New Delhi, July 27 - Minister of State for Earth Sciences Prithviraj Chavan Monday said India's per capita energy consumption was 'the lowest' in the world and the nation 'can defend its interests'.

Chavan, addressing a gathering on Earth Sciences Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhavan in the capital, said climate change has now come into international diplomatic domain and India needed to carry out reserach and study to put its stance at the international level.

'Climate change debate was at forefront of the G8 submit in Italy this month. As of now, our per capita energy consumption is the lowest and India can defend its interests related to energy consumption so that nobody can cap our development only if we understand science,' he said.

'There are concerns about changes in ocean levels, changes in monsoon cycle due to the global warming.