UPSC Express

Spread of CO2 over India
Satellite imagery revealed that in India :-

• Southern India and the western coast has somewhat lower CO2 concentrations between 395 ppm and 400 ppm.
• Central and northern regions registered between 400 and 405 ppm.
• Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh has CO2 concentrations between 405 ppm and 410 ppm.

Reason
Possible reasons for higher CO2 concentration over India:-

• Lack of a CO2 sink.
• Point sources like forest fires or biomass burning.
• Gaseous transport from neighbouring regions.

Sources of CO2
1. Natural sources

• Decomposition
• Ocean release
• Respiration

2. Human sources

• Industrial emissions
• Vehicular emissions
• Forest fire
• Deforestation
• Burning of fossils like coal,gas.

Impacts
Some of the impacts of rise in CO2 Concentration are:-

• Increase in global temperature.
• Melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
• Rise in sea level.
• Change in the climatic patterns of the world.
• Increase in instances of extreme rainfall.
• Moisture and temperature create favourable conditions for disease outbreaks( like Malaria)
• Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.
• Floods and droughts will be more common.
• Availability of fresh water will be less.

Way Forward

• The recent rise in CO2 concentration is a cause of concern for India.
• But India is committed to fulfil its INDC’s(Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) by following ways :-

1. Creating awareness among people
2. Afforestation drive
3. Implementing Bharat stage IV vehicular emissions norms
4. Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna( LPG to every Indian household) will truly materialise the India’s vision.