India, US can devise together a plan on climate change:Clinton

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Aug 19 (PTI) US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has exuded confidence that despite differences over
way to tackle climate change, India and the United States can
devise a successful plan on the issue.

"I am very confident -- and even more so after this trip
-- that the United States and India can devise a plan that
will dramatically change the way we produce, consume, and
conserve energy. And, in the process, start an explosion of
new investments and millions of jobs," Clinton said.

"How India and the United States can work together to
devise a comprehensive, strategic approach to climate change
and a clean energy future was an important topic of my trip,"
Clinton said in written response to a question texted to her
on her trip to India last month. The answers have been posted
on the website of the State Department.

The issue was discussed with leaders from both the
Indian government and Indian businesses. "We in the United
States, under the Obama administration, are recognising our
responsibility and taking action," she said.

"The times we live in demand nothing less than a total
commitment. The statistics are there for everyone to see. And
as both of our nations reaffirmed at the Major Economies Forum
just recently held in Italy, and moderated by President Obama,
we need a successful outcome in Copenhagen later this year,"
Clinton said.

The Obama Administration is under no illusion that this
will be easy, because the challenge is to create a global
framework that recognises the different needs and
responsibilities of developed and developing countries
alike, she noted.

Observing that she not only understands, but also agrees
with the concern of countries like India, Clinton said: "The
United States and other countries that have been the biggest
historic emitters of greenhouse gases should shoulder the
biggest burden for cleaning up the environment and reducing
our carbon footprint."

Reiterating that no one wants to in any way stall or
undermine the economic growth that is necessary to lift
millions of more people out of poverty,Clinton said addressing
climate change and achieving economic growth, in her view, are
compatible goals.

"And we know, as we look at the forecast of rising sea
levels and changing rainfall and melting glaciers that India
is a country very vulnerable to climate change. It is also a
country most likely to benefit from clean energy policies that
are key to economic sustainability in the 21st century," she
said. PTI LKJ
DDC