The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE recently concluded G8 summit practically achieved nothing with regard to reduction of greenhouse gas emission. It ended with a wish for reduction of GHG emission. But emission cut is not just a matter of formal recognition to the need for action against climatic changes, it should lead to binding targets without which a general call is likely to turn hollow. This is exactly what might happen to the G8 endorsement of 50 percent reduction target by the year 2050.

The Group of Eight expressed its intent to work with all countries involved with the UN climate change talks to adopt a goal of halving GHG emissions. But this general agreement seriously runs short of time-bound concrete steps indispensable for achieving the goal. The summit failed to fix a base year from which the GHG reduction could be calculated. Without it the percentage carries little meaning. The US contradicted the need for setting any timeframe and termed Europe's 25 to 40 percent target by 2020 'unrealistic'. Though Japan has set a target of its own, it also suffers from the lack of mid-term goal. The US would not agree to binding targets unless China and India made commitments. Thus, emission cut by the G8 countries has been made conditional to the commitments of other major emerging economies.

The global climatic conditions have turned alarming. According to information from NASA, the climate has crossed the safe carbon dioxide level of 350 PPM and reached to 385 PPM. The already thin layer of ice at the North Pole is apprehended to melt within this summer. Calamities are razing over the globe with unprecedented frequency and ferocity. The peoples of the world must persuade the big GHG emitters to agree to time-bound emission cut target.