By IANS
Mumbai : The recent cold wave sweeping across Mumbai and other parts of India could be attributed to global warming, experts said Tuesday here at an environmental conference.
Addressing the “Combat Global Warming” conference at the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) here, former union minister for power and environment Suresh Prabhu said global warming was primarily a problem created and induced by human beings.
He said the increase in emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and methane has resulted in the situation, which could prove catastrophic if unchecked.
Prabhu said the cold wave that swept Maharashtra and other parts of India recently could be attributed to the phenomenon of global warming.
He said global warming has already affected agriculture and water availability in various parts of the country.
“A recent study revealed that 70 percent of India’s water bodies are polluted,” Prabhu said.
The former minister said India is one of the world’s top five polluters, which also include the US, European nations and Japan.
IMC President Niraj Bajaj said the fluctuating climatic conditions due to global warming pose a threat to the very survival of the planet.
To drive home his point, he quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Environmental scientist Emmanuel D’Silva said Mumbai and Kolkata were among the ten worst cities in the world with regard to environmental pollution and sanitation.
“It is estimated by the year 2050, another seven million persons are expected to take refuge in Mumbai after global warming leads to either a drought or deluge in their village or city elsewhere in the country,” D’Silva said.
Another study has revealed that Mumbai produces 18,000 tonnes of garbage every day of which only 3,500 tonnes are biodegradable and a whopping Rs.3.85 billion is spent to dispose this garbage, D’Silva said.
A panel of experts including, environmentalist and scientist Vandana Shiva and chairman of the IMC committee for global warming Shailesh Haribhakti also addressed the conference.
Kruti Parekh, India’s first test tube baby and youngest magician presented a magic show to spread awareness about global warming.