Climate Change – Global South Policy Review

A path to climate resilience through city-level research and planning

Divya Kilikar

As Indian cities expand, the impact of climate hazards varies widely due to socioeconomic inequalities and political and cultural factors. Cities lie at the forefront of the climate crisis, contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions while also reeling from impacts like heat islands, floods, droughts and public health risks. At the same time, India’s urban population continues to swell – rising about from 32% in 2013 to 36.3% in 2023. By 2050, India’s urban population is projected to reach 53%, adding 416 million people, according to a UN report.

Global weirding’ hits Mumbai, Lucknow as cities world over suffer ‘climate whiplash

Deccan Herald

A fifth of the cities have seen a reversal in climate extremes, with the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and the Indian financial hub of Mumbai ‘flipping’ to become far wetter, while the Egyptian capital of Cairo and Hong Kong are steadily drier.

Breathing Unequally: Impact of Air Pollution on Women

Nitisha Singh

In 2019, air pollution led to 6.7 million deaths globally, and 1.67 million in India. Air pollution is India’s second-largest health risk after maternal and child malnutrition and pollutants like PM2.5 have also been associated with carcinogenicity. Francoise d’Eaubonne’s concept of Ecofeminism recognizes that environmental degradation and women’s oppression are intertwined, creating a double burden for women.

Fiji’s Water Sector Strategy 2050

International Water Association

Fiji has adopted a strategy to improve its water sector’s resilience, sustainability and economic viability. As climate change intensifies in the Pacific, climate vulnerability of water systems under extreme weather events and rising sea levels is now endangering key water infrastructure, necessitating substantial investment in protective measures. Small Island Developing States in the Pacific are home to about 2.5 million people, living on hundreds of islands spread over the vast Pacific Ocean. The region covers nearly 15% of the Earth’s surface, with shared water security challenges and solutions.

How green bonds are shaping the future of sustainable investment

ICLEI

Green bonds and sustainability-linked financing are key drivers in the global transition to a net zero, climate-resilient economy. With rising investor demand and evolving regulatory frameworks, these financial instruments can unlock much-needed infrastructure investment opportunities for cities and nations to finance transformative solutions.

We need to tackle heatwaves with greater urgency

Syed Ata Hasnain

A common understanding among most people in India is that disasters and accidents are meant for their neighbours and the many unknown people “out there.”No one thinks that calamity may strike them too, for which they need to remain prepared. Climate change has enhanced thefrequency of disasters, and among them, a silent killer is the heatwave, particularly for our country. India is experiencing more frequent, prolonged, and severe heatwaves. These extreme temperatures pose significant risk to public health, infrastructure, and livelihoods, especially in vulnerable regions.

Is global warming accelerating?

The Hindu

The world warmed to yet another monthly heat record in January, despite an abnormally chilly United States, a cooling La Nina and predictions of a slightly less hot 2025, according to the European climate service Copernicus. The surprising January heat record coincides with a new study by a climate science heavyweight, former top NASA scientist James Hansen, and others arguing that global warming is accelerating. It’s a claim that’s dividing the research community.

Japanese scientists find microplastics are present in clouds

Al Jazeera

Researchers in Japan have confirmed that microplastics are present in clouds, where they are likely affecting the climate in ways that are not yet fully understood.

In a study published in the journal “Environmental Chemistry Letters”, Japanese scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama in order to collect water from the mists that shroud the peaks, then applied advanced imaging techniques to the samples to determine their physical and chemical properties.

Compost as a counter to global warming

Dr Anjor Bhaskar

Organic waste ending up in landfills is one of the major causes of methane generation which is the second highest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. India’s landfills contribute to about 20% of the methane generated in the country.

What is blue carbon?

Tavish Bhardwaj

The world’s mangroves, sea grasses and salt marshes together comprise ‘blue carbon ecosystems.’ They are nature’s most effective carbon sinks.
Current studies suggest that mangroves and coastal wetlands annually sequester carbon at a rate 10 times greater than mature tropical forests. They also store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than tropical forests.
A recent report titled Blue Carbon and its role in Carbon Sequestration revealed that mangroves alone have the capacity to store more than 1,000 tons of carbon per hectare.

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