Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India | UPSC Mains Essay Preparation PDF Download

Environment

‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.’
This soul-stirring thought reveals the reality of climate change and its brutal effects on the environment. It also reminds us of the urgent responsibility of mankind to pass on a greener, safer and resourceful earth to future generations; and save them from suffering because of the thoughtless human actions that are deteriorating the conditions of life on the planet.
‘Climate Change’ is a major threat that the global community faces at present, but it is the unpredictability of climate change that makes sustenance of life more challenging. Basic science defines climate as the average state of everyday weather in a region over a period of 30 years, but with shifting weather patterns as of today, the climate of a region changes with every passing year!. It is evident in the untimely rain and the more frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts that manifest altogether the drastic changes unleashed on the face of the earth as a result of uncontrolled and unplanned human activities. Climate change is real, and it is expanding across oceans and continents without any check.
Leave alone agriculture, which is directly dependent on weather conditions, every other sector, be it  infrastructure, health, energy, drinking water, and so on, is at risk, which is further capable of affecting millions across the globe. It is difficult to foresee any future for humanity in such a scenario, and if timely interventions are not made in the appropriate directions, it would not be easy to sustain the growing human population.
The big question is, ‘How prepared are we for this challenge?’ or ‘Are we ready to change our ways to create a better world for the forthcoming generations?’
Necessity is the mother of invention, human evolution has so established. And arresting Climate change is a dire necessity today. So, the only way forward is to make technological inventions that would minimize the harm to Nature.

Challenges Ahead

The IPCC at COP 25 held between December 2, 2019 – December 13, 2019, in Madrid, Spain, reaffirmed the goal of arresting global warming at 1.5 degrees or else there will be catastrophic losses, especially for emerging economies like India and the climate change effects will become irreversible. This sounds an alarm bell, especially for India, regarding the importance of urgent adoption of alternative technologies to build climate change resilience. The effects of climate change being multidimensional, it calls for enforcement of alternative technologies to resist the impacts in all aspects of life: agriculture, energy needs, lifestyle, food, and so on.
The problem of climate change does not just stay static but worsens progressively. The challenge is more discomforting given the limited knowledge of the masses to understand the severity of the problem. Here comes the role of education and youth who can be real leaders in their community. So, the need of the hour is to make one and all environmentally aware and prepared to tackle the issue at their specific levels.

Agriculture

The contribution of agriculture to the GVA has decreased from 18.2% in 2014-15 to 16.5% in 2019-20. The decline was mainly due to a decrease in the share of GVA of crops from 11.2% in 2014-15 to 10% in 2017-18. (https:// www.prsindia.org/report-summaries/economic-survey-2019-20)
In India, 50 % of our population is dependent on agriculture for employment (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/ India-needs-farm-revolution-to-attain-9-10-GDP-growth-Amitabh-Kant/ articles show/68473771.cms?from=mdr) More than half of the total land under agriculture remains devoid of irrigation and depends on monsoon rains. At the same time, the complexity of the Indian monsoon as weather phenomena brings forth the extremities that the crops can face if there is a small disturbance on one link, which can disrupt the rainfall pattern throughout.
We also can’t overlook the contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gases and its consumption of a significant amount of freshwater.
So, innovative infrastructure and timely response are what we require here. Sourcing more energy from renewable alternatives is a must. Retention ponds created to accept rain and storm water during increased precipitation and diversion channels can help store water for future use. Rainwater harvesting is effective in ensuring regular sufficient water amounts to the farmlands. Greenhouse technology is another important technique where crops are grown under partially or fully controlled conditions to get optimum growth and productivity.

Energy

The major bulk of energy in India is derived from coal and gas-based thermal power plants. However, coal dependence, which is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas CO2, can be reduced through alternative technologies. Hydroelectric power from water in motion (waterfall, mainly) is the major one among these. Solar energy is being harnessed through evolving technologies like solar heating, photovoltaic, solar thermals, and so on. The International Solar Alliance headquartered in India pictures the seriousness of India in this direction. Wind energy from windmills, nuclear energy from fission and fusion, geothermal energy from steam sourced beneath the earth’s crust far down to the earth’s hot molten rock, magma; ocean thermal energy produced by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm tropical surface waters; and tidal energy are other alternatives which save harm to the environment.

Infrastructure

Concrete, a major component in construction, has a lower albedo; i.e., absorbing a very high percentage of incoming radiation. Big cities are thus called ‘heat islands’. The use of glass in exteriors of high rise buildings in tropical countries like India contributes to the greenhouse effect. So, using heat reflecting materials would be a way forward. Roads and terraces can be painted white to reflect back the sunlight and avoid weather extremities.

Health Sector

Global warming has created an upward swing in warm and moist environments, which is favourable for the reproduction of various disease vectors like mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches. Using information technology to spread awareness on these can be useful. CRISPR is an interesting scientific innovation that edits the gene in vector mosquitoes and uses it to eradicate a particular area.
Unprecedented overexploitation of land and water resources, while contributing to climate change, depletes the ability of humanity to feed itself. Malnutrition due to food shortage can be addressed through food fortification technology. Technological innovations can improve food storage facilities and provide pure drinking water, proper nutrition, and sanitation to all.
Waste management is another challenge, and administrative and municipal bodies should partner to eliminate emissions and diseases caused by rotting waste.

Desirable Approach

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has mandated sustainable development, mitigation, and adaptation as the Climate Change resilient pathways.

• At the individual level, basic changes in lifestyle like switching to energy-efficient solar or LED lights, jute bags, and eating at restaurants in edible paper plates and cups can make a huge difference.
• At the societal level, Self Help Groups and community participation, and adaptation to changes for a greener environment can bring positive results.
• At the national level, leveling up of a National Mission on Climate Change Resilience and the already proposed National Mission for Green India and National Action Plan on Climate Change will cater to enhanced energy efficiency. Deploying Artificial Intelligence for mapping people’s environmental behaviour can help conserve resources.