Record Global Warming and its Effect on India

• 15 Jan 2025

For Prelims: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Paris Agreement, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Arctic Region, Albedo Effect, Himalayas, Particulate Matter, Aerosols, Solar Radiation, Sea Level Rise, Droughts, Heat Waves, Cold Waves, Wildfire, Ecosystem, Mission Mausam.   

For Mains: Present status of global warming in the world and India, Ways to address global warming. 

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record. The past ten years 2015-2024 are the ten warmest years on record. 

• According to IMD, the temperature increase in India is lower than the global average rise in temperature. 
• However, concerns exist that global climate models don't accurately reflect changes in India, highlighting the need to improve its climate observation and impact assessment capabilities. 

What are the Key Findings by the WMO? 

• Record Global Temperature: In 2024, the global average surface temperature was 1.55°C above the pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 period), marking the first year with a temperature exceeding 1.5°C above this baseline. 
• Ocean Heat: The top 2000 meters of ocean water absorbed a record 16 zettajoules of heat, roughly 140 times the total global electricity generation in 2023. 
  • Around 90% of excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean. 
• Temperature Assessment: Although 2024's temperature surpassed 1.5°C, the WMO assures that the Paris Agreement's goals remain intact. 
  • It emphasizes that every fraction of a degree worsens climate impacts on ecosystems and human systems.  
  • The Paris Agreement is a legally binding global agreement under UNFCCC to limit global warming to well below 2oC above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition to limit warming to 1.5oC. 
• Warming in India: India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that in 2024 India was 0.65 degrees Celsius higher than normal but lower than the global average of 1.55°C. 
  • IMD data shows that temperature over India in 2024 was about 1.2 °C higher than the 1901-1910 average. 

 Note: Land temperatures have risen by 1.59°C since preindustrial times, while oceans have warmed by 0.88°C, according to the 6th IPCC report. 

What are the Reasons Behind Lower Warming Over India? 

• Geographic Location: Global temperature rise has been more noticeable at higher latitudes, especially near the poles, due to heat transfer from the tropics through air circulation systems and the fact that higher latitudes already have lower temperatures. 
  • India is located in the tropical zone, closer to the equator which does not experience such geographical phenomenon. 
• Albedo Effect: In the Arctic region, higher heating is caused by low albedo effect, where melting ice exposes land or water that traps more heat than ice-covered surfaces, which reflect sunlight. 
  • In India, albedo effect on snow is restricted to Himalayan areas. 
• Aerosols and Pollution: The particulate matter and aerosols have a cooling effect because they scatter the solar radiation back into space. Aerosols also help in cloud formation which, in turn, help in reflecting sunlight back to space. 
  • High air pollution in India due particulate matter and aerosols have a small unintended consequence of lowering the temperature rise. 
• Altitude Variations: India's landmass is not uniform, with distinct variations in temperature rise across regions.  
  • Some areas see more warming due to local climate and geography, but the national average temperature rise remains lower. 

Other Global Warming Related Findings 

• Exposure to Extreme Heat: India, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh were the top five countries with the highest total hours of exposure to extreme heat in 2020. 
  • From 1995 to 2020, global exposure to extreme heat due to trade increased by 89%, from 221.5 billion person-hours to 419.0 billion person-hours. 
• Disproportionate Exposure: Lower-middle-income and low-income economies accounted for 53.7% and 18.3% of global exposure to extreme heat, respectively, while contributing only 5.7% and 1% of global labor compensation. 
• In 2020, Germany had only 28.1 hours of extreme heat exposure per capita, and the United States had 260.9 hours, while countries like Thailand and Nigeria had much higher figures (1319.5 and 1186.8 hours per capita, respectively). 

What are the Consequences of Rising Global Temperatures? 

• Sea Level Rise: Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since 1880 and is projected to rise by at least another foot by 2100 inundating coastal areas, displacing communities, and disrupting ecosystems. 
  • Oceans absorb significant CO2, increasing acidity and harming marine life. 
• Droughts and Heat Waves: Droughts and heat waves are likely to intensify, while cold waves are expected to weaken and occur less frequently. 
  • Warming and prolonged drought have intensified wildfire seasons and increased fire risks. 
• Biodiversity Loss: Rising temperatures and shifting weather disrupt ecosystems, driving many species toward extinction. 
• Related Effects: Extreme weather disrupts food production, causing shortages and price hikes, while rising temperatures worsen air quality, increase heat illnesses, and spread diseases. 

 

How India Can Better Observe Global Warming? 

• Expansion of Weather Stations: India needs to expand its weather stations, especially in rural areas, with stations in every major panchayat under the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047, to gather real-time data for accurate climate assessments. 
• Enhancing Computing Capabilities: India must invest in advanced computing and analysis infrastructure to process climate data for improved disaster management, agricultural forecasting, and climate resilience strategies. 
• Regular Impact Assessments: India needs to conduct India-specific climate change impact assessments to track the evolving climate risks like sea level rise, and ecosystem changes. 
• Mission Mausam: Mission Mausam should be strengthened and integrated with national and international systems for better weather prediction, especially in coastal and mountainous regions. 
  • Mission Mausam aims to enhance India’s ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change. 
• Localized Impact Studies: India needs to invest in localized studies that reflect the specific climate challenges faced by different regions such as the Himalayas, coastal areas, and urban centers for targeted adaptation strategies and policy interventions. 

What is the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)? 

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organisation with a membership of 192 Member States and Territories. 
  • India is a member of WMO. 
• It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was established after the 1873 Vienna International Meteorological Congress. 
• Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23^rd March 1950, WMO became the specialised agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. 
• WMO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Way Forward 

• Six-Sector Approach: Adopt the United Nations Environment Programme's strategy to cut emissions across energy, industry, agriculture, forests, transport, and building sectors. 
• Reforestation and Afforestation: Plant trees to act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere.  
  • Restore degraded forests and protect existing ones to preserve biodiversity and carbon storage capacity.  
• Energy Efficiency: Promote energy-efficient appliances, buildings, and industrial processes. 
  • Implement stricter energy standards and adopt smart technologies to optimize energy use. 
• Sustainable Agriculture: Adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as sustainable irrigation techniques, drought-resistant crop varieties, and agroforestry. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Discuss the factors contributing to the global temperature rise and analyze why India experiences relatively lower warming compared to global averages.

 

 UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims  

 Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (d) 

 Q “Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by (2018) 

(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

(b) The UNEP Secretariat 

(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat 

(d) The World Meteorological Organisation 

Ans: (c) 

---

 Mains 

Q. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017)