There is little doubt Teri chief RK Pachauri has a lot of explaining to do on how he allowed a paper that had not been peer-reviewed to determine the contents of the IPCC report on global warming. So, as has been pointed out by critics, the IPCC contention on the glaciers in India melting at a very rapid rate, may turn out to be wholly incorrect.
But anyone who has visited any glacier over the past decade can tell you, the glaciers are melting, whether at the IPCC rate or not is a different matter.
It is equally true that the Stern report on climate change also made it clear the global warming scenario was quite dismal. So while we can convict or acquit Pachauri, let us make no mistake about the urgency of the crisis that is confronting the world.
Sadhana Agarwal, New Delhi
