Local communities are experiencing numerous repercussions from climate change, which affect their livelihoods, health, food security, and overall well-being. India is particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, given its substantial population and diverse geographical features. What are major impacts of the climate change?
Increased use of air conditioners impacts the poor as they are not able to afford those cooling machines and in return which create more heated environment making their survival difficult.
Agricultural productivity is being adversely affected by irregular rainfall and unpredictable monsoon patterns. This leads to food insecurity, particularly in agriculturally reliant regions such as Punjab and Haryana, where crop yields are compromised. Additionally, heat stress poses a further threat to agricultural output. Climate change is altering the suitability of various locations for specific crop types. Consequently, farmers in these areas are increasingly forced to cultivate more drought-resistant varieties, such as millets. Small-scale farmers, who constitute a significant portion of India's agricultural workforce, are particularly vulnerable. Their limited financial resources hinder their ability to invest in climate-resilient technologies, including drought-resistant crops and drip irrigation systems. This situation results in diminished productivity and heightened economic uncertainty.
Furthermore, climate change exacerbates groundwater depletion, especially in northern and western India, where the over-extraction of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes is widespread.
India stands as the largest consumer of groundwater globally, utilizing approximately 90% of its groundwater resources for irrigation purposes. States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab are particularly reliant on groundwater to support their agricultural activities. The over-extraction of groundwater has resulted in a notable reduction in water levels across various regions, with some areas witnessing annual declines exceeding one meter. There exists a direct relationship between the availability of groundwater and its demand, particularly in the context of climate change. Increased temperatures have led to higher rates of evapotranspiration, thereby intensifying the need for irrigation and subsequently escalating groundwater withdrawal. Furthermore, the unpredictability of monsoon seasons and changes in rainfall patterns have contributed to a decline in the recharging of groundwater aquifers.
Climate change is altering weather patterns, leading to both reduced and increasingly erratic rainfall in certain regions. Groundwater serves as the primary source of drinking water for numerous rural and urban areas. The depletion of water resources occurs as wells and hand pumps run dry due to declining groundwater levels. This situation becomes particularly severe during the summer months, when water demand peaks while replenishment remains minimal.
The forests of India are under significant threat from climate change, which poses a serious risk to their vital roles in maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and sustaining the livelihoods of millions, especially among indigenous populations. Variations in temperature and precipitation are affecting the composition of these forests, rendering them increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, diseases, and pest infestations.
Conventional crops, essential for preserving cultural heritage and promoting biodiversity, are increasingly impacted by climate change. For example, fluctuations in temperature and precipitation in the Eastern Ghats are obstructing the cultivation of traditional rice varieties, resulting in a reduction of agricultural diversity. Coastal communities are struggling to cultivate crops or access potable water due to the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater sources such as rivers and groundwater. Consequently, individuals in regions like the Sundarbans have abandoned agriculture, opting instead for less lucrative livelihoods such as fishing.
Conflicts regarding land and water arise from resource shortages exacerbated by climate change. For example, the ongoing water scarcity and changing weather patterns are intensifying the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Such conflicts may lead to displacement and social unrest.
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