Global Commons or resources such as oceans, atmosphere and space shared by the human community and owned by none, need to be preserved to save this planet.
In an effort to flag the policies changes required to save these resources from climate change, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is hosting a two-day global summit here from February 1. The summit on “Protecting the Global Commons: 20 years post Rio”, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Climate experts, policy makers and dignitaries from over 12 countries are likely to participate.
The TERI Director-General, Dr R.K. Pachauri, said the theme will provide information and knowledge to the Earth Summit 2012 slated to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 20 to 22.
The Rio+20 summit will mark 20 years of the 1992 Earth Summit that will witness global leaders coming together to deliberate and devise a plan for a sustainable future.
On nuclear energy, Dr Pachauri said, “Nuclear energy, of course, is something you can't wish away.”
He said 17-18 per cent of the world's electricity was supplied by nuclear and it merited attention and analysis. “What the role of nuclear should be in future will certainly come up for discussion,” he added.
Among the dignitaries expected are Ms Tarja Halonen, President, Finland; Mr Anote Tong, President, Kiribati; Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, former President, Guyana; and Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger, Former Governor, California.