BULLETIN OF IMSP - (IMD), Pune

Global Warming and Common manU.S. DeThe latest assessment Report (AR – IV) of the IPCC leaves no doubt at all inmind of people that emissions of green house gases is the key to global warming. One ofthe key gases is carbon dioxide which accounts for the major part of this warming.Carbon dioxide is emitted upon burning of fossil fuel which is associated with generationof power in almost all sectors of development and growth. The sudden increase of CO 2started with industrial revolution which began in so called developed countries like USand Europe. We tend to follow this flawed path to development elsewhere as well. Thisdebate is an important agenda item even in the recent G-8 Summit.Economists have concluded that there is a direct relation between the existingdevelopment model and emission of green house gases.The Kyoto Protocol calls for a cap on the emissions of six green house gases i.e.CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, HFCs, PFCs and SF 6 . However, even if the mitigation pathwaysuggested in the protocol is adopted the warming will continue for several decades infuture due to the inertia of the climate system and the residual effect of these gases whichhave life spans varying from tens of years to 500 years.Instead of going into political debate on the non ratification of Kyoto Protocol byUS and some other countries which are among the top ten in terms of cumulativeemissions during 1950 – 2003, let us see what we can do as an ordinary citizen to reduceemission. A recent global survey telecast over BBC showed that more than 80% ofpeople are really concerned about the impacts of climate change on our futuregenerations.A few steps by us to contain emissions are…i) If we save 1 watt of power per house hold per day then in a city with 10000household we can save nearly 365 x 10000 = 3650000 Watts of powerannually. That is 3650 kW of power leading to a decrease in fossil fuel usedto generate power. This can be done by increasing the use of natural light andnatural ventilation and CFL lamps.ii) If in a same city each household saves 10 litres of water per day then theannual water conserved will be (10 x 365 x 10,000 = 36500000 litres) 36500cubic meters of water. Since water is very much in demand due to growingpopulation and changes in rainfall distribution due to global warming, such asaving will be useful not only for conserving the scarce natural resource butalso will reduce power consumption as city water supply system use massivepumps to pump water.iii) Reduce the dependence on cars, scooters and other forms of auto transportsfor short distance movement and for longer distance travel use the concept ofcar pooling as far as possible.iv)Follow a low consumptive life style which will reduce energy use and reducewaste and garbage. These efforts will reduce emissions of CH 4 and SO 2 .v) Greater use of solar and wind energy in large residential, commercial andluxury townships, resorts, hotels.4