Climate Change and Risks in India
Because of its large population, high poverty rates, and heavy reliance on agriculture, India is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Climate change is already having an impact on the country, with more frequent heatwaves, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. This article provides an overview of climatology, climate change, and the risks associated with climate change in India.
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Climatology in India
Climatology is the scientific study of long-term climate patterns such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind patterns. Because of its vast size, varied topography, and location between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, India has a diverse climate. The Himalayan region, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Thar Desert, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, and the coastal region are the country’s six major climatic regions. Altitude, latitude, ocean currents, monsoon winds, and topography all have an impact on the climate in each region.
Climate Change in India
Climate change is defined as a long-term shift in a region’s average weather patterns, which includes changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events. The primary cause of climate change is an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat and cause the Earth’s temperature to rise, leading to changes in weather patterns and climate.
India is one of the top five countries in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of the country’s energy consumption is based on coal, the most carbon-intensive fuel. India is also rapidly urbanising and industrialising, both of which contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions.As a result, the average temperature in India has risen by 0.7°C in the last century, and the country is expected to experience more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods, and extreme weather.
Climate Change Risks in India
Agriculture is a significant sector of the Indian economy, and climate change can have a negative impact on crop yields due to changes in temperature, rainfall, and soil moisture. Climate change can cause food scarcity, loss of livelihoods, and increased poverty.
Water Scarcity: Climate change can cause lower rainfall and higher evaporation rates, resulting in water scarcity in many parts of India. This can exacerbate conflicts between different user groups and reduce agricultural productivity.
Health Risks: Climate change has the potential to increase the frequency and severity of heatwaves, potentially leading to heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses. Changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures can also increase the prevalence of waterborne and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Infrastructure Risks: Climate change can cause damage to infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and dams, resulting in economic losses and service disruption. Floods and storms can cause infrastructure damage, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods.
Climate change can cause habitat loss, species extinction, and altered ecosystem functions, resulting in a loss of biodiversity. This can have an impact on ecosystem services like pollination, water regulation, and carbon sequestration.
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Finally, climate change poses significant risks to India, including agricultural risks, water scarcity, health risks, infrastructure risks, and biodiversity risks. Addressing climate change is critical to ensuring sustainable development and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of Indians. India must take a multi-sectoral approach.
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