Carbon emissions are associated with global warming

The Indian government has unveiled its plan for confronting the threat of climate change. But presenting the plan, India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, made no commitment to cut his country's emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas associated with global warming. This report from Alan Johnston:

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He spoke of the need for greater energy efficiency and a gradual move away from fossil fuels. Mr Singh said that harnessing the power of the sun would be central to this strategy.

India has no plans to cut its emissions of carbon. But it argues that - per head of population - its emissions are only a fraction of those of the rich nations.

Alan Johnston, BBC

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a catastrophic impact
an extremely serious negative influence

set off down
follow

sustainable path of development
making progress while causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time

energy efficiency
when energy is used well, without wasting any

move away from
stopping using; refusal to use

harnessing
getting control of and using

central to
the most important point of

to cut
to reduce, to lessen

per head of population
for every person who lives in India

a fraction of
very little compared to

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