The Heat is On: 85% of Indians Reckon with Climate Change's Impact

The Heat is On: 85% of Indians Reckon with Climate Change‘s Impact

Climate Change in India: A Ground Reality Triggering Mass Displacement and Resource Scarcity

Anjan Sarma

The Heat is On: 85% of Indians Reckon with Climate Change's Impact

In a recent survey by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and CVoter, a staggering 85% of Indians acknowledge they are already grappling with the repercussions of climate change.

The study, conducted between September 5 and November 1 last year, surveyed 2,178 adults, revealing a widespread concern over global warming and extreme weather events.

The survey findings suggest climate change is no longer a distant threat but a tangible reality for most Indians. A sizeable 91% admitted to being “worried about global warming.”

Notably, over a third of the respondents have either already relocated or contemplated moving due to extreme weather phenomena such as severe heatwaves, droughts, and floods. This underlines the significant displacement caused by climate-induced events in the country.

Moreover, the survey shed light on the severe resource shortage induced by climate change. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed went without adequate clean drinking water for at least a day in the past year. Additionally, a whopping 72% experienced frequent electricity disruptions.

According to a report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, weather-related disasters caused over half a million internal displacements in India in 2023 alone, and around 2.5 million in 2022.

Over the past three years, India has been repeatedly battered by severe heatwaves. These extreme weather conditions have had a considerable negative impact across a range of vital sectors, including health, water resources, agriculture, power generation, and other economic areas.

In terms of health effects, the extreme heat has led to a spike in heat-related illnesses and deaths. Dehydration, heat stroke and other heat-related conditions have become a common occurrence, putting a strain on the country’s healthcare system. Moreover, the oppressive heat has made life unbearable for the elderly, the sick, and the poor who lack access to cooling facilities.

Water availability has also been severely affected by the relentless heat. The soaring temperatures have led to a rapid evaporation of surface water, causing severe water shortages in many parts of the country. This has compounded the existing water crisis in India, leading to conflicts over water resources and hampering the ability of households to meet their basic water needs for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

The agriculture sector, which forms the backbone of India’s economy and sustains a large portion of its population, has been particularly hard hit. The intense heat and lack of water have led to crop failures and animal deaths, threatening the livelihoods of millions of farmers and pushing up food prices.

Power generation has also been affected, as the heatwaves have increased the demand for electricity for air conditioning and refrigeration. This has strained the power grid, leading to power outages and increasing the cost of electricity.

Last year, the already dire situation was compounded by devastating floods that ravaged the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These floods left a trail of destruction, wiping out homes, infrastructure, and farmland. They also claimed numerous lives, added to the displacement of people, and caused extensive damage to the local economy.

All these factors combined have dealt a significant blow to India’s economy. They have disrupted business activities, increased the cost of living, and put a strain on public resources. Furthermore, they have highlighted the vulnerability of India to climate change and the urgent need for the country to take steps to adapt to and mitigate its impacts.

India’s vulnerability to climate change is further accentuated by its large population. Despite accounting for nearly 18% of the global population, India uses only 6% of the world’s primary energy, as per the International Energy Agency. Still, it is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, trailing only China and the US.

A whopping 70% of respondents in the Yale-CVoter survey believe global warming affects local weather and monsoons in India. Despite this, only 64% usually receive warnings ahead of an extreme weather event.

While a significant 86% of respondents support India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, 78% think the government should intensify efforts to address global warming.

A majority (61%) advocate for expanding renewable energy use, while a meagre 14% propose increasing fossil fuel consumption.

Climate change has already started altering India’s growing seasons, posing significant threats to productivity and health, given that about 50% of its populace is engaged in agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors.

According to the independent think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water, over 80% of Indians live in districts highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

It is projected that by 2050, an alarming 148.3 million people in India will be residing in severe climate hotspots.

The finding of this survey underscores the urgent need for effective climate policies and adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on India’s vast population.

17-05-2024

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