New study highlights nation’s vulnerability to rising sea levels, extreme heat, and other environmental threats.
A new study has painted a stark picture of India’s vulnerability to climate change, warning that millions of citizens could face severe consequences by the end of the century. The Lancet research, which focused on India as a key case study, highlighted the nation’s exposure to rising sea levels, extreme heat, and other environmental threats.
Under a 2°C global temperature rise scenario, an estimated 60 million Indians could be at risk from rising sea levels. Even in a more optimistic 1.5°C warming scenario, about 80 million people may experience extreme heat conditions, with mean annual temperatures surpassing 29°C. The study also raised alarms about India’s exposure to dangerously high wet bulb temperatures, which could exceed safe limits for human heat stress in many regions.
Beyond climate-specific threats, the research revealed widespread environmental degradation affecting billions of Indians. As of 2020, approximately 1 billion people in India were living in areas unable to provide sufficient ecosystem services crucial for well-being. Water scarcity emerged as a critical issue, with over 800 million Indians affected by unsafe surface and groundwater conditions. Air pollution posed another significant threat, with over 1 billion Indians exposed to unsafe levels of PM2.5, a major air pollutant linked to severe health risks.
The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive environmental policies and adaptation strategies to address India’s climate vulnerabilities and protect its vast population from impending ecological threats.