Climate crisis: India’s rising temperatures raise concerns

By Aayushi Sharma

Extreme heat waves and rising temperatures in major Indian cities are a concerning phenomenon, especially given the country’s dense population and infrastructure challenges. In recent years, many cities in India have experienced soaring temperatures during the summer months, leading to various problems such as heat-related illnesses, strain on power grids, water scarcity, and even fatalities.

Some Unconventional Temperature Milestones Reached:

In April 2024, Bengaluru experienced its second-hottest day in 50 years, while Pune is anticipated to reach temperatures ranging between 40-42 degrees Celsius in the coming days. This April marked the first instance in at least 41 years that Bengaluru received no rainfall. On April 25, the city recorded a blistering 38.5 degrees Celsius, marking its second-hottest day in fifty years. As per the notice issued by the India Meteorological Department on May 2nd, Pune is expected to witness temperatures ranging between 40-42 degrees Celsius in the upcoming days.

Temperatures ranging from 40-42°C were recorded across several regions including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, certain parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, south Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and East Uttar Pradesh.

In recent years, cities such as Bengaluru and Pune, renowned for their year-round pleasant weather, have observed a troubling trend of increasing temperatures. Residents have turned to social media platforms, expressing their urgency to acquire or lease air conditioners and coolers due to the mounting heat—a phenomenon previously unprecedented in these urban centers.

Causes of rising temperature:

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

One of the primary drivers of rising temperatures is the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to the greenhouse effect and resulting in global warming. Read more here.

2. Deforestation and Land Use Change:

Deforestation, primarily for agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development, contributes significantly to rising temperatures. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Deforestation disrupts this natural process, releasing stored carbon and reducing the Earth’s capacity to mitigate climate change.

3. Urbanization and Heat Islands:

The rapid expansion of urban areas has led to the formation of heat islands, where built environments absorb and retain heat, resulting in elevated temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. Urbanization reduces vegetation cover, increases surface albedo, and enhances heat retention, exacerbating local temperature extremes.

4. Industrialization and Air Pollution:

Industrial activities release a plethora of pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to atmospheric heating through the absorption and scattering of solar radiation, exacerbating the greenhouse effect.

5. Agricultural Practices:

Intensive agricultural practices, such as excessive fertilizer use, enteric fermentation in livestock, and rice cultivation, emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Additionally, land-use changes associated with agriculture, such as draining wetlands and converting grasslands into croplands, release stored carbon into the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming.

Here are some ways in which escalating temperatures are impacting Indian cities:

• Heatwaves and Public Health: Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense, exposing residents to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The elderly, children and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable. There is increased demand for healthcare services during heatwaves strains medical resources and infrastructure. Read more here.

• Air Quality Degradation: Rising temperatures exacerbate air pollution levels in cities. Higher temperatures accelerate the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter, leading to poor air quality. This worsens respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases among the urban population, posing serious health risks.
• Water Scarcity: Elevated temperatures increase evaporation rates, leading to the depletion of water sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Indian cities already grapple with water scarcity, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, inefficient water management practices, and climate change-induced droughts. Rising temperatures intensify this challenge, jeopardizing water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.
• Urban Heat Islands: Urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island effect. Concrete structures, asphalt roads, and lack of green spaces absorb and retain heat, creating microclimates that exacerbate urban heat. This not only compromises residents’ comfort but also increases energy consumption for cooling, leading to higher electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Infrastructure Vulnerability: Rising temperatures pose risks to urban infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause asphalt roads to soften and deform, leading to road surface failures. Heat-induced expansion and contraction of building materials can damage infrastructure, compromising structural integrity and safety.
• Impact on Livelihoods: Rising temperatures adversely affect livelihoods, particularly those dependent on outdoor work such as construction, agriculture, and informal labor. Extreme heat conditions make outdoor work hazardous, leading to productivity losses and economic hardship for vulnerable communities.
• Ecological Disruption: Urban ecosystems and biodiversity are adversely impacted by rising temperatures. Heat stress affects flora and fauna, leading to changes in species distribution and ecosystem dynamics. Urban green spaces, vital for mitigating heat and providing ecosystem services, are under pressure due to increasing urbanization and temperature extremes.

References:

• Photo by Yogendra Singh https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-standing-on-seashore-1462641/
• Photo by Anurag Jamwal https://www.pexels.com/photo/the-scorching-indian-summers-21701649/
• https://www.thequint.com/climate-change/bengaluru-pune-weather-hot-urban-heat-islands-climate-change
• https://thewire.in/environment/brace-up-for-above-normal-temperatures-this-summer-warns-imd
• https://twitter.com/AmannaPrerana/status/1785594165285527751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1785594165285527751%7Ctwgr%5E29b27a14d6a6700a4b932cbefad5b939203858d5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Foffbeat%2Fnever-thought-i-would-need-an-ac-womans-post-on-bengalurus-harsh-summer-strikes-a-chord-5573799
• https://climatefactchecks.org/heatwaves-floods-and-storms-wmo-report-reveals-asia-worst-affected-in-2023/
• https://climatefactchecks.org/human-caused-greenhouse-gas-emissions-are-actually-responsible-for-climate-change/