Rent-a-womb tourism

As per the India’s new draft law, Assisted Reproductive Technology (regulation) Bill 2014, only Indian couples or a foreigner married to an Indian citizen can opt for paid surrogacy. By using the word couple, whether homosexuals and people in a live-in relationship are excluded by passing the Bill? Whether this will be in conflict with other provisions of law?  

India will be no longer a fertility tourism hot spot! But there is a positive side to this. As reported in the media, ruthless exploitation of the surrogate mothers rampant in some part of the country, will be curtailed. There is a need for strong regulation to prevent any unethical practices, including responsibility for post-delivery complications. Breakers of the law should be prosecuted and put behind bars. Women’s rights group must take active lead in ensuring strict regulation to protect surrogate mothers rights and bring-in awareness of the health risks.          

It’s getting hotter by the day! What next?

America’s Clean Power Plan launched recently can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal/gas based power plants by 870 metric tonnes by 2030. Similarly, Brazil pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 43% by 2030. These reductions are with respect to the levels in 2005. China which contributes major part of the global emissions, is taking steps to reduce emissions.   

Global carbon emissions are higher by 58% in 2012 as compared to the level seen in 1990. Today, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is 400 parts per million. At the present rate of emissions, the global average temperature may rise by 4.5 degree C and if countries cooperate, the temperature my still rise by 3-5 degree C by 2100. As per the meteorological agency reports, the deviation from the average global air-surface temperature is 0.75 degree C warmer as compared to 1950 data. Oceans are getting warmer, glaciers are melting and the complexity of changing ocean currents and atmospheric pressure differentials are causing catastrophic effects such as storms, floods, forest fires, crops damage, droughts, etc, etc. The effects of the climate change are seen everywhere.

The next climate change talks will be held in Paris this year end. There will be tussle between developed and developing countries on the quantum of reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions. There is a necessity of a huge global climate fund to compensate poor nations from not using greenhouse gas emitting technologies for their development. Who will contribute and how much?  

If the nations which have good reserves of oil, coal and gas are not able to sell or use them for industrial development, what will happen to the world economy? Who will buy the fossil fuel which will not be allowed to burn? Solar/Fusion power may be the answer!