World Environment Day Special : Democratise Thermal Comfort
Down To Earth| June 16, 2022
45 In cities vulnerable to heat, thermal comfort is crucial to one's health, well-being and productivity. Building wisely can not only ensure it for all, but also decarbonise the built environment to help mitigate global warming. An analysis by Mitashi Singh, Sugeet Grover, Rajneesh Sareen And Anumita Roychowdhury
Mitashi Singh, Sugeet Grover, Rajneesh Sareen And Anumita Roychowdhury
World Environment Day Special : Democratise Thermal Comfort

This summer, the impact of climate change has become more evident for India, and so does the scale of the challenges ahead. Millions suffered under extreme heatwaves that started unusually early in March, pushing the average temperature of the month to 33.1°C, the warmest in 122 years. Till the first week of June, 17 states and Union territories have recorded heatwaves, with several of them experiencing hotter- and longer-than-the usual hot spell The Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh experienced its first intense heatwave since 1970, as per EnviStats 2022, an annual report by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Data with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that the state has since March experienced third highest days of heatwaves, after Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Such events, once considered freakish, are going to become commonplace as heatwaves become more frequent and can be 25 times longer in the coming decades, between 2036 and 2065, warns the G20 Climate Risk Atlas for India, released in 2021. While extreme heat beyond 35°C can lead to serious health problems, its effects get compounded when relative humidity also increases. In a hot weather, our body works to maintain tolerable temperature by sweating. But if it is humid, the sweat cannot evaporate as quickly, crippling the body's cooling method. This adds to thermal stress and can cause medical emergencies.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 16, 2022-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 16, 2022-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS DOWN TO EARTHAlle anzeigen
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024