Inferno Report

Welcome to interactive presentation, created with Publuu. Enjoy the reading!

The Human Consequences of Rising Temperatures

INFERN

June 2024

Published by:

www.palakiyafoundation.org

Ideation:

Mahima Bansal

Research:

Piyush Singh and Saurav Singh

Edit, Design & Layout:

Saurav Singh

University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

Tuba Siddiqui

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

Piyush Singh

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Tashifa Shakeel

Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai

Palakiya Foundation

Photo: Piyush Singh

This report is dedicated to the resilient communities of construction

workers, laborers, security guards, farmers, rickshaw pullers, security

forces, teachers, students, street vendors and hawkers, househelps and

all others whose unwavering spirit drives our society forward.

Heat Inequities 3-4

Navigating Gendered Vulnerabilities 5

Human Faces of Extr eme Heat 6-14

Title Page No.

- Budhapa, Bimari aur Garmi

- Decline in number of tourists

- Chidiya Rani, Waiting for Pani

- Jal Yuddh

- Golgappe or Fulki or Pani Batasha

- The Gig economy

- Matka or Ghada or Earthen pot or Clay Pot

- Ek Glass Pani ki Keemat

- Aamdani Athanni, Kharcha Sau Rupiya

- Kova Phal

- Subah ko Taazi, Shaam ko Baasi

- D se Dihadi, D se Dhoop

- Garmi me Khana Kharab Ho Jata Hai

- Gamcha Meri Pehchan

- Sharbat da Bhalla

- Kartavya Nishtha

Recommendations 15-16

References 16

The year 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year so far in human history and the pattern

won’t surprise if it loses its ‘title’ to 2025. This year, we witnessed the temperature surging to

a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius in Delhi’s Mungeshpur, posing a significant threat to

the lives and livelihoods of the general population. While there is ample and necessary

discussion around climate change, the severity of its impacts on disadvantaged communities

often goes unreported, exacerbating existing social and economic divisions within society.

Heatwaves, as a stark manifestation of global climate change, intersect with the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their intersection reveals the complexity

and urgency of addressing the impacts of rising temperatures to ensure holistic and inclusive

progress toward sustainability.

SDG 1: No Poverty

The economic ramifications of heatwaves are disproportionately felt by low-income populations who

typically have limited resources to adapt. These groups often live in slums and organized clusters

often termed substandard housing which lacks adequate cooling, increasing their exposure to extreme

heat. It causes significant financial strain due to loss of income from reduced labor productivity,

increased energy costs for cooling, and healthcare costs.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger and Achieve Food & Nutritional Security

Agriculture, especially in regions reliant on rain-fed farming, is highly vulnerable to heatwaves.

Extreme temperatures lead to soil degradation and loss of arable land, crop failures, reduced

livestock productivity, and increased pest and disease outbreaks. These factors diminish crop quality

and quantity, leading to lower food availability and higher prices. The nutritional quality of food is

also compromised as stressed crops often have lower levels of essential nutrients, and reduced crop

diversity leads to dietary deficiencies. For communities already vulnerable to food insecurity, these

ramifications are particularly severe.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Extreme heat puts immense strain on the human body, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heat

exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburns. Disadvantaged populations, including the elderly, children, and

those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. Moreover, high temperatures can

worsen air quality, intensifying respiratory problems and increasing the prevalence of diseases like

asthma. Addressing these health impacts requires targeted public health interventions and improved

healthcare infrastructure to support at-risk populations during extreme heat events.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Heatwaves lead to increased evaporation rates and decreased precipitation, reducing water availability

in reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater sources. This affects not only drinking water supplies but also

agricultural and industrial water use. Water scarcity strains water supply systems, particularly in urban

areas where demand is high. Extreme heat can also stress infrastructure components like pipes and

reservoirs, leading to leaks, bursts, and other infrastructure failures affecting the functionality of

sanitation systems, such as sewage treatment plants and septic tanks.

Heatwave Inequities

palakiyafoundation.org

SDG 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work For All

Heatwaves reduce productivity, particularly in labor-intensive sectors: agriculture, construction,

manufacturing, and more. Sectors heavily reliant on outdoor work or energy-intensive processes face

operational disruptions or increased costs due to higher cooling demands or reduced efficiency of

machinery in extreme heat. This leads to reduced profitability and potential job losses in industries.

Heatwaves also impact tourism and outdoor recreational activities, affecting revenue streams in related

jobs.

SDG 11 & SDG 13: Sustainable Cities and Communities and Climate Action

Heatwaves exacerbate urban heat island effects, causing higher temperatures in cities compared to rural

areas. This results in excessive heat stress among residents, especially vulnerable populations such as the

elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Heat-related illnesses and mortality

rates can rise, putting pressure on healthcare systems. Social vulnerability amplifies during heatwaves,

highlighting existing inequalities in urban spaces. Cities need robust strategies to adapt to and mitigate

the impacts of heat waves. It includes urban planning that incorporates green infrastructure, heat-

resilient building designs, and climate-responsive policies, enhancing public awareness and

implementing early warning systems can also improve community preparedness.

SDG 15: Combat Desertification and Halt Biodiversity Loss

Heatwaves can lead to drought conditions, water scarcity, and wildfires, imperiling the ecosystem and

biodiversity. Additionally, rising temperatures contribute to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps,

leading to an increased sea level and coastal erosion. Protecting natural habitats and promoting

sustainable land management practices are crucial to mitigating these impacts and ensuring the

resilience of ecosystems.

SDG 17: Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

International cooperation and partnerships are vital to addressing the global challenge of climate

change and its impacts. Sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices can help countries develop

and implement effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat. Strengthening global

partnerships is essential to achieving the SDGs and ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all.

The intricate relationship between heatwaves and the SDGs underscores the need for intersectional,

context-specific responses that take into account nuanced impacts on communities and ecosystems.

Policy-level interventions must prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that vulnerable populations are

protected and empowered. By fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and leveraging innovative

solutions, we can mitigate the adverse effects of heatwaves and make significant strides towards

achieving the Sustainable Development Goals comprehensively and equitably.

The complex interaction of gender dynamics, societal norms, and climate change intensifies the

vulnerability of women to heat waves, particularly in India. According to the Food and Agriculture

Organization’s report, Unjust Climate, each year in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), female

heads of households in rural areas suffer significantly greater financial losses than men. On average,

female-headed households lose 8 percent more of their income due to heat stress.

Another report by the United Nations Human Rights (UNHCR), Right to Water, women can spend

up to four hours daily on water-related tasks, heightening health risks, particularly from waterborne

diseases. Additionally, cultural norms frequently downplay women's health concerns, compounding

their susceptibility to heat-related illnesses. Furthermore, limited decision-making authority in

household and community water management further restricts women's access to crucial resources

needed to cope with heat and water shortages. Pregnant and elderly women face elevated risks from

heat stress, which can lead to complications such as preterm labor, heightened health conditions, and

increased rates of stillbirths.

Economic opportunities for women, particularly in agriculture and informal sectors, are significantly

affected by heatwaves and droughts. According to the NITI Aayog, approximately 80 percent of rural

women in India are employed in agriculture, and heatwaves coupled with water scarcity jeopardize

their ability to engage in farming, particularly tasks such as irrigation. The reduced agricultural yields

and biodiversity loss further strain women who rely on subsistence farming or natural resources for

their livelihoods.

Around 54 percent of women in India live indoors, which might seem like a potential shelter from

extreme heat. However, staying indoors can increase vulnerability because of inadequate ventilation

and cooling systems. Research also indicates that higher indoor temperatures decrease women's ability

to work effectively, leading to potential income losses of up to 30 percent for those engaged in home-

based occupations in India. Women already earn an average of 20 percent less than men, and this

disparity is exacerbated during heatwaves.

Addressing these challenges requires an approach that examines gender sensitivity in policy and

planning. It is crucial to ensure women's involvement in decisions concerning community water

management and provide them with resources for mitigating heat stress. Health services tailored to

meet the specific needs of women during such events are essential. Effective heat action plans and

localized water management strategies are crucial at the state, city, and village levels. However,

existing Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in India often fail to notice local contexts and to competently

address vulnerable populations.

The gender-specific impacts of heat waves and water scarcity in India highlight the pressing need for

comprehensive strategies that prioritize the well-being and empowerment of women and girls.

Addressing these challenges necessitates a multifaceted approach, integrating gender perspectives into

every aspect of climate resilience planning and implementation.

palakiyafoundation.org

Navigating Gendered

Vulnerabilities

palakiyafoundation.org

Palakiya Foundation believes addressing climate change in isolation from social issues is

insufficient and ineffective. A just transition to a sustainable future requires dismantling the

social and economic inequalities perpetuating environmental harm.

Therefore, our report, “Inferno: The Human Consequences of Rising Temperatures”, is an

attempt to provide human faces to the impacts of heatwaves through photo stories. It is a

documentation of the daily lives of people living in informal settlements, outdoor workers,

street vendors and hawkers, and all other disadvantaged populations who lack the privilege of

cooling systems and are left with no alternative but to live and earn in scorching temperatures.

Budhapa, Bimari aur Garmi: Amidst the sweltering heatwave, an elderly heart patient accompanied by

his grandsons covers his face with a towel (gamcha).“Baba ko blood pressure aur heart ki beemari hai,

garmi me dikkat aur badh jati hai (My grandfather suffers from blood pressure and a heart patient,

extreme heat adds to his deteriorating health conditions),” says one of his grandsons. Public health

experts warn that heat exhaustion may cause circulatory failure and death. Loss of water from the

body compounds the heat stress on blood vessels, with an increased propensity for clotting, leading to

brain strokes and heart attacks. Photo: Piyush Singh

Human Faces of Extreme Heat

palakiyafoundation.org

Decline in number of tourists: The iconic India Gate in Delhi usually brimming with domestic and

international tourists witnesses a sharp dip in the number of tourists. Consequently, the reduction in

tourism significantly impacts the livelihood of street vendors, local eateries hawkers, and freelance

tourist photographers causing a noticeable decline in their daily earnings and overall economic

stability. Photo: Piyush Singh

Chidiya Rani, Waiting for Pani: In the city, caught up with water scarcity and diminishing

groundwater levels, a woman takes a moment to pour water into a bowl for birds, offering cool

respite. This act of kindness highlights the shared constant struggle of humans and animals as they

endure the soaring temperatures. It underscores the importance of community efforts and empathy in

helping all living beings survive and thrive through extreme weather conditions. Photo: Saurav Singh

palakiyafoundation.org

Jal Yuddh: The prolonged summertime significantly impact water sources including groundwater

leading to severe water scarcity. Several areas in Delhi such as Chanakyapuri's Sanjay Camp, Geeta

Colony in East Delhi, Patel Nagar, Mehrauli, and Chhatarpur, witnessed one of the worst water

crises this year. Residents in these urban poor pockets of the city, scramble to fill their containers as a

water tanker arrives, while the posh pockets are reportedly fined by the municipal corporation for

wasting water. Photo: Mukul Singh Chauhan

Golgappe or Fulki or Pani Batasha: A

street vendor carries a large container

of golgappas (a popular street snack

that may be called water balls in

English) over his head. The vendor,

damp with sweat says, “For the last six

years, I have walked past these streets

selling golgappas. I am the only earning

member in a family of five, daily sales

directly impact my family.” His story is

a powerful reminder of how extreme

weather affects communities differently.

Hence, the most affected are the ones

with the least resources.

Photo: Saurav Singh

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20