Sporting Chance

End of first week of the UN conference on climate change in Bali and all attempts to engage with the Indian delegates, to reveal their game plan for the strengthening of Kyoto protocol, their vision of a brave new world, their dreams and aspirations to combat climate change, or even how much money they really want for adaptation and mitigation, have failed. Nothing. Naada.

Every time I see the PR hyperbole of our Chinese brethren about their willingness to take on the world's climate change burden by committing to targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency laws and shutting down their dirtiest coal plants, I cringe. I know India has done more than any other country to keep the worst impacts of climate change at bay. Which other country can boast of keeping over 33 percent of its population outside the electricity grid. Which other nation can boast of ensuring daily power cuts/ black outs in its cities. Which other delegate can stand up with any level of pride and say that like India it has made about 3 million dollars in crappy CDM projects last year alone.

I am not appalled anymore. It has already been repeated at this circus that the opportunities far outweigh the risks when it comes to climate change. The accompanying video should give our government some ideas, after all beyond cricket, we have very little to show in the global sporting arena. With one third of our population living close to the oceans, we can start preparing for the global warming olympics and beat US, Australia, Canada and Japan at their own games.