Net-zero emissions means balancing the pollution we put into the air with the pollution we take out — so that there is no overall increase in harmful gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) that cause global warming.
It’s like this:
Imagine you are pouring water into a bucket, but also taking water out at the same time. If you pour in 5 litres and take out 5 litres, the water level stays the same. That’s net zero.
WHY IMPORTANT
In India, many cities, including Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), where I live, has been seeing the effects of climate change:
- Unusual rise in temperature
- Sudden rainfall when it isn't expected to rain at all
- Melting glaciers in the Himalayas
- Rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas like Mumbai, Chennai, and the Sundarbans
By working towards net-zero emissions, there will be definitive improvement in the quality of our environment, thereby helping all of us.
WAY FORWARD
- Using clean energy: More solar and wind power instead of coal. India already has big solar parks like the one in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
- Cleaner transport: Promoting electric vehicles instead of petrol/diesel vehicles. Metro trains, CNG buses, and cycle tracks help too.
- Protecting forests: Forests absorb CO₂, so planting and protecting trees is key. Programmes like Van Mahotsav and CAMPA help.
- Reducing waste: Managing garbage better so it doesn’t release harmful gases. Composting and recycling are small but effective steps.
INDIA'S COMMITMENT
India has promised to reach net zero by 2070. This means we will cut our carbon emissions as much as possible, and whatever is left, we will try to remove or offset.
That's a good 45 long years away. Considering the size of the country and the extent of damage already done, cleaning up will surely take a long time.
Unless governments and citizens step up efforts in a big way, we all will suffer a lot more damage, and any gains will be minimal.
(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThe concern is that that's about 30 years too long... it is sad to see so many countries who had made pledges are starting to shake, because the enormity of the task is already eating away at the resolve. YAM xx
I hope this is one day achievable. Sadly, the corporations that make money off of polluting are fighting this tooth and nail. Their public faces are all about saving the environment, but when it comes to actual practices, what they say is just about publicity.
ReplyDeleteI think the ambition is worthwhile as we seem to be getting more and more wasteful. I remain optimistic even though there is a lot of damage. One of the things that is hard is that many of us have been living well and to aim for net zero we seek to deny people a better lifestyle who have not had it to date - we need to be very much smarter to raise the standard of living for everyone and minimise our carbon enmissions.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from A to Z https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/
I think India investing in electric public transport in its large cities will bring about good environmental returns.
ReplyDeleteVery good post. We should accelerate the transition to renewable energy (SG)
ReplyDelete