Sansad TV: State of The Global Climate | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The State of the Global Climate 2022 report by the World Meteorological Organization has shed light on alarming revelations regarding record-high temperatures, melting glaciers, and rising pollution. This comprehensive overview of the last eight years, from 2015 to 2022, exposes the severity of climate change worldwide. Despite experiencing three consecutive years of a cooling La Niña phenomenon, the global mean temperature in 2022 soared 1.15 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 average. The report identifies the year as the fifth or sixth warmest on record. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the implications of extreme weather and climate events have left populations across the globe grappling with their grave consequences. A staggering 95 million people have been displaced due to these extreme weather events, as highlighted in the report.

Impact of Climate Change (pertaining to India)

• Indo-Gangetic Plain: The Indo-Gangetic plain, known as one of the world's most populous and productive agricultural ecosystems, is at risk due to climate change. The region faces the dual threat of floods and droughts, both of which have detrimental effects on agriculture.
• Punjab: The lower Sutlej basin in Punjab is expected to witness an extension of drought periods by 23-46 days. Additionally, the region will experience an increase in flash floods, exacerbating the severity of water-logging in the south-western area.
• West Bengal: Climate change projections for West Bengal indicate an increase in the intensity of cyclones, accompanied by a rise in sea surge height. The height could potentially reach 7.46 meters. Moreover, the region is expected to face higher sea level rise than the global average.
• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: A mere 1-degree Celsius rise in temperature is projected to significantly reduce wheat yields in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, rice yields in Bihar are expected to decline, posing significant challenges to food production.
• The Indian Himalayan Region: The Himalayas, which account for approximately 16.2% of India's total area, play a crucial role in India's monsoon system and serve as a key watershed. However, climate change impacts on the mountain range can have widespread repercussions throughout the sub-continent. Over the past 30 years, the mean temperature of the Himalayas has risen by 0.6 degrees Celsius, with an increasing frequency of warmer days.
• Central and Peninsular India: Central and Peninsular India encompass the majority of the country's rainfed areas, contributing more than 40% of its food grain production. These regions, already ravaged by frequent floods and droughts, are expected to face severe consequences from climate change, significantly impacting food security.
• Rainfall: Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand are set to witness an increase in rainfall. By the end of this century, summer rainfall in Jharkhand will extend by up to 10 days. Additionally, Northern Karnataka, which already experiences reduced rainfall and higher temperatures, will see an accentuation of these trends.
• The Desert Region: The Thar desert, covering 10% of India's geographic area, has recently witnessed unprecedented floods. This desert region faces climate change impacts that contribute to more frequent and severe flooding events.
• The Coast and Islands: The coastal regions of India are already witnessing the consequences of climate change, such as frequent and severe cyclones and sea ingressions caused by rising sea levels.
• Cyclones: The Kutch region in Gujarat and the entire eastern coastal region of India are projected to experience the highest incidence of cyclones. On a positive note, coconut yields in Kerala are projected to increase by 30%.

Mitigation Effects of Climate Change

To combat the challenges posed by climate change, several mitigation strategies must be pursued:

• Deploying lower-carbon Energy: By adopting lower-carbon energy sources, both domestic and international climate challenges can be addressed while simultaneously improving India's economic well-being.
• Mainstreaming Renewable Energy: India's current energy mix is heavily reliant on coal-powered electric generation stations. It is crucial to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix to achieve sustainable development goals.
• Focus on Energy Efficiency: Prioritizing energy efficiency in buildings, lighting, appliances, and industrial practices is essential to meet the goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
• Increased Usage of Biofuels: Promoting the use of biofuels can help reduce emissions from light commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery. In aviation, until hydrogen technology gains more traction, biofuels remain the most practical solution for reducing emissions.
• Transition towards Electric Vehicles: Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles will further contribute to curbing carbon emissions, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
• Carbon Sequestration: India must rely on natural and man-made carbon sinks to absorb emissions. Trees alone can capture 0.9 billion tons, but additional carbon capture technologies will be necessary to sequester the rest.
• Carbon Pricing: Considering that India already imposes taxes on coal and petroleum fuels, the introduction of a tax on emissions can be an effective driver for change.

India's Action for Climate Change

India has implemented various measures to address climate change:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The NAPCC outlines existing and future policies and programs to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF): Established in 2010, the NCEF aims to finance and promote clean energy initiatives while supporting research in this area.
• Paris Agreement: India has made three commitments under the Paris Agreement, including reducing the greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched in 2015 by India and France, the ISA aims to promote solar energy adoption and collaboration among solar-rich countries.
• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms: India has implemented increasingly stringent emission norms for vehicles, with the leapfrog to BS-VI standards in 2016, bypassing BS-V altogether.

Conclusion

The establishment of a carbon market marks a progressive step in addressing climate change. However, the efficacy of the market depends on robust regulations, periodic assessments, and corrective measures. With the pressing reality of climate change, governments must take proactive steps to mitigate its challenges. Balancing the socio-economic impact of decarbonizing the economy while allocating limited resources wisely becomes crucial. It is imperative that India and the international community implement the Paris Agreement swiftly and effectively to limit the devastating consequences of climate change.