The Hot Women campaign is about Indian women recognising the crucial role
they can play in the global warming debate. Our attitude to our planet
is vital for its survival.
The
Impact of Climate Change on India
With its growing
population (the second largest in the world) and as a country that is
already facing tremendous pressures due to rapid development India is
particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change from storm surges,
droughts and floods. Not only will this lead to changes in forestry and
vegetation, it will also lead to an increase in the incidences of malaria.
With
a coast line of over 700 kilometers, a one meter rise in sea level could
displace millions of people. It is estimated that the total number of
flood zone refuges could reach anywhere between 20 million and 60 million
people. Areas particularly prone to flooding include the Sunderbans Islands
at the great delta in the Bay of Bengal, home to the legendary Bengal
Tiger.
In
2005 the state of Marahashta was hit by the hardest monsoon rains ever
recorded at nearly a metre in 24 hours resulting in extreme flooding throughout
the state, in particular in Mumbai.
While
the per capita carbon dioxide emissions of India are about a sixth of
the US, these have almost doubled since 1990m with coal consumption tripling
since 1980. Furhermore The International Energy Agency expects this consumption
to double from 2002 levels by the year 2020. At present renewable energy
resources make up only around 6.5% of the total power generation.
