HAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS IN INDIA BECOME WORSE?

The story so far: As we observe June 5 as World Environment Day, one takes stock of how the previous decade has exacerbated/mitigated existing environmental crises.

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What are main environmental crises?

The world is grappling with three deeply intertwined planetary crises: carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Over the last 10 years, these crises have deepened, despite growing awareness and international efforts.

Between 2015 and 2024, global CO2 emissions rose from around 34.1 billion metric tonnes to 37.4 billion metric tonnes, a nearly 10% increase. In the same period, India’s emissions surged from 2.33 billion to 3.12 billion metric tonnes, persistent dependence on coal and oil. On the biodiversity front, mass extinctions and ecological disruptions are becoming the norm. India, with its mega-diverse ecosystems, faces growing threats from deforestation, wetland degradation, and monoculture agriculture. Meanwhile, pollution, particularly air pollution, has remained stubbornly high. India consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted countries, with Delhi topping global lists.

What are the root causes?