Evaluate the various aspects of climate change and Elaborate the key actions taken by India towards combating and adapting to climate change

      Climate Change is a  modification of Earth’s climate  due to the changes in the atmosphere as well as the interactions between the atmosphere and various other geological, chemical, biological and geographical factors within the Earth’s system.

Impacts of climate change :

1. The increase in temperature is the major cause of the current increase in heat-related deaths and illnesses,     rise in sea levels and an increase in the intensity of natural disasters.

2. The current hasty change in the landscape causes a considerable risk to the survival of many species,                including the human population.

3. The population living in under-lying areas, islands and coasts are threatened by the rising sea levels.

4. Climate change is also causing increased and intensified hurricanes and tropical storms, causing a                    devastating impact on human societies and the environment.

5. Climate change increases the spreading of contagious diseases as the long-term warm weather allows                disease-carrying insects, animals and microbes to survive longer.

6. There is a change in the agricultural production pattern due to increased atmospheric temperature

Actions taken by India to combat Climate Change:

1. India’s emissions are low compared to those of other major economies. India accounts for only 2% of               cumulative energy-related emissions

2. Despite resource constraints, India is undertaking ambitious actions to undertake adaptation and                     mitigation actions, including thorough lowering of the energy intensity of our economic growth, increasing     energy efficiency across sectors and making greater use of renewable.

3. India is releasing 6 billion US dollars in one go for intensive afforestation which will result in more carbon     sinks.

4. ‘National Adaptation Fund’, setting-up of Ultra Mega Solar Projects, Ultra-Modern Super Critical Coal             Based Thermal Power Technology, and the development of Solar Parks on canals are few examples to               combat  the rise in atmospheric temperature.

5. National Action Plan On Climate Change launched with 8 mission targets

6. The Paris Accord signed with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce the intensity of its          GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level.

Wayforward:

• Support of developed nations financially and technologically is need of the hour.
• The immediate up-scaling of ambition in the second Commitment period of Kyoto Protocol and its early ratification by all Kyoto Protocol parties would be a step in the right direction.
• Principles of Equity must be followed in mitigation activities to balance the development and conservation.