The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change 2018 report has emphasized the pressing need for the Indian government to undertake multiple initiatives. These are crucial to abate the heightened threats to health and the extensive loss of work hours brought about by an increase in exposure to heatwave events in the country from 2012 to 2016. The Lancet Countdown’s 2018 report meticulously examines 41 indicators which span across five principal domains in health and climate change.
Key Conclusions of the Report
Amongst its findings, the report highlights three central conclusions. From 2014-2017, heatwaves in India lasted an average of 3-4 days, a figure that notably surpasses the global average of 0.8-1.8 days. In 2017, approximately 153 billion hours of labor were lost worldwide due to heat, a substantial rise of 62 billion hours from the year 2000.
Present-Day Changes and Future Implications
The report sheds light on present-day alterations in heat waves labor capacity, vector-borne disease, and food security. These elements serve as an early warning of cumulative and overwhelming impacts anticipated if temperatures persist in rising. Despite these delays, a number of sectors are beginning to transition towards low-carbon solutions. However, the scale and nature of response to climate change will be the fundamental factor that shapes the wellbeing of nations for centuries to come.
Impact of Heat Waves on Labour and Agriculture
The report underscores significant increases in the number of hours of labour lost due to heat wave between 2000-2017 across India. For instance, in 2012, 20 million people were exposed to heatwaves, a figure that escalated to 60 million in 2016 – a whopping 200% increase. By 2017, the agriculture sector alone soared to a staggering 60,000 million hours, a significant increase from 40,000 million hours in 2000.
| Year | Heatwave Exposure | Labour Hours Lost in Agriculture Sector |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | N/A | 40,000 Million |
| 2012 | 20 Million | N/A |
| 2016 | 60 Million | N/A |
| 2017 | N/A | 60,000 Million |
Recommendations of the Report
Considering the high socio-economic costs India faces due to climate change, the study puts forth several recommendations. These include identification of “heat hot-spots” via appropriate tracking of meteorological data, promotion of local Heat Action Plans aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, and a comprehensive review of existing occupational health standards for worker safety in relation to climatic conditions. The report also advocates for decreased air pollution, extensive city-level traffic diary surveys for better urban planning, and strategic media coverage to increase public understanding and support for climate mitigation efforts.
Understanding Heat Waves
A heat wave entails a period of unusually high temperatures, exceeding the normal maximum temperature experienced during the summer season. Typically, these are observed in the North Western parts of India between March and June, occasionally extending until July. If a location’s historical temperature is 40 degree C or less, an increase of 4.5 degree C or more is classified as a ‘heat wave,’ and a rise of 6.5 degree C or higher is deemed a ‘severe heat wave.’