What effects is the Indian subcontinent seeing from climate change? What actions has India made in this respect?
Model Answer The Arctic ice caps are receding at an alarming rate, with a 13% loss per decade and a 95% decrease in the oldest, thickest ice over the past 30 years. If unchecked emissions continue, the Arctic could experience ice-free summers by 2040. This has far-reaching implications for global clRead more
Model Answer
The Arctic ice caps are receding at an alarming rate, with a 13% loss per decade and a 95% decrease in the oldest, thickest ice over the past 30 years. If unchecked emissions continue, the Arctic could experience ice-free summers by 2040. This has far-reaching implications for global climate, marine ecosystems, and the global economy.
Impact on Global Climate
- Global Warming: As the ice caps shrink, they expose darker ocean or land beneath, which absorbs more sunlight, thereby increasing global temperatures. Additionally, thawing ice and permafrost release methane, further accelerating climate change.
- Modification of Climate Patterns: The loss of ice leads to less reflected heat, which could intensify global heatwaves. Simultaneously, the destabilization of the Polar Jet Stream can cause colder winters as it shifts south, bringing frigid air into mid-latitude regions.
Impact on Marine Ecosystem
- Habitat Loss: Ice-dependent species such as seals, walruses, and penguins face habitat destruction, making them vulnerable to extinction .
- Altered Food Chains: The melting of sea ice disrupts the algae growth on which zooplankton, fish, and seals depend, thus disturbing the entire marine food web.
- Ocean Salinity: Freshwater influx from melting ice alters ocean salinity, harming species like corals and mollusks that depend on specific salt concentrations .
Impact on the Global Economy
- Shipping Routes: Melting ice opens up new shipping lanes, such as the Northern Sea Route, reducing shipping distances and costs .
- Resource Extraction: The receding ice enables access to previously unreachable resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.
- Tourism: The retreat of ice has boosted polar tourism, benefiting local economies.
Conclusion
The receding ice caps in the Arctic pose severe risks to both the environment and the global economy. Addressing this issue requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in adaptive infrastructure, and promoting international cooperation for mitigation efforts.
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The regional effects of climate change are influenced not only by an increase in greenhouse gases but also by air pollution, land-use pattern, and local climatic events. The Indian subcontinent,between Himalayas and Indian Ocean, is subject to higher climate variability compared to continental climaRead more
The regional effects of climate change are influenced not only by an increase in greenhouse gases but also by air pollution, land-use pattern, and local climatic events. The Indian subcontinent,between Himalayas and Indian Ocean, is subject to higher climate variability compared to continental climates of North America and Europe, owing to physiography, climate, and population.
Impact of climate change on the Indian subcontinent region
Steps taken by India towards combating and adapting to climate change
Further, the government has also undertaken measures like National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, issuing Green bonds, adoption of BS-VI norms. Energy Conservation Building Code, National Biofuel Policy, Renewable Purchase Obligation, among others.
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