Activists call for tapping renewable energy

Palampur (HP), June 9: This small hill town has provided a forumfor a big cause to environment activists, scientists, administratorsand corporate representatives, gathered here to discuss the grave issueof climate change, to call upon the government, corporates and thecivil society to act to arrest the devastating effects of globalwarming.

The town is holding an international 'Convention on Corporate Response to Climate Change', inaugurated here last evening.

Former Prime Minister of Sweden and chairman of the World Councilfor Corporate Governance Ola Ullsten, Member of the Planning CommissionDr V L Chopra, scientist and chairman of the World EnvironmentFoundation Z A Qasim, among others, tried to recapture the scenariothat is to come because of global warming and suggested remedialmeasures.

Mr Ullseten expressed grave concern over the denudation of theHimalayas and called for an immediate stop to it. He said the greencover must be restored otherwise there would be unthinkable damage tothe Himalayan ecology with impact not only on India, but on othercountries too.

Dr Chopra said the blame game going on between the developed anddeveloping countries for generation of greenhouse gases must stop andnations should evolve a concensus over how to arrest global warming bycutting down emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

He said the western countries should understand that historicallythey have been responsible for emission of greenhouse gases, so theyshould take the responsibility for remedial measures.

While praising the corporate world for showing responsibility inother fields like efficient use of energy, he urged them to addresslivelihood issue for the deprived sections, saying poverty itself was agreat hinderance in the preservation of environment.

He advised them to set up labour-intensive projects, especially inrural areas to address the unemployment and decrease use of energy.

Dr Qasim said people should change their lifestyle and try toconsume less. With climate change, there would be 17 per cent loss ofwheat production and 30 per cent reduction in potable wateravailability, a scenario that would lead to many socio-politicalconsequences.

Administrator Bhurelal and veteran journalist Narayani Ganeshcalled for focussing attention on developing technologies for tappingsources of renewable energy to minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

Ms Ganesh said the corporates should re-invent their products and services to make them more environment-friendly.

Earlier, representatives of some major corporates madepresentations on the steps they had taken to conserve naturalresources, make efficient use of energy and clean the environment inthe areas they have set up their projects.

Mr Madhav Mehra, Member of the World Council for CorporateGovernance, called for investing in research for developing a cheaptechnology to tap the energy of the sun, which was available inabundance in most parts of the country throughout the year.

UNI

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