Source: This post on Environmental Change: How Is Chennai Reflecting Global Challenges? has been created based on article “The world has been changing for a while” published in The Hindu on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 3- Environment
Context: This article explores the ongoing global transformations across various dimensions such as the environment, politics, technology, and international relations. It provides a historical perspective on the dynamic nature of change and reflects on its implications for the future.
What major environmental challenges has Chennai faced in recent years?
- Chennai has experienced drastic environmental changes. In 2019, the city declared “Day Zero” due to severe water shortages.
- However, in the following years, unseasonal storms and torrential rains caused devastating floods, displacing residents due to excessive water.
- Chennai demonstrates the need to prepare for both extremes—droughts and floods—highlighting the necessity of adaptive water management systems in a world undergoing significant climatic shifts.
How does the current climate compare to historical conditions?
- Humans today face unprecedented environmental conditions, with record-high global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels.
- Half of all fossil fuels have been burned since Sachin Tendulkar’s Test debut, illustrating the rapid pace of industrial and environmental change.
What role does technology play in shaping the modern world?
- New technologies are revolutionizing communication and connectivity.
- While they enable better sharing of ideas, they also polarize political discourse, incite tensions, and exacerbate societal divisions.
- The 2024 elections saw record-high voter turnout globally, with political parties struggling to retain power or maintain majorities.
- This reflects widespread demand for solutions to modern challenges and opportunities.
What challenges does India face in the evolving global landscape?
India’s strategy of balancing multiple alliances, such as being part of both BRICS and the Quad, will face pressure. Trump’s leadership style might complicate India’s efforts to maintain diverse partnerships and strategic autonomy.
How does the current geopolitical environment affect India’s position?
- The global scenario is marked by a weakened Iran, a destabilized Russia due to the Ukraine invasion, and significant shifts in China’s global stance.
- India will need to navigate these dynamics carefully under Trump’s transactional diplomacy.
- Historians argue that significant shifts, like environmental and political changes, have been underway for some time.
- Change is often gradual and unnoticed, making it critical to recognize and adapt to these transformations proactively.
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