Kerala, Puducherry Recorded Worst Climate Shift Index Levels From June To August: Study

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands experienced more than three degrees higher temperatures, among the highest in the world, from June to August this year, a new report claimed on Thursday (August 7). The report prepared by Climate Central said the three Indian territories experienced more than three or higher Climate Shift Index levels for more than 60 days due to climate change. The Climate Shift Index compares observed or forecast temperatures to those generated by models which remove the influence of human-caused climate change. In a statement, it says,

Three Indian states experienced more than 60 days at CSI level 3 or higher: Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar. Eleven Indian states experienced average temperatures 1°C or more above the long-term (1991-2020) average and five Indian states had a summer average CSI above 3: Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Goa.

Also Read: United Nations Chief Heat Officer Says Warming Cities Pose Potential To Be Major Killers

Based in New Jersey, Climate Central claims to be an independent group of scientists and communicators who research and report the facts about our changing climate and how it affects people’s lives.

According to it, approximately 7.95 billion people–98 per cent of the entire human population—experienced temperatures that were made at least two times more likely by heat-trapping carbon pollution in the earth’s atmosphere during the hottest boreal summer in recorded history.

As per the report, the countries with the lowest historical emissions experienced three to four times higher seasonal temperatures during June-August days than the world’s largest economies.

Also Read: Time To Act: Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi Calls For Immediate Action On Climate Change

The report said that almost half of the world’s population (48 per cent), or over 3.8 billion people, experienced at least 30 days of significantly warmer temperatures in June and August due to human-caused climate change.

The analysis shows that countries that felt the strongest effects of climate change have contributed the least to carbon pollution.

At least 1.5 billion people felt the strong influence of climate change every day from June 1 to August 31, 2023, it said. The report said,

The influence of climate change was inequitably distributed throughout the world, with residents of G20 nations exposed, on average during the period, to 17 days of temperatures made at least three times more likely. Meanwhile, residents of the United Nations’ Least Developed countries (47 days) and Small Island Developing States (65) were exposed to far more days of three or above on the Climate Shift Index.

Also Read: Current Climate Policies Not Enough To Meet Paris Targets: Lancet Study

According to Dr Andrew Pershing, Vice President for Science, Climate Central, virtually no one on Earth escaped the effects of climate change. He said,

In every country we could analyse, including the southern hemisphere where this is the coolest time of year, we saw temperatures that would be difficult–and in some cases nearly impossible–without human-caused climate change. Carbon pollution is clearly responsible for this season’s record-setting heat.

Kerala experienced a weakened southwest monsoon this year and recorded more than-average temperatures from June to August. The state is also facing a possible drought if the North-West Monsoon also fails.

Also Read: Climate Change And Air Pollution Must Be Tackled Together: World Meteorological Organization

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.