EcoSikh seeks Modi backing for climate agreement in Paris

Washington based EcoSikh has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commit to reducing carbon emissions and to work towards a meaningful agreement at the ongoing UN Climate talks in Paris.

Nearly 200 nations are attending the UN's 21st Conference of Parties (COP21)to negotiate a landmark climate agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

"India stands to be affected severely from the effects of climate change in the coming decades. Many important parts of the country are vulnerable," said Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of the Washington based EcoSikh.

"India's policy to increase coal plants and production of coal based energy is devastating to the overall goal of controlling carbon emissions," he said.

"India's poor are some of the hardest hit by climate change, and will continue to be if India does not take a grander stand in the UN negotiations."

Singh appreciated "Modi's drive to increase alternate sources of energy for the country and focusing on technology transfers, research and development, and investment in India's alternative energy sector with the overall goal of emissions reductions."

"But, this will only come with the commitment of Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet. Climate change is a moral issue and India should stand on the right side of history," he said.

Amar Singh Sawhney, a member of EcoSikh's Board of Directors and CEO of Boston based Ocular Therapeutix, Inc, said: "While understandably, India may not be able to eliminate coal and oil from its energy mix, a firm commitment to technological improvements to decrease the pollution impact of these energy sources must be undertaken"

Suneet Singh Tuli, a member of the EcoSikh Board of Directors and CEO of the Datawind, said: "India is at risk, and it is time for Prime Minister Modi, and India's energy minister Piyush Goyal to take seriously the impending damage climate change will cause for India's 1.2 billion people."

EcoSikh has been invited by French President Francois Hollande and by the White House this year on consultations on Climate Change issues for faith perspectives.

EcoSikh also took part in UN and the World Bank sponsored conference in Bristol and Paris on climate change and poverty issues leading to the UN Paris summit.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)