A climate scientist writes: With record-breaking heat waves, India is sizzling. It is time to act

Context: 

• The scorching summer heat has started prematurely, as per the recent IMD reports. Heat waves have become a major concern for India this year. 

Heat waves: 

• A period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather.

Heat wave Criteria:

1. Based on departure from normal
   • Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.5 degree C to 6.4 degree C
   • Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.4 degree C
2. Based on Actual Maximum Temperature (for plains only):
   • Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 45 degree C
   • Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 47 degree C

Link: Climate Change and Heat waves

• Rising heat waves: Climate change is directly linked to the increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves around the world.
• More severe and more frequent: As Earth’s climate continues to warm, heatwaves are becoming more severe and occurring more frequently.
• Global warming: It is causing changes in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise.
• A study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters found that heatwaves are lasting an average of 2.5 days longer than they did in the middle of the 20th century.

The Socio-economic impact of heat waves

1. Impact on Health: 
   • Heat-related illnesses are becoming more common, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and outdoor workers.
   • In addition, heat waves can exacerbate existing health problems, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Impact on the environment
   • Causing depletion of water resources.
   • Causing air pollution: Increasing electricity use leads to an increase in the use of fossil fuels, which significantly contributes to air pollution.
3. Impact on agriculture:
   • Impact on the environment in turn, leads to agricultural problems, with crops failing and farmers struggling to make a living.
   • Reports are already coming from Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh that the early heatwave has affected the growth of wheat crops and is expected to negatively affect the crop to the tune of 20 per cent.
4. Impact on growth:
   • Heat waves significantly cause heat-related illnesses which further lead to a decrease in worker productivity, which can impact economic growth.

What can be done to deal with such problems?

• Increase public awareness about the impact of rising temperatures on their health, the environment and the economy through public campaigns, schools and the media.
• Increase the use of renewable energy: India has already made significant progress in this area. However, much remains to be done. The government could incentivise individuals and businesses to invest in renewable energy.
• Improving water management: Need to use efficient irrigation systems, better rainwater harvesting and using recycled water for non-potable purposes. 
• Investing in infrastructure that can cope with extreme temperatures: Need to construct roads and buildings that are designed to withstand high temperatures as well as the development of more efficient cooling systems that use less energy.

Conclusion:

• The rising heat wave in India is a serious concern for which nature-based solutions should be taken into account, not just for tackling climate change but also doing it in a way that is ethical and promoting intergenerational justice.

News Source: The Indian Express