Though there are many issues that are important and are being
discussed besides the THREE I am mentioning here but the concerns
which are shared by both the developed as well as by developing
economies in the present scenario I felt like jotting down the main
points on that....
The three major global concerns which are highlighted by various world
leaders and now are generally part of every discussion of national or
international level is……
….Global Warming-Climate Change….
…..Energy Security Crisis…..
…..Food Security Crisis…..
Countries working for sustainable economic development and raise in
human development index are now being confronted by these three inter-
related issues and need to adopt an integrated and a comprehensive
approach in tackling these.
GLOBAL WARMING
Anthropogenic global warming is the main cause of concern or we can
say climate change due to human induced factors.
…Causes….most acceptable views among the scientific community is that
increased emissions of green house gases like carbondioxide, methane,
nitrous oxides, water vapours, ozone etc. are responsible for increase
in global temperature.
…Effects….glacier retreat, ice shelf disruption, sea level rise,
changes in rainfall patterns, and increased intensity and frequency of
extreme weather events, repercussions to agriculture, possible slowing
of the thermohaline circulation,virulence of tropical diseases etc
…Combating efforts….Major international agreement is Kyoto Protocol
(is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate
Change with the objective of reducing greenhouse gases that cause
climate change)
(Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012 then after that Bali Road Map)
Some prominent steps taken are energy conservation methods,
increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles,individual-lifestyle
changes ,newly developed and currently available technologies
including renewable energy (such as hydrogen fuel cells, solar power,
tidal and ocean energy, geothermal power, and wind power) and nuclear
power and the use of carbon sinks, carbon credits, and taxation,
planetary engineering techniques ranging from relatively simple carbon
sequestration to orbital solar shades
..India's recent initiatives... Before approaching to the recent G8
summit in Hokkaido (Japan) India unveiled the National Action Plan on
Climate Change (NAPCC) which
focuses attention on 8 priority National Missions. These are:
1… Solar Energy
2…Enhanced Energy Efficiency
3… Sustainable Habitat
4… Conserving Water
5. ..Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
6… A "Green India"
7.. Sustainable agriculture
8... Strategic Knowledge Platform for Climate Change
Though there is speculation amongst the scientists on the very basis
of Kyoto Protocol, that whether its because of increased emission of
green house gases that climate changes are occurring or is it the
other way round. So, serious doubts prevail on that…
FOOD SECURITY CRISIS
Ecologically and economically sustainable food and nutrition security
is the cause of concern globally.
…. Causes… Climate change (which results in changes in rainfall
patterns and increased intensity and frequency of bad weather
conditions), environmental degradation, subsidized production of bio-
fuels, trade distorting subsidies, lack of investments in agricultural
sector, increasing energy crisis, rising population etc.
…Effects.. Serious implications on the sustainance of life
… Efforts. ..Acknowledging the seriousness of the challenges to world
food security by the recent dramatic escalation of the food price
crisis worldwide UN Secretary General established HLTF (High Level
Task Force ) on April,08 and also discussions in G8 summit (July,08-in
Hokkaido) to work on immediate and long term plans.
…Indian perspective …In India though at present we are not facing so
much bleak scenario but our agriculture is now at the cross roads –
ecologically , economically, technologically and socially.
….Causes of concern…… severe anthropogenic pressures (reckless use of
ground water, faulty irrigation practices which led to salt build up,
extensive use of chemicals like pesticides, insecticides etc)on our
ecological foundations (soil, water, etc) ,monoculture, declining
resource flow and technological fatigue in our agriculture sector
after first green revolution (1967-1978).
So the need of the hour is moving towards a SECOND Green
Revolution ,which focuses on era of knowledge intensive agriculture by
incorporating new improved green technological advancements and
strategies (like organic farming, green agriculture, white agriculture
etc.) development and dissemination.
Government initiatives are National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya
Krishi Vikas Yojna , Farm Loan Waiver Scheme etc
ENERGY SECURITY CRISIS
It points on shortage of energy---oil shortage, gas shortage,
petroleum shortage, electricity shortage, natural resources shortage
etc. which are the backbone of any economy.
…Causes.. Over consumption, ageing infrastructure, climate changes (eg
in Tajikistan which is area dependent on hydroelectric power is
facing energy crisis because of abnormally cold temperatures) etc
…Effects.. Economic stagnation, adverse effects on other indispensable
sectors such as agriculture, industry etc, (risk of stagflation
increases)
…Efforts…Green energy options, Renewable energy alternatives (solar,
wind, geothermal, tidal, hydro etc), nuclear energy etc
…Indian governments' recent initiatives.. National Action Plan On
Climate Change (which focuses on environmentally sustainable clean
energy options), And bilateral and multilateral negotiations for
achieving the goal of energy security (India-US civilian nuclear
cooperation agreement, Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline).
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