GS Analyst: Daily Editorial In Brief

Context:

As India faces predictions of a hotter summer and longer heat waves, the country must address the impending water stress exacerbated by climate change. While past responses often focused on acute crises, a shift towards understanding and responding to chronic risks is imperative.

Challenges of Water Stress and Climate Change:

• Nature of Climatic Shocks: India must move from reactive responses to climate disasters like water crises in Bengaluru towards understanding the evolving nature of climatic shocks. These include sudden shocks such as heavy rainfall and rapid declines in water availability, as well as slow-onset stresses like changes in rainfall patterns.
• Impact on Economic Sectors: Climate change affects multiple sectors, including agriculture and energy, and has significant economic implications. For instance, agriculture, employing 45% of India's workforce, faces challenges like erratic rainfall patterns affecting crop cycles and irrigation.
• Water and Clean Energy Transition: Water plays a crucial role in the transition to clean energy. Technologies like green hydrogen production and pumped storage hydropower require significant water resources. Balancing clean energy needs with water availability is crucial for sustainable development.

Water Flows through the Economy:

• Interconnectedness of Water Systems: Water connects various systems such as agriculture, energy, and food production. Precipitation influences soil moisture, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, impacting food production and energy generation.
• Vulnerability of Agriculture: Despite advancements, agriculture remains highly vulnerable to climate change. Changes in rainfall patterns affect crop cycles and yields, influencing food security and economic stability.
• Role in Clean Energy: Water is essential for clean energy technologies like green hydrogen production and pumped storage hydropower. However, these technologies also impact water resources and must be managed sustainably.

The Ingredients of Water Security:

• Integrated Water Governance: Policies need to recognize the interconnections between water, food, and energy systems. However, current policies often overlook this nexus, leading to inefficiencies in resource management.
• Efficient Water Use: India must focus on water accounting and efficient water use. Policies like the National Water Mission aim to increase water use efficiency, but a lack of baseline data hampers effective planning and implementation.
• Financial Instruments for Adaptation: Adequate funding for climate adaptation in the water sector is essential. India needs to increase investments in climate-resilient practices such as wastewater management and desalination plants. Financial tools like the Green Credit Programme can help bridge the funding gap.

Context:

The urgent need for climate action and sustainable development requires a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with large-scale renewable energy projects. While India aims for Net Zero GHG emissions by 2070, primarily through a massive transition to renewable energy, the implications of such a transition on local and national development remain uncertain.

Examining Large-scale Solar Parks:

• Local-level Impacts: The expansion of large-scale solar parks, a key component of India's mitigation strategy, presents varied experiences for local communities. In areas like Bhadla, Rajasthan, and Pavagada, Karnataka, farmers face different outcomes, ranging from loss of common lands and livelihoods to steady income from leasing land for solar parks. These experiences underscore the importance of addressing economic disparities and water security issues at the local level.
• Resource Competition: Solar park development may compete for essential resources such as water and land, impacting agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Current estimates for solar park land do not consider water availability, leading to potential conflicts with agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the impacts of large-scale solar projects on biodiversity and ecosystem services are under-researched and location-specific.
• Social and Environmental Considerations: Legal and regulatory frameworks need revision to mitigate adverse social and environmental consequences. Community ownership models and involvement in planning processes can promote equitable development and address concerns regarding land acquisition and fair compensation. Strengthening environmental impact assessments and recognizing commons under the Forest Rights Act can enhance environmental and equity outcomes.

Different Approaches to Mitigate Challenges:

• Ownership Models: Encouraging community ownership of renewable energy projects can generate revenue, stimulate local economies, and improve energy access. This approach fosters inclusivity and aligns with local developmental objectives.
• Innovation in Solar Development: Experimenting with 'agrivoltaics', combining solar energy with agriculture, offers a sustainable approach to renewable energy development. Agrivoltaics not only produce energy but also support agriculture, grazing, and native habitats, promoting environmental and economic sustainability.
• Skill Development and Employment: While large-scale renewable energy projects offer employment opportunities, they also lead to significant employment shifts. Skilling and training programs targeting unskilled and marginalized populations are crucial to ensure inclusive development and protect vulnerable communities.

Context:

The importance of nature-based learning in school education is increasingly recognized worldwide for its positive impact on children's well-being and environmental stewardship. However, implementing such pedagogies faces challenges and requires concerted efforts from educators and policymakers.

Quantifying Earth System Boundaries:

• Planetary Boundaries: The Earth Commission quantified boundaries for nine processes regulating Earth's stability, including climate change, land-system change, and freshwater use. Research indicates that six of these boundaries are being crossed, highlighting the urgency of rethinking education policies to include nature-based learning.
• Integrating Local Ecosystems: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) emphasizes learning beyond climate literacy to include local ecosystems, biodiversity, and community struggles. Understanding the interconnectedness of natural systems fosters a deeper connection with the environment and promotes environmental stewardship.
• Challenges and Solutions: Implementing nature-based learning faces hurdles such as access to nature, structural barriers, and the need for trained educators. However, initiatives like 'Nature Classrooms' and youth conservation networks train teachers and establish nature programs, demonstrating the potential for meaningful engagement with nature in education.

Creating Nature-Based Learning Spaces:

• Practitioner Initiatives: Various organizations and practitioners across India are championing nature-based education. Initiatives like 'Nature Classrooms' in Karnataka and training programs by the Youth Conservation Action Network empower teachers to integrate nature-based learning into the curriculum.
• Pedagogy of Engagement: Nature-based education emphasizes direct engagement with nature, which enhances literacy and conservation attitudes. Professor Ming Kuo highlights the effectiveness of place-based pedagogy, tailored to local landscapes and ecosystems.
• Urgency and Political Will: Nature-based learning must become an integral part of school education to address the collapsing Earth systems. Communities and practitioners are ready to implement such policies, but political will is crucial for mainstream adoption.