Our Politicians in denial of climate change 

News: IPCC (Intergovernmental panel on climate change) has released its 6^th assessment report, titled ‘Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability’. 

In its report, IPCC discusses the increasing extreme heat, rising oceans, melting glaciers, falling agricultural productivity, resultant food shortages and increase in diseases like dengue and Zika. 

What the IPCC’s 6^th assessment report says about climate change? 

IPCC warns that if the planet gets warmer than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times (we are at 1.1 degrees at present), then there will be irreversible impact on “ecosystems with low resilience” such as polar, mountain and coastal ecosystems. 

This will cause devastation to “infrastructure in low-lying coastal settlements, associated livelihoods and even erosion of cultural and spiritual values.”  

The increased heat will lead to an increase in diseases like diabetes, circulatory and respiratory conditions, as well as mental health challenges.  

What are its India specific findings? 

Impact on India

– IPCC also highlights that climate “maladaptation” will especially affect “marginalised and vulnerable groups adversely, indigenous people, ethnic minorities, low-income households and informal settlements. As a majority of Indian population falls into this group, it will be hugely impacted. 

– IPCC highlights India as a vulnerable hotspot, with several regions and cities facing climate change phenomena like flooding, sea-level rise and heatwaves. For instance, Mumbai is at high risk of sea-level rise and flooding, and Ahmedabad faces the danger of heat waves. 

– With increasing climate change, grains will have diminished nutritional quality. Already the by 4-10% globally due to climate change. India being a predominantly agrarian economy is likely to be especially hurt. 

– Population in urban India is going to double 2050 from current figure of 480 million in 2020. High concentration of population in these cities will make them extremely vulnerable to climate change. 

Source: This post is based on the article “Our Politicians in denial of climate change” published in Indian express on 5th March 2022.