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En Asie du Sud, les inondations emportent les infrastructures

erratique. Soudain, les crues s’échappent du lit des rivières, fendent les flancs des collines boisées et emportent les maisons accrochées aux berges. Ponts et barrages cèdent et disparaissent dans les eaux tumultueuses. La crue poursuit son cours vers les plaines et ravage les récoltes, les routes et les fermes. A mesure que les étés passent, ce scénario s’intensifie en Asie du Sud, des montagnes d’Afghanistan à celles de Birmanie. Les inondations, mais aussi les pluies, ont fait des centaines de victimes ces dernières semaines, dans les contreforts de l’Himalaya et dans les plaines du sous-continent. Ce mois de juillet, les rues de Delhi, Katmandou, Lahore et Dhaka ont été transformées en piscines. Mardi 30 juillet, dans l’État indien du Kerala, des glissements de terrain ont enseveli au moins 63 personnes, tandis que des centaines sont portées disparues. On compte déjà 58 ​​victimes en Afghanistan, et plus de 115 au Népal. Dans le nord-est de l’Inde, dans l’Assam, des inondations ont tué 97 personnes, provoqué d’énormes déplacements et emporté également 13 rhinocéros. Un quart du Bangladesh a été submergé, bouleversant la vie de deux millions de personnes. Selon l’ONG bangladaise Brac, ces inondations deviennent de plus en plus graves. « de plus en plus dangereux » et se caractérisent par « d’énormes pertes en termes de moyens de subsistance, de biodiversité et d’infrastructures La mousson bienfaisante, qui s’installe en Asie du Sud de juin à septembre, se transforme en déluge dévastateur. Frappée par le changement climatique, la chaîne de l’Hindou Kouch-Himalaya abrite les sources des grands fleuves sacrés qui arrosent les vallées, fournissant eau potable et irrigation aux villages en contrebas. Près d’un tiers de l’humanité vit le long du Brahmapoutre, du Gange, du Koshi, de l’Indus, du Yangtze ou du Mékong. Les nuages ​​gris de la mousson, qui ont façonné les civilisations, font désormais peur. Les infrastructures s’effondrent ou se révèlent inadaptées à un rythme alarmant. Le 27 juillet, à Delhi, trois étudiants se sont noyés dans le sous-sol d’un centre de préparation aux examens après de fortes pluies. Rien qu’au Bihar, en Inde, pas moins de 14 ponts se sont effondrés en moins d’un mois. Les toits des aéroports de Delhi, Rajkot et Jabalpur n’ont pas résisté aux pluies. La liste des structures récemment inaugurées, déjà fissurées, branlantes ou effondrées, ne cesse de s’allonger, provoquant la consternation. Ces destructions s’ajoutent aux ravages des dernières moussons. L’an dernier, 5 748 glissements de terrain ont été dénombrés dans l’Himachal Pradesh, dans le nord de l’Inde. Toujours dans l’Himalaya, dans l’Uttarakhand, un tunnel en construction s’est effondré, piégeant 41 ouvriers pendant trois semaines. Au Népal, une trentaine de centrales hydroélectriques et d’usines ont été détruites ou endommagées. Les tsunamis de montagne, provoqués par la rupture de lacs glaciaires, sont destructeurs : le tsunami de Chamoli en 2021 a emporté 200 ouvriers et une centrale électrique. Et si les structures sont mises à rude épreuve par la rigueur des intempéries, elles sont aussi fragilisées par la corruption. Bureau of Economic Research, un réchauffement de 2°C d’ici la fin du siècle diviserait par deux le produit intérieur brut mondial. A court terme, les comptes se calculent à la fronde. Au Pakistan, où un tiers du territoire a été submergé en 2022, les destructions ont été estimées à 16 milliards de dollars. A plus petite échelle, des communautés isolées sont dévastées, comme dans les hauteurs sauvages du Mustang, au Népal, où en 2023, une inondation a emporté ponts, maisons et hôtels, engloutissant 7 millions de dollars. « Les inondations et les vagues de chaleur en Asie du Sud montrent clairement que les événements climatiques vont encore endommager les infrastructures urbaines, rurales et côtières, imposant un énorme fardeau économique, prévient Anumita Roychowdhury, directrice du Centre pour la science et l’environnement de New Delhi. Ce problème est aggravé par un développement qui ignore les limites écologiques des campagnes et des ville

Heavy Rainfall in Delhi Causes Flight Diversions, Waterlogging, and Traffic Chaos on July 31, 2024

The national capital region plunged into turmoil as heavy rainfall in Delhi unleashed a series of cascading crises on Wednesday evening. In a stark demonstration of the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, authorities were forced to divert 10 flights from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, while residents across the National Capital Region (NCR) grappled with severe waterlogging and paralyzing Delhi traffic congestion. Heavy Rainfall in Delhi Flight Diversions As sheets of rain pounded the capital, visibility at IGI Airport plummeted to dangerous levels. “We had no choice but to divert 10 incoming flights to ensure passenger safety,” stated Rajiv Jain, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The diverted aircraft, carrying over 1,500 passengers, were rerouted to airports in Jaipur, Lucknow, and Amritsar. Passengers like Priya Sharma, who was returning from Mumbai, found their travel plans in disarray. “We circled Delhi for nearly an hour before the pilot announced we’d be landing in Jaipur,” Sharma recounted. “It’s frustrating, but given the conditions, I understand the precaution.” Delhi Traffic Congestion: A City at Standstill Beyond the airport, the heavy rainfall in Delhi exposed the glaring inadequacies of the city’s urban infrastructure. Major arterial roads transformed into virtual rivers, with water levels reaching alarming heights of 3-4 feet in some areas. Delhi Traffic Police reported gridlock across the city, with journey times extended by several hours. Commuter Rahul Gupta described his ordeal: “What’s usually a 30-minute drive took me over three hours. It was like the entire city had turned into a massive, immobile parking lot.” The Delhi waterlogging crisis particularly affected low-lying areas and underpasses. The Public Works Department (PWD) deployed emergency response teams, but the volume of rainwater overwhelmed pumping stations and drainage networks. “We’re dealing with rainfall intensities that our current infrastructure simply wasn’t designed to handle,” admitted Sanjay Goel, Engineer-in-Chief of the PWD. IMD Red Alert: Nature’s Warning Sign The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi and adjacent regions, anticipating heavy rainfall and potential flooding. The Delhi weather forecast predicts continued rain until August 5, raising concerns about the city’s ability to cope with prolonged extreme weather. Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at IMD, explained the severity of the situation: “We recorded over 100mm of rainfall in just a few hours, which falls under our ‘very heavy’ category. Such intense precipitation events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.” Climate Resilience: Delhi’s Urgent Need The heavy rainfall in Delhi has reignited debates about the city’s climate resilience strategy. Environmental activist Sunita Narain emphasized, “This isn’t just about better drainage. We need a holistic approach that includes expanding green spaces, harvesting rainwater, and rethinking our urban development patterns.” Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, announced the formation of a high-level committee to assess the city’s response to the crisis and formulate a comprehensive climate adaptation plan. “The events of today have exposed critical gaps in our Delhi urban infrastructure,” Kejriwal stated. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that our city is better prepared for future climate challenges.” Temperature Fluctuations and Humidity The heavy rainfall in Delhi brought a significant drop in temperature, providing temporary relief from the sweltering heat. On Tuesday, Delhi had recorded its highest maximum temperature for July, reaching 39.3 degrees Celsius. By Wednesday evening, the Delhi maximum temperature had plummeted to 29.2 degrees Celsius. However, the increased humidity levels, reaching 90% during the rainfall, added to the discomfort of residents. “It’s like walking through a sauna,” remarked local resident Anita Desai. “The cooler temperature is nice, but the humidity is unbearable.” Looking Ahead: A City at a Crossroads As Delhi braces for continued rainfall, the city stands at a critical juncture. The unprecedented deluge has laid bare the vulnerabilities in its infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Urban planning expert Dr. Ravi Shankar stressed the importance of long-term solutions: “We need to move beyond quick fixes. Enhancing Delhi’s climate resilience requires a complete reimagining of our urban landscape, from permeable pavements to green roofs and expanded wetlands.” For the immediate future, authorities have announced several measures: Schools will remain closed for the next two days. Employers are encouraged to allow work-from-home arrangements where possible. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed additional teams across the NCR. The PWD has initiated an emergency action plan to clear waterlogged areas. As the waters recede and the city begins to recover, the heavy rainfall in Delhi will undoubtedly be remembered as a turning point – a stark reminder of nature’s power and the urgent need for sustainable, resilient urban development in the face of a changing climate.

It’s myopic to ignore ESG concerns

The term ESG (environmental, social, governance) shot into the limelight in 2004 in a report titled ‘Who Cares Wins’, a joint initiative of financial institutions and the United Nations. A principle which was considered trendy against the backdrop of climate change, with trillions of dollars of investments riding on its back, is now being dubbed by sceptics as ‘woke’, even as there is a subtle pushback from the corporate world. ‘Environmental’ refers to a company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental issues. ‘Social’ focuses on the organisation’s relationship with both internal and external stakeholders, including employees, customers, vendors, and the community at large. ‘Governance’ encompasses the entire spectrum of corporate governance like leadership, financial integrity, compliance, audit, and shareholder rights. A major part of ESG, however, comprises the environmental component. companies involved in fossil fuel or tobacco usually do not figure in the list of fund managers. Votaries of ESG argue that investors are ready to sacrifice returns in exchange for values like sustainability. But this is questioned by critics who say an ordinary investor is more interested in earning maximum returns for their funds than in the company’s commitment to ESG principles. FMCG giant Unilever, which for long took pride in ‘leading the next era on corporate sustainability’, recently scaled back a range of ESG targets including pledges to halve food waste, hire more disabled staff, and reduce the use of plastic. “I am not going to shout that we are saving the world,” CEO Hein Schumacher told the media after the company came under fire from a section of investors for putting purpose over product. Schumacher’s assertion that “corporate purpose is an unwelcome distraction”, is also reverberating across Europe where ESG activists are being accused of over-indulgence. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank based in Washington, believes that “under the umbrella of ESG activism, corporations have become unimaginably woke”. The Foundation advocates that CEOs should focus on profit and not allow capital to be diverted from the purposes for which the company was set up. ESG, it argues, is value-destructive, politically motivated, and has a negative impact on investor returns. In India, which is hoping to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, there is pressure on companies to adopt stricter ESG principles. Now, the top 1,000 companies by market capitalisation are mandated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to release a Business Responsibility and Sustenance Report (BRSR) to disclose their ESG performance. However, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found that BRSR disclosures conceal more than they reveal as companies often provide data selectively according to their convenience. Many companies, including those that claim to stand on an ethical pedestal, have been accused of ‘greenwashing’ or deceiving customers by making false claims about their environmental and sustainability compliances. Unless sustainability reporting is as consistent as financial reporting, it will serve no purpose. The world has come a long way from the Friedman Doctrine of 1970 where economist Milton Friedman argued in a New York Times essay that the only responsibility of a company is to its shareholders and that it does not have any social responsibility to the society around it. Unfortunately, the Friedman Doctrine continues to influence many business leaders who believe that the entity should focus on maximising shareholder value rather than divert attention to ‘capital intensive’ social activities that are a drain on the company’s finances. Fortunately, many have also come to realise that the obsession with short-term shareholder value does not make long-term business sense. Several studies have found that companies with better ESG ratings outperform their competition with lower ratings. Management consulting firm McKinsey & Company lists five ways in which a strong ESG proposition leads to financial gains: facilitating topline growth; reducing costs; minimising regulatory and legal interventions; increasing employee productivity; and optimising investment and capital expenditures. Business Roundtable, which calls itself the voice of leading American CEOs, has strongly expressed itself in favour of the ‘stakeholder model’ where the company serves the interests of multiple stakeholders. It reaffirms that only companies that align the interests of all stakeholders are successful and sustainable. It is thus important to shift gears from ‘shareholder capitalism’ to ‘stakeholder capitalism’. Entities can afford to take a myopic view of serving only their investors at the cost of other stakeholders and sustainability goals, at their own peril. (The author is a certified independent director)

Pollution clampdown on Delhi kilns threatens brick workers’ future

On the outskirts of New Delhi, the four-month brick-making season is ending, and migrant worker Munna Majnu is preparing for the arduous 1,560-km journey home to Cooch Behar, in far northeastern West Bengal. Majnu, 40, started labouring at the brick kiln in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district this year, when the previous one he worked at shut down after the government rolled out new rules – including a coal ban – to reduce heavy air pollution from the sector. The green switch has been unaffordable for many kiln owners and has had a domino effect, with kilns closing one after the other in districts around the Indian capital. “The kiln we were working at shut down and the owner sold his land to a builder,’’ said Majnu, adding that a house will be constructed there instead. Majnu had originally found work in the now closed kiln in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh through a network of thekedars (contractors) back home, which helped him get his current job too. “We did not lose a season of work when the kiln shut,” Majnu said. But there are concerns that things may become harder, with many labourers lacking access to social welfare. Brick-making stops during the monsoon rains – when workers head home to their villages to work on the land, either on their own plots or as farmhands – and restarts at the end of the year. Measures to ease air pollution Brick kilns account for 6-7% of Delhi’s emissions of particulate matter, which contains black carbon (soot), according to government officials and researchers with India’s Centre for Science and Environment. Since 2016, measures have been imposed on the kilns in stages, to cut pollution and help combat the capital’s toxic air. They include shifting the location of some kilns, mandating new, more energy-efficient technology, and last year banning the use of coal to fire the kilns.

Leakage from garbage in Indian cities into rivers is becoming a global problem, finds study

Towering landfills are testament to poor waste segregation practices in India that have persisted for decades. But India’s mounting, untreated waste is a problem whose consequences go beyond its borders. A new study estimating waste leakage into aquatic environments finds India is at risk of being one of the top contributors to this global problem, with untreated municipal solid waste to blame. Millions of people depend on India’s vast river systems for their survival. India’s rivers also support 18% of the world’s population of unique aquatic animals and plants, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. But a little over half of India’s 603 rivers were found to be polluted by the Central Pollution Control Board in 2022. This pollution is not only a threat to domestic public health and biodiversity, but is adding to the global burden of waste leakage into water bodies. A new study by researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis estimates that in 2020, municipal solid waste from India contributed to 10% of waste leakage to the world’s rivers, adjusting for policy measures that were in place till 2018. “It isn’t a surprising or unlikely static. There are multiple studies which find that India has high rates of mismanaged waste,” said Shrotik Bose, Research Associate Centre for Science and Environment. The government has spent Rs 13,000 crore on cleaning the Ganga river alone, but these efforts have largely come to naught. A 2019 assessment by the Quality Council of India found that more than 70% of towns along the Ganga were directly disposing their waste into the river, because they lacked proper municipal waste plants. More than 38,000 million litres of waste water enter Indian rivers due to lack of sewage treatment plants and improper waste disposal mechanisms. India currently accounts for 17% of the world’s scattered municipal waste, according to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis study. Without a circular waste management system, India’s contribution to waste leakage into rivers will continue to increase.

India: Heat and sickness march together as climate shifts

eat waves took hundreds of lives in India this summer, but climate change also brings natural disasters and potentially deadly diseases to many others.Indians are no strangers to scorching summers, but this year's hottest months -- from April to June -- felt unbearably hot and agonizingly deadly. Temperatures shot past 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in New Delhi and the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The country faced its worst heat wave in over a decade, with hundreds dying and thousands others having their health severely impacted by extreme weather conditions. Then came the monsoon season and the heat broke. This month, however, torrential rain triggered flood and landslides in India's north and northeast, killing scores of people and affecting hundreds of thousands. And both heat and flooding are exacerbating an even deadlier problem -- the spread of disease. 'Beyond human tolerance' In India, experts say, climate change is boosting the spread of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, cholera, and chikungunya, as well as chronic diseases, particularly among the millions of people who already experience poor sanitation, pollution, malnutrition, and a shortage of drinking water. In India's urban centres "temperatures are rising beyond human tolerance, humidity is increasing, and so is the night-time heat," Sunita Narain, head of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based public interest research and advocacy organization, told DW.

AMR पर समयबद्ध कार्रवाई की आवश्यकता

सितंबर में, संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा एंटीमाइक्रोबियल प्रतिरोध (एएमआर) पर न्यूयॉर्क में एक उच्च स्तरीय बैठक आयोजित करेगी - सदस्य देश पहले से ही मसौदा राजनीतिक घोषणा पर बातचीत कर रहे हैं, जिसे बैठक में अपनाए जाने की उम्मीद है। डब्ल्यूएचओ के अनुसार, एंटीमाइक्रोबियल प्रतिरोध (एएमआर) तब होता है जब बैक्टीरिया, वायरस, कवक और परजीवी समय के साथ बदलते हैं और अब दवाओं का जवाब नहीं देते हैं। दवा प्रतिरोध के परिणामस्वरूप, एंटीबायोटिक्स और अन्य एंटीमाइक्रोबियल दवाएं अप्रभावी हो जाती हैं और संक्रमण का इलाज करना मुश्किल या असंभव हो जाता है, जिससे बीमारी फैलने, गंभीर बीमारी, विकलांगता और मृत्यु का खतरा बढ़ जाता है। यह अनुमान लगाया गया है कि बैक्टीरियल एएमआर 2019 में 1.27 मिलियन वैश्विक मौतों के लिए सीधे तौर पर जिम्मेदार था और इसने 4.95 मिलियन मौतों में योगदान दिया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई), जो एएमआर पर वैश्विक कार्रवाई की रणनीतियों की बारीकी से निगरानी और योगदान कर रहा है, इस बात की वकालत कर रहा है कि मसौदा घोषणा में निम्न और मध्यम आय वाले देशों (एलएमआईसी) की प्राथमिकताओं और जरूरतों को पहचाना और स्वीकार किया जाना चाहिए। सीएसई के सतत खाद्य प्रणाली कार्यक्रम के निदेशक अमित खुराना कहते हैं, "यह महत्वपूर्ण है कि मसौदा राजनीतिक घोषणा के इर्द-गिर्द चल रही चर्चाओं में एलएमआईसी की प्राथमिकताओं के बारे में पर्याप्त जानकारी हो, जिनकी अन्य देशों की तुलना में स्पष्ट रूप से अलग चुनौतियाँ और संभावनाएँ हैं।" नई दिल्ली (भारत) स्थित थिंक टैंक ने हाल ही में इस मुद्दे पर एक वैश्विक वेबिनार आयोजित किया था। एएमआर - विशेष रूप से एंटीबायोटिक प्रतिरोध - एक मूक महामारी है जो वर्तमान समय के सबसे बड़े सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य खतरों में से एक है। मनुष्यों, जानवरों और फसलों में एंटीबायोटिक दवाओं का दुरुपयोग और अति प्रयोग एंटीबायोटिक दवाओं को अप्रभावी बना रहा है - बैक्टीरिया तेजी से एंटीबायोटिक दवाओं के प्रति प्रतिरोधी बन रहे हैं। 2019 में दुनिया भर में लगभग पाँच मिलियन मौतें एंटीबायोटिक प्रतिरोध से जुड़ी थीं।

Hyderabad में मानसून के दौरान आर्द्रता 8% बढ़ी

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट Centre for Science and Environment की एक हालिया रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, हैदराबाद का मानसून सीजन लगातार आर्द्र होता जा रहा है। 2001 से 2023 तक के डेटा का विश्लेषण करने वाले अध्ययन से पता चलता है कि मानसून के महीनों (जून से अगस्त) के दौरान आर्द्रता का स्तर 2001-2010 की अवधि की तुलना में 8 प्रतिशत बढ़ गया है। नमी में इस बढ़ोतरी के कारण हीट इंडेक्स में मामूली वृद्धि हुई है, जो तापमान और आर्द्रता को मिलाकर यह बताता है कि यह कितना गर्म है। मानसून के दौरान हीट इंडेक्स अब 2001-2010 में 1.6 डिग्री सेल्सियस से बढ़कर 2014-2023 में 1.7 डिग्री सेल्सियस हो गया है। इसका मतलब यह है कि वास्तविक तापमान में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि नहीं होने के बावजूद, बढ़ी हुई आर्द्रता हवा को गर्म और अधिक दमनकारी महसूस कराती है। रिपोर्ट में प्री-मानसून अवधि (मार्च से मई) के दौरान हुए बदलावों की भी जांच की गई है। इसमें पाया गया कि यह आमतौर पर शुष्क मौसम अधिक उमस भरा हो गया है, जिसमें पिछले एक दशक में आर्द्रता का स्तर 15 प्रतिशत बढ़ गया है। हालांकि, इस अतिरिक्त नमी का ताप सूचकांक पर प्रभाव मानसून के दौरान की तुलना में कम गंभीर है। प्री-मानसून के दौरान ताप सूचकांक में औसतन 1.1 डिग्री सेल्सियस की वृद्धि हुई है, जो पिछले दशक में 0.6 डिग्री सेल्सियस से अधिक है, जो तापमान में मामूली वृद्धि दर्शाता है। आर्द्रता में इस वृद्धि के बावजूद, प्री-मानसून और मानसून दोनों अवधियों में वास्तविक तापमान में थोड़ी ठंडक देखी गई है।

Delhi Water Woes: Your jeans may be t behind Delhi's 'blue' water

In southeast Delhi, near the DelhiMumbai expressway, illegal denim dyeing units in Meethapur village are significantly impacting local water bodies with untreated toxic chemicals. These unauthorized operations are causing severe environmental damage and posing health risks to residents, with polluted water flowing into the Yamuna River. EnvironmentalImpact and Health Risks The process of dyeing denim, while creating popular garments, is highly environmentally damaging. Experts explain that synthetic indigo dye does not dissolve in water and requires chemicals to penetrate and color the denim fibers. Despite regulations that restrict such operations to industrial zones, numerous illegal dyeing units are scattered throughout non-conforming areas like Meethapur. These units discharge toxic waste into local drains, which eventually flows Pollution and Regulatory Challenges Nivit Yadav, program director of the industrial pollution unit at the Centre for Science and Environment, detailed the situation: “These units discharge untreated chemical waste into the sewer, which flows to sewage treatment plants (STPs). However, STPs lack the capacity to treat chemical waste, allowing toxic material to enter the Yamuna. These units use substances like hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, formic acid, caustic soda, agents, detergents, and salts. Since they don’t have effluent treatment plants, the discharge of chemical waste can be harmful to both humans and aquatic life.”

Concrete Jungles Fuel India's Heatwave Crisis

With over 140 deaths and more than 40,000 hospitalisations for heatstroke, according to the Health Ministry's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), summer 2024 has seen the most dramatic heatwave yet. It is no longer metaphorical. The heat is actually killing us. And even as extreme climate events become normalised, it is also becoming evident that the impacts of a rapidly warming planet are not faced equally by all. Cities, for example, often face the brunt of a heatwave. This can be squarely attributed to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect, which is when urban areas have a significant temperature difference from surrounding rural areas due to a lack of green cover and addition of waste heat generated by energy usage into the urban environment. The geometry and structure of urban areas, in addition to use of materials like concrete only worsen the problem. An Australian study, for example, has shown that use of asphalt concrete in roads and pavements, results in surface temperatures touching 60°C on hot summer days. A universal response to these high temperatures has been increasing reliance on artificial space cooling through air conditioning. India’s air conditioner market, for instance, has seen an explosion in sales and revenue, and is only projected to keep increasing. But increased AC usage comes with a catch, a phenomenon that the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has aptly called a "Midsummer Nightmare". More AC usage generates not just more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also throws out waste heat into the immediate environment, further warming it. Sanjay Seth, Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, TERI says that "ACs are not the sole cause for UHI, but taking into account factors like installation location, usage hours and efficiency, can paint a better picture of the role they play. For example, rooftop AC units installed in direct sunlight and in close proximity to each other can reduce system efficiency and exacerbate the Urban Heat Island effect." The UHI effect is not directly responsible for climate change. But, it plays a significant enough role in personal thermal discomfort; that it becomes necessary to evaluate the role our built environment may be playing in creating conditions which have a human cost.

Need for time-bound action on AMR

Come September, the UN General Assembly will be hosting a High-Level Meeting in New York on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) -- member states are already negotiating on the draft political declaration which is expected to be adopted at the meeting. According to WHO, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which has been closely monitoring and contributing to the strategies for global action on AMR, has been advocating that priorities and needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) must be recognised and acknowledged in the draft declaration. “It is critical that the ongoing discussions around the draft political declaration are adequately informed about the priorities of LMICs, which clearly have different challenges and possibilities compared to other countries,” says Amit Khurana, Director, Sustainable Food Systems Programme, CSE.

Delhi's Blue Water Woes: How illegal denim dyeing is damaging Delhi’s water and health

Close to the Delhi-Mumbai expressway in southeast Delhi, four laborers unload piles of jeans from a vehicle. These jeans are taken to Meethapur village, where they are dyed blue in illegal dyeing units. The untreated toxic chemicals used in the dyeing process flow into nearby gutters, turning them deep blue. In Meethapur, the main gates of these illegal units are often locked, but freshly dyed jeans can be seen drying on terraces. Numerous drains crisscross the area, carrying chemical-laced water that converges on the local pond, Bhatte Johad, which is easily recognizable by its blue color and surrounding garbage. Environmental Impact and Health Risks The process of dyeing denim, while creating much sought-after garments, is environmentally unsustainable. According to experts, synthetic indigo dye does not dissolve in water and requires chemicals to penetrate and color the denim fibers. These dyeing and denim washing units are not allowed outside industrial zones, yet many operate in non-conforming areas like Meethapur. Eco-activists warn that the toxic waste from these units flows through drains into the Yamuna River, harming the aquatic ecosystem and contributing to frothing in some river stretches. Soil and groundwater are also contaminated by improper disposal of chemical waste. Residents of Meethapur report health issues due to the contamination. Jagdish Chand Sharma said, “A foul smell emanates from the drains. In 2006, some of these units were shut down. But since then, many new units have come up. I have written to all agencies to act against them without anything happening.” Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described how recent rains inundated roads with ink-like water, adding, “These units run in rented premises and the landlords earn hefty rents from them.” Pollution and Regulatory Challenges Nivit Yadav, program director of the industrial pollution unit at the Centre for Science and Environment, explained that the dyeing units discharge untreated chemical waste into the sewer, which flows to sewage treatment plants (STPs). However, STPs lack the capacity to treat chemical waste, allowing toxic material to enter the Yamuna. “These units use substances like hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, formic acid, caustic soda, agents, detergents, and salts. Since they don’t have effluent treatment plants, the discharge of chemical waste can be harmful to both humans and aquatic life,” Yadav stated. Activist Varun Gulati has taken legal action against these units, filing a plea with the National Green Tribunal (NGT). He submitted video footage and geo-coordinates of 22 illegal dyeing units in Khyala and Meethapur. On July 23, the NGT asked a joint committee of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to inspect the areas and report on actions taken.

India: Heat and sickness march together as climate shifts

Indians are no strangers to scorching summers, but this year's hottest months — from April to June — felt unbearably hot and agonizingly deadly. Temperatures shot past 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in New Delhi and the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The country faced its worst heat wave in over a decade, with hundreds dying and thousands others having their health severely impacted by extreme weather conditions. Then came the monsoon season and the heat broke. This month, however, torrential rain triggered flood and landslides in India's north and northeast, killing scores of people and affecting hundreds of thousands. And both heat and flooding are exacerbating an even deadlier problem — the spread of disease. 'Beyond human tolerance' In India, experts say, climate change is boosting the spread of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, cholera, and chikungunya, as well as chronic diseases, particularly among the millions of people who already experience poor sanitation, pollution, malnutrition, and a shortage of drinking water. In India's urban centres "temperatures are rising beyond human tolerance, humidity is increasing, and so is the night-time heat," Sunita Narain, head of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based public interest research and advocacy organization, told DW. Recent studies have shown that temperature rising a few degrees above our body heat levels have an array of harmful effects on mental and physical capabilities. Women working in heat-sensitive jobs such as agriculture or construction are at risk for pregnancy-related complications. Narain warns that cholera, a disease thought to be virtually eradicated was now "back again with a vengeance." At the same time, she says there is more to the problem than rising temperatures. "It is not climate change that is bringing cholera. The fact is, it is the mismanagement of the environment," Narain said.

GLOBAL SOUTH CAN MINIMISE THE CBAM IMPACT. NEW REPORT SHOWS HOW.

Unilateral policies like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are emerging and shifting the burden of the transition on the poor world as trade and climate change become more and more intertwined. To quickly set the scene, CBAM levies taxes on imports of commodities such iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, power, and hydrogen based on how much of these things are produced with greenhouse gas emissions. Announced in 2022 by the European Union (EU), CBAM is one among several policy tools that have been initiated in this decade, that appear to further the cause of climate protection, but carry with them telltale signs of trade protectionism and economic nationalism, a new report said. The report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) estimated that at a rate of €100 (or US $106) per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, CBAM would impose an average tax burden of 25% annually over and above the value of CBAM-covered goods exported to the EU by India. The report recommended ways in which Global South can respond to a changing trade regime in the era of climate change. Recommendations for developing countries The report shared recommendations on how developing countries can proactively take steps to mitigate CBAM’s liability, while also transforming their manufacturing sectors to shift towards low-carbon processes. In line with their demand for financing, developing countries must have sectoral mitigation plans in place outlining specific measures and targets for emissions reductions in key emitting sectors of their economies, the report suggested. In order to lessen the effects of paying the tax to the EU (or any other nation enforcing a similar mechanism), developing nations should tax their exports domestically and reinvest the proceeds into a decarbonisation fund under government management, the report recommended. This strategy does not interfere with fair trading conditions with the EU and satisfies the EU’s demand for the establishment of a domestic carbon pricing system, in this case, a carbon tax. Additionally, it keeps the money in the developing nation. The report suggested that emerging nations take into consideration varied production techniques for various markets and trade partners as a stopgap strategy. Using green production methods for products going to areas with CBAMs may be a temporary measure while the nation’s manufacturing sector progressively becomes less carbon-intensive. The report said that if climate policies are to permeate trade agreements, climate justice must be at the core of this development. This requires considering the burden-sharing aspect of climate policy in trade as well. In this light, the report proposed a system where developing countries could impose a ‘historical polluter tax’ on trade partners to fund their own decarbonization efforts. Trade partners who have contributed a specific amount to the total historical CO2 emissions since the pre-industrial era may be subject to this tax. Recommendations for the European Union According to the report, the EU should set aside revenue from CBAM to aid the decarbonisation of manufacturing in developing countries as a necessary step. Shifting to low-carbon processes demands substantial financial resources and technological advancements – which many developing countries currently lack. In addition, it will boost total climate funding flows to poor nations and exempt the most vulnerable from paying taxes, the report emphasised. Need to maintain equity and justice “Global trade rules need to be overhauled for a climate-risked world, but not at the cost of climate justice,” said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE. The report said that CBAM raises costs and hurts trade competitiveness in the Global South, violating the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). According to Faten Aggad, executive director, African Future Policies Hub, the economic impact on Africa would result in a US $25 billion loss per year. “To put it in perspective”, he said, “the entire continent receives just under US $30 billion per annum in climate finance, which is far below what is required for a solid response to the climate challenge. Essentially, we are losing US $25 billion that isn’t being compensated. Of course, there is the issue of justice and burden-shifting as Africa’s historical contribution stands under 4% of global GHG emissions”. Because industrialised countries have relatively stronger domestic climate rules than certain developing countries, they have been driving many of these policies in reaction to perceived risks of de-industrialisation and carbon leakage. The purpose of CBAM is to protect EU companies from rivals who can produce goods more affordably in nations that do not impose a carbon price. The report also stated that in order to avoid impeding the development process in the Global South, the effects of policies such as CBAM must be avoided. This may be done by implementing low-carbon, climate-resilient pathways with sufficient financial and technological support from wealthier nations.

India needs to adapt to heat “beyond human tolerance”

Experts say climate change in India is increasing the spread of chronic diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, cholera and chikungunya, especially among millions of people who already face problems of sanitation, pollution, malnutrition and lack of potable water. “Temperatures in urban centers are rising beyond human tolerance, humidity is increasing, as is night heat,” Sunita Narain, head of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organization, told DW in New Delhi.