Kolkata's Battle with Heat Waves 2024 | A Wake-up Call to Climate Change
Kolkata's Battle with Heat Waves 2024 | A Wake-up Call to Climate Change Introduction : The Growing Threat of Urbanization: Kolkata, one of India's bustling metropolises, is grappling with an alarming rise in heat waves. This surge in temperatures is not merely a weather anomaly but a stark reminder of the looming threat of climate change. Town planners are sounding the alarm, cautioning against the unchecked pace of urbanization that exacerbates this heat crisis. The call for action is clear: the creation of more green spaces is imperative to mitigate the adverse effects of rapid urban development. The Heat Wave Reality: India's rapid industrialization and urbanization are fueling the frequency and intensity of heat waves. Urban Land Cover Change (ULCC) is on the rise, leading to higher Land Surface Temperature (LST) and air temperature. The year 2023 marked the hottest on record, with global temperatures soaring above pre-industrial levels. Climate sci...