128. Climate Change and Energy

Author observed climate change, as revealed in the 4th report recently published by Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IGPCC) from Paris, to be a grave warning which calls for global attention. He recommends a reasonable time table for world leaders to begin negotiations to decide strategy on actions after 2012 when current Kyoto Protocol expires. Kyoto Protocol, from which China and India are excluded, stipulates bringing down green house gas by 5.2% of 1990 level within 2012. USA, Canada and Australia are not signatories on the pretext of their economies getting affected. Author recommends by 2007 world communities including USA and China, two great emitters, should meet in 2008 for deciding basic principles by 2009 and to strike a conclusive action plan by 2010 which has to be ratified before 2012, in order that course of actions beyond Kyoto protocol are detailed out in time. UK as pioneer and ahead of others has drafted green law to cut down carbon emission by 60% within 2050 and create an independent authority to monitor and check annual progress. UK's endeavor is prompted by Mr. Nicholas Stern's report in 2006 on dangers of climate change. In this context, European Commission, has decided to cut down emission by 20% by 2020 and at the same time generate renewable energy to constitute 20% total capacity by that time. Japan has decided to conserve energy to the extent of 20% which will result in reducing emission from fossil fuels. Despite high cost, Japan is going ahead of all countries in adding solar power. China has enacted Renewable Energy Law with targets fixed for raising renewable energy capacity. USA, not bound by Kyoto Protocol, nevertheless, is promoting renewable energy with a goal of 25% generation by 2025.