Mohammad Hanief
In order to preserve our planet for many more generations, we all face major challenges in the coming decades. There is increasing number of reports about the extinction of species, the decline of insect populations or microplastics in water and living organisms. Pollution from air pollutants and noise also costs the lives of millions of people worldwide every year. These and other impacts of our lifestyles show how urgently politics, business and how each and every one of us must address these issues – while at the same time keeping an eye on other societal concerns such as prosperity, justice or technological change.
Above all, it is necessary to limit global warming to the lowest possible level through climate protection measures and to assess the unavoidable consequences in order to be able to react to them. The steadily growing world population and the pursuit of higher living standards lead to an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, new perspectives are needed to decouple growth from the use of fossil fuels. At the same time, the effects of alternative technologies on animal and plant life must be taken into account.
The scale and nature of the health impacts of heat depend on the timing, intensity and duration of a temperature event, the level of acclimatization, and the adaptability of the local population, infrastructure and institutions to the prevailing climate. The precise threshold at which temperature represents a hazardous condition varies by region, other factors such as humidity and wind, local levels of human acclimatization and preparedness for heat conditions. The negative health impacts of heat are predictable and largely preventable with specific public health actions. Exposure to excessive heat has wide ranging physiological impacts for all humans, often amplifying existing conditions and resulting in premature death and disability.
India is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. It has one of the highest densities of economic activity in the world, and very large numbers of poor people who rely on the natural resource base for their livelihoods, with a high dependence on rainfall.
One of the most significant ways that climate change will impact the lives of people in India will be through its water resources. While water sustains life, it all too often wreaks havoc through devastating floods and droughts. A changing climate will only aggravate these shocks.
A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India. Heat Waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July. The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death.
India is sweating through a heatwave, with thermometers in some parts of the capital recording more than 52 °C. This is the third year in a row of lethally high temperatures in April and May for the country, and climate change is increasing the likelihood of such weather extremes.
Since May 2024, a severe and long heat wave has impacted India. The heat wave occurred during the dry season, which typically lasts from March to July with peak temperatures in April and May Rajasthan’s Churu recorded 50.5 °C (122.9 °F) highest temperature in last eight years.
Jammu and Kashmir also continued to swelter under an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs across Jammu and Kashmir. Several areas experienced temperatures significantly above normal, causing widespread discomfort.
Global temperatures have been steadily rising due to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities have significantly contributed to this rise. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average global temperature has already increased by about 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels.
Deforestation and changes in land use patterns have exacerbated the impact of heatwaves. Forests play a crucial role in regulating temperatures by providing shade and facilitating the process of evapotranspiration. The loss of forest cover has led to higher surface temperatures and reduced natural cooling.
Heatwaves can have significant impacts on health, depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of high temperatures. Exposure to excessive heat can lead to various illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia. Even small differences from normal temperatures can cause increased illness and death, particularly for those with existing health conditions. The long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, contributes to the frequency and intensity of heat waves. Global warming leads to overall warmer temperatures, making extreme heat events more likely. Urban areas with high population density, extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces, and limited vegetation tend to absorb and retain more heat, creating localized zones of higher temperatures. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, can intensify heat waves in cities.
The scorching temperatures gripping other parts of the country have further fueled the rush of tourists to Kashmir, with the region emerging as the preferred destination over traditional hill stations like Shimla, Darjeeling, and Nainital.
In July and August, tons of Hindu pilgrims camp around Kashmir and undertake the pilgrimage to Amarnath every year. The summer is a perfect time to enjoy the famous houseboats and a shikara ride on Dal lake. The flowers of the Mughal garden are in full blossom, and the whole Betaab valley is in picturesque greenery.
It’s important to note that heat waves are complex events influenced by a combination of factors, and their occurrence and intensity can vary from one region to another based on a combination of these causes.
In order to build resilience to extreme heat, strategies include identifying vulnerable populations and creating heat preparedness plans, installing cool roofs and pavements, planting trees for shade, promoting energy efficiency, and using climate mapping tools for planning and understanding climate risks.