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is the worst it's been in a very long time. In Boston, for example, 49.6 inches of snow has fallen this winter, or 19.3 inches more than normal. In Madison, Wisconsin, where it never had snowed more than 76.6 inches, the city already had seen 77 inches by February 12. Climatologists have been at pains to explain that climate change caused by greenhouse gasses does not imply a uniform and constant warming. What people should be equally concerned about are wild fluctuations in weather patterns that we have been witnessing in recent years. An unusual frequency of hurricanes, for instance, or excessive snowfall are warning signs.

The dilemma faced by many developing countries particularly those with burgeoning economies, like India and China is that, even if they have the inclination to do their bit towards combating global warming, it often clashes with their aspirations to raise the standard of living of their people. Steel plants, for example, are major polluters, but necessary for industrial advancement. One inevitable fallout from increased prosperity is rapid urbanization. That, in turn, multiplies the need for electric power. Most electricity is still generated by thermal power plants, which emit thousands of tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Nuclear, solar and wind power are attractive buzz words, but at present, they are far too expensive to be a viable alternative.

Learn more about this author, Firoze Hirjikaka.
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