13 மார்., 2023
Heatwaves and its effects on India
- Prelims: Climate Change, Air mass.
- Mains (GS3): Conservation, environmental Pollution, Climate Change
WHAT IS A HEATWAVE?
A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather with above-normal temperatures that typically lasts for 3 or more days. A heat wave is a situation of high air temperature that, when experienced by a person, is fatal. The period of heatwave in India is mainly during March to June and in some rare cases even in July. The peak month of the heat wave over India is May. It is the third biggest natural killer in India, with 2,040 people dying of them in 2015.
The prescription given by IMD suggests that a heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature at a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains, at least 37 degrees Celsius for coastal stations, and at least 30 degrees Celsius for hilly areas.
CRITERIA:
If normal maximum temperature is ≤40 degrees Celsius, then an increase of 5 degree Celsius to 6 degree Celsius from normal temperature, is considered to be heat wave. An increase of 7 degree Celsius or more is severe heat wave condition.If normal maximum temperature of a station is > 40 degree Celsius, then an increase of 4 degree Celsius to 5 degree Celsius from normal temperature, is considered to be heat wave. More than 6 degree Celsius is considered to be severe heat wave.
Also read: What are Invasive alien species ? Why are they important
IMPACTS:
On lives and livelihoods:
- According to a World Bank report, "Climate Investment Opportunities in India's Cooling Sector," from 2030, about 16 to 20 crore people would be exposed to lethal heatwaves in India every year, resulting in 3.4 crore people losing their jobs because of heat stress-related productivity decline.
- Mortality because of the high temperature. According to a 2019 report by the Tata Centre for Development and the University of Chicago, more than 1.5 million people will likely die each year by 2010.
On food insecurity:
- Heatwaves cause crop production losses and tree mortality to increase. An increase in heat waves can cause an increase in forest fires and a decrease in forest products.
Protecting the Hornbills from the Ills of Climate change
- Prelims: CBD, Invasive plants in news
- Mains (GS3): Climate Change, Invasive plants and Mitigation
What are invasive alien species?
Invasive alien species (IAS) are non-native organisms that have been introduced to a new habitat, either accidentally or intentionally, and have the ability to spread rapidly and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. These species can include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Invasive alien species often have a competitive advantage over native species because they lack natural predators or diseases in their new habitat. They can quickly establish themselves and outcompete native species for resources such as food, water, and space. This can lead to the decline or extinction of native species, which can have cascading effects on the ecosystem.
An invasive species, Senna spectabilis, an exotic tree, has taken over between 800 and 1,200 hectares of the buffer zones of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the picturesque Nilgiris hill district - The Hindu 2022
What needs to be done?
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a global issue that requires international cooperation and actions. Preventing international movement of IAS and rapid detection at borders are less costly than control and eradication. Preventing the entry of IAS is carried out through inspections of international shipments, customs checks and proper quarantine regulations. Prevention requires collaboration among governments, economic sectors and non-governmental and international organizations.
Some international and regional binding agreements that contain guidelines for IAS :
International Agreements:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
CBD states that “Each contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate, prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species”. The Conference of the Parties (COP) acknowledged the urgent need to address the threat of at its fourth meeting (decision IV/1), in 1998.
- Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention)
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species. IAS are considered a threat to migratory species and are addressed as per the convention.
The aim of the Ramsar Convention is the conservation and wise use of wetlands and resources. COP 7 resolution addresses threats of invasive species to wetland ecosystems.
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
The International Plant Protection Convention is a treaty that aims to prevent introduction of pests of plants and plant products in international trade.
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
States under UNCLOS are required to protect and preserve the marine environment from intentional or unintentional introduction of alien species.
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Agreement
The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. It has 169 countries and territories as its members. It aims to guarantee the safety of international trade in animals and animal products and to control animal diseases and zoonoses worldwide while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers.
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