Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A study by IIT Bhubaneswar reveals a 60% increase in warming in Indian cities due to urbanisation. The research, titled ‘Urbanization and Regional Climate Change-Linked Warming of Indian Cities,’ was published in the journal Nature Cities.
The study analysed several decades of temperature data, correlating it with urban expansion metrics. It monitored the contribution of local urbanisation and climate change using satellite images from NASA and other agencies.
The research covered 141 cities across India. Tier-2 cities in eastern India showed a higher increase in temperatures compared to other regions.
One primary reason for increased temperatures is the reduction in vegetation and green spaces, which naturally cool the environment. In contrast, concrete and asphalt retain and release heat, disrupting natural cooling.
Increased human activities, vehicular emissions, and industrial output contribute to higher greenhouse gas levels, further amplifying urban heat.
The transformation exacerbates the "urban heat island" effect, where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural counterparts. This phenomenon affects other climate parameters like rainfall and pollution.
The study projects that the urban population share will reach 68% by 2050, highlighting the need for careful urban planning and mitigation measures to address extreme temperature changes.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, India is the seventh most impacted nation by climate-related extreme weather phenomena. The study underscores India's vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing the need for both urban and large-scale interventions to mitigate warming.