Test: Impact Of Climate Change - UPSC

Crop yield will decrease due to decreased water availability and new pest incidence. The Third Assessment Report of the IPCC in 2001 concluded that climate change would hit the poorest countries severely, reducing agricultural products. Crop yield would be reduced in most tropical and subtropical regions due to decreased water availability and new or changed insect/pest incidence.

Summer rainfall accounts for almost 70 per cent of the total annual rainfall over India and is crucial to Indian agriculture.

Semi-arid regions of western India are expected to receive higher than normal rainfall as temperatures soar.

Central India will experience a decrease of between 10 and 20 per cent in winter rainfall by the 2050s, which will adversely affect agriculture productivity.

There would be a decline in the productivity of rabi as compared to kharif season crops due to climate change impacts on Indian agriculture.

According to the given information, the projected range of people who will be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change by 2020 is between 75 and 250 million. Therefore, option (b) is correct.

As per the given information, freshwater availability in Central, South, East, and South-East Asia, particularly in large river basins, is projected to decrease by the 2050s. Therefore, option (d) is correct.

According to the given information, the agriculture sector is the largest consumer of water in India. Therefore, option (c) is correct.

As per the given information, the coastal states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat face a grave risk from sea-level rise. Therefore, option (d) is correct.

According to the given information, the rising sea level threatens the existence of coral reefs in India, as they are saline-sensitive. Therefore, option (c) is correct.

The passage states that "one-fifth of the world's most vulnerable natural areas may be facing a 'catastrophic' loss of species," according to the World Wildlife Fund.

The passage states that "It is predicted that there will be an increase in the phenomenon of Glacial Lake: Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the eastern and the central Himalayas, causing catastrophic flooding downstream, with serious damage.

It increases the severity of heat waves and other extreme weather events. The passage states that "The warmer the climate the likelihood of its impact on human health becomes worse. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of deaths due to greater frequency and severity of heat waves and other extreme weather events."

The passage states that "the World Health Organization (WHO) in their studies have indicated that due to rising temperatures, malaria cases are now being reported for the first time from countries like Nepal and Bhutan."

The impact on health is significant. The passage states that "The projections by WHO and IPCC suggest that the negative effects of climate change on health are greater."