The world has experienced a surge in environmental disasters, many of which are attributed to human activities. These events have caused significant loss of life and property, posing severe challenges to global sustainability efforts. India has also faced a rise in such disasters, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive environmental strategies.
2023 was recorded as the hottest year, with global temperatures rising 1.46°C above pre-industrial levels. This unprecedented heat has fueled climate-related disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and extreme heatwaves. For instance, wildfires in Canada and Greece were intensified by global warming, releasing vast amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere.
In 2024, extreme weather continued to impact the globe, with floods in over 45 countries, causing more than 1,000 deaths and displacing millions. These floods were driven by rising sea levels, heavy rainfall, and melting snowpacks, all exacerbated by climate change.
Massive clearing of forests, such as in the Amazon, contributes to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and increased GHG emissions. The excessive use of plastics endangered marine life and contaminated the food chain. Besides this, the over-extraction of minerals and fossil fuels caused habitat destruction, groundwater depletion, and erosion that destabilized ecosystems.
Climate change is further intensifying its devastating impacts. The world has experienced severe floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, resulting in thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and significant damage to infrastructure and the economy. The frequency and intensity of such disasters have been rising, with nearly daily extreme weather events in 2023.
The increasing frequency with high severity of such events strain resources, disrupt ecosystems, and hinder the progress on key indicators. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the climate crisis, emphasizing the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts.
India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s “EnviStats India 2024” report emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to mitigate environmental degradation. The rising frequency of climate-related disasters underscores the importance of addressing climate change through collective global action, emphasizing sustainable practices, reducing emissions, and adapting to the changing climate. Only through such efforts coupled with strong international cooperation, the hope to safeguard this beautiful planet for future generations can survive.