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| Issue: 2 Volume: 1 |
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Climate change knows no geographical boundaries
Professor Tim Flannery, author of The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers, speaking at the Business Leadership for Climate Change, a discussion organized by CII - ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development in association with Australia India Council, said that, given the prevailing levels of air and water pollution, the rightful aspirations of every Indian for a better lifestyle cannot be fulfilled using conventional economic models. Professor Flannery noted the enormous ingenuity in efficiency of Indian businesses, developed from their experience with the working conditions in the country. He said that this would go a long way in assisting India in order to meet the challenges of the future.
Professor Flannery emphasised that photovoltaic energy, geo - thermal energy and bio - mass are three viable options available to India in the area of energy efficiency. He envisaged use of such technologies in India, in the future, citing the particular futuristic example of a farm where, improving upon existing technologies like pyrolysis, the farmer would be able to use the same technical methodology for harvesting his crop, separating bio - waste as well as processing it for obtaining useful by - products like synthetic gas, crude oil substitutes and charcoal, and also earn carbon credits in the process. Reflecting on India's 11th Five Year Plan, Professor Flannery further emphasised the significance of such technologies for India and cautioned that with the conventional coal - fired power generation mechanisms in India, the demand for coal will only increase over the plan period. He noted that such strong emphasis on coal and little else is misplaced and it is in India's interest to pick one of geo - thermal, bio - mass, or photovoltaic energy, to develop indigenous expertise in clean, energy efficient technology. Dr. Lachlan Strahan, Deputy High Commissioner to India, Australian Government, speaking at the occasion, emphasised the need for a balancing act between economic development and climate change. He argued that the options available to the world have become more complicated due to the prevailing economic crisis. He urged businesses and governments to adapt and work together. He also noted that in the current climate, the urgent question of getting co - operation, both domestic and international on dealing with climate change requires "good will, clear sightedness and political will." Mr. V Raghuraman, Principal Advisor and Chief Coordinator - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, CII, stressed on the need for "hand - holding" in the global efforts against climate change. He also mentioned the initiatives in energy efficiency undertaken by developing countries, like India and China, saying that the South is reaching out. The CII - ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development works towards developing the requisite capability among Indian Industry by taking pro - active measures to promote the mainstreaming of sustainable development in businesses leading to enhanced competitiveness. February 3, 2008 New Delhi |
