Lok Sabha Question No. 4042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Impact of Climate Change and Globalization
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Balak Nath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4042 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## Impact of Climate Change and Globalization

## 4042.   SHRI BALAK NATH:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased tostate:

- (a) whether  the  State  of  Rajasthan  is  facing  double  whammy  of  climate  change  and globalization and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  unprecedented  rise  in  the  temperature  in  India  is  likely  to  adversely impact  the  hydrological  system,  environment,  sea  level,  food  grain  production  and other related aspects in Rajasthan and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether any study has been conducted on the ill-effects of climate change on human health and agriculture and if so, the details and the finding thereof;
- (d) whether the Union Government has launched academic study programme on climate change in consultation with the State Government and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the district-wise details of the funds provided to Rajasthan for the purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) Climate change is a global collective action problem of dealing with the consequences of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  leading  to  global  warming.  Globalization  is  an  economic phenomenon arising from increased commercial, industrial and financial interactions between countries, with many large firms and enterprises of various kinds functioning in many regions of  the  world.  Both  are  global  phenomena,  but  their  causes  and  consequences  are  very different.

The Government of India's economic and other policies are intended to benefit from globalization utilizing various  opportunities as  well  as minimizing the negative effects and impacts when they arise. This applies to all States in the country, ensuring the benefits and opportunities  for  all  as  well  as  minimizing  the  impact  on  the  State-level  economy.  The Government  of  India's  climate  policy  is  intended  to  protect  our  citizens  from  direct  and indirect  impacts  due  to  the  consequences  of  climate  change  as  well  as  adapting  to  such change. It is also intended to develop India along a low carbon pathway to ensure that India contributes  its  due  share  to  global  mitigation  of  GHG  emissions  while  also  ensuring development  and  growth.  All  State  Governments  are  also  actively  involved  in  the  same through the State  Action Plans on Climate Change.  Different States contribute in different ways to mitigation depending on their regional circumstances, while the burden of climate adaptation varies depending on their geographies and economic circumstances.

(b) and (c) The Government is seized of the matter. Studies show that average temperature over  India  has  warmed  around  0.7˚C  during  1901-2018  and  similar  warming  has  been observed in the sea-surface temperature in the tropical Indian Ocean by 1˚C for 1951-2015. The rise in temperature is gradual. The rise in extreme events is attributed to the complex earth system interactions due to global warming and regional anthropogenic influences.

The  impact  of  climate  change  on  agriculture  and  human  health  sectors  is  being assessed by the relevant Ministries. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has initiated a network project, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) in 2011 to study and address the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture. As per the studies under NICRA, rainfed rice yields in India are projected to reduce marginally (<2.5%) in 2050 and 2080 and irrigated rice yields by 7% in 2050 and 10% in 2080 scenarios. Wheat yield is projected to reduce by 6-25% in 2100 and maize yield by 18-23%. Climate change is likely to benefit chickpeas with an increase in productivity (23-54%).

The  Government  has  initiated  the  National  Programme  on  Climate  Change  and Human  Health.  The  programme  aims  to  reduce  morbidity,  mortality,  injuries,  and  health vulnerability  among  the  population  in  the  country  due  to  climate  variability  and  extreme weather. The Indian Council for Medical Research has constituted a committee to identify priority areas of research and initiated the work under three Task Force Groups viz, (i) Vector Borne Diseases (ii) Eye Health & (iii) Respiratory Diseases.

Further, under the National Knowledge Network programme on 'Climate Change and Human  Health',  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  has  published  a  report  in thematic  areas  of  vector-borne  diseases  and  heat  stress  &  health  and  same  is  available  on website at the link: https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Report\_DST\_CC\_Health.pdf.

(d) and (e) The concept of climate change has already been incorporated in the curriculum/textbooks  developed  by  the  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and Training (NCERT) for Social Sciences/Geography for classes VII and XI. Topics on climate change have also been incorporated in the NCERT's Science Textbooks for classes VIII and IX  and  Biology  Textbook  for  class  XII.NCERT  has  been  organizing  in-service  teachers' capacity building programmes in Geography as well as in Social Sciences where teachers are sensitized over the issues related to climate change.

The  Government  is  combating  climate  change  through  its  several  programs  and schemes.  This  includes  implementation  of  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change (NAPCC)  which  comprises  missions  in  specific  areas  of  solar  energy,  energy  efficiency, water,  agriculture,  Himalayan  ecosystem,  sustainable  habitat,  green  India,  and  strategic knowledge  on  climate  change.  The  NAPCC  provides  an  overarching  framework  for  all climate actions. Thirty-three States/Union Territories have prepared their State Action Plan on  Climate  Change  (SAPCC)  in  line  with  NAPCC  taking  into  account  the  State  specific issues  relating  to  climate  change.  These  SAPCCs  outline sector-specific  and  cross-sectoral priority  actions,  including  adaptation.  The  Government  is  also  implementing  the  scheme, 'National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC)' to support adaptation measures of States/UTs  including  Rajasthan  in  areas  that  are  particularly  vulnerable  to  the  adverse impacts of climate change. A project titled 'Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyaan for climate change adaptation and water harvesting in Arthuna, Anandpuri and Sajjangarh blocks of district Banswara'under NAFCC has been sanctioned for Rajasthan at a total cost of Rs. 24.97 crore.

*****