The changing climate is one of the major challenges we face today. Rise in global average temperatures, increase in sea levels and melting of glaciers and ice sheets have underlined the immediate need to address this issue.
In Bangalore, this factor is even more evident with hundreds coming into the city for settling down, thanks to the IT and MNC explosion.
Several cities in India, once known for their salubrious climate, will soon be famous as potential markets for air-conditioners. However, one has to look at it from a global perspective, as this issue cannot be addressed at the local level.
Major problem
“Essentially, we need to tackle the problem of increasing concentration of greenhouse gas emissions. And we need to promote sustainable and equitable development on a large scale by countries across the globe,” says Uma Rajarathnam, Head-Environmental Practice at Enzen Global, an energy and environment consulting firm.
Developing countries are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Natural calamities induced by climate change will have significant impact on economy and development.
While for developing countries, climate change poses great risks, it also provides them with opportunities — carbon trading for one.
Actions that reduce carbon emissions provide opportunities for promoting clean and efficient technologies, harnessing renewable energy sources, better waste management techniques and business through carbon trading. All these help in meeting sustainable development goals.
Community participation
One simple way an entire community can contribute is through energy saving. “Energy saving and energy efficiency is a must today. Everyone must think of doing it. For example, at home, we should replace the regular bulbs with CFL, and use air-conditioners only when required. We should also promote renewable energy by using solar water heaters to minimise the consumption of power,” says Uma.
Green buildings
Builders can think of sustainable buildings or green buildings which use natural resources. This will reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. For example, use of fly ash, which is a waste from power plants, can be used in construction material.
Clean development mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto protocol supports developing countries to take such actions to reduce greenhouse gases while achieving sustainable development goals. China, India and Brazil are preferred destinations for investments in carbon emission trading under clean development mechanism.
Global share
As of today, among the 839 CDM projects registered with the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), 288 are in India accounting for a global share of 35 percent, informs Uma.
“We need a concerted effort to save the planet today”, agrees Arun Sandra, a city-based architect.
The growing momentum to address the impact of climate change and ensure its sustainability will also open up plenty of opportunities for specialists in the days to come. Consultants, traders and solution providers in the environment, carbon finance and energy management space will be in demand. “Specialists in the field of environment conservation need to be involved right from the planning stage in all spheres that can be dangerous to the environment,” says Arun.
If we are to stop buying air-conditioners on a large scale, we need to address the issue of global warming today.