Time to adapt to climate change

Climate change is a reality we can’t wish away, so the most prudent approach is to be prepared for its debilitating effects

The anomalous bouts of incessant rain in Delhi in late September and early October, the heavy rains that destroyed so many Durga Puja plans in Bihar and Bengal, the downpours that caused Bangalore to go under, and in the near abroad the unprecedented floods in Pakistan and the unusual draught in China – all have a common underlying theme. If these events have not got you wondering it is time you got out of the cave you reside in.

The last few months have presented the ramifications of climate change up front and centre and the frequency of draughts, disruptive floods, and heat waves are going to increase dramatically. Climate change is now the buzzword amongst governments, think tanks, and even large corporations. There are numerous talk shops, from the COPs to G20 to UN programs, making promises to arrest global climate change. Amidst the claim and commitments, it is time to do a reality check.

The biggest gap it seems is between the commitments made for climate finance and technology and their actual delivery. The historical polluters and carbon emitters – Canada, the US, and much of Western Europe, are far from delivering on their promise of finance and technology to support climate change strategies in the less developed countries. The primary global goal in the fight against climate change is to limit the rise in world average temperatures to less than 1.5-degree celsius above that of the pre-industrialisation era. This goal is almost surely going to be breached and we are all being woolly-headed by not recognising that.

It is high time that nations, especially those in the global south, come to terms with this reality. While they should continue to push and shove for the rich nations to make good their commitments and offer greater concessions it will be prudent for them to make their plans. This begets important questions about how nations like India are going to cope with the almost inevitable breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius cap. How are the developing countries going to adapt and how are small nations going to manage?

To take charge of the situation governments will need to create robust climate adaptation plans. Adaptation is the state or the process of changing to suit a new or expected situation – in this case, the potential impact of climate change over the next few years. While there are climate change strategies for various parts of India, unfortunately, there is no distinct adaptation strategy. There are some passing mentions such as in the Mumbai Climate Action Plan. India needs to put its citizens at the centre of its climate adaptation plans. After all, India has a cultural history of environment-friendly traditions and recycling has old roots in our society.

We need to recognize that awareness of climate change amongst the masses is quite limited. Climate change is a complex idea and can be very scientific and data-oriented making it daunting for lay citizens. India needs to simplify climate communication and launch a nationwide campaign to educate the masses. It is this awareness that will shape how people respond to climate change, understand its risks, and supports behaviours around relevant solutions. Government policies will also have greater purchases if citizens know the imminent risks of climate change.

The government-led adaptation strategies will help reduce the state’s infrastructure’s vulnerability to climate change for instance strengthening the stormwater drainage network will guard against excessive rain and subsequent flooding. Government should involve common people in its climate adaptation strategy. The citizen-centric approach will often have adaptation and mitigation plans go hand in hand. India should develop guidelines for lay citizens to incorporate potential extreme weather in their daily lives. Can we make behaviour shifts to adapt to climate change?

For instance, can climate-resilient housing plans, especially low-income housing, be put together? We can have simple ‘how to do’ norms for solar energy for our homes or for that matter even rainwater harvesting. Solar panels can generate electricity for home use and solar water heaters on rooftops not only reduce electricity consumption but also provide shade. Recharging groundwater and local water bodies helps create water sources and also encourages the greening of the environment. Can farmers be taught about the utility of sturdier seeds capable of handling abnormally higher temperatures or unusual rains?

We should educate people about the concept of passive cooling so that it can be incorporated into our current and prospective homes. There needs to be a campaign to help create kitchen and terrace gardens. Can the housing societies be incentivized to green any unused space in the neighbourhood. Can the know-how of efficient composting of food waste at home be shared widely? We should make it a habit to reuse water drained from water purifiers. We could use the adverse situation to skill people and generate employment for the marginalized and communities most vulnerable to climate change. These small but important changes in our habits and behavior are going to go a long way in our ability to manage changes that are surely underway. With the COP27 underway in Egypt, it is hoped that the tall promises made are actualized else UNFCC and the COP process will lead to a loss of its credibility.

(The author is a public policy advisor. The views expressed are personal)

Source The Pioneer