Is India Unlivable Due to Climate Change?

Overview: The Imminent Emergency

With a population of more than 1.4 billion, India is leading the way in countries addressing the complex issues brought on by climate change. The subcontinent is facing a variety of climatic extremes, from devastating floods to intense heatwaves, which endanger its economic growth, environmental stability, and the basic means of subsistence for its people. The practical effects of climate change on India are examined in this article, along with whether or not these growing difficulties are making some areas of the nation uninhabitable.​

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1. Heatwaves and rising temperatures

The Increasing Temperature

The frequency and intensity of heatwaves have significantly increased in India in recent years. During the hottest summer months, temperatures in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad have risen above 45°C (113°F). Notably, in 2022, temperatures in some regions of northern India hit an all-time high of 49°C (120.2°F). ​

Economic and Human Cost

These heatwaves have a significant human cost. Extreme heat-related deaths in India increased by 55% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021. In addition to increasing mortality, the intense heat reduces productivity, especially in industries where outdoor labor is common, like construction and agriculture. Poverty and food insecurity are made worse by the economy’s cascading effects of this productivity decline. ​

Case Study: The Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad established a Heat Action Plan to reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities in response to the deadly 2010 heatwave. Early warning systems, public awareness initiatives, and the construction of cooling centers are all part of the plan. Although this program has proven successful locally, other vulnerable areas of India have not yet seen a widespread adoption of comparable tactics.

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2. Unpredictable monsoons and flooding due to shifting rainfall patterns

India’s agriculture depends heavily on the monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September and provides about 70% of the country’s yearly precipitation. But these patterns have been upset by climate change, resulting in extended dry spells in some places and erratic, heavy rainfall in others.

Devastating Floods

Severe flooding has become more common in areas like Assam and Bihar. Over 5 million people in Assam were impacted by the 2020 floods, which resulted in a large number of fatalities and significant displacement. Infrastructure, housing, and agriculture suffered the most from the significant economic losses. ​

Urban Flooding: Mumbai’s Situation

During the monsoon season, Mumbai, the financial center of India, frequently experiences urban flooding. The issue is made worse by encroachment on natural waterways, rapid urbanization, and poor drainage systems. The city’s vulnerability is highlighted by the 2005 flood, which caused significant economic losses and over 500 fatalities.

3. Water Scarcity and Droughts

Growing Aridity

In contrast to the flooding, there are severe droughts in a number of places, most notably Maharashtra and Karnataka. For example, Maharashtra’s Marathwada region has experienced years of drought in a row, causing severe water shortages and agricultural hardship. ​

Effects on Farming

Nearly half of India’s workforce works in agriculture, which is highly reliant on monsoon rains. Crop failures, lower yields, and a rise in farmer debt have been caused by erratic rainfall patterns and protracted droughts. The shockingly high number of farmer suicides in the nation has been largely caused by this agrarian crisis.​

Depletion of Groundwater

An excessive amount of groundwater extraction has been done to address the water shortage. India is the biggest groundwater extractor in the world, but the rate at which this resource is being used up is unsustainable. There are long-term issues with water security because of the sharp decline in the water table in many areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.​

3. The Himalayan Ecosystem and Melting Glaciers Retreating

Rising global temperatures are causing the Himalayan glaciers, sometimes known as the “Third Pole,” to retreat more quickly. Major rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus, which are vital to millions of people, are nourished by these glaciers. Water availability downstream is impacted by the perennial flow of these rivers being threatened by the loss of glacial mass.

GLOFs, or Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

The risk of GLOFs is increased when glacial lakes form as a result of glacier melting. Areas downstream may experience catastrophic flooding as a result of these abrupt water releases. A clear reminder of these dangers is the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy in Uttarakhand, which claimed thousands of lives.​

4. Coastal Vulnerability and Sea-Level Rise

Danger to Cities Along the Coast

India’s vast 7,500-kilometer coastline is home to important cities like Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. These heavily populated areas are seriously threatened by rising sea levels brought on by global warming. An estimated 5,700 square kilometers of India’s coastal land could be submerged if sea levels rise by one meter, according to projections.

Effect on Earnings

Coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources threaten to uproot coastal communities, especially those that depend on fishing. The largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans, which spans Bangladesh and India, is losing land, which has an impact on human settlements and biodiversity.

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5. Community-Led Climate Adaptation: Strengthening Local Remedies

In order to increase climate resilience throughout India, grassroots efforts are just as important as national policies and international commitments. Smallholder farmers, NGOs, and local communities are leading the way in adaptive strategies that are suited to their particular environmental challenges.​

Ahmedabad’s Climate Education Program by SEWA

The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Ahmedabad is teaching women about climate resilience. They encourage the installation of skylights to naturally cool homes and lessen dependency on electricity, and they introduce solar-powered tools for salt harvesting.

AI Resources for Small-Scale Farmers

AI-powered technologies are being used by smallholder farmers in rural India for sophisticated crop management and weather forecasting. By lowering debt and raising savings, these technologies improve climate resilience.

Infrastructure and Urban Planning

To lessen the effects of heat islands and urban flooding, cities are spending money on green space creation, drainage system upgrades, and sustainable urban planning techniques. To better handle monsoon floods, Mumbai, for example, is improving its flood management infrastructure.​

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6. The Path Ahead: Combining Community Action, Technology, and Policy

India must tackle climate change with a multipronged strategy that incorporates strong legislative frameworks, cutting-edge technology, and engaged community involvement.​

Increasing the Effectiveness of Policy Implementation

Despite having comprehensive climate policies, India still faces difficulties in effectively implementing them at the state and local levels. Putting policies into practice requires improving coordination between different government agencies and making sure there is enough funding.

Putting Money Into Research and Development

Research and development expenditures must be sustained in order to create climate-resilient practices and technologies. This entails promoting renewable energy sources, enhancing farming methods, and creating climate-resilient infrastructure.​

Increasing Public Knowledge and Education

Promoting community involvement requires increasing public knowledge of climate change and its effects. People can be inspired to take proactive measures toward sustainability by educational campaigns and the inclusion of climate education in school curricula.

In conclusion, Managing the Climate Crisis

India faces an existential threat from climate change, which will affect its economy, society, and environment. The difficulties are great, but they are not insurmountable. India can steer toward a resilient and sustainable future by combining strong policy frameworks, technological advancements, community involvement, and international collaboration. Informed decision-making, teamwork, and a steadfast dedication to preserving the country’s rich legacy for future generations are all necessary for the journey.

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