Climate change is really the most important issue of the present era and lot of factors are there which affect it. Though we can't stop all our unnatural activities but still we can adopt a sustainable approach.
I saw the twelve challenges defined by the Planning Commission (through link given in the query and found it to the point. I appreciate the work of defining challenges but on the point of giving advises/suggestion over all these are somewhat tough at one go. All those points are related to development but different in their attributes and therefore it will take very large space to give advises/suggestions. Therefore I am not giving advises on those challenges here but I am presenting my views (point wise) in brief on the query:
Developing Mitigation Strategies for Climate Change
1. Need of conservation of Energy (electricity, fuel, water) (Through awareness, regulations, rewards etc)
2. Protection of forests and natural resources (through community development, government actions)
3. Adaptation of eco friendly techniques (like promotion of battery operated and gas based vehicles in place of diesel, bamboo houses etc)
4. Better planning for towns and infrastructure (with a proper drainage n sewage system, utility corridors, energy planning etc)
5. Stringent regulations (for energy audit, construction of only approved houses, fixed standards)
6. Develop and follow the standards and specifications in all sectors
7. Reducing carbon emission of transportations (checks on high pollution vehicles, increasing public transport facility, staff buses for institutions, biofuel and battery operated vehicles)
8. Focus on renewable Energy sources
9. Promotion and awareness (through NGOs/ advertisements, course curriculum, recognition,media and films, promotion of cycles, cycles on low rent)
Potential, limitation and risks in increasing the share of Renewable Energy;
particularly hydro, wind, solar and nuclear
India has a good potential for renewables. Its geographical position comes between Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn and hence average annual temperature in the range 20 to 30 deg centigrade which is quite good for solar energy utilization.
Wind energy may be utilized on our coastal areas and high flow and height of water resources may be utilized for hydro and small hydro plants without disturbing its natural attributes.
Nuclear comes under modern techniques which is quite good in terms of energy security for the country and here in India, we can get raw material (Thorium and Uranium) for it. At present with only approx 2-3% contribution of renewables shows that we have a lot of scope in this sector to increase the share. Though we all know that they can not replace the conventional energy sources fully but I am quite sure that in future years these unconventional sources will help a lot to fill the gap of energy deficiency and to meet the future demand. These sources have their limitations which are mainly their dependency on nature (on wind in case of wind turbines, on sun light in case of solar) and their high per unit cost. Here we need to focus on promotion of R&D in these areas, however Nuclear is undoubtedly good.
Increasing the share of these unconventional sources are not only good but necessary too. Government should make compulsory solar panels at least for large government buildings, may encourage industries to invest in these businesses, may encourage their CSR towards funding or establishing small projects in these sectors by giving them tax benefits and subsidies. In fact apart from these there are several other sources for energy like Biomass, Biofuels, Shale gas, Gas hydrates etc where India has lot of scope for its energy security but these all needs a strong will power, support, guidance and motivation.
Large players don't want to take risk in this sector because of untested technology and fear of loss but government can do it with its own or under PPP. Risk is everywhere and there is more risk to explore the unexplored but risk can be decreased with better planning, tax calculations, extra benefits ,research facilities in these areas etc.
We have to accept the challenge, we have to trust on the capability of our nation and we have to take necessary measures for shaping the bright future of India.
Thanks to you all For a better India!
Developing Mitigation Strategies for Climate Change -
