How India is combating climate change amid unbearable temperatures

Several countries in the world have experienced severe heat waves in 2024 One of the most common reasons behind the surging temperatures globally is the greenhouse gasses On 29th May 2024 Mungeshpur Delhi India witnessed the hottest day ever on Earth with a recordhigh temperature of 523 degC or about 126 degF This is the first time India has ever experienced such heatIn Paris France where the Paris Olympics 2024 is happening the weather has been playing bonkers with athletes and speculators The heat wave touched 37 degC on 30th July 2024 and might go higher says some reports On 22nd July 2024 Sunday Earth recorded the hottest day ever where the average global air temperature touched a new high of 1715 degC or 6287 degFThe reason for the continuous and frequent surge in the Earthrsquos temperature caused by heat waves is due to burning fossil fuels and increasing human activities states Scientists They claim that things would become much worse and multiply the damage if humans dont play their cards right With a slight deviation in the temperature say from 1 to 11 degC things would be topsyturvy in the climate system The average global air temperature kept on breaking the previous records from 1708 degC on 6th July 2023 to 1709 degC on 20th July 2024 and finally peaked to 1715 degC on 22nd July 2024 Since 1940 to date this day is termed to be the hottest ever says the Copernicus Climate Change Service reportsHeat Waves amp Human ActivitiesScientists state that the recordbreaking heat waves and surge in the temperatures in quick succession is due to a spike in human activities that negatively impact the Earth Human activities include cutting trees high usage of transport vehicles like cars and motorcycles utilization of fossil fuels and air conditioners etc According to The Lancet Planetary Health study there were 489000 human deaths every year due to the heat wave during the period 20002019 Heat waves are not only pushing people to fight for survival but also making them aware about the things they use thatrsquos destroying the planet and themselves These are arduous testing times for humans against the recordbreaking temperaturesThe Director of Copernicus Carlo Buontempo warned that with the spike in rising temperatures the world is entering an unknown space Scientists are worried about the surging sea levels climate threats and harsh heat waves The solar fury can cause sudden strokes dehydration increase in the body heat levels heart and kidney issues headaches etc Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo stated that the world would be witnessing more such recordbreaking climatic hazards down the lineScience Behind Greenhouse GassesUndoubtedly climate change is an unpredictable subject as no one knows whatrsquos coming next either a storm or a heat wave or a yearlong drought Human activities are behind every smallbig climatic threat happening in the world This draws us to the science of global warming and surging temperatures While we all know the correlation between global warming and rising sea levels that sprung from human activities therersquos more than what meets the eye to address this alarming climatic condition One canrsquot turn a blind eye to what they do when the hidden cause for global warming is arising from the daytoday actions of humans If you know how much each person is contributing collectively to global warming yoursquoll know the total per capita carbon emissions per country According to the International Energy Agency IEA reports India produced 16 tonnes t of CO2 emissions per capita in 2020 against 20 tonnes t of CO2 emissions per capita in 2023 resulting in 2537 higher Other major regions that contributed to the CO2 emissions per capita in 2020 Vs 2023 include China 81 t 89 t European Union 57 t 54 t Japan 83 t 81 t and United States 130 t 133 t Below is the table and comparison chart of the CO2 levels per regionwiseChart Credits IEAFrom the above regionwise figures itrsquos evident that China is the highest contributor accounting for 3537 of the global CO2 emissions in the world The United States stands in the 2nd position followed by India exceeding the European Union and Japan with the least CO2 emissions Besides all these advanced economies have per capita CO2 emission levels of about 7037 which is above the global average in 2023 In other words people in advanced regions contribute higher CO2 emissions against other regions globallyAdvanced economies continue to have relatively high per capita emissions at about 7037 higher than the global average in 2023 The World Meteorological Organization WMO envisioned that the Earthrsquos average global temperature would be between 11degC and 17degC higher each year between 2022 and 2026 Scientists already warned that if GHG emissions wonrsquot come down the world would witness a surge in the global temperature resulting in excessive heat waves and warm air aroundAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA reports the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide methane and nitrous oxide are disseminating everywhere at a faster rate though steep in terms of continuity as they ascend to new levels Xin Lan a CIRES scientist said that ldquoThe 2023 increase is the thirdlargest in the past decade likely a result of an ongoing increase of fossil fuel CO2 emissions coupled with increased fire emissions possibly as a result of the transition from La Nina to El NinordquoNitrous Oxide is another dangerous greenhouse gas thatrsquos caused due to human activities This gas surged by 1 part per billion ppb reaching 3367 ppb In 2020 and 2021 the Nitrous Oxide gas levels rose by 13 ppb which was considered the highest since 2000 Extensive usage of nitrogen fertilizers and manure for the sake of expanding agriculture cultivation led to continuous spike of this fatal gas As per Global Monitoring Laboratory the Global N2O levels as of March 2023 was 33657 ppb which rose to 33766 ppb in 2024Climate Change Repercussions on WildlifeIn Paris the Indian athletes were provided with 40 mini air conditioners by the Sports Ministry to ease their condition amid the surging heat wave at the Olympics Games Village Paris 2024 As humans a slight surge in the Earthrsquos temperature felt like too much to bear This extreme weather condition has extended beyond humans including wildlife aquatic and other nonaquatic and land speciesBiologists are showing concern towards the accelerating climate crisis as this would disrupt the face of biodiversity These experts claim an estimate that 3537 of animals and plants could disappear from Earthrsquos vicinity by 2050 says the National Park Service NPS Before the era of industrial revolution the CO2 levels barely touched 280 ppm but as of 2023 the global average of the same gas has reached a recordhigh of 4193 ppm The International Fund for Animal Welfare IFAW states that by 2100 if the current global temperature spikes by 2degC nearly 1837 of the species will end up disappearing from the Earthrsquos surroundingsIn a conversation with Dr Prabhakaran P Senior Veterinarian and Branch Manager of DDC Hospital about the Delhi heat wave which touched nearly 50 degC amid this 2024 summer he shared how wildlife suffered during this critical period ldquoDue to the Delhi heat wave animals suffered from multiple health issues like heat stroke heavy panting with breathing distress walking difficulties dehydration induced shock etc I also handled extreme cases of mortality during the heat wave periodrdquo said Dr PrabhakaranIf you are a pet owner you should be looking out for the following symptoms in your pets that show signs of heat stress ldquoBreathing issues alimentary and digestive issuesrdquo the doctor added As a pet owner some of the preventive measures you can take to protect your pets include ldquoavoid over feeding restrict walks during peak heat hours keeping them in cool indoor spaces using cold ice packs on forehead and lower abdomen sufficient water intake and rehydration therapyrdquo shares Dr Prabhakaran The DCC Animal Hospital also conducted free health campaigns and prehealth checkups during the Delhi summer heat wave to aid animals in distress The senior vet advised pet owners and wildlife shelter homes to take all the necessary precautions and consult a vet before buying any foods or medicinesA report said that the Mediterranean Monk Seals population plummeted by 60 37 over the last 6 decades Corals are another form of species thatrsquos closer to extinction due to surge in ocean acidification and ocean temperatures Bumblebees one of the key species in producing new plants seeds fruits crops and other food materials are also showing signs of extinction The surge in heat waves is propelling these bees to fly towards cooler regions making spring flowers blossom earlier than the expected time This frequent shift in the weather is causing an imbalance in the actual ecosystem and biodiversity If a flood or a wildfire happens the entire bumble bees family will die impacting the pollination and food development processRising Urbanisationrsquos Impact on Climate ChangeToday the cost of land or any property is almost quadrupled or 10X times that of what it was a decade ago This substantial growth is due to various factors like increase in population demand urbanization effect etc Besides the cost of moving from a rural region to an urban one is quite steep however both the regions have their share of positives and negatives As people move from rural to urban cities the cost of living increases followed by expenses towards education lifestyle infrastructure etc Nevertheless though the urban cities generate substantial income to the government subsequently they are the major reason for severe climatic destruction The more the people living in the urban cities the more the utilization of home appliances like AC refrigerators and heat pumps the more the environmental and climatic damage following your actionsUrban expansion requires more raw materials to build new homes for a futuristic unpredictable tomorrow A study stated that urbanization gave rise to a 6037 enhanced surge in the temperature in India and the global forecasts claim that the share of population in urban cities would reach 6837 by 2050 Moreover the usage of the urban energy coming from multiple appliances results in heating the Earthrsquos temperature and affecting the weather patterns thereby shaping the entire region into a heat islandIn a conversation with Mr Rajeev Sikka Real Estate Investor and Consultant we discussed key aspects related to climate change and urbanization and how the latter impacted the former over the years Todayrsquos generation arenrsquot just greedy but also environmentally conscious ldquoRapid urbanization has raised an important challenge the tendency for people to ignore sustainable development and its long term implications for the environment The scramble to invest and develop usually focuses on immediate financial rewards without considering their wider consequences for environmental sustainability Hence the associated consequences with highdensity living areas such as overcrowding insufficient green spaces and increased air pollution levels which lowers the living standards within those booming citiesrdquo said Mr ShuklaOn the aspect of migrating from rural to urban cities Shukla commented ldquoThe rate of urbanization was much higher than anticipated and as with the advancement of medicine the death rate decreased the population just kept growing The clean cities and the clean air could not be maintained due to the rapidly changing landscape Urban slums became omnipresent as a result Moreover the population density in residential societies and other areas of living remains a great challenge of urbanization The uncontrolled expansion led to an overburdened ecological environment In todayrsquos fastpaced world there could be those who feel like they are lost in the crowd while participating in buying houses and settling down I understand that home ownership is indeed a major milestone particularly for young working professionals migrating from rural areas to urban cities however at times it may overshadow other important aspects of liferdquoSince urban regions utilize more energy the heat gets retained on the Earth for a very long time and unlike rural areas they radiate back to the atmosphere 1537 to 3037 less efficiently as per the Population Reference Bureau PRB The report also said that the energy usage and differences in the reaction timing towards heat waves is causing imbalance in the surface reflectivity which subsequently is leading to excessive warmness in the urban cities by 06 to 13degC as opposed to rural areas These reasons lead to 510 37 more precipitation in the urban cities impacting the areas downwind facing floods storms and other disastersldquoThe cost of ignorance about climate change is going to be huge Metropolitan cities like Delhi experienced a series of fire breakouts due to malfunctions in ACs in the past months during the heatwave Although urbanization has resulted in economic expansion improved facilities and enhanced standards of living it has equally inflicted environmental quandaries Rapid urbanization has had a considerable effect on both the air and the environment in Indian cities These challenges can only be tackled through focused approaches to sustainable development that involve green building practices improved public transportation the promotion of renewable energy sources and appropriate waste management methodsrdquo states Mr ShuklaAir pollution is another disturbing factor that has a direct relationship with climate change According to the UNICEFrsquos Children Health Collaborative report air pollution was the second deadly killer among children below 5 years This is a concerning and alarming matter to look into by the government and every citizen on Earth As per the IQAIR realtime data reports 2024 Howrahrsquos West Bengal Air Quality Index AQI is 121 Kolkatarsquos AQI is 116 and Lucknowrsquos UP AQI is 109 registering Indiarsquos most polluted cities These values are realtime as of 6th August 2024 at 1544 PMldquoRegaining clean air and towns is a necessity for present and upcoming generations Policywise there are guidelines as well as incentives for sustainable construction but they might not be enforced Corruption coupled with bureaucracy can obstruct these policies from being put into practice Another issue to consider is affordability Many times sustainable materials and technologies cost more at first hence deterring developers and buyers alike With India being sensitive to prices balancing cost with sustainability is like walking on a tightrope An emerging trend that we see is that people are seeking green buildings Contrary to the perception that the urban population might be unconcerned about green buildings many young people are ready to invest more money in housing that has green certificatesrdquo added Mr ShuklaTable Air Quality Index AQI ValuesFrom the above table the air quality of Howrah Kolkata and Lucknow are literally unhealthy for sensitive groups In 2023 the most polluted city in India was Begusarai Bihar with an AQI of 195 The current realtime AQI value of Begusarai as of 6th August 2024 at 1544 PM is 286 meaning the air quality is very unhealthy These values keep fluctuating however one must know how polluted India is and what will be the state of this country in the coming days If you see the AQI country ranking 2023 Bangladesh stands at the top registering the most polluted country with 164 AQI followed by Pakistan with 160 AQI and third comes India with 147 AQIClimate Change Policies International Agreements CommitmentsIndia is making positive strides to combat the climate change issue in hand In the recent Union Budget 2024 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken bold steps to address the climate change concerns To add value to the existing developments in the sustainable category the finance minister allocated a promising budget for energy security and climate resilienceIn the budget Sitharaman said that the center would extend their total support for setting up the rooftop solar panels on 10 million homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme Here the aim of the government is to create a sustainable channel to allow people to produce their own electricity and pay for what they use Furthermore the mission is to expand the energy space across the country making renewable energy accessible to lakhs of peopleAnother standout aspect of the union budget is focusing on the Critical Minerals Mission Sourcing key minerals like lithium copper cobalt and rare earth elements to generate renewable energy is a tedious and pricey task for the center To make India a renewable hub along with providing ease of access of electricity to millions of residential homes in India the center exempted customs duties on 25 key minerals along with reducing Basic Customs Duty BCD from 20 37 to 1537 respectively As the aforementioned minerals are very essential in manufacturing products like mobile phones chips electronic gadgets nuclear weapons etc this new budget can open the doors for several industries and add a few new ones to the existing listFurthermore the budget allocation for the Solar Power Grid has been multiplied from Rs Rs 4757 crore in 202324 to Rs 10000 crore in 202425 followed by Rs 152 lakh crore for climateresilient agriculture This budget allocation explains the dedication and robust commitment of the government for building greener economies and a resilient futureldquoSustainable housing development plays an important role in gaining energy efficiency flood risk reduction and water Sustainable architecture can help change Indiarsquos climate for the better since it is able to use less energy while providing more comfortable living conditions The central government of India is committed to sustainable urban growth Thatrsquos why they have undergone a transformation in making their cities smart and sustainable through the Smart Cities Mission for example in Bhopal Smart City where they have used solar roofs rainwater harvesting systems and street lights that consume less energy Additionally they have established parks and green areas to enhance urban life quality This is a step towards making cities sustainablerdquo added Mr ShuklaAccording to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change itrsquos important for the countries to support each other to combat the global climate change issue On this note the Paris Agreement strongly said that the developed countries should offer their hand financially to the developing countries amid this climate change combat The agreement further said that ldquoClimate Financerdquo is the key to unlock the potential to address the climate change concerns globally and require substantial funds to trim the GHG emissions India Updated First Nationally Determined Contribution Under Paris Agreement 20212030 and submitted to the UNFCCC in August 2022 The NDC report said that ldquoIndia aims to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 They aim to achieve about 5037 cumulative electric power installed capacity from nonfossil fuelbased energy resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and lowcost international finance including from Green Climate Fund GCF and also create an additional carbon sink of 25 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030rdquo