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Box 7.1: Global Warming Global warming is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. Much of the recent observed and projected global warming is human-induced. It is caused by man-made increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Adding carbon dioxide, methane and such other gases (that have the potential to absorb heat) to the atmosphere with no other changes will make our planet’s surface warmer. The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and CH ha4e increased by 31 per cent and 149 per cent respectively above pre-industrial levels since 1750. During the past century, the atmospheric temperature has risen by 1.1°F (0.6°C) and sea level has risen several inches. Some of the longer-term results of global warming are melting of polar ice with a resulting rise in sea level and coastal flooding; disruption of drinking water supplies dependent on snow melts; extinction of species as ecological niches disappear; more frequent tropical storms; and an increased incidence of tropical diseases. Among factors that may be contributing to global warming are the burning of coal and petroleum products (sources of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone); deforestation, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; methane gas released in animal waste; and increased cattle production, which contributes to deforestation, methane production, and use of fossil fuels. A UN Conference on Climate Change, held in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, resulted in an international agreement to fight global warming which called for reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases by industrialised nations. Source: www.wikipedia.org vital resources and we are compelled Thus, it is clear that the opportunity to spend huge amounts on technology costs of negative environmental and research to explore new resources. impacts are high. Added to these are the health costs of The biggest question that arises is: degraded environmental quality — areenvironmentalproblemsnewtothis declineinairandwaterquality(seventy century? If so, why? The answer to this per cent of water in India is polluted) question requires some elaboration. In have resulted in increased incidence of the early days when civilisation just respiratory and water-borne diseases. began, or before this phenomenal Hence the expenditure on health is also increase in population, and before rising. To make matters worse, global countries took to industrialisation, the environmental issues such as global demand for environmental resources warming and ozone depletion also and services was much less than their contribute to increased financial supply. This meant that pollution was commitments for the government. within the absorptive capacity of the 118 INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Reprint 2026-27