monsoon season. Without an edge like that in the United States, I feel we will continue to take a few steps as possible to help out the Earth. Many argue that the effects of global warming aren't affecting their everyday lifestyle and I believe this misconception is keeping us behind when we could be ahead.