"Dr Rakendra Pachauri" is Rajendra Pachauri
[my comment-- a little self-interest from the man from India-
another POLITICAL ploy to a real problem that can be dealt
with common sense and good legislating.]
boisforet-info.com;
Boisforet.info : Do you think that it is possible to reduce by 50% the CO_
emissions actually produced by Humanity?
Rajendra Pachauri : I believe it is possible and certainly desirable for humanity to
reduce by 50% the CO2 emissions produced worldwide. The IPCC scenarios clearly
show the trajectories along which such reductions might be possible. Indeed, the
developed nations will have to bring about major reductions, while the countries of the
south would continue with increases in emissions to ensure development upto a certain
level and eradication of poverty. Of course, in due course, even the countries of the
south will have to stabilise their emissions, leading to some degree of convergence in
emissions between countries of the north and the south.
Boisforet.info : In that particular context, can we expect something from carbon
wells and most importantly from forest carbon wells?
Rajendra Pachauri : The world would have to look for a combination of solutions,
which would involve reduction in emissions as well as means for sequestration of carbon
dioxide. Forests would be an important source of absorbing carbon dioxide, but we
cannot confine our efforts only to sinks that the forests represent. Several other options
will have to be explored and exploited, such as opportunities for storage of carbon
dioxide underground.
Boisforet.info : Can eco-materials have a role on CO2 sequestration and avoided
emissions ? What is the impact of wood on CO2 sequestration and on avoided
emissions? Is this a strategic direction? Do you encourage researches of that
type when you are running IPCC work sessions ?
Rajendra Pachauri : Wood can be an important source of sequestration and avoided
emissions. There are parts of the world where bamboo species have historically been
used for a large variety of applications, including building construction, manufacture of
furniture, and for food, fodder and fuel. If we have to restructure our economic
processes to make them sustainable, and lower in intensity of CO2 emissions, then
eco-materials will have to replace materials like steel the production of which are highly
intensive in the emissions of CO2. We would need to devise policies based on
incentives and disincentives which would bring about much greater use of materials that
sequester carbon dioxide. Strategically this would be an attractive direction to take. The
IPCC is not a research organization, but certainly in the assessments that this Body
carries out options such as the one described would be evaluated.
Boisforet.info : Using wood as a renewable energy : is that an interesting path for
sustainable economic development, especially in southern countries?
Rajendra Pachauri : Biomass in general and wood in particular are certainly attractive
sources of renewable energy. Biomass gasification represents a huge potential in
several countries particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions. In India, in
particular, there is growing interest in biomass gasification. My own Institute has been a
pioneer in this direction, having developed biomass gasifiers for power generation, as
well as a range of heating applications including large scale cooking, curing of plantation
crops and in the silk industry. |
