Wake up to global warming
Subrata Sinha 21 Jun 08 (http://thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=4&theme=&usrsess=1&id=209196)
Ever since man adopted the path of relentless exploitation of nature, disregarding the advice of sages and later day environmentalists, his very existence has been imperilled. Global warming is a manifestation of this suicidal path, created by human activities, escalated by noxious fumes from urban transportation and thermal power generation. The steeply-escalating oil price is its fallout; atmospheric pollution is now a global problem.
The former US vice-president, Al Gore, and the Inter-Governmental Panel for Climate Change shared the Nobel Prize for their efforts to highlight this grave issue. Significantly, they have pinpointed Gangetic West Bengal to be among areas to be hit first. For a state government that places environment-friendly hoardings all over the state, it would be interesting to examine the contradictions in its own stand vis-a-vis environment given that West Bengal is the ideal microcosm of the global scenario. None of political parties here bothers about events unlikely to happen within its lifespan. That amounts to a subhuman disregard even for future generations. The CPI(M), the dominant Left Front Government partner – as well as the Opposition parties – have protested against the fuel price rise imposed by the Centre. However, it is farcical that both these warring groups called separate bandhs on a Thursday and a Friday to the utter delight of urbanites for the bonus of a long weekend. Cocooned in their self-centred narcissism of relative affluence, they remain insulated from the plight of daily wage earners and the owners of small shops and minor trading establishments.
Amongst the most worrisome features defining today's society is the number of banks and other credit institutions in the sprint for disbursing loans. Some have roadside camps to lure loan customers; they compete to lower monthly payment and offer interest rates that allure people despite horrific stories of harassment of defaulters by hired goons. Like most urban areas, Kolkata, therefore, has seen a phenomenal increase in urban transportation, including high-power motorbikes, cars and SUVs. The state government has invited numerous automobile companies to set up units here. The point is that with narrow roads congested with sluggishly moving traffic, emissions levels escalate. The state has sponsored the Tata Nano at Singur, with unverified technological ability for emission control! Nevertheless, once it hits the road, the urban middle class, supported by easy loan facilities, will make a beeline for the fulfilment of a cherished dream. Yet the state government is critical of the Centre's petroleum policy – a small step in the right direction!
Most forward-looking cities in the world are switching over to trams and trolley cars, or diversifying their transport systems. Kolkata has the dubious distinction of easing out trams and covering their tracks for widening roads for the rapidly increasing, fume-spewing vehicles. Trams were cheap, convenient and environmentally non-hazardous. Certainly, the prolific expenditure on urban infrastructure, including numerous flyovers, could have been better utilised to renovate the tramways. That, alas, was not to be.
Private car owners (with Euro II standards) have to get their emission levels monitored regularly or face police wrath. Yet, most taxis, autos and buses are permitted to spew smoke and fumes. The latest move is to roll back a state government order for stricter emission standards for such vehicles before these are allowed fresh supplies of fuel. A fantastic act of commission and corruption. This city could even have learnt a lesson on emission control from New Delhi; that too is not to be. One wonders if the Capital Region was selected only to demonstrate to the world that India was doing its duty amid the global warming crisis by switching over to Compressed Natural Gas systems. Even Mumbai is now getting its old taxis similarly altered. Kolkata seems to be completely ignorant of its vulnerability to global warming.
(The author is a former dy director-general, Geological Survey of India.)
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