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From increasing pollution levels in Byrnihat to unprecedented coral bleaching in Lakshadweep, India’s 2024 climate narrative paints a grim picture of the challenges and critical turning points for environmental action
This year’s headlines highlight the intersection of human activity, policy decisions, and ecological crises. This article delves into ten pivotal stories that shaped India’s climate discourse, highlighting the urgent need for collective efforts to mitigate climate impacts and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Here’s a look at the top 10 climate change stories from India that made headlines this year:
- A eucalyptus plantation order sparked protests in Kerala. Here is why.
The Kerala government’s decision to allow the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus for financial sustenance in 2024-2025 sparked protests from environmentalists, political parties, and churches. Critics argue eucalyptus plantations deplete soil nutrients, suppress undergrowth, and harm biodiversity, exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts. KFDC, managing 7,000 hectares of plantations, historically focused on exotic species but now plans eco-friendly replanting with native flora. The 2021 eco-restoration policy highlighted invasive species’ ecological harm, urging their eradication to restore habitats and reduce conflicts. In May 2024, the government amended its order, limiting activities to cutting exotic trees on KFDC lands.
Read more here.
- Byrnihat: India’s Most Polluted City and the Alarming Rise of Air Pollution in Northeast India
Byrnihat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, became India’s most polluted city in September 2024, with a monthly PM2.5 average of 183 µg/m³, far exceeding safe limits. This level was 1.8 times higher than Delhi’s and 36 times the WHO guideline, posing severe health risks. The pollution stems from rapid industrialization, vehicle emissions, unregulated construction, and dust. Industries often lack stringent pollution controls, while limited public transport increases private vehicle use. Cross-border industrial activity in Assam further exacerbates Byrnihat’s air quality crisis. The situation is striking for a region otherwise known for its pristine environment and underscores northeastern India’s emerging environmental challenges.
Read more here.
- India one of the highest contributors to global dietary emissions: Study
A study in Nature Climate Change identifies India as the second-largest contributor (8.9%) to global dietary emissions after China (13.5%). India’s emissions are primarily from dairy and grains. The global food system, responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, faces pressure to feed a growing population while combating climate change. Red meat (29%), grains (21%), and dairy (19%) are top emission contributors. Despite providing 87% of global calories, plant-based foods account for 48% of dietary emissions.
Read more here.
- Alarming Study Reveals Microplastics in Indian Salt and Sugar, Urgent Research and Policy Action Needed
A Toxics Link study found microplastics in all salt and sugar brands in India, including table, rock, sea, and raw salt, as well as five sugar types. Iodized salt had the highest concentration (89.15 pieces/kg), while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces/kg), revealing widespread microplastic contamination.
Read more here.
- North East India Facing Severe Climate Change Consequences: IMD Chief
The Eastern Himalayas, particularly Northeast India, are experiencing severe climate change impacts, exacerbating already-stressed ecosystems. The region has seen a 2% per decade decline in annual rainfall and increasingly erratic weather, with prolonged dry spells and intense rain events. From April to July 2024 alone, 196 landslides occurred, a third of all landslides since 2017, highlighting rising extreme weather events. Severe floods, such as those in Assam in 2019-2020, caused extensive damage, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability to climate change.
Read more here.
- A ‘Himalayan’ Crisis: Understanding Wildfires in Uttarakhand and India
Uttarakhand faces a recurring wildfire crisis, fueled by human activities, environmental factors, and its unique geography. Over 350 man-made wildfires were reported between November 2023 and April 2024, often caused by burning crop residue or negligence. The state’s steep slopes, dry pine needle accumulation, and low humidity in spring exacerbate fire spread, making containment difficult. Despite the state government’s claims of resolving the crisis, ongoing Indian Air Force firefighting efforts reveal the severity of the situation. The Supreme Court’s involvement highlights the need for transparent communication and a comprehensive response to protect lives, property, and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Read more here.
- Alarm bells ring in Lakshadweep : record bleaching threatens Coral Reefs
Rising ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, have caused an unprecedented coral bleaching event in Lakshadweep, confirmed in May 2024 by CMFRI researchers. Severe bleaching affected many hard coral species, with the Degree Heating Week (DHW) indicator surpassing 4°C-weeks, signaling extreme heat stress. This event, more intense than past bleaching in 1998, 2010, and 2016, highlights the critical threat to coral reefs, which support marine life and provide coastal protection, underscoring the urgent need to address climate change.
Read more here.
- How climate change is deepening gender inequalities in Indian Agriculture
Gender inequality exacerbates the impacts of climate change, especially in agriculture, where women face greater vulnerability due to their reliance on threatened natural resources and their prevalence among the world’s impoverished. Women have limited access to vital farming resources like land, labor, and technology, widening the gender gap. They also face social, cultural, and institutional barriers, reducing their decision-making power and access to environmental resources and services, leaving them less equipped to cope with the effects of climate change.
Read more here.
- Rising Pulse Imports in India: A Climate Change Connection?
India’s pulse imports nearly doubled in the 2023-24 fiscal year to USD 3.74 billion, surpassing 45 lakh tonnes, driven by domestic demand and price stabilization needs. Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, erratic climate conditions have hindered domestic production, leading to inflation rates for pulses reaching 17% in March. India is seeking long-term supply contracts with Brazil and Argentina while relying on imports of varieties like tur, urad, and lentils from Australia, Canada, and African nations. Pulses remain vital for Indian diets, but sustaining production levels amidst climate challenges remains a pressing concern.
Read more here.
- Rising Temperatures, Growing Threat: The Link Between Climate Change and Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occur when algae grow uncontrollably in marine and freshwater environments, producing toxins that harm marine life and occasionally cause severe human illnesses. Beyond toxicity, HABs deplete oxygen, clog fish gills, and smother corals, disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Intensified by climate change and nutrient pollution, HABs increasingly threaten the U.S.’s coastal and Great Lakes regions, impacting public health, marine biodiversity, and the economy. Understanding and mitigating HABs is essential to protect ecosystems and communities dependent on fishing and tourism.
Read more here.
Compiled by Aayushi Sharma.
Banner image: AI-Generated
