THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- October 17, 2016- Topic 2
Although it took seven years
to come to fruition, the Kigali agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol and
substantially limit the emission of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that contribute
to global warming represents major progress. The important role played by this
group of chemicals, used in refrigeration and air conditioning, is evident from
the scientific estimate that without a mitigation plan, HFCs could warm the
world by an additional half a degree Celsius by the end of the century. As with
other such global compacts on environmental matters, India pressed for a more
lenient deadline at the Rwanda negotiations. Ultimately, it agreed to start
freezing HFC use in 2028, four years later than its peer club countries China,
Brazil and those in Africa, and achieving maximum reduction by 2047, two years
after they do. In welcome contrast, however, India has ordered the
manufacturers of HFC 23 — a by-product of another chemical used in refrigerant
gas manufacture and with a staggeringly high contribution to global warming —
to now capture and dispose of it at their own cost. The decision is of
particular significance, considering the expansion of refrigeration and air
conditioning in India with a rise in incomes, leading to higher levels of HFC
release into the atmosphere.
One of the questions before
India in its implementation of Montreal Protocol commitments is the need to
align its goals for ‘Make in India’ with green technologies in order to remain
competitive in global markets. Inducting alternatives to HFCs, such as
hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide, in the relevant industries should
happen sooner than anticipated and possibly become even attractive as the cost
of technologies falls. The changeover is actually an opportunity to achieve a
leapfrog effect. The imperative, in any case, should be environmental. It is
worth recalling that the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer adopted in 1985 (operationalised later by the Montreal Protocol) followed
a phase when major producers of chlorofluorocarbons, the earlier generation of
refrigerants, tried to discredit the link between the chemicals and the
developing problem of the ozone hole. Persistent and credible science, however,
swayed public and political opinion in favour of a phase-out of CFCs. As with
the Paris Agreement on climate change, which is strengthened by the Kigali
amendments, developing countries will legitimately expect rich countries to aid
them as they seek to acquire green technologies for industrial use. Given the
impact of global warming, countries and people who have historically never been
part of the problem should not have to argue their case for liberal assistance.
Vocabulary
Fruition: the point at which a plan or project is realized.
Example: The plans have come to fruition sooner than expected
Mitigation: the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of
something.
Example: The emphasis is on the identification and mitigation of pollution
Lenient: (of punishment or a person in authority) permissive, merciful, or tolerant.
Example: Judges were far too lenient with petty criminals
Synonyms: merciful, clement, forgiving, forbearing, tolerant, charitable, humane
Refrigerant: causing cooling or refrigeration.
Example: The cooler includes a variable displacement compressor for compressing
refrigerant gas
Align: place or arrange (things) in a straight line.
Example: Gently brush the surface to align the fibers
Synonyms: line up, put in order, put in rows/columns, straighten, place, position
Anticipated: regard as probable; expect or predict.
Example: She anticipated scorn on her return to the theater
Synonyms: expect, foresee, predict, be prepared for, bargain
on, reckon on
Leapfrog: a game in which players in turn vault with parted legs over the backs of
others who are bending down.
Example: This game of electoral leapfrog might be in the best interest of individual
states, but it's destructive to the national interest.
Acquire: buy or obtain (an object or asset) for oneself.
Example: Instead, tax will become payable automatically 30 days after the date that
the purchaser acquires the property or land.
Synonyms: obtain, come by, get, receive, gain, earn, win, come
into, be given
Argue: exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or
angry way.
Example: Don't argue with me
Synonyms: quarrel, disagree, squabble, bicker, fight, wrangle, dispute, feud