Global Cool believes that the best way to save the planet is to inspire people to take personal action to reduce their CO2 emissions. And we think the best way of inspiring people is to work with amazing people like the stars of Indian Cinema and amazing events like the IIFA Awards.

Global Cool is very excited about this partnership because if we are going to save the planet we need India’s help – and we need to help India.

With a population of over 1 billion people, India boasts the world’s second largest population, and with Indian GDP growing at 8 percent it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This explosive economic growth has led to a rapid expansion of the middle class – approximately 300 million people – which in turn has dramatically increased demand for energy.

This expansion has led to a growing appetite for energy which India has satisfied primarily through domestic coal reserves. Currently, almost 70% of electricity comes from coal and it is expected that consumption of coal will increase threefold in the next 20 years. Such rapid industrialization has markedly raised the country’s carbon emissions.

While India’s per capita emissions are still comparatively low at 1.2 metric tons, the rate at which they have increased has become a concern. According to the World Bank, carbon emissions increased 88%, or 700 million metric tons, from 1990 to 2003 and it is expected that emissions will increase by another 150% over the next 20 years.

UN research has shown that even if the developed world reduces its greenhouse gas emissions dramatically, such a continued growth in emissions from rapidly emerging economies like India will drive up emissions beyond the climactic tipping point.

Average temperatures in India have already risen by 0.4 degrees centigrade over the last century, and it is projected that a further rise in temperatures will have a devastating effect on weather patterns. The projected results include more intense precipitation, rising sea levels, increased frequency of heat waves and droughts, and greater intensity of tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and tornados.

These climatic changes will reduce crop output and make water scarce in many regions thereby placing an enormous strain on the majority of India’s population. Over 70 percent of Indians are on an income of less than $2 day. These people are highly dependent on nature and subsistence farming for their livelihoods. They will be extremely vulnerable to climate change.

Thankfully, the worst effects of global warming are still only projections.

We at Global Cool have created a campaign upon the belief that with a concerted effort by individuals to increase their efficiency and reduce their emissions by one metric ton each, we can slow the process of global warming.

If we are going to save the planet we need India’s help.

Click here for the official IIFA website