Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 19 June 2024

CONTENTS

1. Heatwave Could Severely Impact the Economy
2. India Champions Inclusive Use of Technology at G7

Heatwave Could Severely Impact the Economy

Context:

The intense heat waves sweeping across the country, particularly in Northern India, have pushed temperatures to over 52 degrees Celsius in Delhi and Rajasthan, marking the season’s highest temperatures and resulting in a few suspected heat-related deaths.

Relevance:

GS3- Disaster Management

Mains Question:

The ongoing scorching heat could undermine economic activity and underscores the critical need for climate-responsive action to safeguard both people and productivity. Analyse. (15 Marks, 250 Words).

Heatwaves across Indian States:

• Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are also grappling with heat waves. The situation is expected to worsen as the Meteorological Department predicts temperatures in northwest India will nearly reach 50 degrees Celsius, endangering millions of workers in farming, construction, and industrial sectors, and causing widespread distress.
• This presents a significant threat to productivity in many economies, highlighting the urgent need for a climate-responsive action plan.

Effect of Heatwaves on Economy:

• According to a World Bank report, rising temperatures due to climate change are a growing concern in India, with each year experiencing higher temperatures.
• By 2030, over 160-200 million people across the country could be exposed to deadly heat waves annually.
• Additionally, about 34 million people in India may face job losses due to productivity declines related to heat stress.
• The impacts of rising temperatures vary across different occupations and employment sectors.
• Jobs requiring high levels of physical exertion or extended outdoor work are particularly vulnerable to increasing heat.
• Specifically, agricultural and construction jobs, as well as work in steel plants and brick kilns, are expected to be the hardest hit.
• According to a study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 1995, heat stress caused a loss of 5.87% of working hours in agriculture and construction, 2.95% in industry, and 0.63% in services in India. By 2030, these losses are expected to rise to 9.04% in agriculture and construction, 5.29% in industry, and 1.48% in services.
• Heat stress is increasingly hindering economic activities, reducing the ability of businesses to operate during peak heat hours, and further temperature increases are expected to decrease labor productivity.
• This could make some agricultural areas unproductive and displace many farm workers. Global economic losses from heat stress at work were estimated at US$280 billion in 1995 and are projected to rise to US$2,400 billion by 2030.
• Currently, annual food losses due to heat during transportation are nearly $13 billion. By 2037, the demand for cooling is likely to be eight times higher than current levels, equating to a new air conditioner being needed every 15 seconds and resulting in a projected 435% increase in annual greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades.
• To address this challenge, India must implement new strategic sustainable solutions to help people adapt to rising temperatures.

Way Forward:

• The World Bank study, “Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s Cooling Sector,” highlights that adopting alternative and innovative energy-efficient technologies is crucial to tackling the heat wave crisis.
• This strategy could open up an investment opportunity of $1.6 trillion by 2040, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create nearly 3.7 million jobs.
• The study strongly suggests that a more energy-efficient approach could significantly reduce CO2 levels over the next two decades.
• By implementing a comprehensive cooling strategy, India can save lives and livelihoods, cut carbon emissions, and establish itself as a global leader in green cooling manufacturing. The report outlines a sustainable roadmap for cooling that could effectively cut 300 million tons of carbon dioxide annually by 2040.
• In 2019, India launched the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) to promote sustainable cooling measures across various sectors.
• These measures include indoor cooling for buildings, solar refrigeration for the agriculture and pharmaceuticals sectors, and air-conditioning for passenger transport.
• The plan aims to reduce electricity-driven cooling demand by up to 25 percent by 2037-38, potentially creating 2 million jobs for trained technicians and decreasing refrigerant demand by about 31 percent over the next two decades.
• Adopting climate-responsive cooling techniques is essential to ensure that rising temperatures do not disproportionately affect those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
• The report advocates for incorporating these techniques into India’s affordable housing program, which could benefit over 11 million urban homes and more than 29 million rural houses planned by the government.
• Public-private investments in district-level cooling technologies are crucial. These advanced systems produce chilled water in a central plant and distribute it to multiple buildings through underground insulated pipes, drastically reducing individual building cooling costs and cutting electricity bills by 20-30 percent compared to the most efficient conventional solutions.
• The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) office in Chandigarh is a prime example of a climate-responsive building, providing cooling in summer and warmth in winter.
• This model can be widely replicated in future green building projects. To combat rising food and pharmaceutical waste during transportation due to higher temperatures, the World Bank report recommends addressing gaps in cold chain distribution networks.
• Investments in pre-cooling and refrigerated transport can significantly reduce food loss by about 76 percent and lower carbon emissions by 16 percent.
• India is determined to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which are used as coolants in air conditioners and refrigerators.
• The report emphasizes the need to improve the servicing, maintenance, and disposal of equipment using these substances, and to swiftly transition to alternatives with a lower global warming impact.
• Understanding the impact of climate change on the workplace, especially for the most affected and vulnerable populations, is essential.

Conclusion:

The World Bank report strongly recommends accelerating the structural transformation of rural economies by promoting the growth of responsible and sustainable, or “green,” businesses. This approach will decrease the exposure of agricultural workers to extreme temperatures and reduce the need for physical labor in such conditions. Other critical policy measures include developing skills, creating an environment conducive to sustainable enterprises, and making significant public investments in infrastructure to address the climate crisis.

India Champions Inclusive Use of Technology at G7

Context:

Welcoming leaders from 10 countries, to the “G-7 Outreach” Summit, Italy’s Prime Minister emphasized the importance of moving beyond the traditional “West vs the Rest” narrative. Italy’s decision to invite predominantly Global South countries, including notable BRICS members such as Brazil, India, and the UAE, for an outreach session with seven African countries on energy issues underscored this sentiment. The summit was hosted in the Mediterranean region of Apulia.

Relevance:

GS2- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Mains Question:

The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Italy for the G7 summit marked a significant step in India’s diplomatic engagements and technological ambitions. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words).

More on the Summit:

• The G-7, once regarded as a dynamic group of the world’s most developed democracies, traditionally convened annually to tackle global financial and development challenges with decisive actions.
• However, recent years have seen manufacturing slowdowns, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions, which have dampened its effectiveness.
• The electoral uncertainties facing several G-7 leaders further contributed to a sense of diminished influence at the summit.
• The joint communiqué issued by the G-7 appeared more focused on listing global challenges rather than offering robust solutions.
• Key highlights included continued military, budgetary, humanitarian, and reconstruction support for Ukraine, yet without a clear strategy to resolve the conflict.
• Efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire with Israel also remained unfulfilled.
• The G-7’s sharp focus on China’s activities in the Indo-Pacific region, industrial targeting, and unfair trade practices was notable.
• However, it remains uncertain whether any member country will significantly reduce its substantial trade ties with Beijing.
• The communiqué reaffirmed commitments to several infrastructure corridors, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, yet underscored the group’s limited progress in executing these projects rather than merely discussing them.

India @ G7:

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024:

• At the G7 summit, the Indian Prime Minister emphasized India’s recent Lok Sabha election results, framing them as a victory for democracy worldwide.
• Reflecting on the magnitude of India’s Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Prime Minister drew comparisons with upcoming elections in Europe and the US, emphasizing the unique scale and swift results of Indian elections.
• He described them as the largest celebration of democracy and highlighted India’s ancient values as the “mother of democracy.”

Emphasis on the Global South:

• At the G7 summit, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to advocating for the priorities and interests of Global South nations globally.
• Additionally, the Indian Prime Minister held separate meetings with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• On platform X, he expressed his satisfaction in meeting President Biden and highlighted ongoing collaboration between India and the US for global welfare.
• The Indian Prime Minister underscored India’s dedication to representing Global South priorities, noting the upcoming Global South summits in Delhi in 2023.
• He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with G7 nations to tackle global challenges.

Technology’s Transformative Role:

• During the G7 outreach session on artificial intelligence (AI), led by Prime Minister Meloni, the Indian Prime Minister emphasized the responsible use of technology.
• He stressed India’s advocacy for international governance of AI at the G20 summit, advocating for AI to be transparent, fair, safe, accessible, and responsible.
• French President Emmanuel Macron commended PM Modi’s initiatives on AI and digital public infrastructure as significant contributions during India’s G20 presidency.
• PM Modi articulated India’s vision of achieving developed nation status by 2047, emphasizing inclusive development that benefits all segments of society.
• Addressing technology’s transformative impact, PM Modi observed its influence across various domains, from space exploration to addressing cybersecurity challenges.
• He acknowledged technology’s dual role as an enabler of human progress and a source of challenges like cybersecurity, advocating for its benefits to be equitably shared across society.
• PM Modi highlighted India’s proactive stance on AI, launching the AI Mission this year under the slogan “AI for All” and leading the Global Partnership for AI to promote international cooperation.
• On the energy front, another focus of the outreach session, he outlined India’s principles: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability.
• PM Modi underscored India’s leadership in meeting COP commitments ahead of schedule and its goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

Inclusive Growth:

• He stressed the collective responsibility to ensure that the benefits of technology reach all segments of society, eliminate inequalities, and empower individuals.
• He advocated for transforming technological monopolies into widespread use, promoting a human-centric approach that enhances human potential.

Way Forward:

• Given the current state of the G-7, India, attending for the eleventh time, may consider evaluating the effectiveness of its engagement.
• While the summit provided the Indian Prime Minister, now in his third term, an opportunity to meet with some of the world’s top leaders, the meetings themselves did not result in significant outcomes.
• Scheduled bilateral meetings with key partners like the U.S. and Canada, amidst their complex relationships, did not materialize.

Conclusion:

Many of these issues might find more suitable discussion in a broader and more inclusive forum like the G-20, while the G-7 may need to reconsider its identity and purpose in light of a rapidly evolving global power landscape.