The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 23rd July 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Heat Stress is More than a Degree of Concern

Why in News?

In recent periods, climate change and environmental degradation have significantly affected the safety and the health of workers worldwide. Heat stress is anticipated to affect labour effciency and productivity, in turn reducing work hours and hindering the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) objective of promoting fair and decent employment. Workers, who are particularly vulnerable to climate change hazards, sometimes cannot cease working despite hazardous conditions because of financial constraints.

What is Heat stress?

• It happens when the body can't effectively let go of extra heat, causing a rise in core temperature and a faster heartbeat. It's a kind of stress your body feels in very hot conditions.
• Reasons behind it include high surrounding temperatures, humidity, physical effort, not drinking enough water, and poor airflow.
• Signs of this issue involve trouble focusing, feeling easily annoyed, nausea, and not feeling thirsty, which can lead to fainting and even death if not cooled off.

What other factors exacerbate Heat Stress?

• In big cities in India, heat stress gets worse because of things like air and land temperatures, how humid it is, and cities becoming more urban with lots of concrete.
• Climate change makes heat waves more severe by making temperatures and humidity levels go up.
• Also, when the way land is used changes and cities spread out, it creates what's called the "urban heat island effect," where heat gets trapped in the middle of cities.
• This is really dangerous for people who are at high risk, like old people, babies, pregnant women, people living in slums, and those who work outside.
• The World Health Organization says that heat stress from climate change might lead to about 38,000 more deaths every year around the world between 2030 and 2050.

What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect occurs when cities are hotter than the areas around them because of human activities and urban characteristics. This happens because of things like the types of materials used on surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, the heat produced by industry and vehicles, the decrease in plants and trees, how closely buildings are packed together, and the extra heat that gets generated. 

Impact of heat stress/heat waves:

On Human Health: 

• Heat-related illnesses: Heat waves can cause conditions like heat exhaustion, cramps, and stroke, leading to dehydration, tiredness, and even death.
• Worsening of existing conditions: Individuals with pre-existing health problems such as lung or heart diseases are more at risk during heat waves.
• Mental well-being: Excessive heat waves can also affect mental health, resulting in feelings of stress, worry, and other psychological challenges.
• Affected Areas: Southern Asia and western Africa are predicted to suffer the most, with around 5% of work hours lost by 2030. India might experience a 5.8% decrease in working hours, impacting 34 million jobs, particularly in farming and building.
• Social Impact: Heat stress might widen the gap between rich and poor nations, worsen conditions for susceptible employees, and encourage more migration as individuals search for better prospects. This change could affect both male and female workers in farming and construction.

 On Environment:

• Water resources: Intense heat periods may cause droughts, decreasing available water for farming and home use.
• Wildlife: Elevated temperatures can harm wildlife, leading to loss of habitats and higher death rates.
• Air quality: Heat waves can worsen air quality, resulting in breathing problems and other health issues.

On Economy

• Economic Loss: Heat stress might cost the global economy a significant amount of money every year, around $2.4 trillion, along with an expected 2% decrease in total working hours worldwide.
• Affected Sectors: The areas most impacted will be agriculture, especially affecting women, and construction, with a predicted 60% and 19% reduction in working hours by the year 2030, respectively.
• Agriculture: Hot temperatures can harm crop production and the overall efficiency of farming, leading to financial setbacks for farmers and the agricultural sector.
• Energy Consumption: Intense heatwaves can result in higher energy usage as individuals rely more on air conditioning and other cooling mechanisms.
• Tourism: The tourism industry may suffer during heatwaves, causing a decline in profits for businesses dependent on tourism.

Measures Already Taken for Heat Stress:

• National Level: The Indian government initiated a National Action Plan on Climate Change to tackle heat waves and other climate-related challenges.
• National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC): Involves 8 national missions concentrating on different aspects of lessening and adjusting to climate change.
• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Aims to slash cooling demand by 20-25% and refrigeration demand by 25-30% by 2037.
• NDMA Guidelines: Detailed guidelines released in 2016 by the National Disaster Management Authority to alleviate the effects of heatwaves.
• State and City Level: Several state governments and city administrations are taking steps like setting up cooling shelters, providing free drinking water, and establishing heat wave warning systems.
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Many CSOs are raising awareness about heat wave impacts and aiding vulnerable communities.

Measures that Need to be Taken for Heat Stress:

• Heatwave preparedness: There is a necessity for being ready for heatwaves, which includes creating systems that warn early about heatwaves and making plans for emergencies.
• Urban planning: City planning should concentrate on making cities more resistant to heatwaves by adding more green spaces and encouraging the use of reflective materials.
• Sustainable agriculture: We need farming methods that can withstand heatwaves better, like growing a variety of crops and managing water more effectively.
• Community engagement: It is important to involve communities and organize activities that raise awareness, ensuring that people who are at risk from high temperatures are informed and can protect themselves.
• Green infrastructure: India can push for the use of eco-friendly infrastructure like green roofs and urban green spaces, as well as eco-friendly transportation, to reduce the urban heat island effect and lower temperatures.
• Climate resilient infrastructure: For instance, buildings that can withstand heat and measures to conserve water.
• Policies and Guidelines: Creating rules and guidelines for managing weather changes and urban heat.
• Public Awareness: Teaching people about the dangers of heatwaves and how to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Agricultural Adaptation: Supporting farmers with practices that can withstand changing conditions.
• Disaster Management: Making plans to respond to emergencies and setting up places that are cool and safe.
• Short-term Measures: Establishing an early warning system and connecting it with public health services.
• Long-term Measures: Making permanent changes to infrastructure to adapt over time.

Conclusion:

Heat waves pose a significant danger to people's health, the environment, and the economy. Although some actions have been taken to lessen their effects, more efforts are required to safeguard at-risk groups and enhance the nation's readiness for upcoming heat waves.