India is committed to reduce Carbon Emissions in Antarctica
Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has stated that India is committed to reduce carbon emissions in the Antarctica environment.
The Minister of Earth Sciences, while addressing an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Protocol on Environment Protection of the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol), listed out the steps to be taken by India to this effect.
India will use green alternative energy systems at its Antarctic research stations such as Maitri and Bharati. It will also control the entry of non-endemic species into the Antarctic region.
The Madrid Protocol was signed in the year 1991. It came into force in the year 1998. It should be noted that India is also a signatory nation. It designates the Antarctic as a natural reserve dedicated to peace and science.
This protocol prohibits all activities related to the mineral resources of the Antarctic except for scientific research.
The protocol can be amended only by a unanimous agreement of all the Advisory Parties to the Antarctic Treaty (India is also a member) till the year 2048.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries whose scientists were active in and around Antarctica.
Significance of Antarctica:
- The Antarctic and the Quaternary Southern Ocean are the main drivers of Earth’s oceanic and atmospheric systems. The Antarctic environment provides a valuable benchmark for climate change.
- Antarctic ice deflects some of the Sun’s rays from Earth. Due to this the temperature of the earth remains habitable.
Source – The Hindu
