Climate change is unfolding exactly as experts predicted: savage heat, melting glaciers, extreme rainfall, droughts, forest fires, and floods are occurring in rapid succession. This June, cities across four continents in the northern hemisphere are experiencing menacing temperatures, with warnings that this summer could be the hottest in 2,000 years. The record heat has likely claimed thousands of lives in Europe and Asia; in Delhi, 200 homeless people have perished, and among the over 1,000 pilgrims who died of heat during Haj, several were Indians. These tragedies underscore the severe costs of global warming and highlight the urgent need for action.
Extreme weather disproportionately affects vulnerable groups — women, children, the elderly, the poor, and rural populations. These groups face dire health hazards, from cardiovascular and respiratory disorders to miscarriages and fatal heat strokes.
In response, federal and State authorities in India must establish cooling zones across the country, ensuring a reliable supply of water and electricity. Protecting and increasing green cover is also critical, as it facilitates sustainable development, lowers temperatures, and mitigates the urban heat island effect.
Moreover, heat awareness campaigns are essential. The government, NGOs, and affluent communities should collaborate to provide food, potable water, and shelter to outdoor laborers.
Citizens should be educated to recognize signs of heat-induced ailments. To offer meaningful relief from climate consequences, India must adopt global best practices, including mindful urban planning, the use of renewable energy, and cooling techniques such as insulation, reflective paints, and non-heat-trapping building materials.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent. Only timely precautions and widespread public knowledge can mitigate their impact. It is time to acknowledge that consumption-oriented human habits have spawned a monster that now threatens the globe. Urgent measures are needed to address this escalating crisis.
