Climate Chaos

Representatives of around 200 countries and heads of around 100 states are in Copenhagen today and until December 18 to seal an agreement that would bring the world together in fighting the climate change. We have been hearing about the catastrophic effects of climate change that our and future generations might have to face if we don't take steps now to address this global problem. But the solution to this global problem is now caught up in a fight between developed and developing countries. It is no doubt that the industrialized countries, through their industrialization are primarily responsible for the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. But the problem of such magnitude deserves global action and this is not the time to blame each other. But instead this is the time to accept responsibilities and the responsibility rests mainly on the shoulders of the developed countries. Let me give you a small statistics about a developing country India. India's population = 1.1 billion ; in this number of people living below the poverty line (less than $2 a day) ~ 200-300 million; number of people living just above the poverty line (less than $10 and more than $2 a day) ~ 200 million. Almost, the same ratio applies to many other developing and under-developed countries. With so much people living in such conditions the only way to improve the standard of living of such people is through industrialization. If any one economist or a global leader can give me a solution of how to eliminate poverty and improve the standard of living of these poor people to basic levels without industrialization, then I am ready to consider that. But everyone knows that there is no such solution to eliminate poverty. At the same time, this is not the time to argue about who is supposed to act and let us have NO doubt that everyone is supposed to act. But I suggest that the level of action should differ between developed and developing countries. Some might argue that the population outburst is a mistake of these countries (read China, India) and that they have to bear that problem. But in countries like China and India, population growth did not happen overnight or even in a decade. The population levels reached saturation even before we clearly understood the effects of climate change. But I am not supporting the population growth here. It's time for countries like India, especially India, to start taking immediate measures for population control not just for climate change effects but also to avoid resource scarcity at any point in time in the future. There is nothing farther from the truth that developing countries do not care about climate change. Most of these developing countries depend heavily on agriculture and will be the worst affected if actions are not taken to reduce their carbon emissions.

But my suggestions are as follows:

1. Classify countries by their economic status as "Developed", "Advanced but Developing", "Developing" and "Under-developed" countries.

2. An international panel must be set, which would review each country's economic status and officially declare such status of countries in a more practical level rather than theoretical. In this case, its important to take population into account since every human being is equal in this planet.

3. Set a flexible range of emission reduction targets for each of the above classified countries. Lets give them a range (for little flexibility) and special credits for doing more. Every country should be bound by international rules to achieve these targets within a given time-frame (say every 10 years). And after every, say 5 years, the international panel should review the status and classification of countries and should upgrade or downgrade their status accordingly.

4. Transfer of technology and finance to poor and developing countries from developed and Advanced but developing countries is a must. If this is not done, developing and poor countries cannot do anything to reduce their carbon emissions.

5. Easier market access for green technology and collaboration of scientists on a global level is a must.

6. More funding, incentives and competition for green-research is a must.

When global environmental scientists keep saying that we need urgent action to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, it does not mean that the developed countries and developing countries should quarrel with each other on who will take the responsibility and how much BUT it means, according to me, that we should work on the above suggested steps (suggestions are purely mine) immediately.

By the way, I am just wondering how many of the so called global leaders who have gathered in Copenhagen to discuss this climate deal are wearing leather shoes. Will it not be funny if the guys wearing leather shoes discuss global climate deal? :)