Climate Change Impacts Millions in India: Politicians Skirt the Issue as Elections Approach
As nearly 970 million Indians cast their votes in the general elections amid sweltering heat and unpredictable weather, the country grapples with the profound impacts of climate change. This article examines the pressing environmental issues facing India, the promises made by political parties, and the concerns of voters and experts who feel that climate change is being sidelined in the election discourse.
Climate Change: A Silent Crisis
Election Promises vs. Reality
India’s top political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Party, have made multiple promises to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their election manifestos. However, Anjal Prakash, an author of multiple United Nations climate reports, notes that climate change remains largely absent from the campaign trail, despite its obvious impact on millions of lives.
Extreme Weather Events
India is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographical location, surrounded by oceans on three sides and the Himalayan ranges to the north. The country experiences severe storms, floods, melting glaciers, extreme heat spells, and droughts. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment indicates that India faced extreme weather on nearly 90% of the days last year.
Regional Impacts of Climate Change
Heat and Drought in Western and Central India
In Marathwada, Maharashtra, farmers like Vaibhav Maske are struggling with severe drought. Despite digging deep borewells, Maske’s millet farm remains dry. Farmers in this region face the worst drought in a decade, yet politicians focus more on issues of religion and caste rather than environmental concerns. Maske emphasizes the need for government intervention to provide reliable water sources for farming.
Cyclones on the Eastern Coast
India's eastern coasts have seen an increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclones. Last year was particularly devastating, with cyclones killing 523 people and causing $2.5 billion in damage. Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology highlights that floods have tripled since the 1950s, and cyclones have increased by 50% since the 1980s. Despite these trends, climate issues remain a low priority for many politicians.
Flooding in Assam
In Assam, the Brahmaputra River’s floating islands, or Chars, are increasingly affected by unpredictable flooding. Residents like Yaad Ali express frustration with politicians who fail to deliver on promises to address flooding. Badruddin Ajmal, a regional party leader, has highlighted the need for long-term flood relief, but national parties have largely ignored the issue in their campaigns.
Melting Glaciers and Heavy Rain in the Himalayas
In Himachal Pradesh, rapid glacier melting and extreme rainfall pose significant risks. Apple farmer Sanjay Chauhan recalls the devastating rainfall last year that resulted in significant property damage and loss of life. Despite the clear and present dangers, climate-related concerns are not prominent in political speeches, which tend to focus on corruption, price hikes, and unemployment.
Voter Sentiment and Political Responses
Public Disillusionment
Many voters across India feel neglected by politicians who fail to prioritize environmental issues. For example, residents in Chennai planned to boycott the elections due to lack of government support following Cyclone Michaung. Although the boycott was called off after promises of post-election action, skepticism remains high.
Calls for Long-term Strategies
Voters and experts alike are calling for comprehensive strategies to combat climate change. Chauhan emphasizes the need for long-term solutions to mitigate extreme weather events, reflecting a broader sentiment among affected communities.
Conclusion
As India faces increasingly severe climate impacts, the lack of focus on environmental issues in political campaigns is troubling. Addressing climate change is critical not only for the country’s future but also for the stability and resilience of millions of its citizens. Political leaders must prioritize sustainable and effective climate policies to safeguard the environment and the livelihoods of India’s people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is climate change a critical issue for India?
India is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographical location, leading to severe weather events such as cyclones, floods, droughts, and extreme heat.
Q2: What are the main climate-related concerns for Indian voters?
Voters are concerned about extreme weather events, loss of livelihood, water scarcity, and the lack of long-term strategies to combat climate impacts.
Q3: How have political parties addressed climate change in their manifestos?
Political parties have made various promises to tackle climate change and reduce emissions, but these issues are not prominently discussed in election campaigns.
Q4: What are the impacts of extreme weather on different regions in India?
Regions like Maharashtra face severe droughts, the eastern coast is prone to cyclones, Assam experiences unpredictable flooding, and the Himalayas are threatened by melting glaciers and heavy rainfall.
Q5: What actions do voters want from the government regarding climate change?
Voters want the government to implement long-term solutions for water management, flood relief, and sustainable agricultural practices, along with better disaster preparedness.
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