Gandhian authors book on global warming

One of the hottest topics at seminars and conferences the world over is - global warming. Recently, a documentary on global warming in the US (presented by former Vice President Al Gore) went on to win an Oscar. So what exactly is global warming, how do we cope with it, and what measures have to be taken to live another day? For answers to such and other questions, T Krishnamurthy, former president of Karnataka Sarvodaya Sangh, Gandhian thinker and resident of Jayanagar, has written a book on global warming that de-mystifies this complex topic.

The author quotes Mr. Maurice Strong, secretary general of the UN who has said, "We have been the most successful species ever. We are now a species out of control. Our very success is leading us into a dangerous future."

He points out that we are increasing the earth's temperature by burning fossil fuels like coal, petrol, diesel, etc. to liberate the energy that is required for industries, transportation, etc. Burning of these fossil fuels liberate carbon-dioxide and methane gases which raise the atmospheric temperature. Great visionists like Mahatma Gandhiji, Shri J.C. Kumarappa and many other ecologists and scientists have advised use of alternate source of energy like solar, water, air, bio-gas etc. for meeting our energy requirements and there is an urgent need to ration fossil fuel energy, the author says.

The book gives a clarion call to apprise the government, NGOs and individuals about the hazardous consequences of the industrial and commercial activities using non-renewable fossil fuel. We have to limit use of fossil fuels and supplement the same with alternative renewable sources of energy, says the author. Sri Krishnamurthy also stresses on supplementing fossil fuel with manpower, which would reduce the carbon dioxide emission, and also provide means of earnings to the needy rural population engaged only in seasonal agricultural activities.