This refers to the article, “No hiding behind rising temperatures” (May 17) by Kota Sriraj. The concern raised by the writer has been shared and voiced by all countries. let us accept the fact that global warming is not only knocking at India’s door, but the door is already ajar. Rising temperatures and other extraordinary weather-related events have been peaking for quite some time now. Unquestionably, unchecked population growth, together with aspiring expectations of the people and our inability to replace fossil fuels by more benign energies, are daunting tasks to manage and balance. Add to this, people’s minimal environmental awareness.
A coordinated action on a war-footing seems impossible. Unfortunately, our democratic functioning is also not optimal to be equal to this unprecedented mission. A tug of war between the Constitutional pillars of the state, irresponsible behaviour of the political class and apparently a near absence of an impeccably impartial, responsible, stout and balanced media complete the dismal picture. In such circumstances, India cannot prove itself equal to the formidable task of mitigating climate change and global warming.
While desperation does not solve problem, any mechanism created for such purpose could be a non-starter if political vision and will are not mustered to make it result-yielding. We have to create another kind of war-room where all stakeholders and actors target all their energies only to one end, forgetting all differences. All around, responsibility is the call of the day. That is the only solution for our survival and growth.