Life with global warming

Global warming has been grabbing all the limelight this past week. It is important that we hurry up and act or else it would be too late. One important issue that is being sidelined in all this discourse is our lifestyle. There has been a dramatic shift in our lifestyles in the past few years and it has added immensely to Global warming. There is no shortcut to consuming less, but how does that happen in a world where everyone is being bombarded with more and more products and services?

Holidays to exotic destinations, season's new shoes, unregulated mega construction — these are the diverse kinds of consumptions, all of which contributes to global warming. In fact, in California, buildings are responsible for almost 45% of all greenhouse gases.

India can be harmed very critically, if we don't reduce our consumption and start planning for future. The Indian poor will be in an unthinkable condition. But on the other hand, we also need energy for our growth. All this involves emitting even more greenhouse gases. These are reasons enough for us to engage the world in a discussion over global warming.

Instead of negotiating with the United States over a nuclear deal, we need diplomacy to help us leapfrog into clean technology. Building codes to examine the impact of green house gas must be created. Above all, we should feel less ashamed of a simpler lifestyle and live it with pride.

Cheers to the English greens

We know now about recent the 'green plan' of the English government, which cuts down on airport building, amongst other controversial ideas. Although many have commented on the way in which it locks horns with business expansion, the real point lies somewhere else. It is in the leadership of the thing. How many of the world's most powerful countries, even as they congregate at the United Nations, have begun thinking of sustainable consumption? Surprisingly, England - a country that Indians often think of as one that's seen its best days in the century before last, has taken action.

Arguably, it is in part because leading environmentalist Zac Goldsmith engages with politics. So he has been able to influence government to think seriously about green. But even that is not being fair to these plan-makers. Their achievement is to believe in the idea that environmental damage can be stopped.

(If you feel for planet earth, please write to earthwatch1@yahoo.co.in)