US needs lifestyle change to save planet: India

United Nations, Sep 22: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who is New York to attend the Climate Change Summit, said that US needs to embark on a 'lifestyle change' to save the planet.

Speaking to audience here, he said that India was on the path to unilateral voluntary mitigation measures by 2010.

These would include mandatory fuel efficiency standards, renewable energy initiatives, clean coal technologies, and lower methane farming, he said.

Ramesh and climate change expert Rajendra Pachauri underlined the need for the US to bring about a "lifestyle change" to combat climate change.

"In terms of lifestyle changes the time has come that we should not be shy about raising this issue," said Pachauri, the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Pachauri called the Waxman-Markey Bill, which was passed by the US House of Representative, a step forward because it takes on quantitative emission cuts by 2020.

Pachauri underlined the need for the Obama administration to take on a set of executive steps even while the Bill is pending. "I think they can do a lot in terms of promoting renewable energy," he said.

OneIndia News