For billions of people, mountain meltwater is essential for drinking water and sanitation, food and energy security, and the integrity of the environment. But today, as the world warms, glaciers are melting faster than ever, making the water cycle more unpredictable and extreme. And because of glacial retreat, floods, droughts, …
The historic development pathway of Europe and the US is clearly not sustainable in developing Asia, with its larger population, constrained by resource limitations, and now facing the global challenges of climate change. So far, however, Asia has not framed an alternative future that simultaneously provides for an escape from …
Impacts of climate change include increasing water scarcity and flood risk, along with decline in water quality. This study explores which ecosystems will be most impacted and analyses how the effects of climate change act as causes of additional emissions, thereby reinforcing global warming in a positive feedback loop. In …
This book shows how various levels of society can work towards climate neutrality. Written and reviewed by experts from many disciplines and various countries, the book is aimed at a broad audience, with solutions for individuals, small and large businesses, NGOs, international organizations, cities and countries.
This report examines the region's key short and medium-term prospects and challenges in macroeconomic and selected social areas, especially from the point of view of minimizing human suffering; be it from economic hardships or social instability. The Survey also explores critical long-term development issues relevant to all developing countries in …
With pressure mounting on the US establishment to take climate change seriously, the US House of Representatives has hit upon an ingenious solution: buying carbon credits to offset emissions from an antiquated power plant that services the Capitol's needs. The credits, worth US $89,000, were purchased on November 5 through …
a climate change bill, proposed on March 13, 2007, to give legal sanctions to emissions caps, was recently tabled in the uk. The bill sets to reduce co2 emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and 26-32 per cent by 2020, relative to 1990 levels (see
A U.S. Senate panel has approved a sweeping climate change measure that would provide billions of dollars annually to commercialize energy sources that emit little or no carbon.
The recently-released annual global energy trend tracker, World Energy Outlook (WEO), 2007 of the International Energy Agency, has sounded the alert on India crossing the tipping point of per capita GDP of $3000. This threshold, once crossed, says WEO, vehicle ownership rates begin to escalate rapidly. The rolling stock of …
Today the west knows that it has to take action on climate change, thanks to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ipcc) and the Stern report. However, encouraged by the Stern report, it believes that the only action needed is to invest in low carbon technologies. But then what about …
This Synthesis Report is based on the assessment carried out by the three Working Groups (WGs) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It provides an integrated view of climate change as the final part of the IPCC
The Kyoto Protocol is a symbolically important expression of governments' concern about climate change. But as an instrument for achieving emissions reductions, it has failed1. It has produced no demonstrable reductions in emissions or even in anticipated emissions growth. And it pays no more than token attention to the needs …
us President George W Bush has announced a climate meeting for the end of September. The announcement comes at a time when there is already a un-led initiative to hammer out an agreement on emission targets after the expiry of Kyoto Protocol, and must been seen as another instance of …
Zea mays has become the very emblem of plenty, with rich golden cobs of corn (maize) overspilling from some of the most effectively farmed arable lands on the planet. Jatropha curcas, on the other hand, is an unprepossessing and indeed toxic plant, better suited to scrubland and hedges. Yet in …
Addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation involves many stakeholders, cuts across short and long timeframes, and requires that all development projects be assessed for their sensitivity to climate concerns. This integration of climate concerns in the development process has been mainstreamed in India through high-level multistakeholder committees. The National Committee …
Growth of Indian building sector and growth of glitz Experts today believe that buildings account for a sixth of the world's fresh water withdrawals, a quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (ipcc) report, Climate Change 2007: …
Will Indian scientists measure up to the challenge of climate change? I ask this question because of the nature of the science as well as the nature of our scientists. Climate change science is young, being tutored and evolving. We know much more today about what the future will hold …
Agriculture and food systems play an important role in fossil fuel consumption and climate change because of their significant energy use and because of agriculture
Statements from key players USA: President Bush announced on May 31 that the US and "other nations will set a long-term global goal for reducing greenhouse gases'. The US will convene meetings with countries that produce most greenhouse gases. "It's important to ensure we get results, and so we will …
Parliament debates climate change After the ipcc report warning about the impacts of climate change on developing countries, India witnessed a slew of debates on the need for emissions reductions in the country. On May 8, a discussion was held in the Lok Sabha on global warming under Section 193 …
