Climate Change in India: Challenges and Solutions

India is highly prone to climate related catastrophes like floods, droughts, heat waves and cyclones. India has a number of social welfare programs to counter the brunt and prevention & control of climate risks. Further, the main objective of poverty alleviation and rural programs is reduction of vulnerability to climate risks

Long Description

Climate Change in India: Challenges and Solutions

‘Climate Change’ can be closely linked with the economic growth and development of a Nation. The key areas where the impact of climate change has proved to be calamitous in Indian Sub-continent:

1. Forests: Climate Change brings about shift in natural vegetation, thereby deteriorating the forests
2. Agriculture: Rain-deficit monsoon and unseasonal rains have disturbed the crop-cycles
3. Water: Some parts of India are facing shrinking of water supplies, others are facing rising seas
4. Biodiversity: Climate change, along with habitat loss and fragmentation is a major threat to biodiversity

Establishment of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cottage industries as they are comparatively environment friendly and have the potential to tap India’s king-sized demographic dividend. SMEs and Cottage industries can demonstrate the world how a low carbon economy can come into existence.

Packaging and Processing of Food items, a common trend in developed world, leads to carbon emissions. Irrespective of economic status Indians buy fresh produce every day thereby minimizing refrigeration and packaging costs. This is a very healthy practice.

Promotion of Public transport and vehicle-pooling can lower the carbon emissions to great levels. Piezo-technology can be tapped, which is eco-friendly.

Climate impacts in India are not uniform. Populace of low socio-economic status is more vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, as they have the least adaptive capacity.
Educating people about the evils of global warming and climate change. Combating climate change is all about bringing a change in one’s lifestyle.