In a first, House debates global warming

It was a heated, impassioned and well-informed exchange. Except this time, all parties were on the same side as they stood up in the Lok Sabha to participate in the first-ever debate on global warming.

It was a heated, impassioned and well-informed exchange. Except this time, all parties were on the same side as they stood up in the Lok Sabha to participate in the first-ever debate on global warming. Cutting across party lines, members wanted to know more about the impact of climate change on India and the need to take action now as the 8220;alarm bells were resonating8221; loud and clear.

The scheduling of the debate itself was considered a major step. 8220;For the last three years I have been trying to organise some sort of discussion in Parliament but in vain,8221; said Suresh Prabhu, former Environment Minister. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who agreed to slot the debate, thanked every member as they got up to speak. 8220;I wish more members were present in the House to hear this important debate,8221; he said.

Most members spoke in detail about the impact of global warming. They touched upon issues like shrinking glaciers, the fate of cities along India8217;s coast, losses in agricultural yield and dwindling water supply. While some were guarded in expressing their opinions, others like Maneka Gandhi painted a dark picture. 8220;In 10 years, this democracy will be irrelevant as people will have to fight for limited resources,8221; she said.

8220;We have only five to six years to make policy changes. It has to be done at the Prime Ministerial and Planning Commission level. The government has to step up the effort,8221; Congress member Sandeep Dikshit said.

Some MPs went beyond reports and recounted changes they had observed in their own constituencies. Maneka Gandhi spoke of freak weather instances in Pilibhit. K Swain of Orissa described temperatures which shot up to 50 degree Celsius in his constituency.

While some members emphasised how we should not let developed countries hold us down on our developmental goals, there was a consensus that the situation was much too grave to spend time on a blame game.

The focus was on the policies that India could adopt immediately. Suggestions ranged from a policy on alternative fuels, CFLs to energy efficient appliances. The entire energy policy needed a rethink was the message.

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It was noted that planning for public transport had been neglected. On the other hand, indiscriminate use of cars was adding to the carbon count. 8220;The government should initiate a policy for mass rapid transport system in each city,8221; said C Chandrappan of the CPI. Some of the suggestions were innovative. 8220;Develop a technology that will be free of IPR,8221; said Prabhu. 8220;There should be a boycott of goods from countries that do not sign the Kyoto Protocol the same way they boycott ours,8221; said BJP8217;s Swain. 8220;Allow no power plants to come up till they commit that there will be 0 carbon emission,8221; he added. The MPs said they were willing to make sacrifices if required.

The Minister of Environment and Forests is expected to give a reply tomorrow.