Target hard to achieve

Reference to ‘PM Modi sets 2070 net- zero target, demands $1 trillion climate finance’; Modi made five commitments, ‘Panchamrit’, at the ongoing COP26 on climate change that include increase in non-fossil power generation capacity and reduction in carbon emissions in less than 10 years. It appears to be difficult to achieve under the present economic crisis due to the pandemic. It may be possible to meet 50% of the energy requirements of the country, from the present 40%, provided the entire new addition is from renewable energy only. Coal-based power generation and transport sector are the major contributors of carbon emissions and they have to be replaced based on renewable energy to fulfil the commitment of net-zero carbon emission by 2070. Except solar, the potential of renewable energy in the country is inadequate to replace fossil fuel power generation completely.

O Prasada Rao, by mail

Dignity to go in peace

‘For how long one must suffer?’ opened up some old wounds. Having nursed my terminally ill mother for two years, I often got to hear from her ‘there should be an option for people like us to exit gracefully’. In hindsight, I endorse what she said, having lived gracefully, once afflicted with an incurable disease; other than being a financial and emotional burden, the patient suffers a lot of pain, too. I bat for euthanasia for people with terminal diseases, or vegetative existence following accidents. Why should one suffer endlessly just because the heart won’t stop? There should be a medical board which should give permission to such patients.

Manveen Mann, Jalandhar

Too much pollution

Refer to ‘Let’s breathe easy this Diwali’; a festival of colourful lights, sweets, savouries and gifts, Diwali is a symbol of brotherhood and national integration as it is celebrated by all communities. Any type of air and noise pollution is both undesirable and intolerable. Smokes and fumes emitted from the crackers cause pollution, which has resulted in global warming. Noise pollution has been reported to be the cause of metabolic and hearing disorders. The authorities concerned should take stringent measures to check pollution by taking stern action against the defaulters. Recently, the apex court directed all car manufacturers to conform to Euro 1 and Euro II emission norms to curb pollution. Any kind of air, noise, water and electronic pollution is detrimental for general health. The more man is developing mentally, the more he is ignoring the ill-effects of pollution and ecological imbalance.

Anil Bhatia, Hisar

Ban all crackers

The apex court was not convinced by the Calcutta HC ruling that there is practical difficulty in ensuring that firecrackers in the market are indeed green and therefore overturned its order. The reality is that under the guise of green crackers, the toxic and conventional ones are sold overtly and covertly. Assuming green crackers are burst, even then the disadvantages outweigh the merits. Outright ban on crackers across India is the need of the hour.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

Rising prices

The pick-up in energy prices have been indicative of a growing economy. They were as high in 2007-09, and so were the global economy and trade indices. An abating pandemic has simultaneously animated every economy and thus for quite a while, coal supply will lag, globally. Every nation must bear with its rising cost. The government has already tweaked oil prices to a record high. With elections due in six months and the rising spectre of inflation, it has not only to reduce oil prices, but also absorb any coal price increase to keep power charges from becoming an election issue.

R Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

Alienating farmers

Refer to ‘Farmer suicides’; the escalating number of suicides by farmers, or for that matter by any person, is the blackest spot on the socio-economic order of our country. Suicide is an extreme step. Farmers largely commit suicide due to indebtedness and a meagre income. The suicides expose the hollowness of the claims being made by the ruling dispensation about having ameliorated the economic plight of farmers by undertaking revolutionary measures. Frustration among farmers will keep mounting if the government does not withdraw the three arbitrary and contentious new farm laws. The mighty power of the ruling dispensation may compel the protesting farmers to call off the agitation, but it will be a victory of the callousness and hubris of the government. If the government is concerned about addressing the concerns of the farmers, it must take them on board, and only a consensus, through wide-ranging deliberations, should the government enact the farm laws. Our economy can never be robust if agriculture is rendered subservient to the interests of a few corporate houses.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

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