What will happen to India if the climate gets warmer?
India is already experiencing a warming climate. What could happen. Unusual and unprecedented spells of hot weather are expected to occur far more frequently and cover much larger areas. Under 4°C warming, the west coast and southern India are projected to shift to new, high-temperature climatic regimes with significant impacts on agriculture.
Why are heat waves becoming more frequent in India?
The increased frequency and severity of these heat waves are blamed on the altering global weather patterns as a result of climate change due to human emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, among others. "India's climate is warming up at a very fast rate.
What happens if monsoons change in India?
An abrupt change in the monsoon could precipitate a major crisis, triggering more frequent droughts as well as greater flooding in large parts of India. India’s northwest coast to the south eastern coastal region could see higher than average rainfall.
How can we reduce the impact of drought in India?
Investments in R&D for the development of drought-resistant crops can help reduce some of the negative impacts. More than 60% of India’s agriculture is rain-fed, making the country highly dependent on groundwater. Even without climate change, 15% of India’s groundwater resources are overexploited.
How does India boost its economy?
India's efforts to boost economic growth and development by rapidly industrializing and transforming itself into a manufacturing hub are set to drastically increase the demand for energy in a country that is home to about a sixth of the world's population.
What is the Indian government doing to reduce its reliance on coal?
To diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance on coal, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively promoting renewable power sources and aims to pump tens of billions of dollars in new investments to expand generation capacity over the coming decade .
Why are heat waves so frequent?
The increased frequency and severity of these heat waves are blamed on the altering global weather patterns as a result of climate change due to human emissions of greenhouse gases ( GHGs), including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, among others.
How much of India's electricity is renewable?
Ambitious targets have been set: The goal is to source 40 percent of India's electricity from renewable and other low-carbon sources by 2030. It also wants to reach 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2022 - of which 100 GW will be from solar energy.
What did Modi say after Trump's decision?
But after Trump's decision, Indian PM Modi reiterated his country's commitment, saying New Delhi would go "above and beyond" the Paris agreement and that "the protection of the environment and the mother planet is an article of faith."
What is India's energy sector?
India's energy sector is a significant contributing factor. Asia's third-biggest economy relies on coal for around 60 percent of its total electricity generation and the fossil fuel remains a vital element in the nation's long-term energy strategy.
When will India start selling electric cars?
India has aggressive goals even for the automotive market, with plans to allow the sale of only electric and hybrid vehicles starting from 2030. The challenge to realize this objective, though, will be to build the infrastructure needed to support battery-driven cars.
How much of India's GDP is pollution?
India racks up health-care costs and productivity losses from pollution of as much as 8.5% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Drawing on data from the University of Notre Dame, the Drivers and Disrupters Report ranks India as one of the most exposed countries in the world to climate change.
What is the water crisis in Chennai?
A recent water crisis in the southern city of Chennai forced doctors to buy water for surgery. Desertification, land degradation and drought cost India about 2.5% of gross domestic product in 2014-15, according to India’s environment ministry.
How will extreme heat affect India?
Extreme heat will significantly lower the outdoor working capacity of India’s labour workforce in the next three decades, putting at risk, the country’s economic growth. Nearly 75 per cent of the labour force (some 380 million people) is exposed to heat- related stress. By 2030, the average loss in daylight working hours could put between 2.5 and 4.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at risk annually. Without major adaptation and mitigation measures, large parts of India will become too hot to survive and / or work outdoors. Rising heat and humidity levels will expose between 160 million and 200 million Indians to a higher risk of lethal heat waves by 2030. Estimates suggest that the number of working hours lost due to extreme heat would increase from 10 per cent today to 15-20 per cent by 2050, severely affecting economic growth. Climate change impacts will be mediated by socioeconomic norms and trends, including urbanisation and industrialisation. The repercussions would be experienced in income and wealth levels, gender relations and caste dynamics and will likely exacerbate inequalities. The combination of rising cereal prices, declining wages in the agricultural sector and the slower rate of economic growth attributable to climate change could increase India’s national poverty rate by 3.5% in 2040; which equates to around 50 million more poor people than there otherwise would have been in that year.
Is Mumbai a coastal city?
Greater Mumbai is home to over 20 million people and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It is the financial capital of India with a large commercial and trading base. However, most of the coastal city lies less than 15 m above sea level and almost a quarter lies below or at mean sea level. It is therefore one of the most vulnerable port cities in the world, facing a wide range of climate-related risks including storm surge, flooding, coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Climate change is certainly not the only driver of environmental risk in Mumbai. The city was originally built on a series of islands hugging the coast. However, its lakes, rivers, mudflats, wetlands, mangroves, woods and coastline have gradually been built over to serve a growing population and economy. The increase in hard surfaces and loss of tree cover has prevented rainfall from seeping into the groundwater. Instead, it runs rapidly over the asphalt and concrete, pooling in low-lying parts of the city instead of flowing into the sea. Poor sewage and drainage systems exacerbate the health risks of flooding, which include diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and leptospirosis. Mumbai is already experiencing catastrophic floods. Mumbai is ranked fifth in the world with respect to flooding risk with annual losses of $284 million. In July 2005, flooding killed 5,000 people and caused economic damage totalling $690 million. Floods will only get worse when combined with the heavier rains, higher sea levels and more severe storms associated with climate change. It is estimated that annual losses from flooding will reach $6.1 billion per year in 2050. Most of these losses are uninsured and borne by individuals or small businesses.
