In recent years, India has been experiencing a rise in temperature like never before, which is the biggest threat to the environment and the economy. From hot summers to erratic monsoons, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the subcontinent.
Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai have witnessed record- breaking temperatures and are likely to record high temperature levels this summer posing challenges to the public health and also straining the infrastructure hampering day to day activities. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and outdoor labourers, are particularly at risk of heat-related illnesses. India's rapid industrialization and urbanisation have led to increased emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to the warming of the atmosphere. Large scale deforestation and urban development with increasing number of gases reducing the amount of plants can lead to rise in temperatures, causing fluctuations in the overall climate.
There are many effects of increasing temperatures that have been having an adverse impact on the globe. Higher temperatures contribute to increased evaporation, leading to water scarcity in many regions. This affects agriculture, drinking water supplies, and overall ecosystem health. India, being an agrarian economy where most of the population are dependent on the country’s agriculture, temperature plays the most crucial component. Changing temperature patterns disrupt agricultural cycles, affecting crop yields and food security. Extreme heat can also lead to heat stress in livestock, further impacting the agricultural sector.
Extreme hot temperatures can also cause a lot of health problems and put an individual at risk of heat stroke, dehydration and also respiratory problems. It becomes impossible for a human body to survive in climatic conditions where even performing daily activities is a hassle.
According to a survey, the average temperature in India is expected to climb by 2.4 to 4.4 degrees Celsius by the year 2100, and summer heat waves are expected to triple or quadruple by that time. The annual mean temperature of the world is known to have reached increased by 1.1 degree Celsius from the average of the 1850-1900 period. But this increase, as can be expected, is not uniform. It varies in different regions and also at different times of the year. This single number denoting global temperature increase, very effective for communicating the dangers of climate change, is built on top of several layers of averages.
We all know, taking care of the planet starts from home. Here are a few potential solutions we can embody to take the first and use it to our advantage.
Encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thus mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting afforestation and conservation of water through rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation techniques can help in improving the globe. Educating about heat wave preparedness and improving the healthcare industry.
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