Report already given to UN, PM says study on
The PM told Rajya Sabha that the government was studying the impact of climate change. But the government conveyed to the UN four years ago the results of the study.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: In response to a question by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might have told Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the government was studying the impact of climate change.
But here is what the government told the United Nations four years ago: Simulation studies show a decrease in production of both rice and wheat with increase in temperatures.
This was communicated to the UN as part of the "national communication" on climate change. In its third chapter, the report said studies showed that a rise of 2 degrees resulted in 15-17% decrease in production of rice and wheat.
But if temperature rose further, wheat yields could fall dramatically, the report pointed out.
The studies showed that while rise in temperature caused yields to fall, the simultaneous increase in carbon dioxide (the greenhouse gas that causes the mercury to go up in the first place) compensate for such dip.
Under a pessimistic estimate, the national communication said, the effect on wheat production could vary from a 25% rise to 30% decline due to the twin changes in temperature and carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere.
The report said weather data indicated that a significant part of the decline or stagnation in the existing yield in rice and wheat could be ascribed to rising temperatures.
But here is what the government told the United Nations four years ago: Simulation studies show a decrease in production of both rice and wheat with increase in temperatures.
This was communicated to the UN as part of the "national communication" on climate change. In its third chapter, the report said studies showed that a rise of 2 degrees resulted in 15-17% decrease in production of rice and wheat.
But if temperature rose further, wheat yields could fall dramatically, the report pointed out.
The studies showed that while rise in temperature caused yields to fall, the simultaneous increase in carbon dioxide (the greenhouse gas that causes the mercury to go up in the first place) compensate for such dip.
Under a pessimistic estimate, the national communication said, the effect on wheat production could vary from a 25% rise to 30% decline due to the twin changes in temperature and carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere.
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The report said weather data indicated that a significant part of the decline or stagnation in the existing yield in rice and wheat could be ascribed to rising temperatures.
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