April 4, 2024
Feature Story
by Tara Malhotra
I recently traveled to India with my family as we visited New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur. In addition to the vivid culture and intricate historical buildings that surrounded me, another thing stuck out to me: India's relationship with climate action. I thought it would be interesting to break apart some of my observations about the progress India is making to become a greener country. I have also taken pictures for reference.
Air pollution:
According to Cable News Network (CNN), India is home to 83 out of the 100 most polluted cities in the world. My family noticed this pollution right as we stepped outside in any of the four cities we visited. There were health issues caused by this smog as well. Throughout the trip, this pollution caused us to have intense allergies and trouble breathing; our eyes also got red from smog exposure. These symptoms were to be expected with such high pollution levels, as a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has found ("The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Eye: A Review").
G20 advertising:
In September 2023, India hosted the G20 Summit that brought together European Union and African Union members along with other countries; these countries met in New Delhi to discuss solutions to climate change and promote sustainability. India is very proud of hosting the 2023 G20 Summit—this was evident as G20 advertisements could be found in every city we visited. Posters and art installations were scattered throughout India to highlight its commitment to environmental action, and this was very inspiring to see. India's G20 pride is a microcosm of its commitment to reversing climate change.
Heatwave:
While we were in India, there was an extreme heatwave going on. Despite only being March, temperatures began to reach 103 degrees Fahrenheit. On April 1, the Indian Meteorological Department made an official announcement that not only acknowledged this heat wave but also predicted that temperatures would continue to increase from April until June. These heatwaves are being exacerbated by climate change and Indian citizens are widely impacted. CNN reported that many Indians are prioritizing basic survival during these high temperatures.
Newspapers:
I read some newspapers in India—such as The Hindustan Times—to get a sense of the stories being reported. I immediately noticed a large coverage of climate-related stories, with articles ranging from the heatwave to flooding. News coverage is key to raising awareness about the dangers of climate change, therefore motivating people to take environmental action in their daily lives. While these articles are about devastating topics, they are proof of India's advocacy for positive environmental change.
Electric buses:
Lastly, I frequently saw electric buses throughout India. These buses advertised that they were electric; the buses usually had messages about zero emissions and were color-coded to show their sustainability. Electric buses are part of India's plan to become more environmentally friendly, and the World Resources Institute stated that many of these buses were directly funded by the Prime Minister eBus Sewa Scheme. Once again, these buses demonstrate the steps that India is taking to integrate sustainability into daily life.
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