A boy in the Indian state of Maharashtra holds his umbrella during unseasonal rains from last week BCCL
Earlier today, India’s Prime Minister — Narendra Modi — issued a statement reiterating India’s commitment towards the welfare of the planet observing Earth Day.
While global warming in India remains within the two degree Celsius mark as per the Copenhagen agreement, it’s beyond the 1.5 degree Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement.
Between 1998 and 2017, India saw $79.5 billion (₹5.5 trillion) in economic losses due to climate change according to the United Nations.
Advertisement
On Earth Day in 2016, India — along with 173 other countries — signed the Paris Agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference with a promise to limit the global warming temperature increase, at most, to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
And, as India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, issued his statement for Earth Day, it was hard not to notice that India’s already reached the two degrees Celsius mark.
Today on Earth Day, we bow in reverence to Mother Earth. For years, this great planet has been home to phenomenal diversity. Today we also reiterate our commitment to work towards the well-being of our planet, focus on sustainable development and mitigating climate change.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, message on Earth Day
Reaching the two degree mark isn’t the worst news since it’s still compatible with the 2009 Copenhagen goal. In fact, most countries are worse off having hit a three, four and, in some cases, even a five degrees Celsius increase in temperatures since the industrial era.
In April last year, India and at least 170 other countries reiterated their commitment towards climate change in London by signing an agreement that states that stakeholders must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% from shipping by 2050, based on 2008 emission levels.
Advertisement
India manages to rank 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index. But despite its progress, India is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change according to the World Bank.
It’s no secret that India’s already facing a warming climate, witnessing a decline in monsoon rain since the 1950s. Extended droughts and incidents of unexpected heavy rainfall are also more frequent. Between 1998 and 2017, India saw $79.5 billion (₹5.5 trillion) in economic losses due to climate change according to the United Nations.
India’s been making progress but there are still reasons to worry:
{{}}
With a little help from my friends
And, the World Bank
Advertisement
Global Action Summit
Solar Power
Advertisement
Starting from the end of the pipeline
States buckle up where the center lags
Advertisement
Impact on agriculture
Rising Sea Levels
Advertisement
NewsletterSIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox.