Current Climate Changes in India: Reasons and Solutions

Introduction

Climate change is one of the major challenges that humanity is facing in the 21st century. It can no longer be considered a future challenge, since its harmful effects are already being experienced across nations. Rising temperatures, longer heat waves, more frequent rainfall spells and high-intensity floods and droughts, more intense tropical cyclones, retreating glaciers, and rising sea levels have all now become regular events. Thus, climate change is an existential threat—for ecosystems, agriculture, water resources, public health and economies—with even the most developed countries facing significant impacts (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2023). While the Planet has undergone natural climate fluctuations over the geological timescale, human-induced external activities are primarily responsible for most of the observed warming in recent decades. Since the Industrial Revolution, global coal, oil, and natural gas consumption has increased significantly, leading to a rise in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels as a by-product of heavy industrialisation, land use, and significant deforestation. These gases prevent heat from escaping into space and therefore lead to an increasingly average surface temperature of the planet. There is little space for doubt that, since the beginning of the industrial era (see Methods), human influence has been the main driver of observable changes in other components of the climate system (IPCC 2023; Forster et al. 2025). Climate change, therefore, is mainly seen as an environmental problem having social and economic implications—affecting development—that requires coordinated efforts from governments, industry, academia and individuals. This approach examines the main drivers of climate change, its impacts on natural and human systems, and the range of solutions that can reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening resilience to future climate-related hazards.

Climate Change: An Overview

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including shifts in average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind patterns, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Climate is the mean average of weather observations for any place over a long period, ranging from hundreds to thousands of years (IPCC, 2023). There has always been natural climate variability over long timescales due to factors such as volcanic eruptions, solar activity, and variations in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt. However, the warming observed over the last century is fundamentally different, as it has occurred many times faster and is driven primarily by anthropogenic activities rather than natural climate variability. Since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—to generate electricity, power industrial activities, and fuel transportation has increased manifold. Simultaneously, vast tracts of woodland have been cleared to make space for farmland, new towns and roads. Moreover, large emissions of significant quantities of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere— mainly CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O have resulted from these practices (UNEP, 2024). Greenhouse gases play an essential role in sustaining life on Earth by retaining some of the Sun's heat and trapping it within the Earth's atmosphere; otherwise, the planet would experience an ice age. This natural process is known as the greenhouse effect. However, when the concentrations of these gases exceed their natural levels, they trap excessive heat in the atmosphere. As a result, the Earth becomes warmer, climate systems are disrupted, and the risk of severe weather events increases.

Current Reasons for Climate Change

The recent trend of rapidly changing climate on Earth is due to human actions that increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Although climate can be affected in the short term by natural forces like volcanic eruptions or solar activity, scientists say these effects are too small to account for 20th-century warming. From the mid-20th century onward, human activities have been the main driver of global warming (IPCC 2023). The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas is a big contributor to local weather change. They are commonly used for electricity generation, transportation and the everyday energy needs of advanced civilizations. Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂)—the primary long-lived greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. This leads to a greater buildup of CO₂ in the atmosphere that captures even more heat, increasing the Earth's average temperature. However, fossil fuels still account for the majority of global energy supply and remain the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions (International Energy Agency [IEA], 2025), despite qualitative changes in our dependence on renewable energy sources.

Another major cause of climate change has been deforestation. The forests capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in trees and soil—representing one of the largest carbon sinks. In India, as in many parts of the world, forests are being converted for agriculture, livestock farming, urban expansion, and various industries (such as mining and infrastructure development). When trees are removed or burned, the carbon stored in them is released back into the atmosphere, reducing the Earth's capacity to absorb emissions. Consequently, forest loss has become a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions—playing a significant role in driving climate change (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2023).

It can be observed that methane (CH₄) emissions result from the digestive processes of livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, while nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions are primarily associated with the excessive application of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Methane also remains in the atmosphere for decades after its emission, but during that period, it traps heat much more effectively than carbon dioxide. As a result, increased agricultural activity to ensure food security for a rapidly growing world population has led to rising emissions from this sector (UNEP 2024). Greenhouse gases are also produced through industrial production and manufacturing activities. The production of cement, steel, chemicals, and other building materials requires substantial energy consumption. For example, more than half of the energy used in cement and concrete production, which have high embodied energy, is derived from fossil fuels. In addition, many industrial processes release greenhouse gases directly during manufacturing. At the same time, urbanization, particularly in developing and emerging economies, has increased energy demand for buildings, transportation, and infrastructure development, ultimately contributing to higher global emissions.

Garbage disposal has also emerged as another environmental issue. Waste discarded in landfills is egested via anaerobic decomposition and releases methane gas, while waste burning emits carbon dioxide and a host of other toxins. However, improving urban waste management practices to health-based and environmentally friendly levels has not been implemented, strengthened or reinforced effectively—leading to continued greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution from landfills in cities around the world– especially in developing countries. Over the years, greenhouse gas emissions have intensified because of population growth, economic development and increasing energy needs, combined with unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. Recent research confirms that simultaneous reductions of energy, transport, agriculture, industry and land use emissions are required together to slow down the rate of climate change and constrain future warming (IPCC, 2023; Forster et al., 2025).

Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change is becoming more visible each year. In 82 short years, a figment of a threat in time has become a present-day adversary to millions worldwide. The rise in temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, and increases in extreme climate events are affecting ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. However, these impacts are not limited to any particular domain or nation. They are experienced across both richer and poorer economies, with the poorest communities often having fewer effective coping mechanisms to deal with climate-related shocks (IPCC, 2023). These impacts are being experienced now and across the world, especially, but not exclusively, in less developed regions.

One of the most prominent features of climate change is rising global temperatures. Many long-term twentieth-century averages have increased by up to one degree Celsius since the nineteenth century (Forster et al.). This multi-decadal global warming trend is one of the most certain climate changes observed over recent decades, based on measurements from different locations, including high-latitude regions (polar and mid-latitude areas). The increase in severe heatwaves and days with temperatures exceeding critical thresholds is forcing people to confront a new form of environmental disaster, including heat-related diseases, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, deaths. Extreme heat not only reduces labour productivity but also increases the demand for cooling and places additional pressure on health systems. Climate change is also making extreme weather events more intense and more frequent. While some parts of the world are experiencing excessive precipitation that leads to flooding, others are facing prolonged dry spells and limited water availability. Rising ocean temperatures provide an indication of how and to what extent tropical cyclones and storms may become stronger. These disasters damage homes, roads, schools, and hospitals—the infrastructure critical to sustaining normal life—causing tens of billions of dollars in losses and disrupting the lives of millions (World Meteorological Organization [WMO], 2025).

Another significant consequence of rising global temperatures is the accelerated melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets. Global temperatures continue to rise, and even more quickly in Greenland, Antarctica and high-elevation areas than previously. That causes coastal flooding, inundating shorelines and causing saltwater upwelling into freshwater supplies. Regional sea level rise hotspots also represent an immediate danger to many human populations, especially coastal cities and small island nations, as even a modest increase in sea-level can inundate houses, farmland and livelihoods (IPCC 2023). Climate change is also placing unprecedented pressure on nature and biodiversity. Most species of animals or plants, however, are not able to cope as well. They are also altering habitats and migration patterns and creating new ones — which subject them to increased extinction risk from temperature or rainfall changes. Coral, which provide a habitat for more than 25% of all marine species, are experiencing widespread bleaching as ocean temperatures continue to rise. Biodiversity loss also threatens ecosystem functions and the production of essential ecosystem goods and services, including pollination, clean drinking water, and carbon storage, by weakening the natural systems that support these processes (Janzen, 2024; UNEP, 2023).

Notably, rising global temperatures have also affected the agricultural sector. They have made farmers less resilient to abnormal rainfall, unpredictable dry and wet seasons, and systemic outbreaks of pests that decimate harvests, at the expense of food security. Heat stress and compromised access to water and grazing land also reduce livestock production. In developing countries, these impacts have even greater consequences since the income and subsistence of a large portion of the population rely solely on farming. Essentially, climate issues are directly related to human health, and this is one of the areas most affected by climate change. The spread of water-borne diseases related to inadequate sanitation, as temperatures rise, makes illnesses caused by heat and floods more common. The resulting increases in temperature and precipitation will also alter vector behaviour—the tendency of mosquitoes and other organisms that facilitate transmission to human hosts—potentially exacerbating the risk of malaria and dengue fever across large areas. Moreover, the scope of natural disasters is quite broad, and their effects are reflected in mental health, as these events usually lead to displacement, financial pressure, and loss of livelihoods. Finally, the economic cost of climate change is just as dire. Each year, the cost of infrastructure repairs amounts to millions due to floods, storms, and wildfires. Not least, as climate-related disasters are occurring more frequently and with increasing destructive impacts, the resulting costs place additional pressure on public economies. Generally, the impacts of climate change go beyond the material destruction of our environment. They affect food security, health, economic development, biodiversity, and social resilience. Recent science has demonstrated the possibility of increasingly severe consequences for the global environment if we do not take immediate and sustained action in the coming decades (IPCC, 2023; WMO, 2025).

Solutions to Climate Change

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, but it remains solvable. Scientific studies indicate that much of the technology and strategies required to tackle greenhouse gas emissions already exist. Pollution and greenhouse gas reduction technologies are not the real bottlenecks; rather, scaling them on a massive scale through cooperation between governments, industries, communities, and individuals is the key challenge. Mitigation measures, which address the root causes of climate change, and adaptation measures, which support people in managing its impacts, are essential for building a more sustainable future (IPCC, 2023). Moving from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy is also one of the most effective solutions. Electricity generated using solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal resources produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Renewable technologies have become cheaper and more efficient over the last decade, encouraging many nations to transition towards clean energy. The deployment of cleaner energy not only reduces carbon emissions but also improves energy security while creating new employment opportunities in the green economy (International Energy Agency, 2025). Another practical approach is improving energy efficiency. Buildings, offices, factories, and transport systems often consume more energy than necessary because many technologies and designs are outdated. Energy use can be significantly reduced through the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, improved building insulation, and the use of electric vehicles and modern energy-efficient technologies. The cumulative effect of these measures can be substantial, as even small improvements, when implemented on a global scale, can contribute significantly to reducing emissions.

Forests are natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and soil. Meanwhile, preventing deforestation, increasing afforestation, and restoring degraded ecosystems can reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere while also conserving biodiversity, improving soil health, and supporting water systems. Forests support the livelihoods of up to 1.6 billion people who depend on them for sustenance and help create resilient ecosystems that are better able to withstand and adapt to climate change (FAO, 2024). The sustainability of agriculture also needs to improve. This includes better soil management, more efficient use of fertilizers, the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, water conservation, and the reduction of food waste. Methane emissions can also be reduced through improved manure management and animal husbandry practices. Meanwhile, crop varieties can be developed to provide greater resistance to drought, heat, and pests, thereby helping maintain food production under changing climate conditions. As climate change is a global challenge that does not respect borders, international cooperation among nations is essential (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2015; IPCC, 2023). Technological innovation at scale is opening new pathways for reducing emissions. Advances in battery storage, green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, smart electricity grids, and artificial intelligence are helping make energy systems more efficient and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Although many of these technologies are still developing, they will be crucial for achieving global climate goals over the coming decades. Public action also has an important role to play in addressing climate change. Individuals can contribute by reducing electricity consumption, using public transport or cycling whenever possible, avoiding unnecessary consumption, minimizing food waste, recycling materials, and purchasing sustainable products.

Conclusion and Future Perspectives

New scientific studies have shown that climate change may be accelerating faster than earlier. Recent studies show that the average global temperature is still increasing, extreme weather events keep happening more frequently, and greenhouse gas concentrations are at record levels. Meanwhile, scientists have stressed there is still time to avert the worst effects – but only if drastic and immediate steps are taken. In contrast, new climate solutions rooted in renewable energy deployment, battery storage, carbon capture technologies, climate-smart agriculture and artificial intelligence (AI) are continually emerging to help support emission reductions and improve adaptation strategies (Forster et al., 2025; IEA, 2025). Climate action in the future will rely more on collective international action, investment in clean technologies, and public awareness. Governments must strengthen climate policies; industries have to produce in sustainable ways, and researchers need to find new solutions that are affordable and scalable globally. Even so, individuals also have a crucial role—more so in responsible consumption, energy conservation, waste reduction, and supporting environmentally sustainable practices. Every sector of society has a responsibility to address this global challenge. At the end, climate change is one of the greatest issues we face, not just for its effects on the planet, but because if affects public health, food security, water availability and quality, biodiversity, economic development and social welfare. There is no doubt in the scientific community that human activity is mainly responsible for driving today’s climate crisis, but evidence also shows how it can be tackled efficiently. Efforts can help prevent greenhouse gas emissions, expand renewable energy capacity, protect forests, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen climate resilience, thereby reducing many future risks. Although this is a significant challenge, it can be addressed through collective action, as efforts at the local level are interconnected with national initiatives and global climate action. Climate action is also a moral, social and economic imperative with one common denominator: the decisions of today will determine the living conditions for generations to come (IPCC, 2023; UNEP, 2024).

References

1. Forster, P. M., et al. (2025). Indicators of Global Climate Change 2024. Earth System Science Data, 17, 2641–2688.

2. Schaeffer, R., et al. (2025). Ten New Insights in Climate Science 2024. Global Sustainability.

3. Chiriacò, M. V., et al. (2025). A catalogue of land-based adaptation and mitigation solutions to tackle climate change. Scientific Data, 12.

4. Dhar, A. R. (2025). Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems Through the Water–Energy–Food–Environment Nexus. Environments, 12(5), 167.

5. Yoder, L., et al. (2024). Muddling through Climate Change: A Qualitative Exploration of India and U.S. Climate Experts’ Perspectives on Solutions, Pathways, and Barriers. Sustainability, 16(13), 5275.

6. Villamayor-Tomas, S., et al. (2024). Developing countries can adapt to climate change effectively using nature-based solutions. Communications Earth & Environment, 5.

7. Bhattacharya, A., et al. (2025). Optimal life-cycle adaptation of coastal infrastructure under climate change. Nature Communications, 16.

8. Ikegwu, A. C., et al. (2024). Recently emerging trends in big data analytic methods for modeling and combating climate change effects. Energy Informatics, 7.

9. Anusuya, K., Vijayakumar, K., & Manikandan, S. (2025). Is climate change a threat to renewable energy? Discover Sustainability.

10. Mapping urban climate change research: Insights from 20 years of global research trends, thematic evolution, and future perspectives. (2025). Nature-Based Solutions.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views, policies, or positions of the organisation.