Solar fury crashes earth: How India is combating climate change amid unbearable temperatures

Several countries in the world have experienced severe heat waves in 2024. One of the most common reasons behind the surging temperatures globally is the greenhouse gasses. On 29th May, 2024, Mungeshpur, Delhi, India, witnessed the hottest day ever on Earth, with a record-high temperature of 52.3 °C or about 126 °F. This is the first time India has ever experienced such heat.

In Paris, France, where the Paris Olympics 2024 is happening, the weather has been playing bonkers with athletes and speculators. The heat wave touched 37 °C on 30th July, 2024, and might go higher, says some reports. On 22nd July, 2024, Sunday, Earth recorded the hottest day ever, where the average global air temperature touched a new high of 17.15 °C or 62.87 °F.

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The reason for the continuous and frequent surge in the Earth's temperature caused by heat waves is due to burning fossil fuels and increasing human activities, states Scientists. They claim that things would become much worse and multiply the damage if humans don't play their cards right. With a slight deviation in the temperature, say, from 1 to 1.1 °C, things would be topsy-turvy in the climate system. The average global air temperature kept on breaking the previous records from 17.08 °C on 6th July, 2023 to 17.09 °C on 20th July, 2024, and finally peaked to 17.15 °C on 22nd July, 2024. Since 1940 to date, this day is termed to be the hottest ever, says the Copernicus Climate Change Service reports.

Heat Waves & Human Activities

Scientists state that the record-breaking heat waves and surge in the temperatures in quick succession is due to a spike in human activities that negatively impact the Earth. Human activities include cutting trees, high usage of transport vehicles like cars and motorcycles, utilization of fossil fuels and air conditioners, etc. According to The Lancet Planetary Health study, there were 4,89,000 human deaths every year due to the heat wave during the period 2000-2019. Heat waves are not only pushing people to fight for survival, but also making them aware about the things they use that's destroying the planet and themselves. These are arduous testing times for humans against the record-breaking temperatures.

The Director of Copernicus, Carlo Buontempo, warned that with the spike in rising temperatures, the world is entering an unknown space. Scientists are worried about the surging sea levels, climate threats, and harsh heat waves. The solar fury can cause sudden strokes, dehydration, increase in the body heat levels, heart and kidney issues, headaches, etc. Copernicus Director, Carlo Buontempo, stated that the world would be witnessing more such record-breaking climatic hazards down the line.

Science Behind Greenhouse Gasses

Undoubtedly, climate change is an unpredictable subject, as no one knows what's coming next - either a storm or a heat wave or a year-long drought. Human activities are behind every small/big climatic threat happening in the world. This draws us to the science of global warming and surging temperatures. While we all know the correlation between global warming and rising sea levels that sprung from human activities, there's more than what meets the eye to address this alarming climatic condition. One can't turn a blind eye to what they do when the hidden cause for global warming is arising from the day-to-day actions of humans. If you know how much each person is contributing collectively to global warming, you'll know the total per capita carbon emissions per country. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports, India produced 1.6 tonnes (t) of CO2 emissions per capita in 2020 against 2.0 tonnes (t) of CO2 emissions per capita in 2023, resulting in 25% higher. Other major regions that contributed to the CO2 emissions per capita in 2020 Vs 2023 include China (8.1 t) (8.9 t), European Union (5.7 t) (5.4 t), Japan (8.3 t) (8.1 t), and United States (13.0 t) (13.3 t). Below is the table and comparison chart of the CO2 levels per region-wise.

Chart Credits: IEA

From the above region-wise figures, it's evident that China is the highest contributor, accounting for 35% of the global CO2 emissions in the world. The United States stands in the 2nd position, followed by India, exceeding the European Union, and Japan with the least CO2 emissions. Besides, all these advanced economies have per capita CO2 emission levels of about 70%, which is above the global average in 2023. In other words, people in advanced regions contribute higher CO2 emissions against other regions globally.

Advanced economies continue to have relatively high per capita emissions, at about 70% higher than the global average in 2023. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) envisioned that the Earth's average global temperature would be between 1.1°C and 1.7°C higher each year between 2022 and 2026. Scientists already warned that if GHG emissions won't come down, the world would witness a surge in the global temperature, resulting in excessive heat waves and warm air around.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports, the greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) are disseminating everywhere at a faster rate, though steep in terms of continuity, as they ascend to new levels. Xin Lan, a CIRES scientist, said that, "The 2023 increase is the third-largest in the past decade, likely a result of an ongoing increase of fossil fuel CO2 emissions, coupled with increased fire emissions possibly as a result of the transition from La Nina to El Nino."

Nitrous Oxide is another dangerous greenhouse gas that's caused due to human activities. This gas surged by 1 part per billion (ppb), reaching 336.7 ppb. In 2020 and 2021, the Nitrous Oxide gas levels rose by 1.3 ppb, which was considered the highest since 2000. Extensive usage of nitrogen fertilizers and manure for the sake of expanding agriculture cultivation led to continuous spike of this fatal gas. As per Global Monitoring Laboratory, the Global N2O levels as of March 2023 was 336.57 ppb, which rose to 337.66 ppb in 2024.

Climate Change Repercussions on Wildlife

In Paris, the Indian athletes were provided with 40 mini air conditioners by the Sports Ministry to ease their condition amid the surging heat wave at the Olympics Games Village, Paris, 2024. As humans, a slight surge in the Earth's temperature felt like too much to bear. This extreme weather condition has extended beyond humans, including wildlife, aquatic, and other non-aquatic and land species.

Biologists are showing concern towards the accelerating climate crisis, as this would disrupt the face of biodiversity. These experts claim an estimate that 35% of animals and plants could disappear from Earth's vicinity by 2050, says the National Park Service (NPS). Before the era of industrial revolution, the CO2 levels barely touched 280 ppm, but as of 2023, the global average of the same gas has reached a record-high of 419.3 ppm. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) states that, by 2100, if the current global temperature spikes by 2°C, nearly 18% of the species will end up disappearing from the Earth's surroundings.

In a conversation with Dr. Prabhakaran P, Senior Veterinarian and Branch Manager of DDC Hospital, about the Delhi heat wave, which touched nearly 50 °C amid this 2024 summer, he shared how wildlife suffered during this critical period. "Due to the Delhi heat wave, animals suffered from multiple health issues like heat stroke, heavy panting with breathing distress, walking difficulties, dehydration induced shock, etc. I also handled extreme cases of mortality during the heat wave period", said Dr. Prabhakaran.

If you are a pet owner, you should be looking out for the following symptoms in your pets that show signs of heat stress: "Breathing issues, alimentary and digestive issues", the doctor added. As a pet owner, some of the preventive measures you can take to protect your pets include "avoid over feeding, restrict walks during peak heat hours, keeping them in cool indoor spaces, using cold ice packs on forehead and lower abdomen, sufficient water intake and rehydration therapy", shares Dr. Prabhakaran. The DCC Animal Hospital also conducted free health campaigns and pre-health checkups during the Delhi summer heat wave to aid animals in distress. The senior vet advised pet owners and wildlife shelter homes to take all the necessary precautions and consult a vet before buying any foods or medicines.

A report said that the Mediterranean Monk Seals population plummeted by 60 % over the last 6 decades. Corals are another form of species that's closer to extinction due to surge in ocean acidification and ocean temperatures. Bumblebees, one of the key species in producing new plants, seeds, fruits, crops, and other food materials, are also showing signs of extinction. The surge in heat waves is propelling these bees to fly towards cooler regions, making spring flowers blossom earlier than the expected time. This frequent shift in the weather is causing an imbalance in the actual ecosystem and biodiversity. If a flood or a wildfire happens, the entire bumble bees family will die, impacting the pollination and food development process.

Rising Urbanisation's Impact on Climate Change

Today, the cost of land or any property is almost quadrupled or 10X times that of what it was a decade ago. This substantial growth is due to various factors like increase in population, demand, urbanization effect, etc. Besides, the cost of moving from a rural region to an urban one is quite steep, however, both the regions have their share of positives and negatives. As people move from rural to urban cities, the cost of living increases, followed by expenses towards education, lifestyle, infrastructure, etc. Nevertheless, though the urban cities generate substantial income to the government, subsequently, they are the major reason for severe climatic destruction. The more the people living in the urban cities, the more the utilization of home appliances like AC, refrigerators, and heat pumps, the more the environmental and climatic damage following your actions.

Urban expansion requires more raw materials to build new homes for a futuristic unpredictable tomorrow. A study stated that urbanization gave rise to a 60% enhanced surge in the temperature in India, and the global forecasts claim that the share of population in urban cities would reach 68% by 2050. Moreover, the usage of the urban energy coming from multiple appliances results in heating the Earth's temperature and affecting the weather patterns, thereby shaping the entire region into a heat island.

In a conversation with Mr. Rajeev Sikka, Real Estate Investor and Consultant, we discussed key aspects related to climate change and urbanization and how the latter impacted the former over the years. Today's generation aren't just greedy but also environmentally conscious. "Rapid urbanization has raised an important challenge: the tendency for people to ignore sustainable development and its long term implications for the environment. The scramble to invest and develop usually focuses on immediate financial rewards, without considering their wider consequences for environmental sustainability. Hence the associated consequences with high-density living areas, such as overcrowding, insufficient green spaces, and increased air pollution levels, which lowers the living standards within those booming cities," said Mr. Shukla.

On the aspect of migrating from rural to urban cities, Shukla commented, "The rate of urbanization was much higher than anticipated, and as with the advancement of medicine, the death rate decreased, the population just kept growing. The clean cities and the clean air could not be maintained due to the rapidly changing landscape. Urban slums became omnipresent as a result. Moreover, the population density in residential societies and other areas of living remains a great challenge of urbanization. The uncontrolled expansion led to an overburdened ecological environment. In today's fast-paced world, there could be those who feel like they are lost in the crowd while participating in buying houses and settling down. I understand that home ownership is indeed a major milestone, particularly for young working professionals migrating from rural areas to urban cities, however, at times, it may overshadow other important aspects of life."

Since urban regions utilize more energy, the heat gets retained on the Earth for a very long time, and unlike rural areas, they radiate back to the atmosphere 15% to 30% less efficiently as per the Population Reference Bureau (PRB). The report also said that the energy usage and differences in the reaction timing towards heat waves is causing imbalance in the surface reflectivity, which subsequently is leading to excessive warmness in the urban cities by 0.6 to 1.3°C as opposed to rural areas. These reasons lead to 5-10 % more precipitation in the urban cities, impacting the areas downwind, facing floods, storms, and other disasters.

"The cost of ignorance about climate change is going to be huge. Metropolitan cities like Delhi experienced a series of fire breakouts due to malfunctions in ACs in the past months during the heatwave. Although urbanization has resulted in economic expansion, improved facilities, and enhanced standards of living, it has equally inflicted environmental quandaries. Rapid urbanization has had a considerable effect on both the air and the environment in Indian cities. These challenges can only be tackled through focused approaches to sustainable development that involve green building practices, improved public transportation, the promotion of renewable energy sources and appropriate waste management methods," states Mr. Shukla.

Air pollution is another disturbing factor that has a direct relationship with climate change. According to the UNICEF's Children Health Collaborative report, air pollution was the second deadly killer among children below 5 years. This is a concerning and alarming matter to look into by the government and every citizen on Earth. As per the IQAIR real-time data reports 2024, Howrah's (West Bengal) Air Quality Index (AQI) is 121, Kolkata's AQI is 116, and Lucknow's (UP) AQI is 109, registering India's most polluted cities. These values are real-time as of 6th August 2024 at 15:44 PM.

"Regaining clean air and towns is a necessity for present and upcoming generations. Policy-wise, there are guidelines as well as incentives for sustainable construction but they might not be enforced. Corruption, coupled with bureaucracy, can obstruct these policies from being put into practice. Another issue to consider is affordability. Many times, sustainable materials and technologies cost more at first, hence deterring developers and buyers alike. With India being sensitive to prices; balancing cost with sustainability is like walking on a tightrope. An emerging trend that we see is that people are seeking green buildings. Contrary to the perception that the urban population might be unconcerned about green buildings, many young people are ready to invest more money in housing that has green certificates", added Mr. Shukla.

Table: Air Quality Index (AQI) Values

From the above table, the air quality of Howrah, Kolkata, and Lucknow are literally unhealthy for sensitive groups. In 2023, the most polluted city in India was Begusarai (Bihar) with an AQI of 195. The current real-time AQI value of Begusarai as of 6th August 2024 at 15:44 PM is 286, meaning, the air quality is very unhealthy. These values keep fluctuating, however, one must know how polluted India is and what will be the state of this country in the coming days. If you see the AQI country ranking 2023, Bangladesh stands at the top, registering the most polluted country, with 164 AQI, followed by Pakistan with 160 AQI, and third comes India with 147 AQI.

Climate Change Policies, International Agreements, Commitments

India is making positive strides to combat the climate change issue in hand. In the recent Union Budget 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken bold steps to address the climate change concerns. To add value to the existing developments in the sustainable category, the finance minister allocated a promising budget for energy security and climate resilience.

In the budget, Sitharaman said that the center would extend their total support for setting up the rooftop solar panels on 10 million homes under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana scheme. Here, the aim of the government is to create a sustainable channel to allow people to produce their own electricity and pay for what they use. Furthermore, the mission is to expand the energy space across the country, making renewable energy accessible to lakhs of people.

Another standout aspect of the union budget is focusing on the Critical Minerals Mission. Sourcing key minerals like lithium, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements to generate renewable energy is a tedious and pricey task for the center. To make India a renewable hub along with providing ease of access of electricity to millions of residential homes in India, the center exempted customs duties on 25 key minerals along with reducing Basic Customs Duty (BCD) from 20 % to 15% respectively. As the aforementioned minerals are very essential in manufacturing products like mobile phones, chips, electronic gadgets, nuclear weapons, etc., this new budget can open the doors for several industries and add a few new ones to the existing list.

Furthermore, the budget allocation for the Solar Power Grid has been multiplied from Rs Rs 4,757 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 10,000 crore in 2024-25, followed by Rs 1.52 lakh crore for climate-resilient agriculture. This budget allocation explains the dedication and robust commitment of the government for building greener economies and a resilient future.

"Sustainable housing development plays an important role in gaining energy efficiency, flood risk reduction, and water. Sustainable architecture can help change India's climate for the better since it is able to use less energy while providing more comfortable living conditions. The central government of India is committed to sustainable urban growth. That's why they have undergone a transformation in making their cities smart and sustainable through the Smart Cities Mission, for example, in Bhopal Smart City, where they have used solar roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and street lights that consume less energy. Additionally, they have established parks and green areas to enhance urban life quality. This is a step towards making cities sustainable", added Mr. Shukla.

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, it's important for the countries to support each other to combat the global climate change issue. On this note, the Paris Agreement strongly said that the developed countries should offer their hand financially to the developing countries amid this climate change combat. The agreement further said that "Climate Finance" is the key to unlock the potential to address the climate change concerns globally and require substantial funds to trim the GHG emissions.

India Updated First Nationally Determined Contribution Under Paris Agreement 2021-2030, and submitted to the UNFCCC in August 2022. The NDC report said that "India aims to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030. They aim to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund (GCF), and also create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030."