Hinduism is probably the only religion which provides great support for science and scientific discoveries. Most of the modern day inventions can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures. Below is a compiled list of the scientific discoveries of this era which can be found in the ancient scriptures.
Cosmology & psychology
According to India's ancient texts, around 3000 BCE sage Kapil founded both cosmology and psychology. He shed light on the Soul, the subtle elements of matter and creation. His main idea was that essential nature (prakrti) comes from the eternal (purusha) to develop all of creation. No deeper a view of the cosmos has ever been developed. Further, his philosophy of Sankhya philosophy also covered the secret levels of the psyche, including mind, intellect and ego, and how they relate to the Soul or Atma.
Medicine (Ayurveda), Aviation
Around 800 BCE Sage Bharadwaj, was both the father of modern medicine, teaching Ayurveda, and also the developer of aviation technology. He wrote the Yantra Sarvasva, which covers astonishing discoveries in aviation and space sciences, and flying machines - well before Leonardo DaVinchi's time. Some of his flying machines were reported to fly around the earth, from the earth to other planets, and between universes. His designs and descriptions have left a huge impression on modern-day aviation engineers. He also discussed how to make these flying machines invisible by using sun and wind force. There are much more fascinating insights discovered by sage Bharadwaj.
Medicine, Surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology. anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation
Around this era and through 400 BCE many great developments occurred. In the field of medicine (Ayurveda), sage Divodasa Dhanwantari developed the school of surgery; Rishi Kashyap developed the specialized fields of paediatrics and gynaecology. Lord Atreya, author of the one of the main Ayurvedic texts, the Charak Samhita, classified the principles of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation and more. He discussed how to heal thousands of diseases, many of which modern science still has no answer. Along with herbs, diet and lifestyle, Atreya showed a correlation between mind, body, spirit and ethics. He outlined a charter of ethics centuries before the Hippocratic oath.
Rhinoplasty, amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, anesthesia, antibiotic herbs
While Lord Atreya is recognized for his contribution to medicine, sage Sushrut is known as the "Father of surgery". Even modern science recognizes India as the first country to develop and use rhinoplasty (developed by Sushrut). He also practiced amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, and developed 125 surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, and needles.
Lord Atreya - author of Charak Samhita. Circa 8th - 6th century BCE. Perhaps the most referred to Rishi/physician today The Charak Samhita was the first compilation of all aspects of ayurvedic medicine including diagnoses, cures, anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, and blood circulation (excluding surgery).
He wrote about causes and cures for diabetes, TB, and heart diseases. At that time, European medicine had no idea of these ideas. In fact, even today many of these disease causes and cures are still unknown to modern allopathic medicine.
Other unique quality of Ayurveda is that it uncovers and cures the root cause of illness, it is safe, gentle and inexpensive, it sees 6 stages of disease development (where modern medicine only sees the last two stages), it treats people in a personalized manner according to their dosha or constitution and not in any generic manner.
Further, Ayurveda being the science of 'life', Atrea was quick to emphasize, proper nutrition according to dosha, and perhaps above all else, that there was a mind/body/soul relationship and that the root cause of all diseases and the best medicine for all conditions is spiritual and ethical life.
Rishi Sushrut is known as the father of surgery & author of Sushrut Samhita. Circa 5 - 4th century BCE. He is credited with performing the world's first rhinoplasty, using anesthesia and plastic surgery. He used surgical instruments - many of them look similar to instruments used today; and discussed more than 300 types of surgical operations. One of the Ayurvedic surgical practices being used today in India involves dipping sutures into antibiotic herbs so when sewed into the person, the scar heals quicker and prevent infection. The modern surgical world owes a great debt to this great surgical sage.
Atomic theory
Sage Kanad (circa 600 BCE) is recognized as the founder of atomic theory, and classified all the objects of creation into nine elements (earth, water, light or fire, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul). He stated that every object in creation is made of atoms that in turn connect with each other to form molecules nearly 2,500 years before John Dalton. Further, Kanad described the dimension and motion of atoms, and the chemical reaction with one another. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook said, "Compared to scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters in this field."
Chemistry alchemical metals
In the field of chemistry alchemical metals were developed for medicinal uses by sage Nagarjuna. He wrote many famous books including Ras Ratnakar, which is still used in India's Ayurvedic colleges today. By carefully burning metals like iron, tin, copper, etc. into ash, removing the toxic elements, these metals produce quick and profound healing in the most difficult diseases.
Astronomy and mathematics
Sage Aryabhatt (b. 476 CE) wrote texts on astronomy and mathematics. He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim the earth was round, rotating on an axis, orbiting the sun and suspended in space. This was around 1,000 years before Copernicus. He was a geometry genius credited with calculating pi to four decimal places, developing the trigonomic sine table and the area of a triangle. Perhaps his most important contribution was the concept of the zero. Details are found in Shulva sutra. Other sages of mathematics include Baudhayana, Katyayana, and Apastamba.
Astronomy, geography, constellation science, botany and animal science.
Varahamihr (499 - 587 CE) was another eminent astronomer. In his book, Panschsiddhant, he noted that the moon and planets shine due to the sun. Many of his other contributions captured in his books Bruhad Samhita and Bruhad Jatak, were in the fields of geography, constellation science, botany and animal science. For example he presented cures for various diseases of plants and trees.
Knowledge of botany (Vrksh-Ayurveda) dates back more than 5,000 years, discussed in India's Rig Veda. Sage Parashara (100 BCE) is called the "father of botany" because he classified flowering plants into various families, nearly 2,000 years before Lannaeus (the modern father of taxonomy). Parashara described plant cells - the outer and inner walls, sap color-matter and something not visible to the eye - anvasva. Nearly 2,000 years -later Robert Hooke, using a microscope described the outer and inner wall and sap color-matter.
Algebra, arithmetic and geometry, planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. force of gravity
In the field of mathematics, Bhaskaracharya II (1114 - 1183 CE) contributed to the fields of algebra, arithmetic and geometry. Two of his most well known books are Lilavati and Bijaganita, which are translated in several languages of the world. In his book, Siddhant Shiromani, he expounds on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. Another of his books, Surya Siddhant discusses the force of gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. Sage Sridharacharya developed the quadratic equation around 991 CE.
The Decimal
Ancient India invented the decimal scale using base 10. They number-names to denote numbers. In the 9th century CE, an Arab mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, learned Sanskrit and wrote a book explaining the Hindu system of numeration. In the 12th century CE the book was translated into Latin. The British used this numerical system and credited the Arabs - mislabelling it 'Arabic numerals'. "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." - Albert Einstein.
Metallurgy
India was the world-leader in Metallurgy for more than 5,000 years. Gold jewellery is available from 3,000 BCE. Brass and bronze pieces are dated back to 1,300 BCE. Extraction of zinc from ore by distillation was used in India as early as 400 BCE while European William Campion patented the process some 2,000 years later. Copper statues can be dated back to 500 CE. There is an iron pillar in Delhi dating back to 400 CE that shows no sign of rust or decay.
There are two unique aspects to India's ancient scientists. First their discoveries are in use today as some of the most important aspects of their field; and are validated by modern technological machines. Second, their discoveries brought peace and prosperity rather than the harm and destruction of many of our modern discoveries.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
hindusim and science
Hinduism is probably the only religion which provides great support for science and scientific discoveries. Most of the modern day inventions can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures. Below is a compiled list of the scientific discoveries of this era which can be found in the ancient scriptures.
Cosmology & psychology
According to India's ancient texts, around 3000 BCE sage Kapil founded both cosmology and psychology. He shed light on the Soul, the subtle elements of matter and creation. His main idea was that essential nature (prakrti) comes from the eternal (purusha) to develop all of creation. No deeper a view of the cosmos has ever been developed. Further, his philosophy of Sankhya philosophy also covered the secret levels of the psyche, including mind, intellect and ego, and how they relate to the Soul or Atma.
Medicine (Ayurveda), Aviation
Around 800 BCE Sage Bharadwaj, was both the father of modern medicine, teaching Ayurveda, and also the developer of aviation technology. He wrote the Yantra Sarvasva, which covers astonishing discoveries in aviation and space sciences, and flying machines - well before Leonardo DaVinchi's time. Some of his flying machines were reported to fly around the earth, from the earth to other planets, and between universes. His designs and descriptions have left a huge impression on modern-day aviation engineers. He also discussed how to make these flying machines invisible by using sun and wind force. There are much more fascinating insights discovered by sage Bharadwaj.
Medicine, Surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology. anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation
Around this era and through 400 BCE many great developments occurred. In the field of medicine (Ayurveda), sage Divodasa Dhanwantari developed the school of surgery; Rishi Kashyap developed the specialized fields of paediatrics and gynaecology. Lord Atreya, author of the one of the main Ayurvedic texts, the Charak Samhita, classified the principles of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation and more. He discussed how to heal thousands of diseases, many of which modern science still has no answer. Along with herbs, diet and lifestyle, Atreya showed a correlation between mind, body, spirit and ethics. He outlined a charter of ethics centuries before the Hippocratic oath.
Rhinoplasty, amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, anesthesia, antibiotic herbs
While Lord Atreya is recognized for his contribution to medicine, sage Sushrut is known as the "Father of surgery". Even modern science recognizes India as the first country to develop and use rhinoplasty (developed by Sushrut). He also practiced amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, and developed 125 surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, and needles.
Lord Atreya - author of Charak Samhita. Circa 8th - 6th century BCE. Perhaps the most referred to Rishi/physician today The Charak Samhita was the first compilation of all aspects of ayurvedic medicine including diagnoses, cures, anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, and blood circulation (excluding surgery).
He wrote about causes and cures for diabetes, TB, and heart diseases. At that time, European medicine had no idea of these ideas. In fact, even today many of these disease causes and cures are still unknown to modern allopathic medicine.
Other unique quality of Ayurveda is that it uncovers and cures the root cause of illness, it is safe, gentle and inexpensive, it sees 6 stages of disease development (where modern medicine only sees the last two stages), it treats people in a personalized manner according to their dosha or constitution and not in any generic manner.
Further, Ayurveda being the science of 'life', Atrea was quick to emphasize, proper nutrition according to dosha, and perhaps above all else, that there was a mind/body/soul relationship and that the root cause of all diseases and the best medicine for all conditions is spiritual and ethical life.
Rishi Sushrut is known as the father of surgery & author of Sushrut Samhita. Circa 5 - 4th century BCE. He is credited with performing the world's first rhinoplasty, using anesthesia and plastic surgery. He used surgical instruments - many of them look similar to instruments used today; and discussed more than 300 types of surgical operations. One of the Ayurvedic surgical practices being used today in India involves dipping sutures into antibiotic herbs so when sewed into the person, the scar heals quicker and prevent infection. The modern surgical world owes a great debt to this great surgical sage.
Atomic theory
Sage Kanad (circa 600 BCE) is recognized as the founder of atomic theory, and classified all the objects of creation into nine elements (earth, water, light or fire, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul). He stated that every object in creation is made of atoms that in turn connect with each other to form molecules nearly 2,500 years before John Dalton. Further, Kanad described the dimension and motion of atoms, and the chemical reaction with one another. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook said, "Compared to scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters in this field."
Chemistry alchemical metals
In the field of chemistry alchemical metals were developed for medicinal uses by sage Nagarjuna. He wrote many famous books including Ras Ratnakar, which is still used in India's Ayurvedic colleges today. By carefully burning metals like iron, tin, copper, etc. into ash, removing the toxic elements, these metals produce quick and profound healing in the most difficult diseases.
Astronomy and mathematics
Sage Aryabhatt (b. 476 CE) wrote texts on astronomy and mathematics. He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim the earth was round, rotating on an axis, orbiting the sun and suspended in space. This was around 1,000 years before Copernicus. He was a geometry genius credited with calculating pi to four decimal places, developing the trigonomic sine table and the area of a triangle. Perhaps his most important contribution was the concept of the zero. Details are found in Shulva sutra. Other sages of mathematics include Baudhayana, Katyayana, and Apastamba.
Astronomy, geography, constellation science, botany and animal science.
Varahamihr (499 - 587 CE) was another eminent astronomer. In his book, Panschsiddhant, he noted that the moon and planets shine due to the sun. Many of his other contributions captured in his books Bruhad Samhita and Bruhad Jatak, were in the fields of geography, constellation science, botany and animal science. For example he presented cures for various diseases of plants and trees.
Knowledge of botany (Vrksh-Ayurveda) dates back more than 5,000 years, discussed in India's Rig Veda. Sage Parashara (100 BCE) is called the "father of botany" because he classified flowering plants into various families, nearly 2,000 years before Lannaeus (the modern father of taxonomy). Parashara described plant cells - the outer and inner walls, sap color-matter and something not visible to the eye - anvasva. Nearly 2,000 years -later Robert Hooke, using a microscope described the outer and inner wall and sap color-matter.
Algebra, arithmetic and geometry, planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. force of gravity
In the field of mathematics, Bhaskaracharya II (1114 - 1183 CE) contributed to the fields of algebra, arithmetic and geometry. Two of his most well known books are Lilavati and Bijaganita, which are translated in several languages of the world. In his book, Siddhant Shiromani, he expounds on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. Another of his books, Surya Siddhant discusses the force of gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. Sage Sridharacharya developed the quadratic equation around 991 CE.
The Decimal
Ancient India invented the decimal scale using base 10. They number-names to denote numbers. In the 9th century CE, an Arab mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, learned Sanskrit and wrote a book explaining the Hindu system of numeration. In the 12th century CE the book was translated into Latin. The British used this numerical system and credited the Arabs - mislabelling it 'Arabic numerals'. "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." - Albert Einstein.
Metallurgy
India was the world-leader in Metallurgy for more than 5,000 years. Gold jewellery is available from 3,000 BCE. Brass and bronze pieces are dated back to 1,300 BCE. Extraction of zinc from ore by distillation was used in India as early as 400 BCE while European William Campion patented the process some 2,000 years later. Copper statues can be dated back to 500 CE. There is an iron pillar in Delhi dating back to 400 CE that shows no sign of rust or decay.
There are two unique aspects to India's ancient scientists. First their discoveries are in use today as some of the most important aspects of their field; and are validated by modern technological machines. Second, their discoveries brought peace and prosperity rather than the harm and destruction of many of our modern discoveries.
Cosmology & psychology
According to India's ancient texts, around 3000 BCE sage Kapil founded both cosmology and psychology. He shed light on the Soul, the subtle elements of matter and creation. His main idea was that essential nature (prakrti) comes from the eternal (purusha) to develop all of creation. No deeper a view of the cosmos has ever been developed. Further, his philosophy of Sankhya philosophy also covered the secret levels of the psyche, including mind, intellect and ego, and how they relate to the Soul or Atma.
Medicine (Ayurveda), Aviation
Around 800 BCE Sage Bharadwaj, was both the father of modern medicine, teaching Ayurveda, and also the developer of aviation technology. He wrote the Yantra Sarvasva, which covers astonishing discoveries in aviation and space sciences, and flying machines - well before Leonardo DaVinchi's time. Some of his flying machines were reported to fly around the earth, from the earth to other planets, and between universes. His designs and descriptions have left a huge impression on modern-day aviation engineers. He also discussed how to make these flying machines invisible by using sun and wind force. There are much more fascinating insights discovered by sage Bharadwaj.
Medicine, Surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology. anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation
Around this era and through 400 BCE many great developments occurred. In the field of medicine (Ayurveda), sage Divodasa Dhanwantari developed the school of surgery; Rishi Kashyap developed the specialized fields of paediatrics and gynaecology. Lord Atreya, author of the one of the main Ayurvedic texts, the Charak Samhita, classified the principles of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, embryology, blood circulation and more. He discussed how to heal thousands of diseases, many of which modern science still has no answer. Along with herbs, diet and lifestyle, Atreya showed a correlation between mind, body, spirit and ethics. He outlined a charter of ethics centuries before the Hippocratic oath.
Rhinoplasty, amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, anesthesia, antibiotic herbs
While Lord Atreya is recognized for his contribution to medicine, sage Sushrut is known as the "Father of surgery". Even modern science recognizes India as the first country to develop and use rhinoplasty (developed by Sushrut). He also practiced amputation, caesarean and cranial surgeries, and developed 125 surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, and needles.
Lord Atreya - author of Charak Samhita. Circa 8th - 6th century BCE. Perhaps the most referred to Rishi/physician today The Charak Samhita was the first compilation of all aspects of ayurvedic medicine including diagnoses, cures, anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, and blood circulation (excluding surgery).
He wrote about causes and cures for diabetes, TB, and heart diseases. At that time, European medicine had no idea of these ideas. In fact, even today many of these disease causes and cures are still unknown to modern allopathic medicine.
Other unique quality of Ayurveda is that it uncovers and cures the root cause of illness, it is safe, gentle and inexpensive, it sees 6 stages of disease development (where modern medicine only sees the last two stages), it treats people in a personalized manner according to their dosha or constitution and not in any generic manner.
Further, Ayurveda being the science of 'life', Atrea was quick to emphasize, proper nutrition according to dosha, and perhaps above all else, that there was a mind/body/soul relationship and that the root cause of all diseases and the best medicine for all conditions is spiritual and ethical life.
Rishi Sushrut is known as the father of surgery & author of Sushrut Samhita. Circa 5 - 4th century BCE. He is credited with performing the world's first rhinoplasty, using anesthesia and plastic surgery. He used surgical instruments - many of them look similar to instruments used today; and discussed more than 300 types of surgical operations. One of the Ayurvedic surgical practices being used today in India involves dipping sutures into antibiotic herbs so when sewed into the person, the scar heals quicker and prevent infection. The modern surgical world owes a great debt to this great surgical sage.
Atomic theory
Sage Kanad (circa 600 BCE) is recognized as the founder of atomic theory, and classified all the objects of creation into nine elements (earth, water, light or fire, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul). He stated that every object in creation is made of atoms that in turn connect with each other to form molecules nearly 2,500 years before John Dalton. Further, Kanad described the dimension and motion of atoms, and the chemical reaction with one another. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook said, "Compared to scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters in this field."
Chemistry alchemical metals
In the field of chemistry alchemical metals were developed for medicinal uses by sage Nagarjuna. He wrote many famous books including Ras Ratnakar, which is still used in India's Ayurvedic colleges today. By carefully burning metals like iron, tin, copper, etc. into ash, removing the toxic elements, these metals produce quick and profound healing in the most difficult diseases.
Astronomy and mathematics
Sage Aryabhatt (b. 476 CE) wrote texts on astronomy and mathematics. He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim the earth was round, rotating on an axis, orbiting the sun and suspended in space. This was around 1,000 years before Copernicus. He was a geometry genius credited with calculating pi to four decimal places, developing the trigonomic sine table and the area of a triangle. Perhaps his most important contribution was the concept of the zero. Details are found in Shulva sutra. Other sages of mathematics include Baudhayana, Katyayana, and Apastamba.
Astronomy, geography, constellation science, botany and animal science.
Varahamihr (499 - 587 CE) was another eminent astronomer. In his book, Panschsiddhant, he noted that the moon and planets shine due to the sun. Many of his other contributions captured in his books Bruhad Samhita and Bruhad Jatak, were in the fields of geography, constellation science, botany and animal science. For example he presented cures for various diseases of plants and trees.
Knowledge of botany (Vrksh-Ayurveda) dates back more than 5,000 years, discussed in India's Rig Veda. Sage Parashara (100 BCE) is called the "father of botany" because he classified flowering plants into various families, nearly 2,000 years before Lannaeus (the modern father of taxonomy). Parashara described plant cells - the outer and inner walls, sap color-matter and something not visible to the eye - anvasva. Nearly 2,000 years -later Robert Hooke, using a microscope described the outer and inner wall and sap color-matter.
Algebra, arithmetic and geometry, planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. force of gravity
In the field of mathematics, Bhaskaracharya II (1114 - 1183 CE) contributed to the fields of algebra, arithmetic and geometry. Two of his most well known books are Lilavati and Bijaganita, which are translated in several languages of the world. In his book, Siddhant Shiromani, he expounds on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, and mathematical techniques. Another of his books, Surya Siddhant discusses the force of gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. Sage Sridharacharya developed the quadratic equation around 991 CE.
The Decimal
Ancient India invented the decimal scale using base 10. They number-names to denote numbers. In the 9th century CE, an Arab mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, learned Sanskrit and wrote a book explaining the Hindu system of numeration. In the 12th century CE the book was translated into Latin. The British used this numerical system and credited the Arabs - mislabelling it 'Arabic numerals'. "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." - Albert Einstein.
Metallurgy
India was the world-leader in Metallurgy for more than 5,000 years. Gold jewellery is available from 3,000 BCE. Brass and bronze pieces are dated back to 1,300 BCE. Extraction of zinc from ore by distillation was used in India as early as 400 BCE while European William Campion patented the process some 2,000 years later. Copper statues can be dated back to 500 CE. There is an iron pillar in Delhi dating back to 400 CE that shows no sign of rust or decay.
There are two unique aspects to India's ancient scientists. First their discoveries are in use today as some of the most important aspects of their field; and are validated by modern technological machines. Second, their discoveries brought peace and prosperity rather than the harm and destruction of many of our modern discoveries.
Japan urges India climate action
The Japanese Foreign Minister, Hirofumi Nakasone, has urged India to play more of an active role in combating global warming and climate change.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Tokyo with the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Mr Nakasone said India should exercise more leadership.
He said Delhi could do so in a more positive way and with more perspective.
The Indian minister responded by saying that any deal to combat global warming must be fair for emerging nations.
'Ambitious and equitable'
"We agreed that climate change is an important global challenge," Mr Krishna said. He is on a four-day visit to Japan
"We hope that all countries will participate constructively."
The Indian foreign minister stressed the need for "an ambitious and at the same time equitable and fair outcome" at the Copenhagen international climate conference later this year.
He said that any international climate change agreement must ensure that developing countries "are able to continue their economic growth at an accelerated pace".
The December summit in Denmark is intended to secure a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
India - like China - has refused to commit to emission cuts in the new treaty until developed nations, particularly the US, also pledge to meet climate change targets.
Mr Nakasone said that Delhi could play a leading role in persuading other developing countries to commit themselves to a new treaty.
"I expressed my hope and expectations for India to exercise its leadership even more positively and comprehensively," he said.
"The minister and I shared the view that we should step up our bilateral dialogue on this issue."
Japan announced in June that it hoped to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 8% from 1990 levels by the end of the next decade.
But that target has been described as too little, too late by environmentalists.
Mr Krishna's visit is the first to Japan by an Indian minister since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh named his new cabinet in May.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Tokyo with the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Mr Nakasone said India should exercise more leadership.
He said Delhi could do so in a more positive way and with more perspective.
The Indian minister responded by saying that any deal to combat global warming must be fair for emerging nations.
'Ambitious and equitable'
"We agreed that climate change is an important global challenge," Mr Krishna said. He is on a four-day visit to Japan
"We hope that all countries will participate constructively."
The Indian foreign minister stressed the need for "an ambitious and at the same time equitable and fair outcome" at the Copenhagen international climate conference later this year.
He said that any international climate change agreement must ensure that developing countries "are able to continue their economic growth at an accelerated pace".
The December summit in Denmark is intended to secure a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
India - like China - has refused to commit to emission cuts in the new treaty until developed nations, particularly the US, also pledge to meet climate change targets.
Mr Nakasone said that Delhi could play a leading role in persuading other developing countries to commit themselves to a new treaty.
"I expressed my hope and expectations for India to exercise its leadership even more positively and comprehensively," he said.
"The minister and I shared the view that we should step up our bilateral dialogue on this issue."
Japan announced in June that it hoped to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 8% from 1990 levels by the end of the next decade.
But that target has been described as too little, too late by environmentalists.
Mr Krishna's visit is the first to Japan by an Indian minister since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh named his new cabinet in May.
EDF: It's not a hoax, there's no conspiracy, the Earth is warming
Some of the commenters on this blog question whether global warming is happening and whether man-made greenhouse gases are causing it.
Some commenters worry that legislation to limit greenhouse gases might do more harm than good.
The following is the Environmental Defense Fund's response to such statements.
Our blog readers who are concerned about climate change might like to see these responses. And our blog readers who are more concerned about climate change legislation might have some fun with this.
It's interesting to me that Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, opposes climate change legislation, according to the EDF statement. His West Texas district includes lots of oil companies, but it also happens to be the second-largest wind capacity district in the country. Many of Conaway's constituents might benefit financially from climate change legislation.
Jump for the EDF responses.
10 Outrageous Claims
10) "Wake up, America. There hasn't been any global warming, which is what we heard over and over and over again - there hasn't been any global warming for 10 years." - Rep. Dana Rohrabacker (R-CA)
No warming for 10 years? Well, not exactly true. 1998 was the 2nd hottest year on record while 2008 was only the 8th hottest. So, if you only look at those two years, you might assume there hasn't been any warming. But, 2005 was the hottest year on record and the warmest decade on record is 1998 through 2008. The trends are clear. The planet is warming. Period.
9) "You want to talk about a massive new welfare program for energy? It's in here too... It's a whole new welfare program for energy." - Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
If you want to talk welfare, what about the hundreds of billions the oil, gas and coal industries have received in subsidies and tax breaks over the years?
8) "God has put us on this Earth as responsible stewards of these resources, and we ought to use them responsibly. This bill does not do it. In fact, it does nothing good. The only meaningful thing that it might do is provide a relatively meaningless photo op for our President in December in Copenhagen as he stands to brag about what America has done while the leaders of India and China laugh at us behind his back." - Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX)
We look forward to working with Rep. Conaway to strengthen this bill and to fight for the strongest possible international global warming treaty later this year.
7) "Energy producing states like Oklahoma will be economically punished and devastated." - Rep Tom Cole (R-OK)
Rep. Cole should have a look at climate models showing that Oklahoma could spend nearly the entire summer with 100+ temperatures by the end of the century. Talk about devastating.
6) "We should not be the first lemming to jump off the cliff." - Rep. Doc Hasting (R-WA)
That's an interesting point given that the U.S. is the only industrial country in the world that never ratified the Kyoto global warming treaty and that much of Europe is operating under a carbon cap right now.
5) "[For some, this bill is an] economic death sentence." - Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
As opposed to the current economy in which we are held hostage by our reliance on foreign oil and in which only last summer we saw gas prices exceed $4/gallon.
4) "The whole point of cap-and-trade is to make fossil fuels, or 85 percent of the energy we consume, more expensive." - Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
No, the point of this bill is to cap global warming pollution, put Americans back to work building out our clean energy future, and free us from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
3) "Do you want to throw away the economic prosperity for nothing, because that's what this bill does. And for what, to satisfy the twisted desires of radical environmentalists." - Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA)
With millions of Americans out of work and the economy in recession, it might not be the best time to talk about "throwing away our economic prosperity" or to support the status quo.
2) "[This will bring us back to] hunting and gathering." - Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Yeah, when we look at solar panels, hybrids and windmills, that's exactly what comes to mind - hunting and gathering societies.
1) "The idea of human induced global climate change is one of the greatest hoaxes perpetrated out of the scientific community. It is a hoax... We need to be good stewards of our environment, but this is not it, it's a hoax!" - Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA)
A global conspiracy involving thousands of scientists taking tens of thousands of measurements on everything ranging from ice core samples to the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere to sea level rise, hundreds of governments around the world working to address global warming pollution, dozens of science academies that have endorsed the reality of global warming and urged action, as well as hundreds of millions of people around the world who have joined the movement to promote global warming action.
And, we're all coordinating our activities to push this hoax because...?
Some commenters worry that legislation to limit greenhouse gases might do more harm than good.
The following is the Environmental Defense Fund's response to such statements.
Our blog readers who are concerned about climate change might like to see these responses. And our blog readers who are more concerned about climate change legislation might have some fun with this.
It's interesting to me that Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, opposes climate change legislation, according to the EDF statement. His West Texas district includes lots of oil companies, but it also happens to be the second-largest wind capacity district in the country. Many of Conaway's constituents might benefit financially from climate change legislation.
Jump for the EDF responses.
10 Outrageous Claims
10) "Wake up, America. There hasn't been any global warming, which is what we heard over and over and over again - there hasn't been any global warming for 10 years." - Rep. Dana Rohrabacker (R-CA)
No warming for 10 years? Well, not exactly true. 1998 was the 2nd hottest year on record while 2008 was only the 8th hottest. So, if you only look at those two years, you might assume there hasn't been any warming. But, 2005 was the hottest year on record and the warmest decade on record is 1998 through 2008. The trends are clear. The planet is warming. Period.
9) "You want to talk about a massive new welfare program for energy? It's in here too... It's a whole new welfare program for energy." - Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
If you want to talk welfare, what about the hundreds of billions the oil, gas and coal industries have received in subsidies and tax breaks over the years?
8) "God has put us on this Earth as responsible stewards of these resources, and we ought to use them responsibly. This bill does not do it. In fact, it does nothing good. The only meaningful thing that it might do is provide a relatively meaningless photo op for our President in December in Copenhagen as he stands to brag about what America has done while the leaders of India and China laugh at us behind his back." - Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX)
We look forward to working with Rep. Conaway to strengthen this bill and to fight for the strongest possible international global warming treaty later this year.
7) "Energy producing states like Oklahoma will be economically punished and devastated." - Rep Tom Cole (R-OK)
Rep. Cole should have a look at climate models showing that Oklahoma could spend nearly the entire summer with 100+ temperatures by the end of the century. Talk about devastating.
6) "We should not be the first lemming to jump off the cliff." - Rep. Doc Hasting (R-WA)
That's an interesting point given that the U.S. is the only industrial country in the world that never ratified the Kyoto global warming treaty and that much of Europe is operating under a carbon cap right now.
5) "[For some, this bill is an] economic death sentence." - Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
As opposed to the current economy in which we are held hostage by our reliance on foreign oil and in which only last summer we saw gas prices exceed $4/gallon.
4) "The whole point of cap-and-trade is to make fossil fuels, or 85 percent of the energy we consume, more expensive." - Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
No, the point of this bill is to cap global warming pollution, put Americans back to work building out our clean energy future, and free us from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
3) "Do you want to throw away the economic prosperity for nothing, because that's what this bill does. And for what, to satisfy the twisted desires of radical environmentalists." - Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA)
With millions of Americans out of work and the economy in recession, it might not be the best time to talk about "throwing away our economic prosperity" or to support the status quo.
2) "[This will bring us back to] hunting and gathering." - Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Yeah, when we look at solar panels, hybrids and windmills, that's exactly what comes to mind - hunting and gathering societies.
1) "The idea of human induced global climate change is one of the greatest hoaxes perpetrated out of the scientific community. It is a hoax... We need to be good stewards of our environment, but this is not it, it's a hoax!" - Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA)
A global conspiracy involving thousands of scientists taking tens of thousands of measurements on everything ranging from ice core samples to the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere to sea level rise, hundreds of governments around the world working to address global warming pollution, dozens of science academies that have endorsed the reality of global warming and urged action, as well as hundreds of millions of people around the world who have joined the movement to promote global warming action.
And, we're all coordinating our activities to push this hoax because...?
Are "green" fireworks the answer to unhealthy pyrotechnics?
This Saturday, Americans all across the country will look to the skies to witness fireworks exploding into ooh-inducing bursts of color, shapes, and sounds. But what goes up must come down, and some researchers think that what drifts back to earth after the spectacle subsides could negatively affect both our bodies and our ecosystem.
There is little argument that the chemicals used in fireworks can be hazardous to humans and the environment in large amounts. But is the once-annual dose distributed by Fourth of July fireworks enough to cause serious health problems? And are the ecofriendly fireworks created as a safer alternative really necessary?
The main ingredient in fireworks is fuel (usually made up of metal alloys or organic materials) and an oxidizer, most commonly a perchlorate salt, both of which create the combustion reaction needed for the explosion. When exposed to the high heat created by the combustion, heavy metals in the fireworks produce color. The entire concoction is fired into the sky using a propellant, generally gunpowder
According to Dr. David E. Chavez, a chemist in the High Explosives Science and Technology division of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, both the perchlorate oxidizer and some of the colorizing heavy metals are toxic compounds. Setting off fireworks (and other pyrotechnic devices, such as military rockets and flares) can release these toxins into the environment.
Although much of the perchlorate present in pyrotechnic devices is transformed into harmless compounds during combustion, any remnants of the chemical that fall back to earth can enter into the soil and water. When ingested, perchlorate is absorbed by the thyroid gland in place of iodine, which can interfere with the production of thyroid hormone, an essential part of metabolism and mental development. As a result, perchlorate exposure may be particularly harmful to fetuses.
A recent study of lake water in Ada, Okla., before and after annual fireworks displays found that the perchlorate concentration in the water increased by up to a factor of 1,000 in the hours after the show, exceeding several states' maximum allowable levels for drinking water. The levels took between 20 and 80 days to return to normal.
The heavy metals that colorize fireworks can also be dangerous, and unlike perchlorate, they're not used up during the combustion reaction. "What you start with is also what you end up with," Chavez explains. "They can get aerosolized and breathed in, or they go into the soil and water." Particularly harmful is barium, used to produce green; studies suggest it may cause respiratory problems, among other maladies. One study found that barium levels in the air increased 1,000 times after a fireworks-heavy Diwali festival in India.
So what does all this mean for the average American picnicgoer? Despite the grim-sounding evidence, experts say that a single Fourth of July event probably does not have a significant polluting effect on individuals. However, the health impact of fireworks becomes problematic when repeated often, or in enclosed spaces. Those most at risk from pyrotechnic-generated pollution are people who are exposed to them regularly, such as theme-park workers.
Based on demand primarily from theme parks and the military--which wants safer flares for its personnel, according to Dr. Thomas M. Klapötke, an inorganic chemist at the University of Munich—scientists have endeavored in recent years to develop more environmentally friendly pyrotechnics.
DMD Systems, a company cofounded by former Los Alamos explosives chemist Mike Hiskey, currently produces a line of fireworks that are perchlorate-free and contain about one-tenth the amount of barium used by traditional fireworks. Hiskey's formulation uses nitrocellulose as fuel and nitrates as oxidizer, thus avoiding perchlorates altogether. This reaction produces only stable gases like carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen, cutting down considerably on the small particles (mostly metal oxides and potassium chloride) that are released from more traditional fireworks as smoke, he explains.
And just because they're safer, these fireworks aren't necessarily less fun. According to Chavez, ecofriendly fireworks produce less smoke, making colors more visible to the audience. As a result, the amount of potentially toxic heavy metals can be reduced substantially while still producing the same visual effect as more traditional fireworks. Furthermore, these new formulations can create colors, such as deeper blues and reds, that are not possible to generate using old-school pyrotechnics.
While "green" fireworks are cleaner and safer overall, it may be some time before they come to a sky near you, especially while the standards for the chemicals released are still lax and the real health hazards are poorly documented. So far, ecofriendly versions are used in many enclosed venues and in some theme parks that have daily shows, but they're significantly more expensive than their traditional counterparts. And at a time when most fireworks producers are trying to cut costs, Hiskey says cheap and dirty fireworks from China are still typically the pyrotechnic of choice.
There is little argument that the chemicals used in fireworks can be hazardous to humans and the environment in large amounts. But is the once-annual dose distributed by Fourth of July fireworks enough to cause serious health problems? And are the ecofriendly fireworks created as a safer alternative really necessary?
The main ingredient in fireworks is fuel (usually made up of metal alloys or organic materials) and an oxidizer, most commonly a perchlorate salt, both of which create the combustion reaction needed for the explosion. When exposed to the high heat created by the combustion, heavy metals in the fireworks produce color. The entire concoction is fired into the sky using a propellant, generally gunpowder
According to Dr. David E. Chavez, a chemist in the High Explosives Science and Technology division of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, both the perchlorate oxidizer and some of the colorizing heavy metals are toxic compounds. Setting off fireworks (and other pyrotechnic devices, such as military rockets and flares) can release these toxins into the environment.
Although much of the perchlorate present in pyrotechnic devices is transformed into harmless compounds during combustion, any remnants of the chemical that fall back to earth can enter into the soil and water. When ingested, perchlorate is absorbed by the thyroid gland in place of iodine, which can interfere with the production of thyroid hormone, an essential part of metabolism and mental development. As a result, perchlorate exposure may be particularly harmful to fetuses.
A recent study of lake water in Ada, Okla., before and after annual fireworks displays found that the perchlorate concentration in the water increased by up to a factor of 1,000 in the hours after the show, exceeding several states' maximum allowable levels for drinking water. The levels took between 20 and 80 days to return to normal.
The heavy metals that colorize fireworks can also be dangerous, and unlike perchlorate, they're not used up during the combustion reaction. "What you start with is also what you end up with," Chavez explains. "They can get aerosolized and breathed in, or they go into the soil and water." Particularly harmful is barium, used to produce green; studies suggest it may cause respiratory problems, among other maladies. One study found that barium levels in the air increased 1,000 times after a fireworks-heavy Diwali festival in India.
So what does all this mean for the average American picnicgoer? Despite the grim-sounding evidence, experts say that a single Fourth of July event probably does not have a significant polluting effect on individuals. However, the health impact of fireworks becomes problematic when repeated often, or in enclosed spaces. Those most at risk from pyrotechnic-generated pollution are people who are exposed to them regularly, such as theme-park workers.
Based on demand primarily from theme parks and the military--which wants safer flares for its personnel, according to Dr. Thomas M. Klapötke, an inorganic chemist at the University of Munich—scientists have endeavored in recent years to develop more environmentally friendly pyrotechnics.
DMD Systems, a company cofounded by former Los Alamos explosives chemist Mike Hiskey, currently produces a line of fireworks that are perchlorate-free and contain about one-tenth the amount of barium used by traditional fireworks. Hiskey's formulation uses nitrocellulose as fuel and nitrates as oxidizer, thus avoiding perchlorates altogether. This reaction produces only stable gases like carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen, cutting down considerably on the small particles (mostly metal oxides and potassium chloride) that are released from more traditional fireworks as smoke, he explains.
And just because they're safer, these fireworks aren't necessarily less fun. According to Chavez, ecofriendly fireworks produce less smoke, making colors more visible to the audience. As a result, the amount of potentially toxic heavy metals can be reduced substantially while still producing the same visual effect as more traditional fireworks. Furthermore, these new formulations can create colors, such as deeper blues and reds, that are not possible to generate using old-school pyrotechnics.
While "green" fireworks are cleaner and safer overall, it may be some time before they come to a sky near you, especially while the standards for the chemicals released are still lax and the real health hazards are poorly documented. So far, ecofriendly versions are used in many enclosed venues and in some theme parks that have daily shows, but they're significantly more expensive than their traditional counterparts. And at a time when most fireworks producers are trying to cut costs, Hiskey says cheap and dirty fireworks from China are still typically the pyrotechnic of choice.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Sheep getting smaller in Scotland due to climate change, study says
Along with polar icecaps and sandy beaches, sheep on a remote Scottish island are gradually shrinking as a result of global warming, according to a study published today in the journal Science. The finding offers unusual proof that large animals are already evolving to adapt to changes wrought by climate change, experts said.The average weight of sheep in the feral flock has been falling nearly 3 ounces per year since 1985, the researchers reported. The cumulative effect has been a 5% reduction in total body size.
That trend had puzzled scientists because they knew that evolution clearly favored larger sheep that are better equipped to survive the harsh winters of Hirta, a rocky outpost more than 100 miles west of mainland Scotland.Now, using a sophisticated mathematical model, British and American researchers have concluded that warming temperatures have made it easier for scrawnier sheep to survive, thus reducing the average size of animals in the herd."Environmental change is having a substantial influence on the population," said Arpat Ozgul, a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London and lead author of the report.
That influence appears to have played out in a surprisingly intricate and counterintuitive manner, said UC San Diego biologist Kaustuv Roy, who wasn't involved in the study. For example, milder winters have helped the overall herd grow larger even as the average size of animals got smaller."Most of the thinking about how climate is going to affect species is fairly simplistic," Roy said. "These dynamics are fairly complex. We're going to have to sort out some of these details if we're ever going to make predictions about how individual species are going to respond to warming."Scientists have long been interested in the relationship between climate and body size.German biologist Christian Bergmann observed in 1847 that as members of a species migrate to higher latitudes with colder temperatures, their body size tends to increase. He speculated that larger bodies helped animals conserve heat by reducing their surface area relative to their volume.More recently, Roy and others have proposed that the same mechanism could prompt body sizes to shrink when animals stay put but the climate around them gets warmer.The Soay sheep of Hirta presented an opportunity to test that theory.The brown sheep, named for their home island of Soay, were transported to the nearby isle of Hirta in 1932, two years after the last of its human inhabitants abandoned it. In the 1980s, scientists returned to study the flock's descendants. They visit at least once a year to conduct a census and take measurements."It's like an outside laboratory," Ozgul said.For the new study, Ozgul and his colleagues analyzed a plethora of data, including the number of lambs born each year since 1985, the age of ewes giving birth and the survival rates of sheep at different ages. The team included body-weight measurements and the length of the hind leg to see whether the sheep were just thinner or actually smaller overall.To measure the effect of climate, the researchers also incorporated the North Atlantic Oscillation index, which affects the strength of westerly winds in Europe and determines whether winters will be wet and mild or cold and dry. All of these terms were plugged into a mathematical formula that allowed them to measure the individual components that contributed to the change in sheep body size.As expected, the researchers found that evolutionary pressure pushed the sheep to grow bigger. But that was offset by another, unexpected factor: Lambs born to yearling ewes instead of fully grown sheep weighed less at birth than their mothers did and remained smaller throughout their lifetimes.Still, the "young mum effect" wasn't enough to account for the decrease in sheep size.When the researchers added in the effect of changing environmental conditions, "you get just about the exact rate of decline that we've seen," said study coauthor Shripad Tuljapurkar, a biology professor at Stanford.The researchers found that, on average, 1-year-old sheep now weigh 3.3 ounces less than they did in 1985. They attributed the decline to shorter, milder winters that allowed grass to grow later into the year. As a result, sheep can make it through the coldest months with fewer fat reserves, so more lambs born to young mothers survive in spite of their small size.
That trend had puzzled scientists because they knew that evolution clearly favored larger sheep that are better equipped to survive the harsh winters of Hirta, a rocky outpost more than 100 miles west of mainland Scotland.Now, using a sophisticated mathematical model, British and American researchers have concluded that warming temperatures have made it easier for scrawnier sheep to survive, thus reducing the average size of animals in the herd."Environmental change is having a substantial influence on the population," said Arpat Ozgul, a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London and lead author of the report.
That influence appears to have played out in a surprisingly intricate and counterintuitive manner, said UC San Diego biologist Kaustuv Roy, who wasn't involved in the study. For example, milder winters have helped the overall herd grow larger even as the average size of animals got smaller."Most of the thinking about how climate is going to affect species is fairly simplistic," Roy said. "These dynamics are fairly complex. We're going to have to sort out some of these details if we're ever going to make predictions about how individual species are going to respond to warming."Scientists have long been interested in the relationship between climate and body size.German biologist Christian Bergmann observed in 1847 that as members of a species migrate to higher latitudes with colder temperatures, their body size tends to increase. He speculated that larger bodies helped animals conserve heat by reducing their surface area relative to their volume.More recently, Roy and others have proposed that the same mechanism could prompt body sizes to shrink when animals stay put but the climate around them gets warmer.The Soay sheep of Hirta presented an opportunity to test that theory.The brown sheep, named for their home island of Soay, were transported to the nearby isle of Hirta in 1932, two years after the last of its human inhabitants abandoned it. In the 1980s, scientists returned to study the flock's descendants. They visit at least once a year to conduct a census and take measurements."It's like an outside laboratory," Ozgul said.For the new study, Ozgul and his colleagues analyzed a plethora of data, including the number of lambs born each year since 1985, the age of ewes giving birth and the survival rates of sheep at different ages. The team included body-weight measurements and the length of the hind leg to see whether the sheep were just thinner or actually smaller overall.To measure the effect of climate, the researchers also incorporated the North Atlantic Oscillation index, which affects the strength of westerly winds in Europe and determines whether winters will be wet and mild or cold and dry. All of these terms were plugged into a mathematical formula that allowed them to measure the individual components that contributed to the change in sheep body size.As expected, the researchers found that evolutionary pressure pushed the sheep to grow bigger. But that was offset by another, unexpected factor: Lambs born to yearling ewes instead of fully grown sheep weighed less at birth than their mothers did and remained smaller throughout their lifetimes.Still, the "young mum effect" wasn't enough to account for the decrease in sheep size.When the researchers added in the effect of changing environmental conditions, "you get just about the exact rate of decline that we've seen," said study coauthor Shripad Tuljapurkar, a biology professor at Stanford.The researchers found that, on average, 1-year-old sheep now weigh 3.3 ounces less than they did in 1985. They attributed the decline to shorter, milder winters that allowed grass to grow later into the year. As a result, sheep can make it through the coldest months with fewer fat reserves, so more lambs born to young mothers survive in spite of their small size.
Zenawi wants Africa compensated for climate change
ETHIOPIAN Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has demanded that the rich world compensate Africa for global warming and said pollution in the northern hemisphere may have caused his country's ruinous 1980s famines.
A United Nations (UN) summit scheduled for December in Copenhagen will try to reach global agreement on how to tackle climate change and come up with a post-Kyoto protocol to curb emissions.
"Africa should demand compensation at the upcoming Copenhagen negotiations," Reuters quoted Zenawi, one of Africa's most outspoken leaders on global issues, as saying.
"(There are) certain theories that the droughts of the 1980s in much of the Sahel, including in Ethiopia, were to some extent due to pollution in the northern countries," added the former rebel, who represented Africa at this year's G20 summit.
A study commissioned by the Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum last month said poor countries bear more than nine-tenths of the human and economic burden of climate change. Yet the 50 poorest countries contribute less than one per cent of carbon emissions heating "Africa is going to be very significantly affected," said Zenawi. "Some parts of the continent may become uninhabitable. Therefore, those that did the damage have to pay."
"Any agreement in Copenhagen which does not include substantial compensation for Africa would be illegitimate," Zenawi added. "I hope that it won't come to lawsuits."
The Ethiopian leader recently warned that the global crisis would ruin African economies over the next decade unless rich countries stopped attaching conditions for aid and allowed the world's poorest continent to formulate its own economic policies.
Zenawi, who represented Africa at April's G-20 meeting of rich nations, spoke at a UN meeting to discuss how Africa could continue to develop during the crisis.
The Ethiopian premier said reduced growth, low commodity prices and high oil prices were likely to affect Africa for about 10 years and the west needed to give African nations the ability to devise their own policies to lessen the impact of these issues.
"I do not know whether I need to explain why sovereign African nations should plead to be given policy space," said Zenawi. "The simple answer is that they are not so sovereign when it comes to economic policy making."
The Ethiopian leader asked rich countries to stop attaching economic policy conditions to foreign aid, which he said the hungry continent was dependent on.
"(African) countries are faced with a very well-coordinated and solid policy orthodoxy (from donors)," he said. "They either adhere to it and get the money, or chart their own course and face the risk of the drying up of external assistance."
The continent was thought to be largely insulated against the worst effects of the global downturn but has recently seen healthy growth projections slashed as exports have fallen and foreign aid, investment and remittances have dried up.
Africa's largely agricultural exports have been hit hard by the crisis and Zenawi said the sector needs reform to maximize profits.
"We are too dependent on commodity exports," he said, calling for more industrialisation and agricultural processing plants for the continent.
"Agriculture, which is the source of livelihood for the vast majority of Africa, has not been transformed and is still the weakest link in our economic chain."
The Ethiopian leader blamed the developed world for global warming, which he also said would have a devastating impact on Africa, and said rich nations should financially compensate Africa for the effects of global warming.
"I think the international community could and should provide adequate policy space, live up to its commitments of development assistance, limit global warming and pay compensation for the unavoidable damage caused by it," he said.
"If no such assistance is forthcoming, then I am afraid the prospects for many countries in Africa are likely to be very dire indeed," said Zenawi.
A United Nations (UN) summit scheduled for December in Copenhagen will try to reach global agreement on how to tackle climate change and come up with a post-Kyoto protocol to curb emissions.
"Africa should demand compensation at the upcoming Copenhagen negotiations," Reuters quoted Zenawi, one of Africa's most outspoken leaders on global issues, as saying.
"(There are) certain theories that the droughts of the 1980s in much of the Sahel, including in Ethiopia, were to some extent due to pollution in the northern countries," added the former rebel, who represented Africa at this year's G20 summit.
A study commissioned by the Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum last month said poor countries bear more than nine-tenths of the human and economic burden of climate change. Yet the 50 poorest countries contribute less than one per cent of carbon emissions heating "Africa is going to be very significantly affected," said Zenawi. "Some parts of the continent may become uninhabitable. Therefore, those that did the damage have to pay."
"Any agreement in Copenhagen which does not include substantial compensation for Africa would be illegitimate," Zenawi added. "I hope that it won't come to lawsuits."
The Ethiopian leader recently warned that the global crisis would ruin African economies over the next decade unless rich countries stopped attaching conditions for aid and allowed the world's poorest continent to formulate its own economic policies.
Zenawi, who represented Africa at April's G-20 meeting of rich nations, spoke at a UN meeting to discuss how Africa could continue to develop during the crisis.
The Ethiopian premier said reduced growth, low commodity prices and high oil prices were likely to affect Africa for about 10 years and the west needed to give African nations the ability to devise their own policies to lessen the impact of these issues.
"I do not know whether I need to explain why sovereign African nations should plead to be given policy space," said Zenawi. "The simple answer is that they are not so sovereign when it comes to economic policy making."
The Ethiopian leader asked rich countries to stop attaching economic policy conditions to foreign aid, which he said the hungry continent was dependent on.
"(African) countries are faced with a very well-coordinated and solid policy orthodoxy (from donors)," he said. "They either adhere to it and get the money, or chart their own course and face the risk of the drying up of external assistance."
The continent was thought to be largely insulated against the worst effects of the global downturn but has recently seen healthy growth projections slashed as exports have fallen and foreign aid, investment and remittances have dried up.
Africa's largely agricultural exports have been hit hard by the crisis and Zenawi said the sector needs reform to maximize profits.
"We are too dependent on commodity exports," he said, calling for more industrialisation and agricultural processing plants for the continent.
"Agriculture, which is the source of livelihood for the vast majority of Africa, has not been transformed and is still the weakest link in our economic chain."
The Ethiopian leader blamed the developed world for global warming, which he also said would have a devastating impact on Africa, and said rich nations should financially compensate Africa for the effects of global warming.
"I think the international community could and should provide adequate policy space, live up to its commitments of development assistance, limit global warming and pay compensation for the unavoidable damage caused by it," he said.
"If no such assistance is forthcoming, then I am afraid the prospects for many countries in Africa are likely to be very dire indeed," said Zenawi.
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