Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding World Earth Day on 22 April, 2008
> 12.50 hrs. Title: Regarding World Earth Day SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE (IDUKKI): Thank you, Sir. Today is World Earth Day. The United Nations has declared 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth. Our planet is only 4.5 … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You know that I have mentioned the matter today. You can associate with it.
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Yes, Sir. But now, we have reached a stage where the whole humanity, in fact, every living organism is threatened by global warming and climate change.
Global warming is already wrecking havoc with nature. It is said that most plants and animals are affected as the change is occurring too quickly for them to evolve. Globally, 30 per cent of the earth’s species could disappear if temperature rises 4.5 ° F, and up to 70 per cent if it rises to 6.3 ° F. The hardest hit will be plants and animals in colder climate in higher elevations. In the long run, every species will be affected.
A study by the reputed international agency Greenpeace called ‘Blue Alert’ says that global temperature will rise by about 4.5 ° C in the course of the century, and that South Asian Region should … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: It is being misunderstood. The purpose of mentioning this is being misunderstood. Long statements are being read out. We have decided about it.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Sir, I am concluding.
MR. SPEAKER: Please do it.
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Nearly, 130 million people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh live in low-elevation coastal zones, which are at an average of less than 10 metres above average below sea-level. Mumbai and Kolkata have an average elevations of between 2 metres to 10 metres. It is said that 125 million people will be displaced. It is a very serious scenario. Even if we contain global warming below 2 ° C, the number of migrants will be five million people. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please associate with this issue. I cannot allow you to go on like this.
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : I would request, through the high office that you occupy and through the medium of this House, that you should send a message to the nation that we should realize the urgency of the situation. We should also bring about an attitudinal change among the people. The public should come forward to conserve and make the earth a better place to live, and save the planet earth from impending destruction.
SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): अध्यक्ष महोदय, उड़िया में कहते हैं कि आज घटोली दिवस है। Today is World Earth Day, which was first celebrated in April 1970 as a means of sensitizing people about the environment. As the spectre of global food scarcity raises new questions about the environment more so with climate change, the reality today is that the rise in temperature has threatened mankind’s future. As the climatic patterns are threatening production, farmers are not sure when to sow and when to reap, and few countries can afford to ignore the consequences. It is the developing countries that suffer the most when there is a global food crisis.
Climate change is getting nasty. The climate change policies rolled-out by the European Union make it clear … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please associate with it. This is not a matter of speech. I earnestly request you to please cooperate.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, this is an important issue.
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, we know about it, and I had allowed a discussion on it. I am prepared to give another discussion on it. You are also aware that we have formed a Forum on this issue.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, I am raising it because today is a special day, and you have yourself mentioned the importance of this issue in the morning.
MR. SPEAKER: But kindly see that we are running against time. Therefore, please cooperate with me.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, I am concluding in half-a-minute. The carbon emission curbs being enforced by the European Union and western countries are our concern. The developing countries -- faced with a choice of spurring faster growth even at the cost of environmental pollution -- have understandably favoured growth over environment.
I urge upon the Government to strive for collective action on environment at the global level, and insist on a fair distribution of emission control anchored in a per capita approach.[r13] MR. SPEAKER: Just mention the matter; it cannot be a speech on every issue.