Feature Article

The Copenhagen Accord does mention a Copenhagen Green Climate Fund and a Technology Mechanism for technology development and transfer in support of action on adaptation and mitigation. However, it is silent on crucial aspects of both; perhaps those will be worked out in the negotiations to be conducted later.

Renewable energy is not a viable option unless energy can be stored on a large scale. David Lindley looks at five ways to do that.

Food and energy crises are real global challenges and while both issues are inter related needing global solutions, there are essential differences between the two. The developing and the poor countries who are the least responsible for both the crises, are the ones experiencing their worst impact.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol is a dual purpose mechanism aiming to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development. However the CDM, as a market mechanism, seems incapable of fulfilling this latter purpose. Bui lding on the dichotomy between market liberalism and sustainable development as identified by D.M.

The subject of energy and environment are attracting universal attention now. Though pollution existed even 150 years ago but at that time, the planet could absorb the undesirable emissions. Today, we have crossed the absorption capacity and, the very survival of the planet is at stake. In 1860, all had welcomed the discovery of oil.

The pervasive mistrust with which the Copenhagen Conference ended does not augur well for post-Copenhagen negotiations. This commentary explores existing fault lines and proposes creative ways of moving forward.

Cheap oil has been the driving force behind the phenomenal economic growth of the past century, at least in the west. Oil is the lifeblood of the modern world. If we were to remove it tomorrow, it is no exaggeration to say that civilisation would collapse. (Editorial)

In Nature India, Pew's Namrata Patodia explains why India should be part of a global climate deal.
for full text:
http://www.nature.com/nindia/
2009/091203/full/nindia.2009.348.html

At his inaugural remarks in January 2009, US President, Mr. Barack Obama proclaimed: "Our time of standing pat, of protecting national interest and putting off unpleasant decisions-that time has surely passed." The meager result in Copenhagen unfortunately confirms that unpleasant decisions are indeed still being put off. World leaders continued talking in Copenhagen rather than acting.