How do we develop economically without degrading our environment? It is necessary to address this question because a large part of environmental losses is not factored into calculations of the Indian government and opinion-makers who shape policies. These costs are growing fast, especially in terms of quality of life. Unmitigated air, water and land pollution are already poisoning us.

Abuse and overexploitation of environment resources are threatening food security and increasing losses in work time, income and productivity. These constraints are exacerbated by a denial of India's contribution to carbon emissions. The clean development mechanism put in place under the Kyoto Protocol can only have a limited impact and may delay course correction.

In the present milieu, the top 2-3 per cent bracket, economically, of the Indian population is amongst the highest polluters in the world.The national average is misleading because a large proportion of people are not in a position to pollute. It also misses out on those who lead environment-friendly lifestyles, influenced by traditional cultural habits. Yet, an apathy to these fuels aspirations for highly polluting and environmentally indefensible lifestyles amongst a class that hides behind misleading averages. But for how long? Will it be too late when we wake up?
Flaw of averages Obsolete technologies, fuel adulteration, poor maintenance of vehicles and their longer life cause significant pollution. Air-conditioning and other forms of power consumption, compounded by poor building design, have led to over consumption of electricity, often generated in highly polluting ways. Except for a few green workplaces, office spaces are among the most culpable. Malls, which are emerging as more than shopping destinations, being in equal measure places to hang out, are also huge consumers of, usually,