CLIMATE CARE - NORTHEAST INDIA

  MONOJ GOGOI Severe sandstorms become a major cause of disruption in normal life in several Middle East countries including Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The sandstorms have compelled the authorities to close the schools, offices and airports in many parts. Heavy amount of dust in the wind causes low visibility and difficulty arises in driving motor vehicles also. People in thousands are facing respiratory problems for inhaling polluted air and immediately admitted in to hospitals. Although exact causes of the sandstorms are still unknown but massive deforestation and climate change can be attributed at this time.

A report of Christian Aid reveals drought is a present danger to some of the poorest people in the world and it threatens their lives and livelihoods, from Harare in Zimbabwe to London and the South East.     In a recent press release on the report the organization says without action to cut emissions and better management of freshwater resources, Christian Aid warns the toll will be felt acutely by the poor. Christian Aid is calling for and an international fund to pay for climate caused loss and damage.  The report is supported by polling that shows UK public believe that rich countries should pay to mitigate the impact of drought (36%) while almost half (49%) of adults are now concerned about the impact of drought on people in the UK.  As a heatwave heads to the UK, and Indian cities battle with record temperatures, a new report from Christian Aid highlights how the climate crisis is increasing the severity of drought in ten of the world’s major ci...

MONOJ GOGOI  Several parts of India have been undergoing severe heatwaves since April and this year April becomes hottest April after eight decades. News reports, national and international, claim that more than 25 people have died so far due to high atmospheric temperatures.  On the one hand mercury level is going up and simultaneously power cuts become a major issue particularly in northern and western states of the country. The cause of the disruption in supply of electricity is identified as limited coal storage in coal-based thermal power plants. In the last two years power consumption was relatively lower in the country due to the lockdowns imposed understanding the gravity of Covid-19 situations. But for this year the government did not pay much attention this issue and some issues arose in grids too. But the point is to be speculated here is that the combustion of fossil fuels, coal and gas, emit immense amount of Green House Gases to atmosphere which contributes in in...