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My Take | Are India’s politicians paying lip service on climate change in election amid heatwave?
- India has been hit by blistering weather in recent weeks that has caused a number of deaths during its ongoing general election
- With global warming becoming a major issue, India must tackle climate change in a more comprehensive and methodical way
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In the heat and dust of India’s ongoing general election, one key issue seems to have been largely ignored in the competing party manifestos during political campaigning – the reasons for the country’s blistering weather and what can be done about it.
India is one of several countries in Asia that have been hit by temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. According to a report by the World Weather Attribution this month, climate change linked to human factors is making the lives of many residents in India and around the world miserable, especially the poor.
Rapid urbanisation and unplanned development in India have led to the removal of green spaces, worsened air pollution and increased the risks of extreme heat. Burning coal, oil and gas that induce warming have exacerbated weather changes.
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Ponds and lakes are drying up as rainfall patterns have become more erratic. India’s tech capital Bengaluru experienced a crippling water shortage in March and April.
In the northern Indian city of Allahabad, schools have continued to open even with the mercury touching 45 degrees.
Several provinces in India are undertaking steps such as early warning systems and heat-mitigating plans for schools.
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