EARTH DAY LECTURE

CALCUTTA MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AUDITORIUM, CALCUTTA ,APRIL 22, 2002, INDIA

THE EVENT
 PRESS RELEASE
AGENDA

THE EVENT

To celebrate the occasion of Earth Day on April 22, 2002 CUTS Centre for Sustainable Production and Consumption organised an Earth Day Lecture titled ‘‘Kyoto Protocol: Options Before India’’. Prof Sujoy Basu, Director, School of Energy Studies, Jadavpur University delivered the Lecture. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion on the above topic.

Objectives
As environmental issues are increasingly influencing our production and consumption patterns, a balanced and fruitful debate on contentious issues like Kyoto declaration was essential before the government ratifies the same. The objective of the discussion was to get an idea about the views of the distinguished panellists on the above topic. 

Participants
City-based experts on atmospheric issues, government officials, Chambers of Commerce, non-government organisations working on environmental issues, academia and media participated in the above discussion.

PRESS RELEASE

 Experts’ caution on Kyoto pact

Calcutta, April 22: With India seriously considering ratification of the Kyoto protocol on reduction of greenhouse gases, experts feel the only options before the country lie in reduction of fossil fuel consumption and increase in energy efficiency. “The question is whether India can cut down on the rate of growth of fossil fuel consumption,” said Sujoy Basu, Director of the School of Energy Studies of Jadavpur University. He was delivering an Earth Day Lecture organised by Consumer Unity & Trust Society to commemorate the 32^nd Earth Day celebration.

“Indications are that India will sign the protocol as the awareness of the threat from the increased concentration of greenhouse gases is now quite high. The Energy Conservation Act that was enacted in October 2001 paved the way for India signing the Kyoto Protocol,” said Sujoy Basu.

The Kyoto protocol, drawn up under the aegis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1997, to come into force, requires 55 countries including industrialised nations to sign on the dotted line. Collectively, the 55 countries need to account for at least 55 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Forty nations have already signed the international agreement that enumerates responsibilities of individual governments to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by the most industrial nations.

The major hindrances to the protocol were its short-term commitments as emission standards were set only for a period between 2008 and 2012. The United Nations had no teeth to enforce the legal and judicial aspects of the convention in member nations, said Sujoy Basu.

India’s participation in the protocol was critical as international pressure was needed to set things right in the country’s industrial sector which continued to pay little heed to environment concerns.

Sujoy Basu criticised the government’s automotive policies that allowed a heavy influx of cars in the country. With oil reserves at 136 billion tonne or 1,000 billion barrels and consumption of 75 billion barrels a day with a two percent compounded annual growth rate, there will be a scarcity in next 45-50 years. The petrol and diesel cars not only cause more pollution but also inflate the oil import bill. India must turn to renewable sources of energy, he said.

The Kyoto Protocol attempts to arrest the global warming that has already affected the earth’s climate, causing changes in temperature, rainfall, extreme climatic conditions and rise in sea level. While the average global temperature is expected to rise by 1.4-5.8 degree centigrade against last century average of 15.27 degree centigrade, the mean sea level is expected to rise by 15.95 cm, threatening the existence of many island nations.

Jayanta Basu, a journalist and member of West Bengal Pollution Control Board’s environmental committee said that the environment consciousness of the Indian industry remains to be poor. He said that the Indian government should have a specific stand on the issue.

Indian industry is mostly indifferent to environmental needs and continues to use obsolete technology. Industries have to become more energy-efficient said PK Basu, Vice President-Environment sub-committee of Bengal Chamber of Commerce. 

Ashish Ghosh, noted expert on environmental issues said that India should lead South Asia to address atmospheric issues that affect both the Geosphere and Biosphere. He pointed out the links between temperature rise and loss of biological diversity. The main solution to address climate change problem lie in the adaptation strategy, said Ghosh.

Nabinananda Sen, Professor, Department of Business Management, Calcutta University chaired the discussion.

PROGRAMME AGENDA

2.00 pm: Key Note Address            Prof. Sujoy Basu, Director, School of Energy Studies, Jadavpur University

3.30 pm: Panel Discussion             Panelists:
                                                    Dr. Ashish Ghosh, Centre for Environment and Development
                                                    Mr. P.K. Basu, Vice President, Environment Sub Committee, Bengal Chamber of Commerce
                                                    Dr. Jayanta Basu, Journalist & Member of Environment Committee, West Bengal  Pollution 
                                                    Control Board
                                                     Chair:
                                                   Prof. Nabinananda Sen, Professor, Department of Business Management, Calcutta University