Question : GLOBAL WARMING

(a) whether attention of the government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `El Nino and Global warming` appearing in the `Times of India` dated November 7, 2000;

(b) if so, the fact of the matter reported therein;

(c) whether global warming and El Nino events are now posing serious threat to the world;

(d) if so, whether apart from floods in low-level coastal areas, there could be serious threat to food production including aquaculture, coastal housing and community life; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b),(c),(d) & (e) According to the India Meteorological Department, both El Nino and Global warming are projected to influence the climate systems but it is not yet scientifically established whether El Nino events are a part of Global warming or vice-versa. Further, due to uncertainties in the currently available models, there is no firm evidence to suggest that El Nino would directly lead to a decline in food production.