26 April 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Indian Express Editorial Analysis

26-April-2024

1. Health on a hot planet

Topic: GS1 – Geography – Climate Change GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as the article delves into the scientific consensus on climate change, urbanization’s impact on heat islands, and the multifaceted consequences of global warming.

 

Context:

Scientific consensus asserts that 2023 marked the hottest year on record, signaling a distressing trend of escalating temperatures. Climate models forecast a dire trajectory for the remainder of the century, characterized by sweltering heat. Paradoxically, experts speculate that 2023 could be remembered as the coolest year by individuals born in that timeframe.

Urbanization and Heat Islands:

• As urbanization intensifies, cities expand at the expense of forests, transforming into heat islands characterized by elevated temperatures and humidity levels.
• This phenomenon exacerbates the heat-related challenges faced by densely populated areas.

Multifaceted Consequences of Climate Change:

• The consequences of climate change, primarily driven by global warming, manifest across various domains, significantly impacting human, animal, and plant health.
• These repercussions include direct heat exposure effects on the body, extreme weather events, water scarcity, and the proliferation of vector-borne and water-borne infections.
• Moreover, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and cancers are on the rise.
• Climate change also strains healthcare systems, exacerbating demand and disrupting infrastructure due to the influx of displaced climate refugees and the adverse effects of extreme weather events.

Immediate Concern: Heatwaves on the Indian Subcontinent:

• The Indian Subcontinent faces immediate concerns as heatwaves intensify, posing significant health risks.
• Heatwaves, characterized by a combination of high temperatures and humidity, have become more prevalent, amplifying their impact on human health.
• Vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities or comorbidities, face heightened risks.

Health Impacts of Heat Exposure:

• Prolonged or severe heat exposure poses severe health risks beyond immediate consequences like heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
• Notably, heat exacerbates the prevalence and severity of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular events such as strokes and heart attacks.
• Moreover, excessive heat contributes to respiratory issues, kidney damage, cataracts, delayed wound healing, and increased mortality rates.

Long-term Health Effects and Mortality Risks:

• Studies indicate a substantial increase in mortality rates associated with heatwaves, particularly due to stroke, coronary heart disease, and cardiac arrhythmias.
• With an aging population and rising cardiovascular risk factors, every degree rise in ambient temperature compounds the risk of serious cardiovascular events, underscoring the critical need for proactive adaptation strategies.

Environmental Impact on Food Systems:

• Climate change poses a significant threat to food systems, compromising nutrition security and exacerbating deficiencies in essential nutrients such as zinc, protein, and iron.
• Staple crops grown in regions with high heat tolerance levels are projected to experience yield reductions, further exacerbating malnutrition.
• Rising ocean temperatures threaten coastal agriculture and fish yields, while biodiversity loss limits access to nutritious foods.

Adaptation Strategies and Preparedness

• In light of these challenges, proactive adaptation plans are imperative. These plans should encompass heat action strategies tailored for both urban and rural areas, climate-smart food and healthcare systems, public education initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.
• Measures such as heat shelters, water stations, heat-reflective surfaces, and increased green spaces should be integrated into urban planning.
• Personal protective measures, including appropriate clothing and hydration practices, are essential for mitigating the adverse effects of heat exposure.

Conclusion:

• Addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and global warming demands a comprehensive approach encompassing mitigation efforts and proactive adaptation strategies to safeguard human health and well-being.

Impact of climate change on Health

What increases the risk of Climate-Sensitive Health Threats? Many of these health problems are not new but are existing challenges and inequalities made worse by climate change. And every small increase in global heating will result in increased risks. Those most at risk are the people and places that are less able to adapt. Especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare is already restricted and resources available to mitigate or adapt to the risks are limited. Cities will also be particularly vulnerable, as multiple hazards like extreme heat, air pollution and urban flooding coincide, often magnifying the damage. Around half the world’s population lives in urban areas, but these health impacts will be most concentrated amongst the economically and socially marginalized residents. For example, a recent report found Delhi to be one of the world’s most vulnerable cities to climate change, with communities expected to face more severe heatwaves, extreme rainfall and urban flooding, while air pollution already causes almost one in five deaths in India.

 

PYQ: ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2017)

Practice Question:  Discuss the health impacts of climate change, focusing on the risks posed by heatwaves and the importance of adaptation strategies. (150 words/10 m)

2. A WARMING ASIA

Topic: GS1 – Geography – Climate Change GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as the article provides detailed insights into the impact of climate change on Asia, focusing on extreme weather events and water-related hazards.

 

Context:

The World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate Asia report for 2023 highlights a somewhat mitigating finding amidst concerning trends. While the number of people impacted by disaster events in Asia decreased compared to 2022, the region still faced significant challenges. The report identifies Asia as the most disaster-prone area globally, with 79 events associated with extreme weather, climate, and water-related hazards affecting over nine million people, resulting in over 2,000 direct fatalities.

Specific Impacts in India:

• India, in particular, bore a heavy burden from heatwaves, floods, and landslides, underscoring the sobering reality of climate vulnerabilities.
• The warnings issued by scientific studies resonate as various regions, including coastal areas, mountainous regions, and even plains, experience the adverse impacts of climate variability.

Political Response and Awareness:

• While manifestos of major political parties in India include sections dedicated to sustainability and the green economy, the devastating effects of climate-related disasters have yet to become prominent campaign issues.
• This highlights a gap between political discourse and the urgent need for climate action.

Urgency for Climate Action:

• The report emphasizes the imperative of limiting temperature rise to prevent catastrophic consequences while also urging preparedness for receding glaciers, rising sea levels, and droughts.
• Collaboration at both national and regional levels is essential to build resilience against climate change, as natural phenomena often transcend national boundaries.
• Joint efforts in Asia, especially in South Asia, are crucial due to shared ecological continuities.

Need for Collaboration and Cooperation:

• The Climate Asia report underscores the necessity for mechanisms of cooperation among Asian countries to address energy security concerns and tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
• While India and China have made progress in renewable energy, factors like historical conflict and energy diplomacy complexities pose challenges.
• The absence of collaboration mechanisms similar to ASEAN in the Subcontinent further complicates regional efforts to address the climate crisis.

Conclusion:

• The State of the Climate Asia report highlights the urgent need for concerted action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience in the face of increasing disasters.
• Collaboration among countries in the region is crucial to address shared challenges and ensure a sustainable future.

‘State of the Climate in Asia 2023’ Report

In India, the impacts of extreme weather events were felt strongly as the country experienced severe heat waves, rainfall-induced floods, glacial lake outbursts and tropical cyclones. Severe heat waves (in April and June 2023) resulted in about 110 deaths due to heatstroke. For example, the Ballia and Deoria districts in Uttar Pradesh saw the deaths of over 100 people, many of them senior citizens with co-morbidities. Temperatures were in the 42-43 degrees Celsius range in the region during these heat-related deaths. Flood events occurred in India during August 2023 and Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded 25 deaths as well as extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture. The Indian government declared a state of emergency in the worst-affected areas, initiating rescue and relief operations. The Indian sub-continent experienced six tropical cyclones in 2023 which formed in the North Indian Ocean. The cyclone activity was slightly above the average of 5.4 cyclones. Four out of the six cyclones – Mocha, Hamoon, Midhili and Michaung – formed over the Bay of Bengal and two – Biparjoy and Tej – formed over the Arabian Sea. A significant glacial lake outburst flood in South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim on October 4 last year, breached the Chungthang dam downstream on the Teesta River and killed over 40 people.

 

PYQ: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?  (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023)

Practice Question:  What are the key challenges posed by climate change in Asia, and how can regional cooperation help address them? (250 words/15 m)

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