The Indian Panorama

Tag: Climate Change

  • Time for a Healing Touch and Unity

    Time for a Healing Touch and Unity

    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    I am assuming Mr. Biden has won the presidency. Mr. Biden may have to wait a little to be certified a winner; may have to wait a little longer in view of the lawsuits the Trump campaign has filed. But, unless there is a divine intervention on his behalf, Mr. Trump stands a loser.

    America has demonstrated to the world that the election system of the greatest democracy in the world is strong and fair. It was indeed a mammoth task to be handling voting and counting of votes which have outnumbered any in the past – a whopping 160 million-, up from 138 million in 2016. My friend Ven Parameswaran who has lived in this country for more than 60 years now, and has been closely studying elections, tells me it is a record percentage since 1900. On top of the numbers handled, the elections have been conducted in all fairness. It speaks of the integrity and efficiency of the huge number of officials involved in the management of elections. They deserve gratitude of the whole nation.

    However, there have ben some murmurs that all is not right with the election. Well, if at all there is something wrong, it is not with the system or the people working in that system. It is a section of people who, instead  of lauding a dynamic system, berate it just because the fairness of system has denied them their cherished dream of winning the election by hook or by crook.

    The cries of “stop counting” remind me of the cries of “stop testing” when  the rising numbers of coronavirus became a subject of concern for health officials and Americans. Mr. Trump was anguished that tests resulted in throwing up more positive cases of the disease. Similarly, when Trump found the number of votes going up in favor of Biden, he demanded a halt to counting. Between the first shout from him to now, we have seen how the number of votes for Biden have gone up in major battleground States, particularly, Georgia and Pennsylvania, leaving a bewildered Trump wondering where his lead has evaporated. It  is all the because  of mail-in votes which were counted after November 3 in person voting. And, all know, it is the Democrats who preferred to send in their votes by mail. So., there should be no surprise that Joe Biden came from behind and overtook Trump in many States. While Trump vented his frustration with the system,  and threatened to litigate, his rival on the ascendancy, Joe Biden advised calm  and patience to Americans, asking them to let the democratic process play out. But we cannot expect such restraint and patience from Mr. Trump , who until the other day, demanded from his base that they chant, not just four years more, but “twelve years more”. The egotistical sublime in him is hurt and hurt beyond words. Not to give in easily, and he has suggested it so often, Mr. Trump  must play out all cards available to him even at the cost of the great American nation, the great American people, the great American institutions, including the great American Justices of the Supreme Court who , erroneously he thinks, will do his bidding because they are there because of him. He forgets that God Himself resides within a Judge and guides his / her conscience. Unfortunately for America, there are always a few around Mr. Trump (many have since distanced themselves from him seeing his imminent defeat, and have been criticized also), who, like Iago in Shakespeare’s “OTHELLO” driven by “motiveless malignity” must goad Trump into more crimes, , to heap on himself greater insult and ignominy. The world knows them. Only Mr. Trump does not. Alas!

    And these people, I am sure, readers know them, are telling Mr. Trump to fight back the “perceived injustice” of the election system, the imagined wrong that the election  is being stolen from him, without any evidence, whatsoever. They are not Trump’s friends. They have their own agenda which they want to play out. I wish Mr. Trump could understand their designs,  show maturity, accept  there are always opportunities, and bide his time.

    And now, I am assuming Mr. Biden has won the presidency. Mr. Biden may have to wait a little to be certified a winner; may have to wait a little longer in view of the lawsuits the Trump campaign  has filed. But, unless there is a divine intervention on his behalf, Mr. Trump stands a loser.

    Let Mr. Trump accept that Americans preferred Mr. Joe Biden to him. They probably were not satisfied with what he gave them. By the way, in the long history of American democracy, Mr. Trump probably is the 4th sitting president, not to be elected for a second term, according to my friend Ven Parameswaran. Ford who was VP with Nixon , took up presidency after Nixon resigned. Technically, Ford was not an elected President. However, let us count him in. He ran for president but was defeated. Jimmy Carter was not re-elected for a second term. And, then Bush was not elected for a second term, again, according to the information provided by my friend Ven Parameswaran. Mr. Trump has certainly become a part of history.

    Mr. Trump should have shown the grace befitting the President of America, as did the Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000. Though Al Gore was a clear winner, the Supreme Court accepted the claim of George W. Bush who became the 43rd President of the U.S. Al Gore congratulated Bush, and “offered to meet with him as soon as possible to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we have passed”.

    Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, “Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I’m with you, Mr. President, and God bless you”.

    I am glad Joe Biden asked people to be “calm”  and “patient”  and let the “Democratic process play out”. That’s being a leader.

    President Biden faces a daunting task. He is inheritor of a divided nation. The first task for him will be to unite the people of America. It will not be easy. It is heartening to find Joe Biden pledging to be the President of all Americans. But mere words will not heal and unite. The world will keenly watch how Biden restores the exceptional  American spirit of unity and brotherhood which makes America great. The second important task for Biden is to free Americans  of the deadly  pandemic  which has been raging for months now and has claimed  2.36K American lives. As at the time of writing this comment, America has recorded 9.76 million cases, with 100,000 new cases being reported on a daily basis. The new administration must ensure the virus is contained, and Americans get back to their normal life. Still another and immediate task before President Biden is to provide economic relief to millions of people across all walks of life who have been battered by the long spell of the pandemic, rendering them unemployed, and without adequate means to sustain themselves. They need to be rehabilitated. Their dignity needs to be restored, so they take , once again, pride in being Americans.

    Yet another immediate issue of concern to President Biden should be providing jobs to millions who have during the months of pandemic lost jobs and have not had enough to support their families., with many benefits having been withdrawn by the Trump administration.

    Related to job creation is the question of wages. Even though t is the States which decide on minimum wages to workers in their State, Federal government should take initiative to persuade States to agree on a fair minimum wage, which then should be applicable across the nation. The guarantee of a uniform minimum wage across the nation  will allow people to freely migrate to the State of their choice, fulfilling a basic strength of American democracy. Business and industry are other areas which need immediate attention of the new administration. America must bring back manufacturing  to its shores, which alone can create jobs, and give to the nation self-reliance which are the crying needs of the present times.

    Nobody can deny that environment is an important part of our existence. Mr. Biden has rightly announced that America under him will immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, from which Trump had pulled out because he thinks climate change is  “a hoax”, and may be, because it has  President Obama’s stamp on it.

    November 11 is Veterans Day. It makes me unhappy to think that we do not show the veneration the veterans deserve. They need not only veneration , but also better care. Hope, President Biden will come up with some idea to give the heroes  their due. Related to Veterans are our brave soldiers. It is time to review US engagement in futile conflicts abroad.  We must bring back our soldiers who have for long been involved in conflicts which are not ours in any way and serve no legitimate American interests. Let America initiate a new era of world peace and brotherhood of entire human world. In respect of friends and foes across the world which, in other words, means foreign policy, while there is need to further strengthen ties with friendly countries, including India, there is also an urgent need to have a fresh look at US alliances.  The ruptured relationship with NATO countries must immediately be repaired.

    In this context, the Trump administration’s failures in maintaining decent relationship with the United Nations and countries of the world should not be forgotten. All nations are equal partners in managing the world. They need to be treated with respect. It is the first requirement of civility. And America is a civilized nation.

    It is my fervent hope that President Biden will keep his promise  to be “the president of all America, and all Americans”, and as Senator Stephen Douglas , a century and a half ago said, “Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism”. Hope, the US Senate and the US House of Representatives will lend their bipartisan support to President Biden to restore the glory of America  as the First and the Greatest Nation in the World.

    God bless America!

    (The author is Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama. He can be reached at salujaindra@gmail.com)

     

  • Biden vows to rejoin Paris Climate Agreement

    Biden vows to rejoin Paris Climate Agreement

    NEW YORK (TIP): On November 4, the US formally withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has pledged that his administration would rejoin the historic Paris Agreement on climate change.

    Mr. Biden, 77, has not won the presidential elections yet, but is inching closer to be declared the winner by garnering 253 electoral votes out of the required 270. His Republican rival and incumbent US President Donald Trump has got 213 electoral votes, according to latest projections released by the US media. On November 4, the US formally withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, a decision originally announced three years ago.

    “Today, the Trump Administration officially left the Paris Climate Agreement. And in exactly 77 days, a Biden Administration will rejoin it,” Mr. Biden tweeted on Wednesday night, reflecting his decision to reverse one of the key policies of the Trump administration on day one.

    The US, under the Obama administration, had acceded to the Paris Agreement in 2016. It was a signature achievement of the Obama administration.

    The Paris accord committed the US and 187 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures below 2C above pre-industrial levels and attempting to limit them even more, to a 1.5C rise.

    Mr. Trump argues that the agreement is disadvantageous for the US, while it gives benefits to countries like China, Russia and India. According to him, it could be economically detrimental and cost 2.5 million Americans their jobs by 2025. The decision by the US – one of the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases – to quit the agreement has led to condemnation from environmentalists and expressions of regret from world leaders.

    Mr. Biden has proposed a USD 5 trillion plan to combat climate change.

    The US is the second leading producer of all carbon dioxide emissions globally, behind China.

    President Trump originally announced his intention to withdraw from the agreement in 2017 and formally notified the United Nations last year. The US exited the pact after a mandatory year-long waiting period that ended on Wednesday.

    The US is the only country to withdraw from the global pact. It can still attend negotiations and give opinions, but is relegated to observer status. Mr. Trump had stated that he intended to renegotiate the details of the US’ membership within the Paris Agreement that can better protect US workers in industries like coal, paper, and steel.

    (Agencies)

  • Indian Americans Murthy and Chetty are  among Joe Biden’s Core Advisors

    Indian Americans Murthy and Chetty are  among Joe Biden’s Core Advisors

     NEW YORK  (TIP): Two prominent Indian Americans are among Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden’s “core advisors” who have been guiding him on issues ranging from the coronavirus pandemic, economic recovery to foreign policy and climate change, a media report said.

    Biden, “plotting an ambitious presidency that would begin amid twin health and economic crises, is leaning on veteran advisers with high-level governmental experience rather than outsiders and ideological rivals to help guide him on subjects including the coronavirus pandemic and the country’s diminished standing in the world,” a report in The New York Times said.

    Among those advising him on the pandemic are Dr Vivek Murthy, former US Surgeon General who was appointed by President Barack Obama and Harvard economist Raj Chetty is among those who have briefed Biden on economic issues, the report said.

    Murthy and former head of the Food and Drug Administration David Kessler were among those present on a conference call convened by the Biden campaign when it learned that two people who had travelled with Senator Kamala Harris had tested positive for the coronavirus.

    “Biden has spoken often of his briefings with experts, and Dr Murthy and Dr Kessler have been two of the most prominent medical figures whose counsel Biden has sought during the public health crisis,” the NYT report said.

    The NYT report quoted Kessler as saying that in the early days of the pandemic, he and Murthy would brief Biden “every day, or four times a week.”

    “We would send in 80- to 90-page documents, take him through the epidemic from epidemiology, therapeutics, vaccines, testing. Staff would join, originally by phone but they soon shifted to Zoom,” Kessler said, according to the NYT report. “The docs,” as Biden calls Kessler and Murthy, also “pore over research and data on the virus and consult with modelers, vaccinologists and other experts so they can provide Biden with projections about the coming months.”

    The report added that Biden has signaled that the government’s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci will have a prominent role in a Biden administration.

    On economy, Joe Biden has cast a wide net for economic advice, soliciting input from several hundred policy experts, the report said. Among those who have briefed Biden on the economy are Chetty, “who has produced pathbreaking research on economic mobility and its roots in the last several years” and former chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen.

    On the issue of foreign policy, the NYT report said Biden would come to “office with more foreign policy experience than any president in memory”.

    While some in his inner circle of foreign policy and national security advisers have worked for him through the years, Biden’s aides understand that “assumptions that governed Obama policymaking have changed, including the prospects for cooperation with China and the importance of the Middle East.”

    Among the most influential foreign policy adviser for Biden is Antony Blinken, who has previously worked for Biden on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and served as a deputy national security adviser and deputy secretary of state under Obama.

    “Known more for his diplomatic touch than any fixed ideas, he is considered a likely candidate for national security adviser or secretary of state,” the NYT report said.

    (SOURCE: NEW YORK TIMES)

     

  • Trump’s ‘filthy’ comment on India dismays strategists

    Trump’s ‘filthy’ comment on India dismays strategists

    ‘Look at India, it’s filthy,’ the US President said in the Oct 22 presidential debate

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): After not figuring in the first presidential debate between US President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, India did crop up in the second edition but not in the manner proponents of a much closer Indo-US strategic relations would have wished for. “Look at China. How filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India, it’s filthy. The air is filthy,’’ said Trump in a remark that cut several strategic analysts to the bone. On the other hand, the US has the “lowest number in carbon emissions”, he claimed.

    Several questioned on social media the need for Trump to make an unsavory reference to India when they were expecting Indo-US ties to turn the strategic corner during the forthcoming visit of two top American cabinet ministers to India. They also wondered if Trump had this view of India why did he pay a return stadium-visit to Ahmedabad barely six months after being hosted in a Houston stadium by PM Narendra Modi.

    Biden did not mention India.

    Trump was responding to debate moderator Kristen Welker’s question on how he would simultaneously combat climate change and support job growth.The debate was expected to feature India and the wider neighborhood. During the first debate, the two candidates did not speak much on the American foreign policy, especially in the Asia Pacific, which seems to be the focus of the current administration.

    One reason for the cursory references to foreign policy is also because one debate was cancelled after Trump refused to participate in an on-line format.Welker had chosen six topics for in-depth discussions. Three of them were domestic issues while the other three – climate change, leadership and national security – had foreign policy ramifications. Trump, however, was consistent in his observations in blaming the three countries. In the first debate on September 29, he had said, “China sends up real dirt into the air. Russia does, India does — they all do.’’

    (Source: The Tribune)

  • Indian-Origin UK Minister Alok Sharma Unveils UK’s Investment to Tackle Dangers by Space Debris

    Indian-Origin UK Minister Alok Sharma Unveils UK’s Investment to Tackle Dangers by Space Debris

    LONDON (TIP): Indian – Origin Alok Sharma, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on Wednesday, September 16, confirmed a GBP 1-million government investment to be divided between seven companies to tackle the dangers presented by space debris to satellites of everyday importance.

    The seven projects will develop new sensor technology or artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor hazardous space debris.

    As part of a wider strategy, the UK Space Agency has signed a formal agreement with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to work together on monitoring threats and hazards in orbit and track so-called “space junk” which could also pose a threat to the International Space Station (ISS) and its crew.

    “Millions of pieces of space junk orbiting the earth present a significant threat to UK satellite systems which provide the vital services that we all take for granted – from mobile communications to weather forecasting,” said Mr Sharma.

    “By developing new AI and sensor technology, the seven pioneering space projects we are backing today will significantly strengthen the UK’s capabilities to monitor these hazardous space objects, helping to create new jobs and protect the services we rely on in our everyday lives,” the India-born minister said.

    Estimates of the amount of space debris in orbit vary, from around 900,000 pieces of space junk larger than 1 cm to over 160 million orbital objects in total.

    Only a fraction of this debris can currently be tracked and avoided by working satellites. The UK government says it has a significant opportunity to benefit from the new age of satellite mega constellations — vast networks made up of hundreds or even thousands of spacecrafts — so it is more important than ever to effectively track this debris.

    “People probably do not realize just how cluttered space is. You would never let a car drive down a motorway full of broken glass and wreckages, and yet this is what satellites and the space station have to navigate every day in their orbital lanes,” said Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency.

    “In this new age of space mega constellations the UK has an unmissable opportunity to lead the way in monitoring and tackling this space junk. This funding will help us grasp this opportunity and in doing so create sought after expertise and new high skill jobs across the country,” he said.

    The projects being offered the new funding include Lift Me Off, who will develop and test machine learning algorithms to distinguish between satellites and space debris, and Fujitsu who are combining machine learning and quantum inspired processing to improve mission planning to remove debris.

    Two companies, Deimos and Northern Space and Security, will develop new optical sensors to track space objects from the UK whilst Andor, based in Northern Ireland, will enhance their astronomy camera to track and map ever smaller sized debris.

    D-Orbit UK will use a space-based sensor on their recently launched satellite platform to capture images of space objects and couple this with Passive Bistatic radar techniques developed by the University of Strathclyde.

    And, new satellite laser ranging technologies will be researched by Lumi Space to precisely track smaller space objects.

    The UK Space Agency revealed that last year there was a close call in which a GBP 100 million spacecraft operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) had to light up its thrusters to dodge a satellite.

    A clash between the spacecraft was far from certain, but the trajectories posed enough of a threat that ESA concluded that they needed to maneuver the spacecraft out of harm’s way.

    The new civil and military collaboration between the UK Space Agency and MoD to work together on space domain awareness aims to bring together data and analysis from defense, civil and commercial space users to better understand what is happening in orbit to ensure the safety and security of UK licensed satellites.

    Space surveillance and tracking (SST) is a growing international market, which consultants Euroconsult and London Economics forecast could potentially reach over GBP 100 million.

    The UK Space Agency believes that as a world-leader in small satellite technology, telecommunications, robotics and Earth observation, the UK could work alongside global allies, such as the US, to support continued work to enhance space sustainability.

  • A heat wave forecast for the U.S. has scientists alarmed

    A heat wave forecast for the U.S. has scientists alarmed

    The coming heat is projected to affect huge stretches of the U.S., from eastern New Mexico and Colorado across the Central Plains and into the Northeast.

    NEW YORK (TIP): A sustained blast of heat is expected to bake much of the United States with hotter-than-usual temperatures this holiday weekend, and forecasts suggest that the heat and the humidity could linger for several weeks.

    The extreme weather — the first major heat wave of the season — comes as many states are scrambling to contain the rampant spread of the coronavirus and resources are already strained. And while the pandemic presents some unique challenges this summer, experts say these extreme events will continue to pose public health risks because climate change is making heat waves around the world more frequent and more intense.

    The coming heat is projected to affect huge parts of the U.S., from eastern New Mexico and Colorado across the central Plains and into the Northeast.

    “The first half of July looks to have well-above-normal temperatures, at pretty high probabilities, beginning around the Fourth of July or slightly before,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center.

    Some places are already sweltering under record conditions. Miami recently had its hottest week on record and posted its 11th consecutive day with a heat index over 103 degrees, Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, tweeted Thursday.

    Gottschalck said it’s likely that several regions may be under heat advisories and excessive heat watches, and he said warm conditions may persist into the evenings, with little relief from the humidity.

    The heat is being driven by the northward shift of the jet stream, which creates a “ridging effect” — a pocket of high pressure that allows for warm, dry conditions at the surface, Gottschalck said. The impending blast of heat could also create a “ring of fire” weather pattern, in which storms ride along the periphery of the heat dome and trigger severe thunderstorms across the northern Plains, he said.

    Current forecasts show that this dome of heat could stick around well into the month.

    “Our models indicate that this is going to be somewhat persistent through the first two weeks of July, and potentially longer,” Gottschalck said.

    He said the Climate Prediction Center has been working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local agencies on how to manage heat waves and other extreme weather events during the pandemic.

    Some cities, for instance, may not be able to provide relief for vulnerable people because of social distancing guidelines.

    “We’re dealing with such a unique situation, where even if some areas can open up cooling centers and things like that, they’re likely to have limited capacity,” said Julie Caron, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. “So now, you could have a vulnerable population that has to make a choice to either stay home and risk the heat or go to a cooling center and risk exposure to the virus.”

    But even without the pandemic, she said, these events are troubling in the context of global warming.

    “There’s a long-term warming trend, but we’re also seeing an increasing rate of change that’s notable since 2015,” Caron said. “What that means is we’re getting hotter and more frequent heat waves on top of each other.”

    The changes are magnified in the summer, particularly because July is typically when most parts of the contiguous U.S. have their hottest days of the year.

    “You’re exacerbating heat extremes in an already hot season,” Caron said. “That’s why it’s not just about heat waves, necessarily. It’s that we’re seeing hotter-than-normal seasons.”

    (Source: NBC)

  • Natural disasters caused record $306 billion in damage to U.S. in 2017

    Natural disasters caused record $306 billion in damage to U.S. in 2017

    An Associated Press report published on January 8 in USA Today said that a trio of monster hurricanes and a ferocious wildfire season led to the costliest year for natural disasters on record in the U.S. in 2017, with nearly a third of a trillion dollars in damage, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday, January9.

    The U.S. endured 16 separate weather and climate disasters with losses that each exceeded $1 billion last year, with total costs of about $306 billion, a new record for the country. It broke the previous record set in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina and other disasters caused $215 billion in damage to the U.S.

    Last year’s disasters killed 362 people in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, NOAA said. However, NOAA climatologist Adam Smith said the death toll could increase based on information that continues to come in from Puerto Rico.

    It was also the most expensive hurricane season on record at $265 billion and the costliest wildfire season on record at $18 billion, Smith said.

    The news comes only weeks after the House passed an $81 billion disaster aid package. The Senate did not take up the bill and is working on its own version.

    Hurricane Harvey racked up total damage costs of $125 billion, second only to Hurricane Katrina in the 38-year period of record keeping for billion-dollar disasters. Rainfall from Harvey caused massive flooding that displaced more than 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 200,000 homes and businesses, NOAA said.

    Hurricanes Maria and Irma totaled $90 billion and $50 billion in damage, respectively. Maria now ranks as the third-costliest weather and climate disaster on record for the nation and Irma ranks as the fifth-costliest.

    The total of last year’s disaster costs is nearly the same as Denmark’s gross domestic product, which the World Bank tallied at $306.9 billion in 2016.

    Climate change is “playing an increasing role in the increasing frequency of some types of extreme weather that lead to billion-dollar disasters, most notably the rise in vulnerability to drought, lengthening wildfire seasons and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall and inland flooding,” Smith said.

    Another expert, University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd, said that “while we have to be careful about knee-jerk cause-effect discussions, the National Academy of Science and recent peer-reviewed literature continue to show that some of today’s extremes have climate change fingerprints on them.”

    The announcement came at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in Austin.

    As for temperatures in 2017, the U.S. sweltered through its 3rd-warmest year on record, trailing only 2012 and 2016, NOAA said.

    For the third consecutive year, every state across the contiguous U.S. and Alaska was warmer than average.

    Five states — Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Carolina — experienced their warmest year on record. Thirty-two additional states, including Alaska, had annual temperatures that ranked among the 10 warmest on record.

    “While the weather can change on a dime, our climate is steadily warming,” said Shaun Martin of the World Wildlife Fund. “Each year provides another piece of evidence in what science has already confirmed — the consequences of rising temperatures are putting people and wildlife at risk.”

    “In the U.S., we’re seeing more severe droughts, wildfires, crop losses and more frequent coastal storms with deadly impacts,” Martin added.

    Global temperature data for 2017 will be released on Jan. 18 by NOAA and NASA.

  • Beijing sends conciliatory signals after Doval’s first meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi

    Beijing sends conciliatory signals after Doval’s first meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi

    BEIJING (TIP): In the first official meeting between top Indian and Chinese officials since the Doklam stand-off+ became public, national security adviser Ajit Doval met state councillor Yang Jiechi here on July 27, offering the possibility of serious diplomatic efforts to deescalate the confrontation.

    Yang, who as China’s state councillor overseeing foreign affairs occupies a powerful position in the state council, is the Chinese nominee in the India-China special representative level dialogue with Doval. An influential post, the state councillor is a member of the state council.

    Indications of how the bilateral meeting went could be gleaned by the commentary released by the official Xinhua news agency which sent out a conciliatory signal before Doval is expected to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping on Friday. It spoke of the need to enhance mutual trust as the two countries are “not born rivals”.

    The comments released by the official Xinhua news agency made a strong plea to avoid the possibility of a war. “Most economies, including those in the West, will find themselves negatively affected by an India-China war in a globalised and intertwined world today,” it said. In Delhi, the Indian government reminded China of the agreements on peace and tranquility that go back to 1993.

    Yang also held separate meetings with security officials of three other countries on the sidelines of a security dialogue of BRICS nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

    He discussed issues concerning bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs with the visiting security officials, the official Xinhua news agency said.

    The remarks are a contrast to the hectoring tone in the comments published in publications like Global Times that are seen to reflect the views of the government.

    China’s official spokespersons have accused India of trespassing into Chinese territory, ignoring India’s protests that the face-off near the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan trijunction has been caused by unilateral attempts by China to alter the ground position.

    There are signs that the two neighbours might be able to scale down tensions that have spiked due to the military muscle flexing over China’s bid to build a road through a plateau in Bhutanese territory.

    This is the first time in weeks that the official media ran a commentary without demanding withdrawal of Indian troops from the disputed Doklam region. China has so far been insisting that troop withdrawal is a pre-condition to a “meaningful dialogue”.

    Doval reached Beijing on Thursday ahead of his planned meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and state counsellor Yang Jiechi on Friday. “The recent border issue between the two countries shows a lack of strategic trust on the Indian side,” Xinhua said.

    It is not China but a set of problems common to all developing countries like corruption, a lack of quality education and healthcare that is holding back India.

    “India must understand that China wishes what’s good for the Indian people and would love to see a strong India standing shoulder by shoulder with China,” Xinhua, which reflects the government’s thinking said, giving an emotional touch to the vexed relationship.

    Doval’s formal purpose of visiting Beijing is to attend a security dialogue of BRICS nations. He is expected to discuss the border standoff with Chinese leaders in separate meetings. Chinese foreign ministry has said that bilateral meetings are usually held during BRICS meetings and indirectly confirmed meetings on the border issue with Doval.

    “Instead of being rivals, India and China have much more common ground, common interests and common aspirations. Both as developing countries, the two need to work together on important issues like fighting climate change, protectionism and the financial privileges of Washington,” Xinhua said.

    It further said, “Hopefully, wisdom will guide the two countries to common prosperity. There is more than enough room for them to co-exist and thrive in Asia and in the world”.

    “Both China and India need to enhance communication and nurture trust between them, first by recognizing that the two are not born rivals and that harboring ill will against each other is dangerous,” Xinhua added.

  • Officials say 76 police officers hurt in clashes with anti-G20 protesters

    Officials say 76 police officers hurt in clashes with anti-G20 protesters

    HAMBURG (TIP): At least 76 police officers were hurt on Thursday in clashes with anti-G20 protesters in Hamburg, German authorities said, as a demonstration dubbed “Welcome to Hell” erupted in violence shortly after it began.

    “Police are still being attacked,” said a spokesman for Hamburg’s police force, adding that most of the officers hurt sustained light injuries.

    Demonstrations turned violent late Thursday, as German police clashed with a group of masked anti-capitalist activists hurling bottles and stones.

    What should have been a peaceful march by around 12,000 people in Hamburg protesting against globalisation was halted as police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse around 1,000 far-left militants.

    Police called with loudspeakers on protestors to remove their masks but this was ignored and after more objects were thrown, authorities decided to separate them from the other protestors, police said on Twitter.

    “Unfortunately it has come to the first clashes. We are implementing corresponding measures,” read another tweet.

    Protesters were seen scrambling to leave the scene, while others defiantly stood in the way of water cannon trucks as they moved in surrounded by riot police with helmets and batons.

    Police tweeted a photo of a car and flames and said shop windows were smashed. The main “Welcome to Hell” march was then called off but thousands of people remained as night fell and demonstrators engaged in smaller skirmishes in the back streets of Germany’s second city, AFP correspondents said.

    Up to 100,000 demonstrators are expected before and during the two-day Group of 20 meeting gathering Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping of China starting on Friday.

    There were 20,000 police on standby together with armoured vehicles, helicopters and surveillance drones. A holding centre for detainees has been set up in a former hardware store with space for 400 people.

    “War, climate change, exploitation are the result of the capitalist system that the G20 stands for and which 20,000 police are here to defend,” demonstrator Georg Ismail told AFP.

    Major events like the G20 have in recent years usually been held in remote locations, but Germany was forced by its logistical demands to host it in a large city with a big venue and dozens of hotels.

    Hamburg is desperate to avoid a rerun of the kind of major clashes seen at the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa or the Frankfurt opening of the new European Central Bank building in 2015.

    In Hamburg, some 30 demonstrations have been announced, organised by anti-globalisation activists and environmentalists, trade unions, students and Church groups.

    “Welcome to Hell” organiser Andreas Blechschmidt said the motto is “a combative message… but it’s also meant to symbolise that G20 policies worldwide are responsible for hellish conditions like hunger, war and the climate disaster”.

    The main focus of attention inside the G20 venue on the first day of the summit on Friday will be Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Putin. Speaking in the Polish capital earlier on Thursday in front of 10,000 people, Trump didn’t mince his words about Moscow.

    “We urge Russia to cease its destabilising activities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and its support for hostile regimes — including Syria and Iran — and to instead join the community of responsible nations in our fight against common enemies and in defence of civilisation itself,” he said.

    Arriving in Hamburg later Thursday, Trump headed to talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has vowed to defend the 2015 Paris climate accord despite the US leader’s decision to withdraw.

    Merkel said before meeting the US president that Trump was facing isolation within the G20 over the issue — one of several topics where the new US leader is likely to clash with his fellow leaders. (Reuters)

  • Obama has private dinner with Trudeau in Montreal

    Obama has private dinner with Trudeau in Montreal

    MONTREAL (TIP): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his thanks to former US President Barack Obama after the two shared a private dinner at a Montreal restaurant.

    Trudeau posted a picture of the pair talking in the eatery, with the caption “How do we get young leaders to take action in their communities? Thanks Barack Obama for your visit & insights tonight in my hometown.”

    A crowd cheered the two leaders as they left. Last year, Obama hosted Trudeau for a state dinner at the White House, the first for Canada since 1997.

    Obama spoke to the Montreal Board of Trade yesterday and decried what he called the lack of American leadership on climate change, a swipe at new President Donald Trump’s administration .

    (AP)

  • Oil prices slide amid glut concerns, US withdrawal from climate deal

    SEOUL (TIP): Oil prices dropped on Friday amid worries that U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon a global climate pact could spark more crude drilling in the United States, stoking a persistent glut in global supply.

    Global benchmark Brent crude futures were down 23 cents, or 0.45 percent, at $50.4 a barrel by 0316 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 26 cents, or 0.54 percent, to $48.1 per barrel.

    Commodity markets were absorbing news the United States would withdraw from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, a move that fulfilled a major campaign pledge but drew condemnation from U.S. allies.

    “This could lead to a drilling free for all in the U.S. and also see other signatories waver in their commitments,” said Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA.

    “This outcome could increase the supply-side equation from the United States and complicate OPEC’s forward projections. A scenario that would not be favourable to oil prices.” Surging U.S. production has put a strain on OPEC members’ efforts to curb production to drain a global crude supply overhang and to prop up prices.

    A week ago, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC members met in Vienna to roll over the output cut deal to reduce 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of next March.

    Faced with lingering glut woes, the oil cartel also discussed last week reducing output by a further 1 to 1.5 percent, and could revisit the proposal should inventories remain high, according to sources. But oil markets were offered some support by official data that showed crude inventories in the United States, the world’s top oil consumer, fell sharply last week as refining and exports surged to record highs. Crude stockpiles were down to 6.4 million barrels in the week to May 26, beating analyst expectations for a decrease of 2.5 million barrels.

    However, U.S. crude production rose to 9.34 million bpd last week, up nearly 500,000 bpd from a year ago. “We may or may not see more huge draws. But crude production is slowly but surely going to neutralize the (OPECled) production cut,” said Sukrit Vijayakar, director of energy consultancy Trifecta.

    Source: Reuters

  • China, Europe take lead on climate as world waits on Trump

    China, Europe take lead on climate as world waits on Trump

    BERLIN (TIP): China and Europe took the lead on the Paris climate accord on June 1, as fears grew that US President Donald Trump would pull Washington out of the landmark deal.

    After a day of rumours about the Republican leader’s plans, with some aides reportedly saying a withdrawal was likely and others saying no decision had been taken, Trump said he was ready to make his stance known.

    “I will be announcing my decision on Paris Accord, Thursday at 3:00 P.M. The White House Rose Garden. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” the US leader said in a tweet, punctuating the post with his campaign slogan.

    Hours ahead of his 1900 GMT announcement, the world’s biggest carbon emitter China pledged to stay the course on implementing the 2015 accord. Premier Li Keqiang said it was in China’s own interest to do so, and urged other countries to do likewise. “China will continue to implement promises made in the Paris Agreement, to move towards the 2030 goal step by step steadfastly,” Li said in a Berlin joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

    “But of course, we also hope to do this in cooperation with others,” added Li, as Merkel hailed China’s pledge. China has been investing billions in clean energy infrastructure, as its leaders battle to clear up the notorious choking pollution enveloping its biggest cities, including Beijing.

    Li, who was due to travel to Brussels for a summit with the European Union later Thursday, was expected to stress the same message there. China and the US are responsible for some 40 percent of the world’s emissions and experts have warned that it is vital for both to remain in the Paris agreement if it is to have any chance of succeeding.

    The leader of Asia’s other behemoth, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had said Tuesday, also in Berlin, that failing to act on climate change would be “morally criminal”.

    Trump raised alarm bells when he refused to sign up to a pledge on the deal at last week’s G7 meeting in Italy. Merkel on Saturday labelled the result of the “six against one” discussion “very difficult, not to say very unsatisfactory”.

    With media reports swirling that Trump had decided to pull Washington out of the accord, America’s international allies and Trump’s domestic opponents have lashed out at the billionaire.

    The White House did not confirm those reports, and it was unclear whether Trump would fully scrap US participation, merely water down US emissions objectives — or surprise everyone with a decision to follow the status quo. (AFP)

  • TRUMP PULLS US OUT OF PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD

    TRUMP PULLS US OUT OF PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD

    ● Speaks of negotiations to re-enter green pact on terms fair to US
    ● Many States and Cities pledge to abide by Paris climate accord

    Donald Trump on Thursday, June 1, withdrew the US from the landmark Paris climate accord which he said was not tough on India and China, and alleged that the deal was negotiated “poorly” by the Obama administration and signed out of “desperation”.

    “In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect our citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord…We are getting out and we will start to renegotiate,” Trump said at the Rose Garden of the White House.

    Trump said he wants a fair deal for the American businesses to stay in the Paris agreement on climate change. Trump said the Paris agreement on climate change agreed upon by more than 190 countries was “negotiated  poorly by Obama administration and signed out of desperation”. “This agreement is more about climate and more about others getting advantages. This put the US to a very very big economic disadvantage,” he said, adding that as a result of the deal, the US would not be able to compete with other countries in the world.

    Trump made this announcement in front of a battery of reporters when the temperature this afternoon was reported to be around 26 degrees Celsius. By withdrawing the US from the climate deal, he fulfilled his major campaign promise and overturned the major foreign policy accomplishment of his predecessor Barack Obama.

    In addition to the US, only two other countries-Syria and Nicaragua-are not part of the Paris agreement. California Governor Jerry Brown called Trump’s decision possibly “tragic” and a step “backwards” for the US. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says his state will continue to abide by the Paris climate accord regardless of President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the landmark 190-nation agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

    Cuomo said that the Republican president’s decision is “reckless” and harmful for the nation and the planet. He says he will use executive orders to ensure the state does not abandon its efforts to boost renewable energy while reducing emissions tied to climate change. New York Governor Cuomo, along with California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Washington State Governor Jay R. Inslee have announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition that will convene U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Accord and continuing to take action against climate change.

    In the wake of that decision, 61 mayors across the U.S. announced that they would step up their cities’ own efforts to combat climate change, and adopt the Paris climate agreement on a local scale. Mayor Bill de Blasio, unsurprisingly, is among the members of the Climate Mayors, and in a statement, he denounced Trump’s move: “President Trump can turn his back on the world, but the world cannot ignore the very real threat of climate change. This decision is an immoral assault on the public health, safety and security of everyone on this planet. New Yorkers are already experiencing hotter summers, more powerful storms and rising seas, which disproportionately affect already vulnerable communities.

    Democratic lawmakers have said this is retreat of American leadership and gives opportunities to countries like India, China and Germany. The US, however, will not immediately pull out of the Paris Act. He would follow the four-year rule to get out of it. This means that the US will leave the Paris Agreement in 2020.

    Former Obama aide David Axelrod said, “in backing off of climate pact”, Trump “is locking arms with Syria and Nicaragua and matching confidently into the past”.

    INDIA AT ADVANTAGE: US PREZ:

    Trump said the deal gives advantages to countries like India and China. “India makes its participation on receiving billions and billions of dollars from developed countries. Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the US. The current India will be allowed to double its coal production and so does China,” Trump alleged. “A sad and weak decision,” tweeted Richard Verma, former US envoy to India.

    ‘HISTORIC MISTAKE’, BUT CLIMATE ACTION WILL GO ON:

    US President Trump’s decision will not derail action to curb one of the most serious problems facing the planet, political leaders, scientists, activists and other experts vowed on Thursday, June 1. But they warned that the decision could slow the pace of a global switch to clean energy, putting more lives and billions of dollars in investment at risk as climate change impacts pick up pace It also is likely to further erode US leadership in the world, with China and the EU expected to take the lead on global climate action, and will cost the US jobs in surging clean energy businesses, they said What remains unclear is how much influence the US will now have on how the Paris pact is put into action, starting in 2018, given that the US exit from the accord cannot be immediate, experts said.

  • Donald Trump meets Pope Francis at Vatican

    Donald Trump meets Pope Francis at Vatican

    VATICAN CITY (TIP): US President Donald Trump met Pope Francis at the Vatican on May 24 in a keenly anticipated first face-to-face encounter between two world leaders who have clashed repeatedly on several issues.

    The private audience with the pontiff was preceded by a cordial handshake for the cameras and was expected to last around 20 minutes.

    It came on the third leg of Trump’s first overseas trip as president, which has already taken him to Saudi Arabia and to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

    The two men had never met before Wednesday morning but they have significant history having clashed publicly over subjects ranging from migration to unbridled capitalism and climate change.They also disagree on issues like the death penalty and the arms trade but share a fervent opposition to abortion.

    Trump was accompanied for the audience by his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka, both dressed all in black, in keeping with traditional protocol that is no longer always observed by all female dignitaries visiting the Vatican.

    (AFP)

  • CPEC may ignite more India-Pakistan tensions: UN report

    CPEC may ignite more India-Pakistan tensions: UN report

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): The $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traversing through PoK might create “geo-political tension” in the region by igniting further tensions between India and Pakistan, a UN report has warned.

    The report released by the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said that the project could also fuel separatist movement in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. “The dispute over Kashmir is also of concern, since the crossing of the CPEC in the region might create geo-political tension with India+ and ignite further political instability,” said the report on China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    The report, prepared at the request of China, also cautioned that the instability in Afghanistan could cast a shadow over viability of the CPEC over which India has already raised protests with China and boycotted the last week’s BRI summit in Beijing. “Afghanistan’s political instability could also limit the potential benefits of transit corridors to population centres near Kabul or Kandahar, as those routes traverse southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban are most active,” the report said.

    The report also covered other economic corridors of the BRI including the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM). According to the report, while the CPEC could serve as the “driver for trade and economic integration” between China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states, it could also cause many problems within Pakistan and reignite separatist movement in the country due to opposition in Balochistan.

    “However, social and environmental safeguards are a concern. The CPEC could lead to widespread displacement of local communities+ . In Balochistan, there are concerns that migrants from other regions of Pakistan will render ethnic Baloch a minority in the province,” it said.

    Further, concerns exist that the CPEC will pass from the already narrow strip of cultivable land in the mountainous western Pakistan, destroying farmland and orchards. The resulting resettlements would reduce local population into an “economically subservient minority”, it said. “In addition, Hazaras are another minority of concern. If the benefits of the proposed CPEC are reaped by large conglomerates, linked to Chinese or purely Punjabi interests, the identity and culture of the local population could be further marginalised,” the report cautioned. “Marginalisation of local population groups could reignite separatist movements and toughen military response from the government,” it said.

    About the BRI, it said, the scale of the BRI both in terms of geographical coverage and its cross-sectorial policy influence will shape the future of global development and governance.

    “It brings wide-reaching implications for China, for the countries it links across the Asia-Pacific and for the global economy+ ,” it said. “In order for the full potential of the BRI to be realised there are several prerequisites. It should be founded on principles such as trust, confidence and sharing benefits among participating states.” It should play a positive role in the response to climate change over the coming decades, promoting low carbon development and climate resilient infrastructure, the report said.

    “Lastly, to be effective and deliver results in a timely fashion, it should go beyond bilateral project transactions to promote regional and multilateral policy frameworks,” it said. “The BRI will serve the interests of China and the countries along its corridors more effectively if it is shaped as a collective endeavour and is well integrated into existing regional cooperation initiatives,” it said.

    To this end, the BRI needs to co-opt and engage Asian sub regional platforms to ensure that it reinforces regional plans of connectivity and prioritises the missing transport links along corridors, particularly those in the China-Central-West Asia and the China-Indo-China-Peninsula corridors, it said.

    Shamshad Akhtar, former governor of State Bank of Pakistan, who heads the ESCAP wrote the foreword for the report. In her foreword Akhtar said, “our analysis confirms the benefits the BRI could bring are significant. The BRI could help raise economic output levels by an average of 6 per cent in participating countries. If these countries lowered border transaction costs and import tariffs, the difference the BRI could make would be greater still.” (PTI)

  • Buddha’s message of compassion timeless

    Buddha’s message of compassion timeless, says UN chief

     

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday, May 11, called on the global community to draw inspiration from the journey of Lord Buddha and embrace his message of compassion on the occasion of ‘Vesak Day’. Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

    “Born a sheltered prince, Shakyamuni (Buddha) went out into the world to confront and overcome human suffering. This message of compassion is timeless,” the UN chief said. The UN Secretary-General also emphasized that in the current interconnected world, there can be “no peace as long as others  are in peril, no security as long as others suffer deprivation [and] no sustainable future until all members of our human family enjoy their human rights”. He called on the people of the world to celebrate the wisdom of Buddha by taking action for others with a strong spirit of solidarity.

    On the occasion, a special commemorative event was held yesterday at the General Assembly attended by UN ambassadors, diplomats and Buddhist monks. The event included sermons and a Buddhist musical interlude by a group of children from Sri Lanka. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told the gathering that Buddha’s key messages of truth, non-violence, peace and harmony continue to resonate across the world two and half millennia after his death.

    “The modern world continues to be beset with great human suffering, deepening inequalities violent conflicts and environmental degradation. The teachings of Buddha which essentially is a reaffirmation of a sustainable lifestyle, harmony with inner self and with nature, hold great promise for achievement of global sustainable development goals and to unite the world to fight climate change,” Akbaruddin said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also visiting Sri Lanka to attend the ‘Vesak Day’ celebrations in Colombo. In 1999, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it recognized the International Day to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity. ( PTI)

     

  • Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Denounces Trump’s Executive Order Rolling Back American Commitment to Growing Green Technology Sector

    Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Denounces Trump’s Executive Order Rolling Back American Commitment to Growing Green Technology Sector

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi denounced President Trump’s executive order eliminating President Obama’s climate-change protections as an attack on the growing green economy and as another example of the Trump administration’s effort to govern by decree. Krishnamoorthi is the author of the Executive Order Transparency Act, which would require executive orders to be posted to the White House website seventy-two hours in advance of signing, to reveal their contents. The Congressman also introduced H. Res. 85, a resolution in support of the United States continuing its Paris Agreement commitments to address climate change and develop clean energy.

    “Through this sudden and reckless order, the Trump administration has continued to cede American leadership in green technology while endangering our environment and ambushing our economy in the process,” Krishnamoorthi said.

    “The need to deal with climate change is imperative, but by doing so, we can also lead the world in the development of green technology. That is why I introduced a resolution specifically calling for our country to continue to address climate change and to embrace the new economic developments that come with it. Through rolling back these environmental protections, President Trump has allowed other nations to lead on this vital technology.”

    “I’ve also introduced legislation to push back against the White House’s efforts to ambush the country with radical overnight orders by requiring executive orders to be disclosed three days before their signing. By issuing this order so suddenly and without providing warning to the necessary Agencies, the administration has left clean energy and green technology firms to face a suddenly more hostile business environment for no discernible advantage”, he further added.

  • London to become first city to have ultra-low emission zone

    London to become first city to have ultra-low emission zone

    LONDON (TIP): London has become the first city in the world to announce an ultra-low emission zone to tackle rising levels of air pollution, under which the drivers of the most polluting cars will have to pay an extra charge.

    London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that the new zone will be launched from April 8, 2019, when most polluting cars, vans and motorbikes will have to pay 12.50 pounds to drive through central London, while buses, coaches and HGVs will pay 100 pounds.

    The mayor’s office hopes the move will result in a 50 per cent drop in emissions by 2020.

    “The air in London is lethal and I will not stand by and do nothing. Now I urge the Government to step up and match my ambition to transform the appalling air we breathe,” Khan said.

    “I want to announce my intention to consult on these proposals in good time so that business and those affected by new charges will have time to make changes they need to adapt to our low emission requirements,” he added.

    The new charge in 2019 will replace the “toxicity charge”, which comes into force from October this year, under which pre-2006 diesel and petrol vehicles will face an extra 10-pound charge when they enter central London during peak times.

    The so-called T-charge will see owners of such vehicles paying extra on top of the existing 11.50-pound congestion charge.

    Consultations on the various aspects of the proposals will take place this year to be ready to be imposed in two years’ time.

    The ultra-low emission zone is an area within which all cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles will need to meet exhaust emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel. (PTI)

     

     

  • Setback to Climate Action Plans

    Setback to Climate Action Plans

    That Donald Trump’s skepticism about climate change will adversely impact policies to address global warming became abundantly clear minutes after his swearing-in as U.S. President.

    The White House website quickly deleted all mention of climate change.

    Turning its attention to other agencies, the Trump administration instructed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to follow suit and scrub all mention of climate change from its website as well.

    But following a protest by scientists and others, the administration softened its stand and indicated that the agency’s website was only being “reviewed” and that it had “no immediate plans to remove the content” on climate change.

    Mr. Trump has also resurrected the controversial Keystone XL, that former President Barack Obama had blocked after a protracted battle with policymakers, and Dakota Access pipelines.

    Global warming is an expensive hoax

    The Trump administration had issued a gag order to scientists at the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop them from speaking to the media; it subsequently changed its policy with respect to EPA but has mandated that even routine data and studies be “reviewed” before being released to the public.

    In line with his thinking that “global warming is an expensive hoax”, Mr. Trump plans to re-energies the fossil-fuel industry. The America First Energy Plan listed on the White House website aims to increase fossil fuel extraction in the name of creating more jobs, and in the process “eliminating”, among other things, Mr. Obama’s climate action plan.

     

  • Best weather satellite ever built rockets into space

    Best weather satellite ever built rockets into space

    CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA (TIP): The most advanced weather satellite ever built rocketed into space on Saturday night, part of an $11 billion effort to revolutionize forecasting and save lives.

    This new GOES-R spacecraft will track US weather as never before: hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, volcanic ash clouds, wildfires, lightning storms, even solar flares. Indeed, about 50 TV meteorologists from around the country converged on the launch site including NBC’s Al Roker along with 8,000 space program workers and guests. “What’s so exciting is that we’re going to be getting more data, more often, much more detailed, higher resolution,” Roker said. In the case of tornadoes, “if we can give people another 10, 15, 20 minutes, we’re talking about lives being saved.” Think superhero speed and accuracy for forecasting. Super high-definition TV, versus black-and-white. “Really a quantum leap above any satellite NOAA has ever flown,” said Stephen Volz, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s director of satellites.

    “For the American public, that will mean faster, more accurate weather forecasts and warnings,” Volz said earlier in the week. “That also will mean more lives saved and better environmental intelligence” for government officials responsible for hurricane and other evacuations.

  • Hollande awards France’s Legion of Honour to UN’s Ban Ki-moon

    Hollande awards France’s Legion of Honour to UN’s Ban Ki-moon

    PARIS (TIP): United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon received the Legion of Honour from French President Francois Hollande on Nov 17 for his contributions to tackling climate change.

    The South Korean diplomat helped push through the 2015 Paris Agreement, a deal aimed at moving away from fossil fuels to cleaner energies that was signed by almost 200 countries after nearly two decades of negotiations.

    “It was largely because of your contribution, because many years ago you started putting this topic on all the agendas,” Hollande said at the ceremony of Ban’s efforts.

    The Legion of Honour was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and is considered to be one of France’s highest civilian awards.

    “By doing this you are rewarding our honourable organisation and I feel deeply honoured and proud,” said Ban, who will step down as head of the 193-member world organisation after 10 years on January 1. He will be replaced by Antonio Guterres of Portugal. (Reuters)

  • NEW DELHI SCRAMBLES TO CURB RECORD SMOG

    NEW DELHI SCRAMBLES TO CURB RECORD SMOG

    NEW DELHI: (TIP): Throughout New Delhi schools have closed, peoplpe have stopped driving and at least a tenth of the city’s workforce has called in sick. And it’s not because of a flood, earthquake or tornado—rather, it’s due to record-breaking smog that has engulfed the city for the past week. As Reuters reports, the city is now taking measures to try to lift the air pollution, but these days are literally dark in a city already known for its horrible air quality.

    The dangerous smog cloud has been over the city since the Indian festival of Diwali on October 30, and The Hindustan Times reports that a wind phenomenon that blew smoke from Northern India into the city is to blame. Add in holiday firecrackers, the practice of burning the remnants of crops to make way for winter wheat and the large amount of pollutants belched out by vehicles transporting celebrating revelers, and it’s a recipe for choking air pollution.

    This year’s combination is especially severe. Popular Science’s Rachel Feltman writes that this week, the city scored a 999 on an air quality index whose top rating is technically a score of 500. That’s more than 16 times the level the Indian government considers safe and more than 30 times the World Health Organization’s safe limits. For individuals who must breathe the air, that means the risk of acute respiratory diseases and higher morbidity levels over time—and as with many health hazards, those with young, old or compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

    As public outcry increases, Reuters notes, Delhi has begun to take action. Diesel-powered vehicles more than 15 years of age are having their licenses revoked, construction work has stopped and courts have been asked to monitor the implementation of anti-pollution measures. But long-term, the picture doesn’t look good for New Delhi.

    A recent World Health Organization report on air pollution found that 98 percent of cities with populations of over 100,000 in low- and middle-income countries do not meet basic air quality standards, including New Delhi. And the city appears to be focusing on short-term solutions instead of a longer-term fix.

    Luckily, a burst of wind speed slightly improved conditions on Monday, but until New Delhi looks at the big picture, its smog problems will likely persist. But maybe there’s a hidden, though admittedly minuscule, upside to the slow-moving disaster: The longer Delhi suffers under smog, the more likely it is to draw public ire—and, perhaps one day, action on the part of public officials. Source: smithsonianmag.com

  • Living in America with the dream of providing ‘Roti, Kapda and Makan’ for every Indian

    Living in America with the dream of providing ‘Roti, Kapda and Makan’ for every Indian

    dr-vaijnath-m-chakote-mdFrom an unknown, remote village of Karnataka to New York. The journey was not only difficult but also full of challenges. He overcame all challenges, achieved extraordinary success, but at heart, he is the same village boy who still dreams of bringing changes around. In a nutshell, that is how one can define Dr. Vaijinath Chakote – a global citizen but Indian at core.

    Born in Konmelkunda village in Bidar district, Karnataka, Vaijinath Chakote came from a very humble background. His farmer father and housewife mother could not provide him with any luxury but gave the most important gift of life – moral values. Education, honesty, serving the community, and helping the poor – those were the values his parents emphasized on. And those moral principles made him what he is today – a man who always keeps his head high with feet on ground.

    Today, Dr. Vaijinath Chakote, a renowned internist, holds the title of medical director in a number of practices in the tri-state area but never forgets his roots.

    “I belong to a very remote village in India where in my school there was no table or chair. We had to sit on the mud floor”, he recollects those early days of struggle.

    Uponcompletion of primary education from his village, Vaijinath Chakote went to Hyderabad and Bidar for further studies and finally to Karnataka Institute of Medical Science in Hubli from where he got his medical degree.

    Then he worked in many countries like Iran, England, and Ireland and finally landed in USA in 1984.

    Dr. Vaijinath Chakote, an internist in Rockaway Beach, New York, is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital. He is one of 67 doctors atBrookdale Hospital Medical Centerand one of 177 at Lenox Hill Hospital who specialize in Internal Medicine. During his decade long medical career Dr. Chakote has developed successful practices servicing patients with a wide array of care needs. Empire Medical Services is one of them that serve low-income communities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Rockaway Beach, Flushing, and the surrounding areas. Catering to its patients is the main goal of Empire Medical Services that aimsto continue to provide individualized care to every patient and to be an ongoing educational resource for the surrounding medical community.

    Chakote Family. (L to R): Kirti Chakote, Dr. Jyoti Chakote, Kalpita Chakote, Dr. V Chakote, Karunesh Chakote
    Chakote Family. (L to R): Kirti Chakote, Dr. Jyoti Chakote, Kalpita Chakote, Dr. V Chakote, Karunesh Chakote

    Dr. Chakote is also serving as the current president of AAPI of Queens and Long Island that represents 660 active physicians and donates more than $60,000 annually for charitable purposes. He received numerous awards for his charitable activities including Nassau County Human’sRights’ Commission Award (first Asian to be awarded in 50 years), mahatma Gandhi Samman, and Hind Ratan-Jewel India- Award among others.

    Giving back to the community is the motto of his life – be it in America or back home in India. He is hosting a Diwali party for 350 people in a 7-star hotel with unlimited drinks and food, which is entirely free of cost. He is spending 50,000 dollars from his pocket to host this ‘Glamorous and beautiful’ event in Long Island on October 21.

    “My only dream is to serve the community -mainly in India – more so in my village where I come from. There are so many things to do (there). Still there is no drinking water in my village, no school. I feel so bad when I see my villagers are suffering so much.”

    He also feels that all Indians should work together for India and the whole world for harmony and peace. “The world recognizes Indians as the peace-loving people. We should continue the good work to maintain that. We should lead the world the way Mahatma Gandhi did.”

    Dr Chakote receiving Mahatma Gandhi Samman - 2012 from Rt. Hon'ble Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister of Energy & Climate Change, U.K. on 12th October 2012 at House of Lords, London U.K.
    Dr Chakote receiving Mahatma Gandhi Samman – 2012 from Rt. Hon’ble Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister of Energy & Climate Change, U.K. on 12th October 2012 at House of Lords, London U.K.

    Dr. Chakote praises the contributions of many Indians who donate thousands of dollars for many charitable works here but feelsthat prosperous Indian American community should come forward and provide the basic amenities in their respective places in India. “Roti, kapda, aur makan – these basic needs are still not there in many places. There is no drinking water, no roads, no proper transportation system. Because of lack of proper infrastructural systems like toilets, communicable diseases are spreading. ”

    Dr. Chakote's talented daughter Kalpita giving a dance performance
    Dr. Chakote’s talented daughter Kalpita giving a dance performance

    “In 40 years the conditions of rural India have not changed much. In fact, it has become worse. The big cities are getting bigger but villages are still in darkness. That’s why villagers are shifting to towns for a better life and the towns are unable to cope up with the increased population”, he further added.

    Dr. Chakote firmly believes that together we can change the world with honesty, sincerity, hard work, and without any discrimination.

    Dr. Chakote is married to Jyoti who is a doctor. The couple have three children. The eldest Karunesh, 23 studies at Dental College, Pittsburg; the middle one Kirti, 22, is a student of Albany Medical College. The youngest Kalpita, 16 is a high school student. She excels as a Bharat Natyam dancer and had Arrangetram at the age of 12. She is a regular performer at many prestigious events.

  • BEIJING TO HAVE WORLD’S BIGGEST AIR PURIFIER TO FIGHT SMOG

    BEIJING TO HAVE WORLD’S BIGGEST AIR PURIFIER TO FIGHT SMOG

    BEIJING (TIP): China will deploy world’s largest outdoor air purifier designed by a Dutch engineer in its smog- hit capital Beijing, as the thick heavily-polluted haze returned to haunt the city, driving people indoors.

    The seven-meter-tall tower, brainchild of Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde, is undergoing last-minute checks in Beijing’s 751 D Park art area.

    The ‘Smog Free Tower’ will soon be opened to the public, and will be toured across the country, state-run Global Times said, quoting China Forum of Environmental Journalists, an NGO under China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection.

    The tower can capture about 75 per cent of PM 2.5 and PM 10 tiny particles in its vicinity and then release purified air to create a “bubble” of fresh air around it. The tower can clean 30,000 cubic meters of air per hour through its patented ozone-free ion technology.

    Beijing has been plagued with heavy smog since the beginning of October. The city’s environmental authorities issued a “yellow alert” for air pollution on Tuesday.

    “Yellow alert” is the third-most serious level in a four tier colour-code warning system. Red is the most serious and orange the second-most serious while blue is the least serious pollution level.

    The average PM2.5 density of the small deadly polluted particles crossed over 300 today even though a cold front in the morning cleared the smog a bit.

    Liu Guozheng, CFEJ secretary-general said the tower is intended to warn authorities never to forget their duty and encourage the public to pull together to combat the smog.

    The public, meanwhile, are bemused by the tower’s function and have called on authorities to curb dangerous sources of polluting particles, the daily said.

    Netizens expressed their frustration over the tower.

    “The so-called divine smog cleaner is more like a piece of performance art, which makes almost zero difference to cleaner air in the city. It devours the polluted air and exhales fresh air, but so little it won’t make any difference. The air will stay polluted,” the daily quoted a comment by Sina Weibo user. (PTI)

  • India ratifies historic Paris climate deal at #UN

    India ratifies historic Paris climate deal at #UN

    United Nations, Oct 2 (PTI) India today ratified the landmark Paris climate deal, giving a significant push for the deal to enter into force by the end of this year.

    Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia – Twitter) handed over India’s Instrument of Ratification to the Paris Agreement under the convention on Climate Change today, coinciding with the International Day of Non Violence.

    The day also commemorates the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who epitomized a lifestyle with the smallest carbon footprint.

    With this India, the worlds third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, became the 62nd country to ratify the Agreement taking the cumulative emission of the countries that have ratified the Agreement so far to 51.89%.

    This significant contribution towards the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement underlines Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to global cause of environmental protection and climate justice and reaffirms India’s responsive leadership in addressing the impact of climate change.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lauded India’s “climate leadership”, saying India’s ratification of the Paris Climate Change agreement moves the world an “important step closer” toward achieving the goal of entering the landmark deal into force this year.

    In his message for the International Day of Non-violence, marked every year on Gandhis birth anniversary, Ban said there is no better way to commemorate Gandhi and his legacy for people and the planet than with India submitting its instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

    “I warmly congratulate India for its climate leadership, and for building on the strong momentum we see from all corners of the globe for the agreement to enter into force as quickly as possible this year. Indias ratification of the agreement moves the world an important step closer toward achieving that goal,” Ban said in the message.

    He called on all countries to complete their domestic processes for ratification and also strive in all activities to achieve progress through non-violence.

    The UN chief said the commitment to sustainable living that Gandhi emphasised on is reflected in a “momentous way” as India is depositing its instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

    “India keeps its promise. On Gandhijis birth anniversary, we deposit the instrument of ratification of Paris Agreement on climate change,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

    Syed Akbaruddin had on Friday said that India had played a “key role” in the negotiations and finalisation of the Paris agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a “personal commitment” to the climate deal.