INCREASING TEMPERATURE IN NE
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Context: India's North East is experiencing record-breaking temperatures due to global warming, El Niño, and decreasing forest cover.
Temperature Trends in the North East
- Last week, several stations in the North East recorded their highest-ever maximum temperatures, with departures from normal temperatures exceeding 6 degrees Celsius in many places.
- Over the years, the average annual mean temperatures in the North East have increased by 0.67 to 1.06 degrees Celsius between 1901 and 2023, with Nagaland experiencing the highest rise and Meghalaya the lowest.
Factors Contributing to Rising Temperatures
- Global Warming: Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from human activities like burning fossil fuels, have led to global warming. The Indian subcontinent has witnessed a temperature increase of 0.7 degrees Celsius since 1900.
- El Niño: Abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean can trigger extreme heat events, contributing to record-breaking temperatures. El Niño was a factor in the recent temperature spike in the Northeast.
- Decreasing Forest Cover: Reductions in forest cover, possibly due to land use changes, can exacerbate heat by altering surface characteristics, leading to increased absorption of heat.
Future Projections and Implications
- Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures in the Northeast are projected to surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold established in the Paris Agreement by 2035-2040.
- Higher temperatures result in increased evaporation, leading to a warmer atmosphere that can hold more moisture. This can lead to intensified rainfall events, increasing the risk of flooding. For every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture.
- States like Mizoram, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh are among the most vulnerable to climate risks, including increased rainfall and floods.
Conclusion
- The record-breaking temperatures in India's northeast are indicative of broader climate change trends driven by global warming, El Niño events, and local factors like deforestation. Without concerted efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, the region is likely to face more extreme weather events and increased vulnerability in the future.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. In light of the complex relationships between climate change and geopolitical dynamics, such as competition for resources, migration trends, and amplification of conflicts, what are the strategies that international policymakers can employ to promote cooperative governance structures and reduce the likelihood of climate-related geopolitical instability on a worldwide level? |
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