In addition to acting as agents of climate change, SO2 and NOx are also one of the main agents of severe forest damage via acid rain and soil acidification, leading to reduced crop yields. In high concentrations, SO2 and NOx also have strong negative impacts on human health. The G-7, who together with the World Bank, make destruction of Orissa possible, are equally culpable when it comes to violating commitments they have made to halt climate change. All G-7 countries are signatories to the Climate Convention, and have committed to making sustainable development a central goal of their policies and programs, and to intensifying and deepening the integration of environmental considerations into all aspects of their programs. We underline the importance of meeting the commitments we made at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and subsequently, and the need to review and strengthen them, where appropriate.
Climate change remains of major global importance.
Until this gaping loophole, intended for Southern countries to develop their own economies, is closed, the people of Orissa will continue to suffer. The Institute for Policy Studies is a founding member of the 50 Years Is Enough Network.