Environ activists call for consuming less, tapping renewable energy

Palampur, HP, June 9 (UNI) This small hill town has provided a forum for a big cause to environment activists, scientists, administrators and corporate representatives, gathered here to discuss the grave issue of climate change, to call upon the government, corporates and the civil society to act to arrest the devastating effects of global warming.

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 Council for Corporate Governance Ola Ullsten, Member of the Planning Commission Dr V L Chopra, scientist and chairman of the World Environment Foundation Z A Qasim, among others, tried to recapture the scenario that is to come because of global warming and suggested remedial measures.

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

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

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

While praising the corporate world for showing responsibility in other fields like efficient use of energy, he urged them to address livelihood issue for the deprived sections, saying poverty itself was a great hinderance in the preservation of environment.

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

Dr Qasim said people should change their lifestyle and try to consume less. With climate change, there would be 17 per cent loss of wheat production and 30 per cent reduction in potable water availability, a scenario that would lead to many socio-political consequences.

Administrator Bhurelal and veteran journalist Narayani Ganesh called for focussing attention on developing technologies for tapping sources 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 made presentations on the steps they had taken to conserve natural resources, make efficient use of energy and clean the environment in the areas they have set up their projects.

Mr Madhav Mehra, Member of the World Council for Corporate Governance, called for investing in research for developing a cheap technology to tap the energy of the sun, which was available in abundance in most parts of the country throughout the year.

UNI