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

WION

26 May 202304:20

Summary

TLDRIndia 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌡️ Climate Change Impact in India

India has experienced a significant temperature rise of 0.7 degrees Celsius from 1901 to 2018, largely due to greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. The United Nations reports that India ranks seventh in terms of countries most affected by climate change, with extreme weather events in 2019 leading to substantial fatalities and economic losses. These events have made 17 out of 20 people in India vulnerable to disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.

🏙️ Air Pollution and Environmental Issues in India

Air pollution is a critical environmental issue in India, with the country hosting 63 of the world's 100 most polluted cities, including New Delhi, recognized as having the worst air quality globally. PM 2.5 concentrations in nearly half of India's cities are alarmingly over 10 times the World Health Organization's guidelines. India is also the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, and approximately 70% of its surface water resources are polluted, with only a small portion of wastewater adequately treated, leading to significant economic impacts as suggested by a World Bank report.

💧 Water and Food Shortages Amidst Climate Crisis

India faces severe challenges with food and water shortages, exacerbated by the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that India will bear the brunt of these impacts. Unprecedented heatwaves, such as those recorded in March 2022, are considered a direct consequence of climate change, with the country's northwest regions enduring prolonged periods of extreme heat.

🗑️ Waste Management Challenges in Rapidly Urbanizing India

Waste management is a growing concern in India, with estimates suggesting that municipal solid waste could reach 387.8 million tons by 2030, more than doubling the current levels by 2050. The rapid urbanization of the country complicates waste management efforts, with only a small percentage of collected waste being recycled or composted, and the remainder ending up in landfill sites.

🌿 Biodiversity Loss and Environmental Conservation in India

India's biodiversity is under threat, with the country hosting four major biodiversity hotspots that are home to a significant number of animal and plant species. Over a thousand species in India are monitored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Freshwater biodiversity has seen an 84% decline since the start of the century, and India has lost 19% of its total tree cover, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It is primarily caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. In the video, India's average temperature rise of 0.7 degrees Celsius from 1901 to 2018 is attributed to greenhouse gases-induced warming, illustrating the impact of climate change on the country's environmental and socio-economic conditions.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The script mentions that the rise in India's average temperature is caused by greenhouse gases-induced warming, highlighting their role in exacerbating climate change.

💡Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events are unusual meteorological occurrences that can cause significant damage. The script reports that India was the seventh most affected country by climate change, with extreme weather events causing both fatalities and economic losses, emphasizing their devastating effects on human life and the economy.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability in the context of the video refers to the susceptibility of people to the adverse effects of climate change, such as disasters. It is mentioned that 17 out of 20 people in India are vulnerable to disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones due to climate change, indicating a widespread risk.

💡Air Pollution

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, often resulting from human activities. The video script identifies air pollution as a pressing environmental issue in India, with 63 of the world's most polluted cities located in the country, including New Delhi, which has the worst air quality.

💡PM 2.5

PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health issues. The script states that PM 2.5 concentrations in 48 percent of India's cities are more than 10 times higher than the WHO guideline level, indicating severe air quality problems.

💡Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions are the release of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, often from the burning of fossil fuels. India is the world's third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, as mentioned in the script, despite having low per capita emissions, reflecting the country's large population and industrial activities.

💡Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances, affecting both ecosystems and human health. The script highlights that about 70 percent of surface water resources in India are polluted, with only a small fraction of wastewater adequately treated, pointing to a significant environmental challenge.

💡Food and Water Shortages

Food and water shortages refer to the insufficient availability of these essential resources for people. The video script mentions that India is expected to pay a high price for the impact of the climate crisis, with unprecedented heat waves and droughts affecting food and water availability.

💡Waste Management

Waste management involves the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials. The script discusses the challenges of waste management in India due to rapid urbanization, with a significant increase in municipal solid waste expected by 2030 and only a small percentage of waste being recycled or composted.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular ecosystem or habitat. The video script mentions India's four major biodiversity hotspots and the threats they face from human activities, including habitat destruction and climate change, leading to a decline in species populations and overall biodiversity.

💡IUCN Red List

The IUCN Red List is a system for assessing the conservation status of species. The script notes that more than a thousand animal species in India are monitored by the IUCN Red List, indicating the importance of conservation efforts for these species.

💡Freshwater Biodiversity Decline

A decline in freshwater biodiversity refers to the reduction in the variety and number of species living in freshwater ecosystems. The video script reports an 84 percent decline in freshwater biodiversity in India since the start of the century, underscoring the severity of environmental degradation in these ecosystems.

💡Tree Cover Loss

Tree cover loss is the reduction of forested areas, which can lead to habitat destruction and carbon emissions. The script states that India has lost 19 percent of its total tree cover, highlighting the impact of deforestation on the country's environment and climate.

Highlights

India's average temperature has risen by around 0.7 degrees Celsius from 1901 to 2018.

The temperature rise is attributed to greenhouse gases-induced warming, leading to climate change.

According to the United Nations, India ranks as the seventh most affected country by climate change.

Extreme weather events in 2019 resulted in significant fatalities and economic losses in India.

Climate change has made 17 out of 20 people in India vulnerable to disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones.

Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues in India, with 63 of the world's most polluted cities located there.

New Delhi is named the capital with the worst air quality in the world.

PM 2.5 concentrations in 48% of India's cities are over 10 times higher than the 2021 WHO guideline level.

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

Approximately 70% of surface water resources in India are polluted.

Almost 40 million liters of wastewater enter rivers and other water bodies daily, with minimal adequate treatment.

Water pollution in middle-income countries like India can lead to a loss of up to half of GDP growth.

India is expected to pay the highest price for the impact of the climate crisis, with unprecedented heat waves being a direct manifestation.

March 2022 was the hottest and driest month recorded in 120 years in India's Northwest regions.

Waste Management is a significant challenge due to India's rapid urbanization, with only a small percentage of waste being recycled or composted.

By 2030, Municipal Solid Waste in India is projected to reach 387.8 million tons, more than doubling the current value by 2050.

India has four major biodiversity hotspots, which are threatened by human habitation and climate change.

More than a thousand animal species in India are monitored by the IUCN Red List, indicating their threatened status.

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

India has lost 19 percent of its total tree cover, highlighting the impact of environmental issues on the country's ecosystem.