Opinion: India must improve socio-economic capacity to tackle climate change

According to a World Bank report, India is highly vulnerable to the climate change. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall pattern could cost India 2.8 per cent of GDP and reduce living standards across the country by 2050.

The report, titled 'South Asia's Hotspots: The Impact of Temperature and Precipitation Changes on Living Standards', has attributed the decline in living standards to falling agricultural yields, water stress and lower labour productivity.

It further stated that even if India takes the preventive measures recommended by the Paris climate change agreement 2015, the average temperature will still increase by 1-2 degree Celcius.

Change in the weather will result in lower per capita consumption levels that could further increase poverty and inequality across South Asia.

According to the report’s analysis, by 2050 Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are predicted to be the top two climate hotspot states, followed by Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.The report defines hotspot as a location where changes in average temperature and precipitation will have a negative effect on living standards

First and foremost, the government should focus on improving the socio-economic capacity of the people in these regions to help them deal with the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Around 60 per cent of country's population depends on agriculture. A strong need, therefore, exists to improve our education system, particularly in rural areas, and create more jobs in the non-agriculture sector.

Also, the policymakers need to formulate suitable strategies for every hotspot. The report has noted that policy interventions could halt the decline in the living standards by 1 per cent.

The government can meet the target set by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement of limiting the increase in global average temperatures to well below two degrees Celsius, by strengthening climate change policies.

What Niti Aayog has to say about the water crisis in India

A Niti Aayog report has pointed out that India is suffering from 'the worst water crisis' in its history with about 60 crore people facing high to extreme water stress.

There is an urgent need to deepen the understanding of water resources and usage.

Niti Aayog has ranked all the states through an index on the composite water management, covering various aspects of groundwater, restoration of water bodies, irrigation, farm practices, drinking water, policy and governance.

Composite water management index (CWMI) will help states/hotspots improve there water resource management practices.

Based on the information provided by the CWMI, concerned government departments and policymakers can implement strategies to help the hotspots face the water crisis triggered by global warming.

The negative impacts of climate change -- extreme weather events like heatwaves, heavy precipitation, earthquakes, drought or floods, have become more frequent in India.

We need to enhance our economic readiness and implement innovative solutions, strategies, to build local resilience to environmental challenges associated with climate change.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)