One million deaths due to smog in India... and major challenges due to climate change

Arabia Weather - Many countries around the world face challenges resulting from rising temperatures as a result of climate change, and India is at the top of the countries that face these challenges in particular. A recently published long-form report by CNN indicates that India is experiencing the effects of increasingly high heat and faces significant challenges in adapting to this shift, and the negative impacts are expected to accelerate if immediate solutions are not taken.

New Delhi has made headlines in recent years for temperatures continuing to rise to dangerous levels, with conditions exacerbated by the severe pollution the city has become known for. Last June, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, leading to school closures, damaged crops, and strained energy supplies.

India is a difficult place to live in by 2050

Reports expect that by 2050, India will become one of the difficult places to live as a result of increasing temperatures, a report that is consistent with the analyzes of climate experts. In this time frame, demand for air conditioners in the country is expected to increase by nine times, outpacing all other appliances, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The report points out the complexity of the problem faced by India, being the most populous country in the world with about 1.4 billion people. The warmer the temperature and the wealthier the population, the more people use air conditioning and thus the more energy is consumed, which increases carbon dioxide emissions. India emits about 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, contributing 7% to global emissions, a significant impact that places India at the center of environmental challenges and requires the adoption of effective solutions.

This raises a big equity question, often asked by climate scientists: Should countries in the developing world bear the costs of cutting emissions, even though they are among the countries least responsible for rising levels of greenhouse gases?

India is facing climate change

With India being among the fastest growing economies in the world, it faces major challenges in addressing climate change. As temperatures accelerate and the use of air conditioners increases, the country is in a dilemma that requires it to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection. In the past five years, India has witnessed more than 700 heat waves, resulting in significant human losses and negative impacts on the economy. With millions expected to lose their jobs due to heat stress by 2030, the challenge becomes even greater, especially with more than 50% of the workforce dependent on agriculture. Hence, the situation requires an urgent solution that allows India to achieve sustainable development and strengthen environmental protection measures.

India is witnessing a significant increase in electricity consumption as a result of cooling systems, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, with consumption rising by 21% between 2019 and 2022, and electricity demand from air conditioners in India is expected to exceed total electricity consumption in Africa. This increasing demand is a global climate concern and requires immediate measures to reduce emissions.

It is worth noting that the Indian government has committed to reducing energy demand for cooling by 20-25% by 2038. The plan includes developing and implementing cost-effective solutions to achieve this goal, with a focus on improving energy efficiency.

In the same context, India is witnessing remarkable growth in the renewable energy sector, as it is making steady progress towards achieving emissions reduction goals.

India presents significant challenges as a result of the expected rise in temperatures, with continued economic growth and increasing energy consumption, especially in refrigeration sectors such as air conditioners. Although India is considered the third largest emitter of carbon emissions in the world, it seeks a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

India cooperated with China at the Glasgow conference to amend the terms of the conference's final communique, focusing on the term "phasing out" of coal use rather than "phasing out" it. The demand for electricity from air conditioners is increasing, which increases energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

India has challenges in achieving a balance between improving living conditions and reducing emissions, and coal is the main source of energy in India. Therefore, its transition towards renewable energy and improving energy efficiency is a crucial challenge.

One million deaths due to smog

The effects of India's use of fossil fuels are clearly visible in the thick gray fog that shrouds New Delhi during the winter. Coal plant emissions, automobile exhaust, and farm fires combine to negatively impact the population of the megacity.

Statistics show that air pollution contributes to more than a million deaths annually in India, and is a problem that affects life expectancy significantly. The Government of India is making efforts to improve the situation by shifting to and expanding the scope of renewable energy sources, with a commitment to make the share of solar energy equal to that of coal by the end of the decade.

However, India faces challenges in developing indigenous infrastructure and technology to achieve this goal. It relies heavily on imported solar components, and is trying to stimulate domestic manufacturing by increasing import duties and raising the cost of imported renewable energy. Experts point out that achieving India's 2030 solar energy target will require significant financing and adoption of cost-effective technologies.

Source: alhurra