‘Global warming will hit South Asia most'

Quick innovation is key to achieving flat path or reducing global warming, said Dr V. Prakash, former Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

Delivering the Business Line Club lecture on “The management of global warming and the impact on life and lifestyle” sponsored by Syndicate Bank for the MBA students of Maharaja Institute of Technology, he said that global warming was not just about rising oceans and drowning polar bears, it had adverse impacts on all walks of life, including food production, and hence, measures needed to combat climate change must coincide with those needed to ensure a healthier population and reduce the burden on health services.

Quoting reports, he said that 84 per cent scientists believed that global warming is happening and only 5 per cent did not. The earth's temperature was changing since the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

He noted that every one degree rise in temperature was reducing agricultural yield by 10 per cent, and rice and wheat were some of the important crops that are the victims of this climate change.

“Especially, the South Asian countries that include India and Sri Lanka will be the most-affected and the agriculture yield would go down by 22.1 per cent in the next few years,” Dr Prakash said.

Manage food costs

He also remarked that hunger and better nutrition must be addressed with passion along with compassion. And, knowledge of chemistry of hunger webbed with chemistry of nutrition was very critical.

He told the students to choose healthy foods and manage food costs to prevent unnecessary medical expenses. “No food is junk but the diet is,” he said and noted that of the 17,000-traditional food items in India, only 1,000 are in vogue and they constituted a treasure house of information on nutrition. He also told the students that food habit was a life-long habit.

“And, if you don't burn the consumed food, it is a crime. Nurture your gene naturally and help it function better,” Dr Prakash told the students.

He also said that it was important to remember that culture, science, chemistry and humans co-exist and all have a role in improving the quality of life by global networking and through the power of science. “Let global warming not be an excuse for not reaching the needy,” Dr Prakash added.

Mr H.S. Krishnamurthy, Senior Manager, Syndicate Bank Regional Office, spoke and explained about “SyndYuva”, and “SyndVidya”, their products for the youth.

Dr Sathyanarayan, Head, Department of Management Studies, Maharaja Institute of Technology, was also present.