Nearly
150 world leaders are meeting in Paris over one mission: Agree on legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. As global average temperatures soar, they will try to get
a handle on the cause.
On
Monday, the leaders of the main players necessary to achieve the ambitious goal
-- China and the United States -- will sit down together at the COP21. They are also
the largest
producers of greenhouse gases.
COP
stands for Conference of Parties, an annual forum to try to tackle climate on a
global political level. It kicks off under the specter of the November 13
terror attacks in Paris that killed 130, and world leaders will
observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims on Monday.
Authorities
have clamped down on anti-global warming demonstrations in the city out of security
concerns.
In
a blunt warning to rich nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told
developed countries — which powered their way to prosperity on fossil fuels —
that it would be “morally wrong” if they shift the burden of reducing emissions
on developing countries such as India.
“The
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be the bedrock
of our collective enterprise. Anything else would be morally wrong,” he wrote
in the Opinion section of today’s Financial Times. He asked the developed
nations to fulfill their duty to shoulder the greater burden of the fight
against climate change.
Mr.
Modi reiterated his plans to launch an alliance of 121 solar-rich nations in
the tropics aimed at bringing affordable solar power to villages that are off
the grid.
“We
expect the same from the world with respect to responding to climate change,”
he said.
“India
is also experiencing the impact of climate change caused by the industrial age
of the developed world. We are concerned about our 7,500km of coastline, more
than 1,300 islands, the glaciers that sustain our civilization and our millions
of vulnerable farmers,” he wrote.
“We
should meet our need for clean energy and healthy habitats in a spirit of
partnership, not put nations on different sides. India will work with
governments, laboratories and industry to facilitate a natural transition to a
clean energy era through affordable and accessible renewable energy,” he said.