What are the challenges faced by India due to climate change

Discuss the reasons why India is vulnerable to climate change, and its effect on the country's population.
India is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with serious impacts on its population, environment, and economy. Here are some of the key challenges faced by India due to climate change:
  • Rising temperatures: India is experiencing an increase in average temperatures, leading to heat waves that have a negative impact on human health and agriculture.
  • Erratic rainfall: Climate change is causing changes in the monsoon patterns, leading to droughts and floods, causing damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.
  • Sea level rise: India's extensive coastline makes it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, leading to erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion, affecting agriculture and settlements.
  • Glacial melt: The Himalayas hold the largest concentration of glaciers outside of the polar regions, with climate change causing them to shrink at an alarming rate, threatening the flow of major rivers that millions depend on for water and energy.
These impacts are exacerbated by the fact that India is heavily reliant on agriculture, which is acutely sensitive to climate change, and that millions of the rural population still live in poverty and with limited access to basic resources and services, making them vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Additionally, poor governance, inadequate infrastructure, and limited technological capacity add to the challenges faced by India in addressing climate change.
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