NRDC India’s Post

India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world according to a report by the NITI Aayog. The country is home to nearly a fifth of the world's population, but it has only 4% of global water resources. Add to this the rapid depletion of freshwater resources and increasing urbanisation.   The overall availability of water in the reservoirs and river basins in the country has also dropped severely. According to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on April 18, key reservoirs in India were at their lowest in March compared to the level around the same time in the last five years. The reason for this massive shortfall was attributed to an El Nino-induced bad monsoon last year, the worst since 2018. The season brought one of the driest Augusts for the country.   Climate change and population growth exacerbate the challenge. Growing temperatures, depleting surface and groundwater reserves, and fluctuating rain patterns that mark unpredictable monsoons - causing floods in some areas and droughts in others.   India has all kinds of good remedies, but so far, they have existed only on paper. Urban planning, compulsory green spaces in cities, rainwater harvesting, better water management are measures that are mentioned in most civic plans. But the execution of these ideas in letter and spirit is the key to solving India's deepening water problems.   #India #ClimateChange #WaterIssues #ElNino #ClimateImpact #ClimateCrisis   This content is jointly prepared by ZWEEC Analytics Pte Ltd and ripple2wave. Follow us for more interesting content on #water and #sustainability.   Sourced from: https://lnkd.in/gQqFRHTA    

India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world according to a report by the NITI Aayog. The country is home to nearly a fifth of the world's population, but it has only 4% of global water resources. Add to this the rapid depletion of freshwater resources and increasing urbanisation.   The overall availability of water in the reservoirs and river basins in the country has also dropped severely. According to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on April 18, key reservoirs in India were at their lowest in March compared to the level around the same time in the last five years. The reason for this massive shortfall was attributed to an El Nino-induced bad monsoon last year, the worst since 2018. The season brought one of the driest Augusts for the country.   Climate change and population growth exacerbate the challenge. Growing temperatures, depleting surface and groundwater reserves, and fluctuating rain patterns that mark unpredictable monsoons - causing floods in some areas and droughts in others.   India has all kinds of good remedies, but so far, they have existed only on paper. Urban planning, compulsory green spaces in cities, rainwater harvesting, better water management are measures that are mentioned in most civic plans. But the execution of these ideas in letter and spirit is the key to solving India's deepening water problems.   #India #ClimateChange #WaterIssues #ElNino #ClimateImpact #ClimateCrisis   This content is jointly prepared by ripple2wave and ZWEEC Analytics Pte Ltd. Follow us for more interesting content on #water and #sustainability.   Sourced from: https://lnkd.in/gQqFRHTA    

Did you know? Nearly half of India's urban water comes from underground sources we're rapidly draining! Water scarcity is a growing threat to cities worldwide. From over-extraction of groundwater to outdated infrastructure, several factors contribute to this crisis. Key Challenges: Draining the Well: Over-reliance on groundwater depleted aquifers, impacting water quality and causing land subsidence. Polluted & Unequal: Contaminated water due to inadequate sanitation poses health risks. Uneven distribution worsens the situation in some regions. Infrastructure Under Strain: Aging water networks and treatment plants struggle to meet growing demand. Climate's Impact: Changing weather patterns disrupt water availability and precipitation cycles. Urban Sprawl: Rapid urbanization and population growth increase water demand, putting a strain on resources. Policy & Investment Gap: Inadequate policy and lack of investment exacerbate wastewater issues and water quality deterioration. Concrete Jungle Blues: Urban expansion with impervious surfaces disrupts natural water cycles, leading to water scarcity and flooding. These challenges necessitate a comprehensive and sustainable approach to urban water management. We at Boson White Water are committed to building a water-secure future for our cities. Gowthaman Desingh Vikas Brahmavar #watercrisis #urbansustainability #groundwater #infrastructure #climatechange #watersecurity #urbanization #waterscarcity #sustainablecities #watermanagement #pollution #aquifers #waterquality #sanitation #landsubsidence #urbanwater #populationgrowth #policygap #investment #flooding

India's urban population is projected to almost double and reach 800 million by 2050. In the face of climate change, this makes sustainable and climate-resilient urbanization one of the most challenging problems in the modern era. As part of the on-going projects CHARISMA (www.charisma-india.eu) and BCAUSYOUCARE (https://lnkd.in/ebsqgp6D), which have been financed through International Climate Financing from the Flemish Government, VITO and AKTU organize a free 2-day conference on Urban Climate Resilience on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2023 in Lucknow, India. While the focus will be on India, globally relevant insights on key urban issues such as heat stress, air pollution, waste management, wastewater use, urban flooding, etc. will be shared. The conference is free, so register now : www.urbcare.org. Unable to attend in person? Sessions will be livestreamed and can also be followed online, but do register.

CGIAR #IntheNews 🌡This summer's extended heat waves and record temperatures highlight the urgent need to adapt to our warming world. Experts emphasize rethinking our homes, offices, agricultural practices, and the impact of heat on our bodies, while also focusing on reducing fossil fuel use. In India, wheat is highly vulnerable to heat, requiring milder temperatures during its grain-filling period. Rising temperatures can significantly reduce yields, says Avinash Kishore from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). While most wheat escapes peak summer heat, vegetables and fruits suffer extensive damage, particularly in heat-affected areas like south Bengal. Read more: https://lnkd.in/de_P-gqe #ClimateChange The Economic Times

If I had my way, I would mandate that all roofs be painted white. Unlike painting roads white which will cool the road, but cause reflected radiation to pedestrians (something Los Angeles found out), white roofs should have less unintended side effects. As for looks, well...people generally love the white washed look of houses in the Mediterranean, right? We need to prevent the sort of mass fatality event caused by deadly heat that is described in Chapter 1 of Kim Stanley Robinson's book "The Ministry For The Future" (read it here - https://lnkd.in/gN5uMYDT) "In Ahmedabad, Ms Kavethiya is already feeling the benefit of her reflective roof. On April 4, the afternoon temperature outside was 41.3 deg C, but inside her home it was a more tolerable 38.9 deg C. While it costs around 30 rupees to paint one square foot with the reflective paint, Ms Kavethiya’s household and about 160 others in Ahmedabad’s Koyli Talav neighbourhood were given the paint for free by Mahila Housing Trust, an Ahmedabad-based non-profit that seeks to improve living conditions for poor urban communities. The organisation has so far deployed around 10,000 such “cool roofs” across the country. It is a low-carbon, low-cost cooling solution for India’s less privileged communities who, despite being highly exposed to heat stress, cannot afford cooling appliances such as air-conditioners." “These people have to cool down somehow,” said Dr Dileep Mavalankar, the former director of Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar in Gujarat’s capital city Gandhinagar. “And this white paint is one of the cheaper options. Plus, it is passive, it does not require any electricity,” he added." "The paint could prove to be a key option for the poor as summers in India become more brutal. The year 2023 ended as the second-warmest for India since record-keeping began in 1901. India’s meteorological department has already predicted that most of the country could be hit with above-normal temperatures and heatwaves during summer from April to June. In 2010, Ahmedabad experienced one of its worst heatwaves, leading to an additional 1,344 deaths in May that year compared with the mean of figures from corresponding periods in May 2009 and 2011. Reasons for these additional deaths included heat-induced dehydration, cardiac disease and respiratory issues. This...compelled the authorities to work on a heat action plan, which was launched in 2013 to reduce deaths from heat-related stress. The plan, the first such initiative in South Asia, includes a colour-coded early warning heat alert system for the city’s officials. This sets in motion wide-ranging measures, such as strategically deployed ambulances, the delivery of drinking water to poorer areas, and the distribution of public awareness materials to teach residents how to cope with heat stress." https://lnkd.in/g8EvuHUG

#InTheNews 🗞 Ground Report covers the work done in Ahmedabad to build climate resilience, covering some of the work done by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and partners Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar and Mahila Housing Trust over the course of the last decade. Read more below 👇 #climateaction #extremeheat #climateresilience #heatwaves #publichealth

#ClimateChangeinAction: Delhi's Extreme Weather Patterns Last month, Delhi experienced a record-breaking temperature of 48°C. Today, the monsoon has hit the city, leading to severe waterlogging, traffic jams, and even the collapse of a portion of Indira Gandhi Terminal 1's roof. These extreme weather events are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. The drastic shift from intense heat to heavy rains is not just a random occurrence but a sign of the growing impact of global warming on our environment. While the rain brought much-needed relief from the scorching heat, it also turned out to be a pain due to extensive waterlogging and traffic jams, disrupting daily life. Beyond climate change, these incidents highlight critical issues in urban planning and infrastructure. Delhi's frequent waterlogging problems point to inadequate drainage systems and poor urban planning. The collapse of the airport roof underscores the necessity for using high-quality, durable materials in construction, especially in structures that must withstand extreme weather conditions. To combat these issues, it's essential to: - Promote green infrastructure, such as parks and green roofs, to mitigate urban heat islands and improve drainage. - Encourage sustainable urban planning practices, like designing cities with climate resilience in mind. - Support the use of durable, eco-friendly materials in construction. - Advocate for improved drainage systems and urban water management. - Educate students and communities about climate change, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. As educators and coordinators, it's our responsibility to raise awareness and educate the younger generation about the importance of sustainable practices and robust urban planning. Let's work together to create a more resilient and eco-friendly future. By combining our efforts, we can: - Develop climate-resilient infrastructure - Implement effective urban planning strategies - Foster a culture of sustainability - Ensure a safer, healthier environment for generations to come Let's join forces to address the challenges posed by climate change and create a better future for all. #ClimateChange #Sustainability #DelhiWeather #UrbanPlanning #Infrastructure #EnvironmentalAwareness #EducationForSustainability

An interesting read in Hindustan Times Opinion today about planning climate-resilient cities in India, a must-do in today's times when we face extreme heat waves and cyclonic events. #Climate is changing, and we need to get ready for it too. https://lnkd.in/gyUAKquF Sharif Qamar Anushree Harde #climatechange #citiesforthefuture

Featured | Bengaluru’s water problems may seem contradictory — the city experiences a #watershortage in summer and #floods in monsoon. The unequitable distribution of resources only magnifies these issues. According to Shashank Palur, Hydrologist with the Urban Water Programme, the per capita consumption of water in urban areas is around 150 litres per day, but #Bengaluru, like other urban cities, does not have equitable distribution, forcing some to survive on far less compared to others who can afford to wash their cars daily. Bengaluru has a core area which largely does not see flooding or droughts since it comprises planned neighbourhoods, unlike the newer orbital localities. 'Unplanned areas on the exterior circle are prone to floods and droughts,' says Shashank in an article by Sharan Poovanna for ThePrint. Read here: https://bit.ly/3Pe3fmZ To access the full urban water balance report, ‘How water flows through Bengaluru’, go here: https://lnkd.in/dVFAKYbK Krea University India Climate Collaborative Rainmatter Foundation DCB Bank Rashmi Kulranjan Muhil Nesi Shreya Nath