A US-based environmental organisation today appealed to American President Barack Obama to reach a deal on climate change with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set goals for reducing carbon emissions.
"We feel that meeting and agreement between these two leaders can be game changer on climate. Entire world is looking for leadership from US and India," said EcoSikh president Rajwant Singh.
"India's participation in changing the future of Earth's environment is critical one. We appeal to both leaders to display their creative spirit in making decisions on global warming. Climate should be on the top of the agenda as these nations are coming together for cooperation on many fronts," he said.
As Indian government is looking to boost toxic coal production in India with energy needs of the nation increasing with development, Singh said Obama should use this opportunity to set concrete goals to reduce carbon emission in India.
"We had welcomed US-China November 2014 landmark decision for coordinated effort to curb GHG emissions. An agreement between the US and India would also mean that the three largest producers of GHGs were committed to combating climate change and that is a great news for the entire world," Singh said.
EcoSikh has been a part of the discussions with the White House and Department of Energy on climate change issues.
It also took part in the consultations led by John Podesta, who is Obama's point man on climate and has also accompanied him to his three-day India tour.
"The government of India should refocus its priorities to research and development of new technologies to replace the traditional coal-burning sources many Indians are reliant on," said EcoSikh Program Manager Sumeet Kaur.
"The US leadership can transfer technologies and knowledge to facilitate India's effort to produce energy from nuclear, wind, solar and other sources," Kaur said.
