Can't ignore growth
This is with reference to "India's climate strategy needs revision" (January 1-15, 2015). I fully agree with the government and disagree with the editorial. Why do we link voluntary mitigation commitments to 20ÊC temperature rise through ex-ante review? Voluntary commitments are based on domestic assessment to combat global warming. Let's not subject them to international conditions. By agreeing to make voluntary mitigation commitments, it is clear that the government is committed to do its best while protecting the country's interests. The moment we link it with 20ÊC rise, it becomes, to some extent, binding on us to increase our mitigation commitments. I appreciate that you think of environment but at the same time please think a little about the country's development as well where millions live in poverty and are vulnerable to diseases and death with or without global warming.
K D BHARDWAJ
I thank the editor for the article, which clearly points out the mindset of parties involved in global climate change negotiations. At present, climate change in India is a non-issue as people do not care about it and pursue lifestyles and work patterns that are detrimental to the environment. For India to really win in the global negotiations, we need to streamline the country's problems first, be it social equity or cleanliness.
BHARATH KUMAR