The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the core of the many climate arrangements arrived at so far, including the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Bali Plan of Action (2007). The differentiated responsibilities aim to meet the special needs of developing countries for accelerated and equitable economic development.

At Copenhagen, the industrialised countries proposed limiting the rise in mean temperature to 2C above normal. Even this seems to be unattainable in the context of the present rate of emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Hence, the principle of common but differentiated impact of 2 degrees change in mean temperature is essential for prioritising climate victims. For example, small islands like Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean, the Maldives, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar, as well as Sunderbans in West Bengal, Kuttanad in Kerala and many locations along the coast will face the prospect of submergence.

Floods will become more serious and frequent in the Indo-Ganges plains. Drought induced food and water security will become more acute. South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the small islands will be the worst victims. In contrast, countries in the northern latitudes will benefit due to longer growing seasons and higher yields. We are now in the midst of a steep rise in the prices of essential commodities, and food items.

2009 has been characterised by both extensive drought and severe floods. The gap between demand and supply is high and the absence of a farmer-centric market system aggravates both food inflation and rural poverty. The task of ensuring food security will be quite formidable in an era of increasing climate risks and diminishing farm productivity. China which was reluctant in Copenhagen to join other developing countries in efforts to restrict the rise in mean temperature to 1 to 1.5 degrees C, has already built strong defences against the adverse impact of climate change. Chinese farmlands are however, mostly irrigated, unlike in India where 60 per cent of the area still remains rain-fed. Food and drinking water are the first among our hierarchical needs. Hence while assessing the common and differentiated impact of a 2 degree rise in temperature, priority should go to agriculture and rural livelihoods.

What are the steps we should take in the fields of both mitigation and adaptation? The largest opportunity in mitigation lies in increasing soil carbon sequestration and for building up soil carbon banks. Increase in soil carbon pool in the root zone by 1 ton C/ha/yr will help to increase food production substantially, since one of the major deficiencies in soil health is low soil organic matter content. There should be a movement for planting a billion "fertiliser trees" which can simultaneously sequester carbon and enhance soil nutrient status.

We can also contribute to the reduction in methane emission in the atmosphere from animal husbandry by spreading biogas plants. A biogas plant and a pond on every farm will make a substantial contribution to both reducing GHG emission and ensuring energy and water security. Similarly the neem-coated urea will help to reduce ammonia volatilisation and thereby, the release of nitrus oxide into the atmosphere.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. We can classify our crops into those which are climate resilient and those which are climate sensitive. Anticipatory analysis and action hold the key to climate risk management. The major components of an Action Plan for achieving a Climate Resilient National Food Security System will be the following: Establish with the help of ISRO, a Village Resource Centre with satellite connection; develop Drought and Food codes; organise Seed and Grain Banks; Train one man and one woman of every Panchayat to become Climate Risk Managers; strengthen coastal defences against a rise in a sea level; establish Agro-Meteorological Station with the help of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; establish a Climate Risk Management Research and Extension Centre in agro-climate sub-zones and organise a Content Consortium for each centre consisting of exports in different fields to provide guidance on alternative cropping patterns.

Integrated coastal zone management procedures involving concurrent attention to both the landward and seaward site of the ocean, and to coastal forestry and agro-forestry as well as capture and culture fisheries, are urgently needed.