It is too dangerous to leave the fate of the whole world on one world leader, that is Donald Trump. India, under the Modi regime, can take the initiative in the matter by rallying the support of the nations under the Paris agreement
The world is surely going through some very intensive changes as agreements and arrangements that have been set up after a lot of deliberations and hard work by nations are now being discarded and exited at will by the same countries. The exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU) seems to have set the proverbial ball rolling. The UK joined the EU back in 1973 and is currently slated to exit the body by 2019.
Changing political and economic circumstances have lent momentum to the decision leading to Brexit from the EU and is purely an individual nation’s decision that has no or minimum impact on the world at large. However, the exit contemplated by certain member nations such as the United States from the Paris climate deal, is most disconcerting as the agreement pertains to the overall well-being of the global environment in the face of climate change and does and must not relate to the economic or political considerations of any single nation — especially when that nation also happens to be the world’s largest emitter of carbon.
On numerous occasions after assuming office, US President Donald Trump has made it amply clear that he does not consider the landmark international agreement on climate change being in the best interests of the United States. He had even called global warming a “hoax”. The posture of President Trump remained defiant even at the recently concluded G-7 summit in Italy where Europe, Canada and Japan tried to convince the US to pledge its support for the beleaguered Paris agreement.
As the frustrated world leaders try to woo the US, the concern for environment, meanwhile, has surely taken a back seat as members who backed the agreement wait with bated breath to see what decision the US finally takes, as computer simulations suggest that earth temperatures could rise by as much as 0.2 celsius if the US pulled out of the United Nations treaty.
The apprehension among the global community is also understandable on another front. As the US exits from the Paris Agreement, it may cause a stampede, with the other member nations using the American withdrawal as a pretext to reduce their own commitments towards cutting their carbon output.
This may dilute the accord and threaten its very relevance. On the other hand, in case the US decides to stick to the agreement but decides on a re-negotiation on its commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the decision might pave the way for a larger problem — as other member nations too may demand the same latitude, taking the basis of the entire agreement back to square one.
Given the US apathy for the environment, India is presented with an exceptional opportunity to take the lead and consolidate global opinion on environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already made considerable progress by rallying the support of the European nations on environment-related issues.
Germany, especially, has come to recognise India as a dependable partner that understands the importance of safeguarding the environment while increasing the pace of economic growth. This is evident by the fact that India and Germany signed nearly a dozen pacts, including that of sustainable urban development during Prime Minister Modi’s just concluded visit to the country as part of his ongoing tour of four nations.
Currently, under the non-binding agreement, the US has pledged to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 by 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels, but this hangs in balance now — and so does the reputation and significance of the Paris agreement. India must take initiative and ensure that the Paris accord is not relegated to the sidelines due to international politics and pressure tactics by certain nations. In order to ensure this, India must strengthen the environment conservation relations with other countries and enter into collaborative pacts for the same.
India can also make the Paris accord a new medium, through which, the world community, especially the global environmental experts understand the limitations suffered by growing economies such as India in their quest to maintain a delicate balance between economic growth and cutting down on greenhouse gases.
World leaders, especially the US, need to recognise that a nation cannot build a strong economic future unless the future of the environment is cared for and guarded against climate change. The Paris agreement is a critical step towards such endeavour and it needs to be respected for the same.
(The writer is an environmental journalist)