India should leverage its impeccable climate change record against Western Nations

As indicated by most of the models, a strong El Nino will continue through the northern hemisphere, suggesting a warmer weather in New York compared to previous winter. Earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old, and experienced several lower (ice) and warmer weather periods. Species adapted to these changes survived while the rest disappeared - and all this had happened long before human evolution and encroachment.

The better use of brain helped human race gain the control over other species and subsequent 19th century industrial revolution changed the course forever. It improved the quality of life and positioned human race as the largest stakeholder of earth.

However, exploitation of earth and nature using science and technology also resulted in man made climate changes. It is undisputable that the world is facing the wrath of climate change (man made or natural). The continued trend in climate change is expected to pose an existential threat to human race and earth. Extinction of thousands of species did not move us, but a possible threat to our own existence is forcing powerful Nations to react.

On this backdrop, Paris is hosting the United Nations Conference on Climate Change and 147 heads of state and government had accepted this invitation as of November 24. Fossil fuels such as coal and oil have contributed significantly to the global energy demand. Human activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation along with natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruption have resulted in accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.

It is one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for the climate change. Methane, Nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons are other greenhouse gases accelerating climate change. The conference is expected to achieve a universal agreement on climate change and our efforts to control it.

Most of the developed nations have aligned, but developing nations such as India remained hesitant. US Secretary of State John Kerry said to Financial Times, "India has been more cautious, a little more restrained in its embrace of this new paradigm, and it's a challenge" and "We've got a lot of focus on India right now to try to bring them along". India hit back saying, "can't be bullied".

It is widely acknowledged that industrialization is responsible for current climate change, but it was the source of wealth for most of the developed nations such as The United States of America (US) and European Union (EU). World Resources Institute has captured the overall emission of top 10 countries since 1850 (Image 1).

US and EU lead the chart and are responsible for 52% total CO2 emissions in the world. These nations have accumulated wealth all through these years but ignored the climate change repercussions. Since 2000, China's share in CO2 emission from fossil fuel and Industrial processes had increased alarmingly and stood at 29.15% in 2013 (from 13.88% in 2000). For the first time in history, CO2 is measured at disturbing 401.58 ppm in atmosphere (October, 2015) and challenging our practices.

Now, China takes a beating on climate change, but it is worth pointing that most of the goods consumed in western world are manufactured in China. During the same period, China had become the largest export economy in the world with top export destination as The United States ($423B in 2013). Its GDP increased to $9494.59 billion in 2013 (from $1205.26B in 2000). India's share in CO2 emission is 5.87% in 2013 and overall cumulative emission since 1850 is just 3%.

Cumulative CO2 Emissions 1850-2011 (% of World Total)

Population and size of the economy are two major factors affecting the absolute emissions. China and India share more than 1/3rd of world's population but stands at 7th and 10th in per capita greenhouse gas emissions respectively. The countries pushing for restrictions on carbon foot print are responsible for 3 to 10 times higher per capita emissions compared to India

Per Capita Emissions for Top 10 Emitters

The third image below from World Resources Institute illustrates the relation between annual emissions and GDP-PPP. China, US and EU controls 50% of world's GDP-PPP and produces almost same share of world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Annual Emissions of Top 10 Emitters in 2011

India is a developing country and provides shelter for 17% world's population. 270 million Indians live below poverty line of $1.25 (2011-12), which is equal to 85% of US population or 3.9% of world's population. Agriculture sector contributes to 17% of Indian GDP but the dependency on agriculture increased by 50% in 2011 (from 1980).

The same sector contributes to only 9%, 1%, 1% to the GDP of China, US and UK respectively (2014). Industry and Manufacturing sectors contribute 74% to the China's GDP but only 47% to India's GDP (World Bank). Millions of Indians are joining the work force every year and the exhausted agriculture sector cannot accommodate more.

The government is pushing for "Make in India" campaign through which industry and manufacturing sectors are expected to expand and meet the demand. This could result in more greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the countries such as US, EU and China have already been through this phase. Cleaner energy alternatives are a way forward but India cannot afford now. Climate change obligations will definitely impact our Make in India campaign.

North of Arctic Circle is estimated to have 90 billion barrels of oil and 1670 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, but Arctic is facing the wrath of climate change which is evident through melting snow. These environmental and climate change concerns did not deter US in granting permission for Arctic drilling, recently.

India is not as responsible as western countries for existing man made climate changes and it duly deserves an edge in Paris negotiations. Everyone likes to preserve the earth for future generations and India is no exception. Government of India's commitment to proactive approach on climate change is highly appreciable. Western Nations push for stronger Indian measures is nothing but forcing India to share the misery without sharing the prior Industrialization benefits. Either they should go easy on India or compensate us for our commitment.

(Author Akshay Kumar Anugu is a USA based Food Scientist by profession and coordinated several Aam Aadmi Party 2013-2015 electoral campaigns from US. He is no longer working with AAP and has no political affiliations)