At first look, it is not entirely clear how a growing, increasingly assertive India approaching its 75th anniversary of Independence should engage the global problem of climate change. Climate change is undoubtedly a scientific reality. Heat waves in India and across the world, and a global backdrop of growing floods and violent weather events suggest climate change is a physical reality now, not just a future threat. Yet, India has done relatively little compared to the developed world to contribute to the build-up over the last 150 years of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. And India has pressing development challenges — including job creation and providing basic human development — that are historically linked with growing energy use. It is tempting to say, under these circumstances, that India should focus on development first, and worry about climate change later. (Read More)
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