India too is exposed to these impacts of heat stress – it is estimated that by 2030, there may be a loss of 34 million jobs out of the projected 80 million global figures and by 2050, a 2.8% loss of GDP (RBI report 2023). Since March, most parts of the country have been facing temperatures above 40° C with prolonged heatwaves. The recent shift towards heavy thunderstorms, floods and cyclones in the southern and north-eastern regions of the country is yet another alarming sign of climate change. Due to their increased intensity, magnitude, duration, and frequency, heatwaves pose a growing public health threat to the country, both through their direct health impact as well as indirect impact through social determinants.
Heatwaves are affecting a huge proportion of India’s population with health problems, including heatstroke, dehydration and worsened chronic health conditions. With over 25,000 cases of heat stroke being reported since March, hospitals have witnessed a spike in heat-related illness cases, stretching already strained public health systems. The mental health impact of heatwaves, though discussed less in the context of climate change, is also significant, commonly leading to irritability, aggression, depression, anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns, and hallucinations and psychosis in extreme cases.
The impact on social determinants of health is also intense. For instance, high temperatures have a dual effect on water availability: While there is a drought-like situation in many parts of the country causing water scarcity, there is also increased water consumption. This increases dependence on unreliable or unsafe water sources, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea. Global data indicates that climate stressors are heightening waterborne, foodborne and vector-borne disease risks, with changes in the geospatial spread of vectors. An additional 4.7 billion people globally might be at risk of malaria or dengue by 2070. Power outages due to all-time high demand, largely due to increased usage of air conditioning systems by high-income families, further diminish the quality of daily life of those who can’t afford such privileges. Such increased usage, while providing short-term respite, further contributes to rising temperatures through greenhouse gas emissions – a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
Action on climate change and health is the only solution, and there is a growing focus on all fronts – global, national, and individual. COP28, held last year in the UAE, and pledges for increased funding through the Green Climate Fund, Special Climate Change Fund and Adaptation Fund are a few of the initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of climate change. India has taken concrete measures in this regard, having signed the 2015 Paris Agreement and already exceeding two of its initial targets for renewable energy and carbon emissions reduction. National and sub-national level attention through initiatives like the launch of a focused National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health in 2019 and action on heatwaves through Ahmedabad’s pioneering climate action plan are steps in the right direction.
However, the growing magnitude of the impact of climate change on health demands an urgent multi-pronged, multidimensional and multi-sectoral approach that goes beyond healthcare, to address both immediate health risks and long-term adaptation. As an immediate step, implementation of existing state/district heat action plans should be strengthened by conducting regular reviews, real-time alerts with advisories for citizens by leveraging social media and other communication channels such as messaging services, and building the capacity of frontline health workers and community members. For those facing inadequate housing or homelessness, provision of immediate preventive and primary care is essential, along with the set-up of temporary ‘cool’ camps.In the long run, to achieve the full scope of its aspirational goals under the Paris Agreement and the Panchamrit targets, such as a 50% contribution of non-fossil fuel-based sources to the energy mix by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, there is a need to innovate, introduce, implement, and scale up ideas/models in the areas of sustainable financing, infrastructure, service delivery and technology. This can help in building a green and resilient India. For financing, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and blended financing models should be explored. While this will enable co-sharing of risks and responsibilities, it will also unlock private capital, mobilising funds to the tune of USD 12.5 trillion needed for climate action in India. In the area of infrastructure, designing health infrastructure while considering renewable energy sources and a circular economy could reduce carbon emissions. The healthcare workforce should also be engaged by skilling them to not just address climate-related health threats but also preventing illnesses due to climate impact. While policy/strategic interventions at the government level will pave the path, individuals must also play their part by actively following official government alerts and guidelines to mitigate climate-health dangers during heatwaves and taking responsibility to reducing their carbon emissions.
The author is Partner – Social Sector, PwC India
