Indian culture speaks of “Vasudhaev Kutumbkam”, which means the entire humanity is a family. But the way different countries, particularly rich countries behaved in Copenhagen, is far from our philosophy. It is after decades of abusing Mother Earth that we now realize the consequences of our greed. She is ailing and in need of those who have devoured her to repair the damage. This is a fact almost everyone would vaguely recall from one or many sources of information. Now, humanity answers to this pressing issue – an open market of nations arguing on what’s the best course of action. Summits like that at Copenhagen are lost causes simply because of the approach all developed nations bring to it. Such haggling will go nowhere productive until and unless we think as one large family of persons with one common ambition – save the planet!
The so-called developed nations have carried on endlessly digging and mutilating the planet’s crust and core with rapid and unplanned development. My point being, that if snow stops falling in New York due to global warming, Kashmir would be barren too. Similarly, the Indian Ocean could submerge an entire continent, but would the ripples not be felt on the shores connected to the Pacific?
Global warming isn’t like terrorism where an event like 9/11 occurring would only imply governments across the world to grow cautious of such events. Against the fury of a natural calamity, diplomacy wouldn’t go anywhere. Developed nations like the United States need to first understand and accept their mistakes. They began industrialization much before most of the world. They continued undeterred and now have per capita carbon emissions 10 times more than India. Amongst these defaulters include Australia and Canada who have significantly higher emissions than us.
The Kyoto Protocol, initially adopted on 11 December 1997, had legally bound the participating developed nations to reduce their emissions by 5.2% from their 1990 levels by the year 2012. This of course now is known that none of these nations took this legally binding target seriously.
The Copenhagen summit has once again displayed the hypocrisy of the more powerful developed nations. What was supposed to result in a path breaking resolution has resulted in the weak and legally non-binding “Copenhagen Accord”. America could succeed in pushing its agenda to perfection. Kyoto Protocol has been proven completely futile in its scope and America along with other developed nations have not made any legal commitments this time around at Copenhagen.
The way America has influenced our foreign policies in recent past, I was rightly afraid that even Copenhagen would be no different story. Entire opposition in parliament had raised doubts about our approach towards the summit and had warned the Environment Minister and Prime Minister that they should not succumb to the pressure of America. But at the end of it, our delegation has failed to protect the interest of our nation on several accounts.
Most importantly, we could not stop America and other rich nations from killing the Kyoto protocol. The rich nations have not only managed to break the legally binding Kyoto Protocol but have also succeeded in overruling the principle of “differential treatment” to poor countries like India. On paper, now India is as responsible for reducing carbon emission as any other rich developed nation, which is a major shift from our traditional position. Rich countries were supposed to provide financial assistance and clean technology to poor countries. Though provision of some money has been made but it’s very vague, there is no clarity on sources and terms of money inflow and outflow. From the beginning we have been fighting hard to ensure that no foreign country should be allowed to “inspect and verify” our activities. We fought hard in Copenhagen to ensure that our sovereign right should not be sold out to America but here also we could not hold our cool against America’s pressure. Our Prime Minister and Environment Minister may defend all these loopholes in Copenhagen Accord by saying that it’s not a legal binding. But I want to remind them that President Obama has made it clear that this Accord would be a guideline for future legal document. Therefore, this Accord will be a very effective tool in the hands of America and other rich countries to put pressure on us and other like-minded nations. Mr. Obama has already given such a indication when White House Senior Advisor Axelrod told CNN yesterday, that the Copenhagen Accord will allow US verification of activities.
All I can say that our delegation to Copenhagen has been disappointing to not only India but also to the entire developing word by compromising to the terms dictated by the USA. Our government must take a stand against being bullied and continue along with their plans for development, while keeping the environment’s health in mind.
Tags: copenhagen india, copenhagen summit, global warming india
Mr. Amar Singh ji you sound to me a good freind of mankind and the earth we live and the space we share. You will hear and read more on your blog here on.
Keep the good work alive this is adil mh from Hyderabad the city of cultural heritage and rich history and a valued growth with excellent future. Provided it is allowed to …. as it is facing turmoil on regional grounds hope all will be fine see you soon in you blog. do visit my blog http://www.adilmohd.wordpress.com take care.
Shri Amarsinghji,
First of all, many thanks for using blog and making it wellknown through samachar.com. I wish other politicians would use this technique to reach out to masses.
I fully agree with you in implications of global warming – actually affecting more to developing countries then developed – as global warming make weather patterns erratic which challange food supply and agricultural production.
However, when US has asked for the inspections and verifications, it is about the $100 Billion fund which will be part funded by US. Their background for verification comes from recent practises by China which is usurping more then half of global carbon credit fund with unreliable data. Ref: Article in ForeignPolicy – http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/12/21/how_china_stiffed_the_world_in_copenhagen
Also it makes sense that if someone is going to fund an intiative, they would like to see their money is spent correctly. If World bank fund something, they inspect and verufy. Same does State Bank of India.
IF USA makes this inspection a tool to interfere in our sovereign issues, then that would be unacceptable. So we would have to ensure that inspect and monitor arrangements are relevant to aid granted, respectful of our national sensitivites etc. Like we negotiated IAEA inspection, same was we can shape future inspection regime by being in the game. And the biggest beneficiary would be India – because if developing nations do not have inspect and verify arrangement, China will corner most of the funds with their cooked up data/stats and India will be biggest looser.
I hope you read this comments and if I have made mistakes, do correct me. I have a lot to learn.
Very nicely written…………
Dear Amarji,
It is heartening to note that you feel so deeply about Mother Earth. Since, we are one family, then why bother about who is doing what? Let us focus on what “We can do” as Indians. If you are serious about bringing change in Energy and Water resources than I could get World Class Experts to assist you in it. If somebody from the political fraternity could this, it is you!! Rest are only for the media to enjoy or shall I say Good Thoughts.
Best regards.
Arun
Thank you so much.
Very well crafted blog thanx
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