The Hindu Editorial Topic-1 : Climate Crisis Disproportionately Impacts Women

GS-1 Mains 

Short Notes or Revision Notes 

 

Question : Evaluate the Supreme Court of India’s recognition of the right to a clean environment in this context . Also discuss mitigation measures and adaptation strategies to address these health challenges in the context of India’s climate action plans.

Unequal Burden:

• Women and girls experience higher health risks due to climate change.
• UNDP reports they are 14 times more likely to die in disasters than men.
• Supreme Court of India recognizes the right to a clean environment.

Impact on Rural Livelihoods:

• Agriculture, a primary source of income for rural women, is affected by climate change.
• Reduced crop yields increase food insecurity and malnutrition, especially in poor households.
• Women face increased domestic workloads, worse health, and higher rates of intimate partner violence during droughts.

Extreme Events and Gender-Based Violence:

• Increased frequency of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones puts women at risk.
• CEEW report finds 75% of Indian districts vulnerable to such disasters, impacting half of women and children residing there.
• Studies show a link between natural disasters and gender-based violence.
• Disruptions in water access due to climate change further burden women and girls.

Health Risks from Climate Change:

• Rising temperatures pose health risks, particularly for pregnant women (preterm birth, eclampsia), children, and the elderly.
• Air pollution (indoor and outdoor) harms women’s health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and affects unborn children’s development.
• Increased PM2.5 air pollution raises risks of lung cancer, cardiovascular deaths, stroke, and dementia.

Vulnerability Varies:

• Not all women are equally affected. Socioeconomic factors and location create different vulnerabilities.
• More research is needed on these intersectionalities.

Importance of Women in Climate Action:

• Women’s empowerment leads to better climate solutions:
  • Studies show women increase agricultural yields by 20-30% with equal access to resources.
  • Tribal and rural women are often at the forefront of environmental conservation.
  • Supporting women’s knowledge, tools, and resource access fosters local solutions.
• Adaptation strategies need to consider differences between rural and urban contexts.

Addressing Heatwaves and Water Shortage

Immediate Actions for Heatwaves:

• Focus on protecting vulnerable groups: outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants, children, and elderly.
• Issue heatwave warnings based on local temperature and humidity.
• Adjust work and school hours during heatwaves.
• Set up cooling rooms in health facilities.
• Provide public drinking water facilities.
• Train personnel to treat heatstroke.

Long-Term Heatwave Strategies:

• Increase urban tree cover.
• Minimize use of concrete in urban planning.
• Create green spaces and blue spaces (water bodies) in cities.
• Design heat-resistant housing (e.g., reflective roof paint reduces indoor temperature).

Water Shortage – A Pressing Threat:

• Water scarcity is a major threat requiring societal action.
• Traditional rainwater harvesting systems (ponds and canals) offer solutions.
• S. Swaminathan Research Foundation’s work in Tamil Nadu demonstrates effective water management using:
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping water sources and vulnerabilities.
  • Local plans for improved water access through government schemes and resources.

Community-Led Solutions:

• Effective action can happen at the village (panchayat) level.
• Empower panchayats and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through:
  • Devolution of powers and finances.
  • Capacity building for members.

Gender Lens in Climate Action:

• State action plans (NAPCC & SAPCC) need a gender focus.
• These plans often portray women as victims, neglecting their potential as agents of change.
• Revisions of SAPCCs should:
  • Recognize women’s vulnerabilities and agency.
  • Implement gender-transformative strategies for climate adaptation.
  • Move beyond stereotypes and ensure equity.
• Women can be leaders in climate action, not just victims.

 

The Hindu Editorial Topic-12: The corridor of Kolkata’s bypass urbanism

GS-1 Mains 

Short Notes or Revision Notes 

 

Question : Analyze the role of colonialism, the Green Revolution, and neoliberalism in shaping urbanization in India. Discuss how these phases have contributed to unequal outcomes in urban expansion.

Urbanisation in India: A tale of three phases and growing disparity

Urbanisation shaped by three factors

• Colonialism (Pre-Independence): Played a key role in creating urban spaces.
• Green Revolution (1970s): Consolidated these urban spaces.
• Neoliberalism (1990s): Further accelerated urban expansion.

Unequal Outcomes

• Wealth generated from these revolutions led to unequal urban expansion.
• Newer forms of consumer culture emerged in urban spaces.
• This resulted in drastic changes in housing, health, and education sectors, but not for all.

Case Study: Kolkata

• Pre-colonial Calcutta: Described as congested and decaying.
• Solution: Salt Lake City
  • A planned city built as an enclave within Calcutta.
  • Meant to be a solution to congestion and poverty.
• Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (EM Bypass) construction (1980s)
  • Aimed to decongest the city.
  • Led to new commercial hubs and high-income areas along the bypass.
  • Created a socio-spatial hierarchy with exclusive zones for the rich.

Impact of Bypass Development

• Positive impacts:
  • Increased flow of goods, people, and ideas.
  • Eased traffic congestion in some areas.
• Negative impacts:
  • Created a divide between rich and poor.
  • Marginalised existing low-income communities.
  • Led to the development of ghettos and social exclusion.

Urban Outcasts

• The bypass became a hub for luxury apartments, malls, etc., catering to the rich.
• Residents of nearby slums became ‘urban outcasts’ due to the stark contrast.
• This reflects the creation of a socio-spatial hierarchical system in the city.
• The development disrupted the existing social fabric and created new inequalities.

Terminology: Bypass Urbanism

• A new term to describe the development pattern seen in Kolkata.
• unplanned and sporadic development alongside bypasses.
• Creates exclusive zones for the wealthy, marginalizing existing residents.

Roads and Social Change

• Traditionally, roads connect places and facilitate movement.
• Historian David Arnold argues that roads are more than just infrastructure.
  • They represent the exercise of power.
  • They are sites of social interaction and conflict.
• Bypasses serve a specific purpose of decongestion but can have unintended consequences.
  • They can create social and economic divides.

Conclusion

• Urban infrastructure development in India has often led to social segregation.
• The case of Kolkata highlights the negative aspects of bypass development.
• It is important to consider the social impact of urban planning decisions.

 

The Text and Context Topic : The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells

GS-3 Mains 

Revision Notes or Short Notes 

Question : Examine the reasons behind China’s dominance as a leading exporter of solar PV cells and modules.

India’s Solar Power Push: Boosting Domestic Manufacturing

Import Restrictions on Solar PV Cells

• Recent government orders aim to increase local sourcing of solar modules.
• This follows the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) re-implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) list.

The ALMM List

• Identifies manufacturers eligible to supply solar modules for government projects.
• Initially implemented in 2021 but put on hold due to concerns from renewable power producers who relied on cheaper Chinese imports.
• Re-introduced due to the belief that India’s domestic sector is now more competitive.

India’s Reliance on Solar PV Imports

• India heavily relies on imports, primarily from China and Vietnam.
• Over $11 billion worth of solar cells and modules imported in the past five years.
• China accounts for over 80% of manufacturing capacity across the solar PV supply chain.

India’s Policy Response

• ALMM list notification (2019).
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (2022) to boost domestic manufacturing.
• Imposition of customs duty on solar modules (later reduced).

Why is China a Leading Exporter?

• Lower electricity costs for the industry.
• Government prioritizes solar PV as a strategic sector.
• Large domestic demand enables economies of scale and innovation.

The Scope of Solar Power in India

• Ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
• India has the fastest rate of growth in electricity demand among major economies.
• Solar power a significant contributor to renewable energy generation.
• High potential for further development (estimated 748.99 GW).