Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 242 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a figure
2024 was the 3rd consecutive year in which India witnessed severe heatwaves, which had critical implications for economy, society, etc.
I) Factors behind UHIs
Body · points and prose
- Heavily concretized Buildings ↳ glass panels trap heat ↳ Reclamation of tree cover
- Transportation ↳ Heavy emission of pollutions & heat ↳ Outdated engines challenge
- Cooling needs ↳ today, ACs have become a necessity ↳ Individual cooling units → Heat ↑ of machines
(4) lack of Blue-Green-Infra ↳ wetlands have been encroached (Eg: mumbai lost >3/4th wetlands in 1970-2015) (5) Lack of Integrated Planning ↳ Unplanned chawls, urban sprawls, etc.
II) Implications of UHIs
(1) Exacerbated heat waves on land + marine heatwaves. ↳ (Intensified cyclones in Arabian sea) (2) loss to human productivity & GDP loss (shutdowns, etc) (3) Health Issues
Close · a way forward
| lethargy | Heat Shocks | Even fatality |
The bigger issue at hand is that the vulnerable sections are more impacted by this havoc as they lack the cushion which we 'haves' possess.
III. Existing mitigation Strategies
(I) White Painting
(II) Sparse Tree Planting
(III) Green Nets
Singapore model: (⊕) [centralized] + [underground] Cooling systems to reduce heat generation + trapping its outflow
↳ There is a need to go ahead with Region-specific mitigation plan rather than 'one size-fits all approach'. The issue of UIs definitely needs a much comprehensive outlook.
IV. Changes Required
(I) Dedicated Building Codes (BIS)
(II) miyawaki forestry (III) Intense investment on Blue-Green Infra
[China's Sponge City Experiment]