Satyajit Roy, SurakshitBharatAbhiyan.org. 01 Nov 2024

Leading Indian dailies announced today 01 November 2024; “India may face 25% GDP loss by ’70 due to climate change: Study. By 2070, climate change could result in a 24.7% GDP loss for India and a 16.9% GDP loss for the Asia-Pacific region due to rising sea levels and reduced productivity. Up to 300 million people in the region could be at risk from coastal inundation, and trillions of dollars’ worth of coastal assets could face annual damage by 2070.”

The new research, presented in the inaugural issue of ADB’s “Asia-Pacific Climate Report”, details a series of damaging impacts threatening the region. “Climate change has supercharged the devastation from tropical storms, heat waves and floods in the region, contributing to unprecedented economic challenges and human suffering,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. Rising sea levels and decreasing labour productivity would drive the most significant losses, with lower-income and fragile economies being hit the hardest. Urgent, well-coordinated climate action addressing these impacts is necessary before it is too late, he said.

What Citizen Can Do To Help Fight GDP Losses Due Climate Change

With predictions of up to a 25% GDP loss in India by 2027 due to climate change, ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ aims to mobilize citizens to engage in loss prevention activities that can be measured and contribute to the national ‘Gross Domestic Loss Prevention Index’. Here’s how citizens can participate:

Public Infrastructure Protection

• Monitoring and Reporting: Participate in community programs to monitor the condition of public infrastructure and promptly report damages or risks.
• Maintenance Drives: Organize community maintenance drives for local roads, bridges, and public buildings to prevent deterioration.

Safeguarding Public Property

• Vigilance Committees: Form local vigilance committees to protect public property from vandalism or misuse.
• Community Clean-ups: Engage in regular clean-up activities to maintain parks, schools, and other public spaces.

Supporting Public Projects

• Volunteer Participation: Contribute time and skills to government-initiated projects focused on climate resilience, such as flood defenses or green energy installations.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Provide constructive feedback to improve the efficiency and impact of public projects.

Disaster Risk Reduction

• Training and Drills: Participate in disaster preparedness training and drills organized by local authorities to ensure quick and effective responses.
• Risk Assessments: Assist in community risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and develop action plans.

Data Collection and Contribution

• Citizen Science Initiatives: Engage in citizen science projects to collect data on climate impacts, contributing valuable information for national assessments.
• Use of Technology: Utilize apps and platforms provided by ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ to report environmental changes and risks.

Enhancing Urban Resilience

• Green Roofs and Walls: Encourage the adoption of green roofs and walls in urban areas to reduce heat and improve air quality.
• Community Gardens: Support the development of community gardens to enhance local food security and biodiversity.

Citizens’ actions not only help protect and preserve public infrastructure, property and projects but also contribute to the ‘Gross Domestic Loss Prevention Index’. By actively participating in these initiatives, citizens play a crucial role in reducing the economic impacts of climate change and building a more resilient nation.