On Development and Key Issues

Times like these call for desperate measures and a concerted attempt at tackling the menace. I have in my capacity, attended various seminars and summits on climate change and have enjoyed the wonderful opportunity of interacting with different minds from different age groups on their opinions of this issue. I am heartened by the fervor amongst my peers but simultaneously demoralized by the sense of inevitability that some experienced minds insinuate. I, nonetheless have decided to exert myself on this issue and learn and act in the process. The IYCN members along with the adhoc Agents of Change (AoC) have begun debating the hindrances on our path and ways to create a policy/strategy that can be implemented for a carbon free planet. At this juncture, bearing in mind the talks I have had with some eminent personalities in this field, I wish to speak on a few issues that are intertwined with climate change.

One of these issues is development and how we should start seeing it in a new light. We have come far in our capitalistic pursuits, from the simple barter system to fordism to modern capitalism. But through these changes, development has seen a growing relation and dependence on energy and primarily oil since the past 750 years. Advocates against capitalism have thrown in the towel with their claims of this system built on greed going unheard. Any new enterprise calls for more energy consumption, so how do we tackle this? Development should now be sustainable. New enterprises should be legally bound to build a sustainable model that is profitable that at the same time, doesn’t disrupt the venture’s business motives. Existing enterprises should immediately overview their system and follow a possibly ‘universal’ model (that has to be developed) as a replacement. I have read an example of a city in Japan ‘Kawasaki’ which is sustainable with the energy it expends as a whole is recycled and fed back into the cycle. No city can be totally sustainable but such attempts could reduce emissions drastically. Development measured in equations carrying carbon emissions have to come into place.

Another option is straightforward and it could well come to this:  powering down. Every individual has to understand his consumption behavior and decrease his intake. Our current needs require three earths to sustain us! This directly leads to the issue of lifestyle and how every one needs to take an oath of sorts to change their current lifestyle and work on their footprint. Energy equity is another critical issue that unless resolved quickly will only aggravate the circumstance and lead to unnecessary conflicts amongst nations. The phrase ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ should be followed in letter and spirit. We arrive at that vicious circle where development in industrialized nations leads to more consumption, which leads to greater inequity and eventually to our own downfall. So we need to stunt such growth.

Finally, I believe that more than any other green technology that’s developed, the sun is the ultimate source of energy. Alternate sources like wind, water and nuclear are proving to be highly inefficient and expensive on a broader scale. As part of the AoC, I have chosen technology development and transfer and have started research on solar energy; the current available technology, its acceptability and management. And as part of the practical reach, I would be talking to the rural people around Hyderabad and try and understand their stance on solar energy.  I will keep updating you all on my thoughts and activities.