BIRESH KUMAR, a 38-year-old labourer, works at least six hours in the sun every day. Though it is only mid-April-early days of summer in north India-the afternoon temperatures hover around 38°C in Bhopani, the village in Haryana's Faridabad district where Kumar works at a brick kiln. When the summer peaks in May-June, the mercury will likely cross 40°C. "I feel like I'm trapped in a heat island. But I have to work to repay a debt I owe to the labour contractor," says Kumar.
Sitting on a cot under a tree at some distance is Kumar's co-worker Somveer. For the past two days, Somveer has had body ache, weakness and fever, which have forced him to miss work and, as a result, forego his wage. He does not know the reason for his condition, but says it could be due to constantly working under the sun. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, US, recommends that those who work in the heat should consume 237 ml of water every 15-20 minutes. But for workers like Kumar and Somveer, that would mean more breaks and missed targets, resulting in a loss of wage. Neeraj Kaushik, medical officer in-charge at the government hospital in Kheri Kalan that Somveer and Biresh have access to, says he sees several labourers with complaints of fainting episodes. "They are weak and dehydrated, with severely chapped lips. If they have comorbidities, like diabetes, it becomes an emergency situation. If their vitals are weak, it takes a long time to resuscitate them," he says.
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Vision 2030
Economic growth must take into account needs of energy transition, climate mitigation, with action aligned as per India's 2030 climate goals
FIX OUR FOOD
Chemical-dependent farming, lax labelling laws, rising anti-microbial resistance must top the agenda
BATTLE THE CAR BULGE
Clean, affordable, integrated and accessible public transport the only solution
CONSERVE NOW
Disregard for biodiversity conservation over the past two decades needs immediate redressal
SCRAP THE DUMP
Disincentivise garbage dumping, invest in behavioural change
PLAN THEM COOL
As urban India turns into a heat trap, the government must focus on improving cities' liveability
THINK LONG-TERM
India needs continued emphasis on flagship programmes, aligned to long-term planning that focusses on water security and circular economy in a climate-risked era
OVERHAUL OVERDUE
Hold polluting industries accountable for public health risks, environmental hazards, climate change; provide them support for green transition
LOOK BEYOND DUST
Reinvent National Clean Air Programme to focus on fine particulate matter and trans-boundary pollution
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Clean energy sectors need demand-driven markets and domestic industries that can cater to the entire value chain