There is already a lot of talk about global warming, the importance of curbing emissions etc. But a new post from me would be like a drop in the ocean! (Thats how I convince myself whenever I am using my vaccuum cleaner or washing machine, hair dryer or AC - the impact of my using them on global warming is just like a drop in the ocean. How much does it affect it!)
Anyways, my reference point is the article below.
Most of the articles I have read till now talk about how developed countries are more responsible than the developing countries or how developing countries cannot act irresponsibly towards global warming . Everybody is blaming each other! But nobody is talking about what are the steps developed and developing countries can take to curb the emissions. What are the 'practical' steps?
One Option:
Do you want China to stop the factories? But how would the developed world survive? China is not manufacturing just for itself. China's major manufacturing is done for the West. And if China takes steps to improve the quality of its manufacturing to curb emissions, is the West prepared to pay for the increase in product prices? Wouldn't they just shift the manufacturing from China to maybe Africa or wherever it is cheaper?
And maybe then West will start blaming Africa then!
Another option:
Do you want Indians to stop buying cars? Can you force the likes of GMs and Toyotas to manufacture low price hybrid cars and sell only those to Indians? People in India don't care whether they are driving petrol cars or hybrid cars. They have just enough money to buy one. So you provide them hybrid cars at the same price and they will go for it. Can you do that?
One more option:
Do you want to teach the people from developed countries to decrease their usage of electricity? Afterall, electricity & heat accounts for 24.6% of worldwide gas emissions. Residential buildings alone account for 9.9% of worldwide gas emissions and commercial buildings account for another 5.4%. Most of this electricity is probably being consumed in developed countries. We haven't talked about transportation here which contributes 13.5% gas emissions worldwide. Also we are not talking about how the consumer demand for goods and products (which is probably highest in the developed countries) makes industries contribute 10% of the worldwide gas emissions. There is a lot that the general public in developed countries can do. Since most of the population is literate and well educated and understands the implications of global warming, it will be a good start to teach them to decrease their usage of electricity, consumer goods and transportation. That will help decrease emissions from sources that account for 50% of total worldwide emissions!
What is needed is to stop the blame game, and think about 'practical' steps for the whole world to follow to curb emissions. And please don't discuss whether Indians should buy cars or not. That is practially unstoppable unless you stop producing, buying and using cars.
