Lethal heatwaves are challenging India’s sustainable development

Debnath, Ramit; Bardhan, Ronita; Bell, Michelle L.

doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000156

Cited by 21 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Delhi's urbanization and dense built-up regions have contributed to the establishment of urban heat islands, in which heat is trapped due to impervious surfaces, causing discomfort for humans and greater use of cooling devices with higher power consumption [12]. The city's present district-level vulnerability metrics do not fully account for the effects of heat, posing a challenge to the city's long term growth [13]. Temperature differences within Delhi have been demonstrated to exhibit a north-south and west east gradient, with the center of city experiencing a lower temperature (Singh et al [14]).…”

Section: City Profilementioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Heat and Associated Health Risks in Delhi, India

Tiwari,

Mathur

2024

IJECC

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Climate change has added significant challenges to nation’s worldwide, particularly in Asian countries due to their heavy reliance on climate-sensitive industries like forestry, fisheries, and tourism, Asian countries struggle economically and are slow to seize development opportunities. It has a significant impact on human health, with extreme heat and air pollution leading to thermal discomfort and health problems for city dwellers. Amplified heat waves, elevated levels of air pollution, and extreme weather occurrences are some of the issues faced by city dwellers. Climate change has aggravated health issues in Delhi, India, that includes respiratory and heat-related illness. The present study explores a link between temperature variations, land surface temperatures, and health outcomes to assess climate change risks with heat as the prime focus area in Delhi. It investigates the relationship between average maximum temperature and mortality and find strong positive correlations. It explores yearly land surface temperature variations and the hospital visits and strong correlation exists with temperature for health outcomes like stroke and diabetes. This study analyzes the impact of temperature variations on specific health conditions. Accordingly, the proposals could be framed through understanding of the relationship between heat and health on vulnerable population.

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Section: City Profilementioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Heat and Associated Health Risks in Delhi, India

Tiwari,

Mathur

2024

IJECC

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“…India will experience more frequent and hotter heat waves in the future due to global warming, according to the World Weather Attribution [20]. Considering that the majority of the nation-more than 90%-could experience severe heat waves and enter an extreme heat "danger" zone [21], it is imperative to examine in detail the physical conditions that students in hot climatic regions are exposed to as heat waves are slotted to become more frequent and prolonged. Children's heat risk is a pressing concern with such a hightemperature threat.…”

Section: Impact Of Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Escalating Heat Waves on Students’ Well-Being and Overall Health: A Survey of Primary School Teachers

Lala

Hagishima

2023

Climate

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Children in developing countries such as India will experience severe consequences of climate change. Primary school students, in particular, are the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves intensifying due to climate change. This will adversely impair their development, well-being, and learning outcomes. However, significant research gaps exist in understanding and mitigating children’s vulnerabilities. There is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the impact of heat waves on children’s health and well-being in India. Further, the discussion on the state of heat safety in Indian primary schools is limited. This study addresses these gaps by surveying 335 primary school teachers in seven Indian cities. The data gathered from the field survey offers a better understanding of classroom experiences and challenges encountered by children and teachers during heat waves. It underscores several aspects of students’ vulnerability to heat exposure and its adverse impact on their health, such as absence from school, physical symptoms of heat distress, etc. Furthermore, it highlights the pressing need for classroom heat risk management in light of climate change and makes several policy prescriptions in primary schools.

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“…These effects are not limited to specific regions, but rather have implications that extend beyond geographical boundaries. Debnath et al (2023) conducted a recent study highlighting the vulnerability of the entire Delhi region, India, to severe heat wave impacts. Surprisingly, the current state action plan for climate change does not acknowledge this vulnerability.…”

Section: Cultural Services and Human Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban ecosystem services and climate change: a dynamic interplay

Pandey,

Ghosh

2023

Front. Sustain. Cities

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Urban ecosystems play a crucial role in providing a wide range of services to their inhabitants, and their functioning is deeply intertwined with the effects of climate change. The present review explores the dynamic interplay between urban ecosystem services and climate change, highlighting the reciprocal relationships, impacts, and adaptation strategies associated with these phenomena. The urban environment, with its built infrastructure, green spaces, and diverse human activities, offers various ecosystem services that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of urban dwellers. Urban ecosystems offer regulatory services like temperature control, air quality upkeep, and stormwater management, plus provisioning like food and water. They also provide cultural benefits, promoting recreation and community unity. However, climate change poses significant challenges to urban ecosystem services. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events can disrupt the functioning of urban ecosystems, impacting the provision of services. Heatwaves and urban heat island effects can compromise human health and energy demands, while changes in rainfall patterns can strain stormwater management systems and lead to flooding. Moreover, climate change can disrupt biodiversity and ecological processes, affecting the overall resilience and sustainability of urban ecosystems. To address these challenges, cities are adopting various adaptation strategies that recognize the interdependence between urban ecosystems and climate change. Green infrastructure interventions, such as the creation of urban parks, green roofs, and community gardens, aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change by enhancing the regulation of temperature, improving air quality, and reducing stormwater runoff. Additionally, urban planning and design approaches prioritize compact and walkable neighborhoods, promoting public transportation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, engaging communities in the management of urban ecosystems and climate change adaptation measures is crucial for ensuring equitable distribution of ecosystem services and building social resilience. Therefore, the review article highlights a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interrelationship between urban ecosystem services and climate change and their implications. By recognizing and integrating the contributions of urban ecosystems, cities can develop sustainable and resilient strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ensuring the wellbeing and habitability of urban environments for present and future generations.

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Lethal heatwaves are challenging India’s sustainable development

Cited by 21 publications

References 34 publications

Analysis of Heat and Associated Health Risks in Delhi, India

Analysis of Heat and Associated Health Risks in Delhi, India

Impact of Escalating Heat Waves on Students’ Well-Being and Overall Health: A Survey of Primary School Teachers

Urban ecosystem services and climate change: a dynamic interplay

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