Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12, shines a spotlight on the vital contributions and challenges of young people worldwide. This year's theme, "From clicks to progress: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development," underscores the transformative potential of digital solutions driven by youth.

On July 26, 2005, Mumbai endured a catastrophic deluge, with an unprecedented 944 mm of rainfall pummeling the city in just 24 hours. The torrential downpour triggered widespread and devastating flooding, claiming over 1,000 lives and inflicting immense damage on infrastructure and property.

Heatwaves have become a relentless force in urban areas, particularly affecting the most vulnerable communities. Delhi residents sweltered under a relentless sun this May, as a scorching heatwave gripped the capital city.

As the world commemorates World Water Day 2024 with the theme “Water for Peace”, the focus is once again on the critical issue of water accessibility and sustainability. In India, a nation with a staggering population of over 1.3 billion, the challenge of ensuring clean water for all is particularly acute.

The report ‘Boiling Point’ by Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) discusses the impact of climatic changes at the global, national and local level on the environment and on the current survival, food, water security issues and livelihoods of communities in India.

The report highlights the problems faced by a number of communities from the different parts of the country by presenting case studies that describe how climatic changes have influenced local livelihoods and survival needs of communities with the marginalised and the deprived being the most affected. The report presents  a few case studies that illustrate how people have coped with these problems by finding out appropriate, locally relevant and sustainable solutions.

The report recognises that identification of positive efforts made by individuals or groups of people through the case studies can be one such step towards triggering a discussion and educating the people on the seriousness of the situation and making them realise of the urgency to act fast. The report identifies the need for advocacy and educational efforts based on the bottom up approach involving the grassroot level that  can lead to building up of pressure for the need to bring about changes at the policy level.