Five biggest environmental issues in India in 2023 | WION Climate Tracker

Summary

India faces severe environmental challenges, with its average temperature rising 0.7°C from 1901 to 2018 due to greenhouse gases, making it the seventh most affected by climate change. Air pollution is rampant, with 63 of the world's most polluted cities in India, and New Delhi leading in poor air quality. Despite being the third-largest CO2 emitter, 70% of its surface water is polluted, contributing to food and water shortages exacerbated by unprecedented heatwaves. Waste management struggles with rapid urbanization, and biodiversity is under threat with significant declines in species and tree cover.

Takeaways

• 🌡️ India's average temperature has increased by 0.7°C from 1901 to 2018, attributed to greenhouse gas-induced warming.
• 🌍 According to the United Nations, India ranks as the seventh most affected country by climate change.
• 🌪 Extreme weather events in 2019 have made 17 out of 20 people in India vulnerable to disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.
• 🏙️ Air pollution is a critical issue in India, with New Delhi being the world's capital with the worst air quality.
• 🌫️ PM 2.5 concentrations in nearly half of India's cities exceed the 2021 WHO guidelines by more than 10 times.
• 🌳 India is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally, despite having low per capita emissions.
• 💧 Approximately 70% of India's surface water resources are polluted, with only a small fraction of wastewater adequately treated.
• 💹 Water pollution in middle-income countries like India can lead to a loss of up to half of GDP growth, as suggested by a World Bank report.
• 🥵 India is expected to suffer the most from the climate crisis, with unprecedented heatwaves being a direct result of climate change.
• 🚮 Waste management is a significant challenge due to rapid urbanization, with only a small percentage of collected waste being recycled or composted.
• 🌿 India has four major biodiversity hotspots that are threatened by human activity, with over a thousand animal species at risk according to the IUCN Red List.

Q & A

What is the average temperature increase in India from 1901 to 2018?

The average temperature in India has risen by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the period from 1901 to 2018.

What is the primary cause of the temperature rise in India?

The temperature rise is primarily caused by greenhouse gases induced warming, which is leading to climate change.

How does India rank globally in terms of being affected by climate change according to the United Nations?

According to the United Nations, India is the seventh most affected country due to climate change.

What impact have extreme weather events due to climate change had on the Indian population?

Extreme weather events due to climate change have made 17 out of 20 people in India vulnerable to disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones.

What is one of the most pressing environmental issues in India?

One of the most pressing environmental issues in India is air pollution.

How does India's air quality compare to other countries based on the 2021 World Air Quality Report?

India is home to 63 of the 100 most polluted cities in the world, with New Delhi being named the capital with the worst air quality.

What is the status of India's carbon dioxide emissions globally?

India is the world's third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, despite having low per capita emissions.

What percentage of surface water resources in India are polluted?

About 70 percent of surface water resources in India are polluted.

How much waste water enters rivers and other water bodies in India daily?

Every day, almost 40 million liters of waste water enters rivers and other water bodies in India.

What is the projected Municipal Solid Waste generation in India by 2030?

By 2030, Municipal Solid Waste in India is likely to reach 387.8 million tons.

What challenges does India face in terms of waste management due to rapid urbanization?

India faces challenges in waste management due to rapid urbanization, with only about 5% of the total collected waste being recycled and the rest ending up in landfill sites.

How many biodiversity hotspots does India have, and what are they?

India has four major biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Sundarbans, and the Indo-Burma region.

What is the current status of freshwater biodiversity in India according to the WWF and the Zoological Society of London?

Freshwater biodiversity in India has experienced an 84 percent decline since the start of the century.

What percentage of India's total tree cover has been lost?

India has lost 19 percent of its total tree cover.