| Given the recent spate of advertising by | | | | in roads often flooded by the heavy monsoon rains. |
| Britain�s leading supplier of gas, one might be | | | | With hope of preserving the ozone layer whilst |
| forgiven for believing that gas was a | | | | enabling such a developing nation to show its potential; |
| �green� product. Make no mistake, | | | | it is therefore much better to advise them on how to |
| gas is a fossil fuel. Its burning flame is blue | | | | use these new vehicles most economically to avoid |
| �apparently so it can be recognised when | | | | wastage and promote the conservation of fuel; an |
| it�s turned on. It emits black carbon into the | | | | initiative that has just recently been announced in the |
| atmosphere which contributes to global warming and | | | | UK with regard to our own vehicle use. |
| thus, the climate change that�s constantly in | | | | Given the reputation of the US as the |
| the news these days. | | | | world�s heaviest polluter � who still |
| But such is the rush to jump on the �green | | | | have no qualms about promoting coal as its number |
| bandwagon� that developed nations run the | | | | one source of fuel. It is essential for such a dominant |
| risk of believing that what they are doing is enough to | | | | force to tread carefully in persuading these developing |
| solve the problem in the west. This is whilst emerging | | | | nations that they too must do their bit to help save the |
| industrialists in developing nations continue to pollute at | | | | planet. |
| an alarming rate. | | | | A recent climate conference held in Berlin highlighted |
| Although historically, the truth is that the west has been | | | | some of these problems being encountered between |
| responsible for creating most of the pollution, risking | | | | developed and developing nations. During the |
| devastating consequences for the whole of the world; | | | | conference, German Environment Minister Sigmar |
| only new developing countries are beginning to follow | | | | Gabriel emphasised the need to accelerate the |
| suit. Some believe that unless we over-promote the | | | | marketing and spread of climate-friendly technologies |
| actions we are taking to reduce emissions, others will | | | | and that the UN Climate conference in Bali this |
| simply fail to do enough in order to have the desired | | | | December as would provide an ideal forum for talks |
| effect. | | | | on a new climate agreement post-2012 when the |
| Others prefer to be totally open and up-front with its | | | | Kyoto arrangement expires. |
| customers. Yes, there is concrete evidence that | | | | Other than the difficult task of finding common ground |
| continuing to use fossil fuels in the way we have done | | | | of over 200 nations involved, Gabriel proposes the |
| is not a long-term option. However, standards of | | | | agreement includes �a long-term goal, |
| supply conditions don�t change overnight, and | | | | ambitious and obligatory commitments from the |
| for the foreseeable future, we will be dependent on | | | | industrialised world and fair contributions from the larger |
| fossil fuels to power businesses and households. In | | | | developing nations�. However, Gro Harlem |
| order to minimize the effects of such a reality, it will be | | | | Brundtland, the UN special envoy on climate change |
| necessary to cut down on wastage and become far | | | | highlights the growing tension: �deep-rooted |
| more energy efficient. | | | | lack of trust between the industrialised and developing |
| This is the number one message that must be passed | | | | countries� this is where the western belief is |
| onto developing nations for the world to avoid | | | | there is little motivation and action from developing |
| witnessing a repetition of past events. It would unfair to | | | | countries, whilst industrialised nations have |
| attempt to deny the developing world the opportunities | | | | �defaulted on the promise of financial and |
| that the west takes for granted just because it simply | | | | technology assistance�. |
| got there first and has exhausted the ability of the | | | | But some believe that German Chancellor Angela |
| ozone layer to absorb anymore C02. | | | | Merkel may have thrown them a lifeline by suggesting |
| For example, millions of Indian commuters are ecstatic | | | | that a per-capita emissions quota be considered when |
| about the prospect of being able to drive the simplest | | | | it comes to fair burden sharing between developed |
| of cars which will shortly become available at an | | | | and developing countries in the future. If this approach |
| affordable price from multinational giant, Tata. These | | | | was universally adopted, it could allow representatives |
| are expected to provide additional safety and comfort | | | | of the industrialised world to finally realise that getting |
| for the millions who have until now depended on the | | | | agreements from developing nations on climate |
| basic moped to travel to work and carry their children | | | | change will require far more of the same diplomacy? |