CLIMATE CHANGE WHAT INDIA CAN DO

It has been observed that throughout the globe, changes in temperature and precipitation has resulted altered water cycle, overall decrease in agricultural growth and human health problems in recent times. Even in case of most optimistic representative concentration pathway (RCP), temperature increase would continue till !"! and there is no other option but to reduce #$# gases emission to restrict mean temperature change within !C of pre% industrial level. &hus problem of climate change demands active participation of social science researcher, along with physical science researcher to address apparently contradictory ob'ective of economic development and anthropogenic causes of climate change. India is no e(ception, especially when concept of fossil%fuel%induced energy%intensive growth path is under serious challenge. &hough Indian #overnment is investing heavily for alternative sources of energy, but reducing dependence on fossil fuel is still a distant dream. )i*e any other developing country, our priority is sustainable development, i.e. to get rid of poverty, without causing damage to our environment. $owever, it+s easier said than done as it demands accelerated development of indigenous technology to bac* our industrial growth, cap on carbon emission through effective mar*et mechanism, necessary policy development bac*ed by national political parties and more importantly, willingness of global leaders to accept C,-R, climate fund and technology transfer. .s reported in IPCC .R%", tropical regions are e(pected to be worst hit, in terms of agricultural production and effective management of supply%side and price fluctuation would be a challenge, though initially there may have carbon%fertili/ation effect. &hus we should immediately concentrate on measuring region%wise e(tent of damage and ta*e appropriate adaptation through water management infrastructure, drought resistant seeds, developing robust information infrastructure to support local adaptation, effective distribution to counter supply constraint within ne(t 0"% ! years. )ac* of water infrastructure may result havoc within ne(t 1! years. Effective water management policy through ground water conservation, consensus about water grid and water%mar*et could solve our problem. $owever, we should be careful about protecting interest of our poor people while implementing such policies. $ealth infrastructure in #overnment facilities is inade2uate in India. 3oreover, whatever is available through private healthcare providers is not accessible to poor people due to their inability to pay. &o counter climate%change induced health problem, huge investment for new facilities and reform in health care sector is needed. 3obilising necessary resources within very stringent time%frame will be a real challenge. $owever, India needs to invest heavily to fulfil her basic commitment as a declared socialist democratic country. .s impact of climate change is e(pected to be non%linear, thus co%operation, commitment and professionalism from all sta*eholders in above%mentioned areas are need of the hour, if India really wants to be within a sustainable growth tra'ectory for a better tomorrow.