‘Curb rising Celsius, go green’

MUMBAI: Ahead of India’s approval for ratifying the Paris climate change agreement at United Nations on Sunday, Erik Solheim, executive director, UNEP, said it would

MUMBAI: Ahead of India’s approval for ratifying the Paris climate change agreement at United Nations on Sunday, Erik Solheim, executive director, UNEP, said it would boost the global resolution towards reducing carbon emissions, thereby global warming.

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“The signing was important for the global environment as China, United States, Europe and India — the four major economic areas — have now signed the agreement,” said Solheim. “This will change the global scenario when it comes to climate change. The countries need to now look into environmental opportunities by providing new green jobs, go in for renewable sources of energy, such as solar, and use smart technology for agriculture that does not affect the climate.”

In an attempt to curb the rising global temperatures that is leading to a shift in rainfall patterns, melting glaciers and rising sea levels, the Paris climate change agreement requires governments to present national plans to reduce emissions to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degree Celsius. The agreement will come into force when 55 countries contributing to over 50% of global emissions ratify the deal. So far, countries that have ratified the agreement account for 51.89% of global emissions, according to the Union environment ministry.