Heavy rains in mining regions are worsening coal supply crisis. The dwindling supplies also come at a time when electricity consumption has been strong due to revival in economic activity.
Perhaps instead of trying to make the climate subservient to the needs of expanding gross domestic product, we need to cut our economic coat according to our atmospheric cloth.
India bears one of the highest economic costs of pollution at an estimated $150 billion every year. China and US are impacted more at $900 billion and $600 billion respectively.
Coal-fired power has long failed in terms of health & climate impacts, but now its raw economics are collapsing too. Even the govt can’t keep it going for long.
Aim is to ensure not just disengagement of troops, but overall de-escalation. Govt in favour of solving tensions through talks as it wants peace with all neighbours including China.
Like the car, nothing the party has done to reinvent itself has worked. Only way forward is to offer something looking towards the future, not in image of glorious past.