Chat on Global Warming Dated September 18, 2005
 
Susan  Welcome to IWC Chat on " Global Warming" !
Susan  Hi Shivani, Mr. Vyas is just logging in. shivani  what exactly global warming entails.
Susan  My understanding is it refers to irreversible climate change.
Vyas  Hi everyone
shivani  hi mr.vyas
Vyas  Hi Shivani
shivani  how can we stop this ?
Vyas  I was provoked to suggest the chat topic on " Global Warming because recently I got a very informative publication by WWF -I specifically on retreating glaciers. The before and after photographs shown in this publication are very telling and disturbing as lot of glaciers have retreated which will have significant impact on water availability in future as the Himalayan rivers may not have enough which drains and gives prosperity to the Indo gangetic plains.
Vyas  We alone cannot stop it but all of us can contribute in cutting down carbon emissions by having fuel efficient cars etc.
 
Susan  The UNEP Report published recently tends to blame development more than climate change for the receding glaciers.
Vyas  The Kyoto protocol was a good step forward in restricting carbon dioxide emissions and the US and the Developed countries are emitting much more than developing or underdeveloped countries. These countries should bring down their CO2 emissions levels to pre 1990's levels then only it can be controlled.

Besides saving forests which act as carbon sink are very critical.
shivani  carbon emissions are not limited to cars but also household products like fridges and spray cans etc.
 
Vyas  If our country insists on 8% of growth rate we will end up contributing high levels of CO2 emissions and if we continue to lose our forests - which shockingly as per the last Forest Survey Report , we have lost about 27,000 km. of dense forest - which has become open forest. This is extremely distressing and worrying.
Susan  Some of our industries have managed controlling carbon emissions and are ready to trade their credits for money.
Vyas  Shivani- Co2 emissions are diff. - you are talking about aerosol sprays etc. which deplete Ozone layer- the new fridge etc. do not contribute to ozone depleting substance.
shivani  are co2 emissions limited to cars only
Vyas  The credit is not for reducing emissions, you get credit for protecting the forests and the developed countries pay underdeveloped but forest rich countries for absorbing their CO2. The Carbon sink benefits has been quantified and monetized.
Vyas  No. Fossil fuel burning e.g. coal and wood household plus industries , power plants all combined.in ndia and china and other countries.  
 
Susan  Comm. Unnithan from Mumbai has just sent a message saying he is unable to connect due to some virus problem.
 
Vyas  I meant to say that industrial emissions, coal fired power plants, burning of coal and wood for cooking in rural and small town plus cars contribute to CO2 emissions.
shivani  if forest cover is the solution, then we should make protection of forests vital.
Susan  Internet Explorer has been faulty on and off. That explains the low turnout.
 
Vyas  That is why specially the US is blaming India, China and Brazil for high C)2 emissions.

But we say that it is not by rich and powerful people through lavish and consumptive life style but poor people who have no other fuel source and therefore their compulsion cannot be treated in the same manner as the large limousines/SUV's etc. that is the distinction.
shivani  the burning of fossil fuels would not be easier to control as we are dependent on them for.
esskay  hi everyone joining from Delhi
esskay  what would it really take to get the developed countries to move? They just don’t care for international protocols
esskay  Indian Corporates seem to be really going for carbon credits which will help cleaning up our own energy inefficiencies
Vyas  If you recall that in the earlier Bush -Al Gore election battle - Gore had made a commitment to give effect to Kyoto protocol and reduce and reduce CO2 levels to 1992 levels by 2007. Bush has already announced his inability to cut down CO2 levels as it would hurt the lifestyle of his country men.
esskay  the US doing pretty much continue to get away with whatever keeps them from having to carry their own monkey

shivani  developed countries don’t seem to care. but the effects can be seen every where.
esskay  hopefully crude getting priced by the day will get them to start thinking more seriously about renewable energy
esskay  Me.Vyas will coal gasification technology help?
jayanth  good evening all!
shivani  sorry people have to log off now.
Susan  Bye Shivani. Welcome Jayanth

jayanth  How are you all? Am reading the chat so far! I apologize for dropping so late.
jayanth  Dr. Susan! why is the chat date 18th of every month? Just curious to know :)
Susan  No particular story behind the date. Fixed a date so that it is easy to remember. Changing dates was not working.
jayanth  Okay!
Susan  What is the view from Bangalore on global warming, Jayanth?
Vyas  As long we are able to reduce CO2 emissions - be it any technology - its bound to help.
Susan  Jayanth? Any questions?
esskay  Thanks folks. I need to move on. Meet you on the 18th Oct.
Vyas  If you recall when the was acute oil crisis in the early seventies – world over there a race to find alternative energy source. Cars were on focus. The Swedish car manufacturer SAAB had made a prototype which could run on solar power and with speeds up to 70 km. an hour. If the present crisis lasts a few, which it appears will - we will have similar innovations and inventions.
Vyas  It Appears we are nearing the end of this chat.
Susan  yes, Mr. Vyas. Thank you for a stimulating discussion.
Vyas  Thank you.