A one-meter sea level rise will inundate 6000 square kilometers in India, of which Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will be the major cities being affected. This would mean losses of billions of dollars in infrastructural, social, physical assets and capital.
While global warming is a matter of worldwide concern, among the most vulnerable areas are the coastlines of less developed tropical countries such as India. The river deltas, in particular, are already facing the brunt of climate change and these adverse impacts can be expected to increase dramatically in the course of this century.
Climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems in the Himalayas (CCIFEH) is a joint initiative of WWF-India and WWF Nepal, funded by WWF-The Netherlands.
A glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) is caused when the glacial lakes burst their banks and cause widespread floods. In the past two decades there have been a number of glacier lake outburst floods. The increase in the melting of glaciers have led to this phenomenon.
40% reduction has occurred in the Himalayan glaciers in the last 40 years. 67% of the glaciers have retreated in the last decade. Gangotri is retreating at the rate of 28 m per year. Global warming and its consequent melting of glaciers would result in floods, fast and furious run-offs, erosion of the topsoil and sedimentation of the rivers. This could also lead to changes in the course of the rivers in the region.
Sea-level rise and coastal delta flooding will result in large-scale migration, affecting traditional fishing communities, agriculture, tourism as well as industries and urban agglomerations along the coast. The stress on water resources will impact agriculture, especially rain-fed agriculture; as well as health; changing temperatures and moisture levels will affect insects and plants; and also our forests and pasture lands. Livelihoods will be at stake for the millions.
Can we do something about these impacts? Is something already happening? Yes, on both counts.
Understanding various critical issues related to its usage, contamination, and replenishment of groundwater is important as every individual is a user of groundwater.
The River Care Volunteer Handbook, developed by Anglianwater, EnCams, and Environment Agency, is a ready reckoner to get you started on mobilizing people and organizing campaigns for cleaning the river in your area.
The heating up of the Earth is putting much more than usual moisture in the air. So, now we have rains (precipitation) which are heavier than normal and that which fall in a few days.
The whole world is suddenly talking about climate change. Is it for real? How will India be affected? In what ways will different segments of society be affected? What action can we take to solve the problem?