• Down To Earth

Extreme weather killed over 3,200 people in India in first nine months of 2024, says report

Extreme weather events claimed over 3,200 lives and destroyed over 2.3 lakh houses in India in the first nine months of 2024, according to a new report. The report by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months -- 255 out of 274 days. The report said extreme weather events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectares (mha) of crops, destroyed 2,35,862 houses and buildings, and killed 9,457 livestock.

• Down To Earth

India Faced More Extreme Weather Events in 2024, Higher Damages Than Last Year: CSE Report

With climate change a reality that has been affecting millions around the world, in India also extreme weather events have been steadily on the rise, says the annual ‘State of Extreme Weather’ report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based think-tank. “India has faced more extreme weather events and higher damages in 2024 compared to last year. This year (2024) India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months -- 255 out of 274 days -- marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides. These events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectare (mha) of crops, destroyed 235,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock,” says the report that was released on Friday in Delhi. Compared with this, the first nine months of 2023 recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2,923 deaths, 1.84 mha of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths, it says. According to report ,the 2024 also set several climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901. In February, the country recorded its second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and July, August and September all registered their highest minimum temperatures since 1901. In the Northwest, January was the second driest, and July recorded the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. The Southern Peninsula saw its hottest February ever, followed by exceptionally hot and dry March and April, but with a 36.5% surplus in July rainfall and the second-highest minimum temperature in August. CSE director general Sunita Narain said, “These record-breaking statistics reflect climate change’s impact, where events that used to occur once every century are now happening every five years or even less. This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.” The report highlights event types the past nine months have seen from lightning and storms -- spanning 32 states and resulting in 1,021 deaths -- to relentless monsoon rains, which led to flooding across various regions. In Assam alone, heavy rains, floods and landslides were recorded on 122 days, leaving large parts of the state submerged and communities devastated. Nationwide, 1,376 lives were lost due to floods. Rajit Sengupta, associate editor of Down To Earth magazine, and one of the writers of this report, said “While heatwaves claimed 210 lives, the data does not reflect the extended health impacts of prolonged high temperatures on the wellbeing of people in North India, including farmers and labourers, who endured intense heat with little means of relief.” Similarly, the toll of severe cold snaps and frost on crop losses is not captured, highlighting the need for robust compensation systems for weather-induced losses. Without this support, farmers are pushed into debt, exacerbating their marginalisation and poverty, he added. The report says that Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days -- the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60% of the affected crop area nation-wide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 ha). Regionally, Central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest at 213 days. In terms of lives lost, the Central region had the most deaths (1,001), followed by the Southern Peninsula (762 deaths), East and Northeast (741 deaths) and Northwest (734 deaths). Kiran Pandey, programme director of CSE’s environmental resources team and one of the writers of the report, said “27 states and Union Territories saw a rise in extreme weather days in 2024, with Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh each experiencing 40 or more additional days of such events.” Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth, said “This extreme weather report card is essential reading, as it reveals not only the frequency of such events but also the cumulative and far-reaching damage they cause. This underscores the urgent need for systems that accurately capture losses, giving a human face to the impacts of climate change.” CSE researchers point out that the report highlights a critical shift that is needed in our approach to extreme events -- from disaster response to risk reduction and resilience-building. Flood management, for example, requires more than plans on paper; it calls for the strategic development of drainage and water recharge systems, along with expanded green spaces and forests to act as natural water reservoirs in preparation for future storms. The report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe. Narain said: “This trend is no longer hypothetical -- it is visible in the escalating crises we face today. This report is not good news, but it is a necessary warning, a call to recognise nature’s backlash and the urgent action required to mitigate it. Without combating climate change at a meaningful scale, today’s challenges will only worsen tomorrow.”

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather claimed over 3,200 lives in first 9 months of 2024: CSE report

Extreme weather events claimed over 3,200 lives and destroyed over 2.3 lakh houses in India in the first nine months of 2024, according to a new report. The report by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months -- 255 out of 274 days. The report said extreme weather events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectares (mha) of crops, destroyed 2,35,862 houses and buildings, and killed 9,457 livestock.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi’s air pollution: vehicular emissions top contributor, says study

Vehicles in the Capital contributed more to air pollution than stubble burning in neighbouring States during the period from October 12 to November 3, said the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based research and advocacy group. “While meeting clean air benchmark requires deep cuts in emissions from all key sources of pollution in the region, the mobility crisis will require immediate attention and upscaled intervention to cut down the prime contributor to the toxic pollution build-up,” the CSE said in a statement. “The mobility crisis cannot hide behind the smokescreen of pollution from farms and other sources,” it added. The organisation said slow incremental change in public transport systems, lack of integration, inefficient last-mile connectivity and hidden subsidy for the use of personal vehicles cannot address this mobility crisis in the city. “This immediately requires a game-changing strategy to upscale infrastructure for buses, metro and their integration, incentive for usage of these systems and disincentives for usage of personal vehicles as is the global good practice,” it said. According to the research group, the neighbouring districts accounted for 34.97% of the city’s air pollution while the contribution of ‘Delhi’s local sources’ was 30.34%. The contribution of farm fires stood at only 8.19% during the period while the remaining sources of pollution were in areas beyond the National Capital Region. Providing a breakdown of the local sources of pollution, the CSE said as per its analysis, vehicular emissions contributed the most (51.5%) while the share of dust particles was 3.7%. The analysis is based on data from the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. Inspection teams Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said 58 teams have been formed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation for regular inspection of industrial units. He added that 191 patrol teams have been deployed to oversee the disposal of industrial waste in the Capital.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Car emissions largest contributor to Delhi's poor AQI: CSE study

It is not the Haryana and Punjab farmers, but the vehicular pollution that is the largest contributor to the national capital’s poor Air Quality Index (AQI), accounting for over 50% more harmful pollutants than other sources. A new study by the Delhi-based environmental think tank ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’ reveals that vehicular emission is the top contributor to Delhi’s pollution during winter -- more than stubble burning, road dust or bursting of firecrackers. CSE has analysed the current trends in particulate matter pollution, trends in motorisation, congestion impacts, and the state of public transport to understand this growing challenge. An estimated 1.1 million vehicles enter and exit Delhi daily, worsening the air quality. The traffic caused by this vehicle influx intensifies pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx), which account for 81 per cent of NOx pollution in the city. The analysis says Delhi needs to cut current 60% of its air pollution to meet the target of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5. Additionally, the annual PM 2.5 levels show an improvement of 7% in 2023 when compared to the 2019 levels. Further, the PM2.5 winter peak has reduced by almost 35% in 2023-24 compared to the 2019-20 level but the average PM2.5 concentration has almost stagnated and has been the highest in the last five years. When stubble burning was at peak between October 10-20, the contribution of average farm fire to Delhi’s PM2.5 level was only 0.7%, says the report. Further, when stubble burning induced pollutants increased sharply since October 22, the PM2.5 levels reached 213 µg/m³, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. On October 31, the concentration was 206 µg/m³, only 3 per cent lower than the October 23 peak, even though the stubble burning contribution on October 31 doubled compared to October 23. “The data clearly indicates that local sources are the primary contributors to the elevated PM2.5 levels in Delhi, as concentrations remained high even when the impact of stubble burning was minimal,” says Anumita Roy Choudhary, Executive Director of CSE and one of the authors of the study. The study underlines that explosive motorisation, choking congestion and inadequate public transport services are weakening the emission gains from different technology measures in the transport sector. Delhi Government has taken a number of measures such as implementing the largest ever CNG programme for the public transport and local commercial transport, phasing out of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, restrictions on entry of non-destined trucks, introduction of Bharat Stage 6 emissions standards, and onset of the fleet electrification. Despite that, vehicles are still the key polluter due to the growing mobility crisis.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi AQI today: Smog lingers as air quality remains ‘very poor’

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality remained in the "very poor" category on Thursday morning, with a layer of smog hanging over areas such as Akshardham temple. Delhi's AQI was 367 at 9 am. Nine areas, including Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri, reported "severe" air quality, says the Central Pollution Control Board. Following Diwali, the Supreme Court raised concerns over lax enforcement of the firecracker ban, questioning authorities on pollution control measures. The Centre for Science and Environment pointed to vehicular emissions as a major contributor, accounting for 51.1% of the pollution, and called for enhanced public transport to address the ongoing crisis. A thin layer of smog hung over many areas of the city on Wednesday morning, marking the sixth day of poor air quality after Diwali celebrations, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Your Wheels Are To Blame For Half Of Bad Air

New Delhi: The Centre for Science and Environment has said that despite technical measures to curb emissions, vehicular pollution is the top pollutant in the city, accounting for 51.1% of pollution from all local emission sources. The CSE analysis points out that the existing "mobility crisis" — major lapses despite the strengthening of transport infrastructure over the years — has led to a sharp rise in the private vehicle fleet and these account for a high contribution to pollution in the winter, so much so that even when harvest stubble burning has been low, Delhi's air quality has remained at the ‘poor' or ‘very poor' level. On Wednesday, Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, and Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, held urban transport to be the main source of local emissions. They batted for the strengthening of local transport while pointing out that less than 1% of the city's bus stops had a waiting period of less than 10 minutes. CSE also asserted that while peak pollution levels in the city have declined in recent years, the average has increased, suggesting local pollution sources are at play. It pointed out how while pollutant levels have dropped since 2019, Delhi still needed to reduce them by huge volumes to meet acceptable norms. Based on the analysis of CPCB data, CSE found that from Oct till Jan, the 24-hour peak PM2.5 concentration in the winter months reduced from 566 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019-20 to 366 in 2023-24. Yet, despite the 35% drop, it was still six times the 24-hourly national average of 60 units. Despite this dip in the peak pollution levels, CSE noted that the average PM2.5 has steadily increased from 173 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019-10 to 189 last winter. "In 2023, Delhi's citywide annual average for PM2.5 stood at 101 micrograms per cubic metre, reflecting a 7% improvement since 2019, when the level was at 109. Despite this progress, the city still faces a significant challenge in curbing air pollution because Delhi needs to reduce PM2.5 levels by an additional 61% to meet the national annual air quality standard of 40 microgram per cubic metre," adds the CSE assessment. "The findings suggest that while emergency actions are working, the overall sources are likely to increase, including vehicles, which have emerged as the largest polluters in the city," said Roychowdhury. "The emission inventory studies for Delhi done by IIT Kanpur in 2015, TERI-ARAI in 2018 and Safar, also in 2018, have determined the transport sector's contribution to PM2.5 to be, respectively, 20%, 39% and 41%. Among combustion sources, it is the highest source and annually, it is the second biggest source behind dust." Roychowdhury said that more efforts were required to improve public transport. The CSE analysis underlines issues like the lack of reliability on public transport. For example, instances of buses breaking down mid-journey rose to 1,259 in 2022-23 from 781 in 2018-19. The analysis also called attention to the high waiting times for buses, revealing that passengers had to wait for less than 10 minutes at fewer than 1% of the city's bus stops. Around 50% of the bus stops currently had a waiting time of over 15 minutes. As per the Economic Survey Delhi 2023-24, the capital has 79 lakh vehicles and 6.5 lakh new vehicles were added in 2023-24 itself (6.1 lakh annual addition in the pre-pandemic years). In addition, 1.1 million vehicles entered and exited the city daily. Two-wheelers and cars are growing at the same annual pace of 15%, adding that transport accounts for 81% of nitrogen oxide emissions. CSE observed that the city's expansion into peripheral areas has caused the per capita trip rate to rise 12.3% and average trip length to go up by a staggering 81.7%. These were also factors leading to the rise in private vehicle use.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi pollution: Vehicle emission is the biggest local contributor: Report

Vehicles plying on the streets of the national capital is to be blamed the most for rising pollution levels in Delhi. A new study has revealed that vehicle emission is the biggest contributor of pollutants that affects Delhi's air quality index (AQI) during the winter months. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has backed its study with data that shows vehicles share more than half of pollutants spread through local sources. Delhi is currently under grip of very poor air quality as pollution levels remain high since Diwali festival on October 31.

• Director General Office

The 2024 Report of Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change!

The new Lancet Report stands out as one of the most credible and alarming assessments of the state of the globe in 2024, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change. The 2024 Lancet Countdown report on health and climate change emphasizes the growing threats that climate change poses to human health. It reveals that individuals are experiencing unprecedented risks due to delayed action on climate issues. Key findings indicate an increase in heat-related deaths, food insecurity, and the spread of infectious diseases. Here are some key quotes that should raise significant concern among all of us. To begin with, the world is dangerously close to exceeding its target of limiting the average global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Remember, the further we exceed the 1.5-degree threshold, the greater the likelihood that the changes will become irreversible—a scenario we must avoid. Such shifts could fundamentally alter our entire way of life. Earlier this year, the annual mean surface temperature soared to a record high of 1.45 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline for 2023, with new temperature extremes recorded throughout 2024. This underscores the severity of the situation. The 2024 Lancet Countdown report, drawing on the expertise of 122 leading researchers from UN agencies and academic institutions around the world, presents some of the most alarming findings in the collaboration’s eight years of monitoring. One major concern that has emerged is the record-breaking 167% increase in heat-related mortality among people over 65 years of age compared to the 1990s. Another critical factor is that 151 million people are experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. Additionally, 48% of land has endured at least one month of extreme drought. The key point about heat exposure is crucial. Firstly, heat exposure is increasingly impacting physical activity and sleep quality, which in turn affects both physical and mental health. In 2023, there was a record 6% increase in hours of sleep lost compared to the average between 1986 and 2005. Heat not only affects physical activity but also significantly impacts sleep, both of which have been severely affected. Hot and dry weather conditions are increasingly facilitating the occurrence of sand and dust storms. This environmental phenomenon has contributed to a 31% increase in the number of people exposed to dangerously high levels of particulate matter concentrations between 2003– 2007 and 2018–2022. The average annual economic losses from weather-related extreme events increased by 23% from 2010-2014 to 2019-2023, totaling $227 billion. This amount surpasses the gross domestic product of approximately 60% of the world’s economies. The issue of dangerously high concentrations of particulate matter is crucial. One contributing factor is the burning of polluting biomass, such as wood and cow dung, which still accounts for 92% of the energy used in homes by people in countries with low human development indexes. Additionally, in parts of North India, the frequent occurrence of sand and dust storms further exacerbates this alarming situation. “We are witnessing the effects of climate change as outlined in the report. The significant impact it is already having on people’s lives around the world is evident. Once we exceed the 1.5-degree mark, we must carefully consider the implications. It is crucial to minimize how much the temperature surpasses that threshold, as even a small increase can make a significant difference in people’s lives and health. Therefore, we need to take action to limit temperature rise,” stated one of the report’s authors. The latest research on the recent intense heat in much of India reveals a concerning trend: night-time temperatures are not dropping as they should. Traditionally, cities would cool down at night, but now, the lack of cooling has serious implications for mortality and well-being, as our bodies need time to cool off. This rise in night-time temperatures is partly due to urbanization, with increasing concrete structures and vehicles leading to more fossil fuel burning and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment. 11/7/24, 4:53 PM The 2024 Report of Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change! - Mahabahu.com https://mahabahu.com/the-2024-report-of-lancet-countdown-on-health-and-climate-change/ 4/9 demand for air conditioning to combat rising heat contributes to this cycle, as these cooling devices further heat our cities,” stated Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Vehicular emissions top contributor to pollution in Capital, says report

Delhi’s air quality crisis persists, with vehicular pollution remaining a major contributor despite several emission-reduction initiatives, according to a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Wednesday. The CSE report emphasised that technological advancements alone cannot counteract the severe congestion and rapid motorisation that are undermining efforts to improve air quality. Although measures such as Bharat Stage 6 standards, ban on older vehicles and the world’s largest CNG programme have been implemented, pollution levels remain high.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Peak winter pollution levels dipping: Report

CSE in its analysis looked at PM 2.5 data for Delhi shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the months October to January over the last five years Average pollution levels in the Capital during the winter months are on a rise year-on-year, a study carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed. However, the report released on Wednesday noted, annual pollution levels in the city are dipping, as are the peak winter pollution levels.

• Director General Office

Trump's Victory: A Setback for Global Climate Justice

Donald Trump's election as US President could undermine global climate justice efforts, experts warn. His plans to increase fossil fuel production and diminish climate commitments threaten international agreements. The Paris Agreement's future is uncertain, with concerns over possible US withdrawal, yet European leaders pledge resilience. Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment highlights the potential rollback of critical policies like the Inflation Reduction Act as a major setback. With Trump previously withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement, the future of global climate efforts hangs in the balance.

• Director General Office

अमेरिका की जलवायु कार्रवाई पहले ही अपर्याप्त, ट्रंप इसे और बदतर बना देंगे : सुनीता नारायण

नयी दिल्ली, छह नवंबर (भाषा) पर्यावरणविद् और नीति विशेषज्ञ सुनीता नारायण ने बुधवार को कहा कि डोनाल्ड ट्रंप का अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति के रूप में चुनाव वैश्विक जलवायु प्रयासों के लिए एक “बड़ा झटका” होगा, खासकर यदि वह मुद्रास्फीति न्यूनीकरण अधिनियम (आईआरए) जैसी महत्वपूर्ण घरेलू नीतियों को वापस ले लेते हैं।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Vehicle imbalance cuts Delhi pollution gains, CSE report highlights growth of private cars

Inadequate public transport services and explosive growth of private vehicles in the national capital are undercutting air quality improvements achieved through electric vehicles, an environmental think-tank has said in a report. The Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has noted that the share of private vehicles contributing to motorised trips in Delhi has increased from 38 per cent to 49 per cent in the last decade. The share of bus trips has declined by 20 per cent.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

After Supreme Court rap, Centre doubles penalty for stubble burning

In response to Supreme Court’s (SC’s) criticism of the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986, and its “toothless” penalties, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday doubled the fines on stubble burning to combat the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions. “Unless proper exercise of power under Section 15 of the Act is made, there cannot be any effective action against the wrongdoers. We expect the government to take action within two weeks from today,” the Bench had said in its order. The updated penalties, introduced under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act of 2021, impose a Rs 5,000 fine on farmers with less than two acres, Rs 10,000 on those between two and five acres, and Rs 30,000 for larger landholders engaging in the practice. According to the data presented by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Wednesday, local pollution sources in Delhi account for 30.34 per cent of the city’s air pollution (50.1 per cent of which is contributed through transportation), while 34.97 per cent originates from the neighbouring NCR districts and 27.94 per cent from other areas. Stubble burning contributes only 8.19 per cent to Delhi's pollution levels. This is the central government’s second action following a SC reprimand on unchecked environmental violations. Business Standard on Thursday reported that the MoEFCC has introduced the Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024, which provide comprehensive guidelines for investigating and penalising environmental violations.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Centre hikes stubble burning fines, farmers may face Rs 30,000 penalty

The Government of India has doubled penalties for farmers involved in stubble burning to combat Delhi’s air pollution. Under the new rules, effective immediately, farmers with less than two acres will face a Rs 5,000 fine. Those with two to five acres will incur a Rs 10,000 penalty, while farmers with over five acres will be fined Rs 30,000 for each instance of burning paddy stubble, according to the updated 2024 rules from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas. The amended rules in the CAQM (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024, were issued under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986. The new enforcement mechanism follows a Supreme Court rebuke of India’s environmental regulations last month, when the EPA was criticized as “toothless” due to ineffective fines and delays in appointing enforcement officers after the 2023 Jan Vishwas Amendment diluted penalties under the act. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change notified the Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024, detailing processes for lodging complaints, initiating inquiries, and handling pollution violations. This includes filing complaints with the central and state pollution control boards, the CAQM, and the Union Environment Ministry. The changes come as Delhi’s air quality remains dire. On November 7, the city recorded a “very poor” air quality index (AQI) of 369, according to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research). The Supreme Court had previously expressed concern over the EPA’s effectiveness, citing a lack of adjudicating officers to enforce penalties. A recent Court order emphasized that, without a framework and appointed officers, the penalties in Section 15 of the EPA were unenforceable. A recent Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report underscored that vehicle emissions, not farm fires, are the main contributor to Delhi’s pollution crisis. The CSE study analyzed particulate matter (PM) pollution, congestion, and the strained public transport system, using real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board, farm fire counts, and traffic metrics. The government’s revised penalty structure for stubble burning represents a significant step toward enforcing accountability for pollution; however, its impact remains to be seen as the enforcement framework evolves.