Bengaluru, a bustling city home to over 14 million people and a global IT hub is feeling the heat literally. Data from the Data Intelligence Unit reveals a worrying trend: the city’s temperature has been steadily rising over the past 42 years. Since 1990, Bengaluru’s population has tripled to 14.6 million, leading to unplanned urban sprawl that encroaches on lakes and green belts. This rapid urbanization has had severe consequences, including water shortages and rising temperatures, making Bengaluru an increasingly unbearable hotspot.
The Harsh Reality: A Scorching Year
This past April, Bengaluru residents endured blistering heat with zero recorded rainfall, a phenomenon not seen since 1983. According to A. Prasad, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this unusual heat is partly due to El Nino, a weather phenomenon linked to warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures. However, Prasad also highlights global warming, rapid urbanization, and population growth as significant contributors to the city’s harsh climate.
A recent report reveals that since 1988, just 100 companies have accounted for over 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The Transformation of Bengaluru
Over the last century, Bengaluru has evolved from a beautiful garden city to a pensioner’s paradise, then to the IT capital, and now a crowded metropolis struggling with the remnants of its past. Rapid urbanization has led to a stark reduction in green cover and an increase in built-up areas. The impacts of climate change are evident and tangible, affecting everyone in the city.
- Industrial Emissions: Factories and industries burn fossil fuels, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Air conditioning units in commercial buildings consume vast amounts of energy, often from non-renewable sources, further increasing carbon footprints. If companies keep getting fossil fuels out of the ground as fast as they have been for the past 28 years, according to the experts opinion, the world’s average temperature could go up by as much as 4°C.
- Transportation Emissions: Bangalore’s bustling economy and large population significantly contribute to transportation emissions. Here’s how:
- Industrial Transportation: The movement of raw materials and finished products relies heavily on trucks and other vehicles, generating both direct tailpipe emissions and indirect emissions from fuel production and transportation.
- Personal Vehicles: The growing number of private vehicles in Bangalore, especially cars, leads to significant traffic congestion. This stop-and-go traffic not only burns more fuel but also releases harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (PM) directly into the air.
- Public Transportation: While generally considered a more sustainable option than private vehicles, public transport systems can also contribute to emissions, especially if they rely heavily on older, less efficient buses. Additionally, with Bangalore’s growing population, even a well-maintained public transport system might struggle to meet demand, leading to overcrowding and increased emissions per passenger.
- Deforestation for Urban Sprawl: Bangalore’s IT boom has come at a cost to the environment. The rapid expansion of the IT sector and urban development has resulted in significant deforestation. This deforestation disrupts the natural carbon cycle in two key ways:
- Reduced Carbon Sequestration: Trees act as nature’s air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas, and releasing oxygen. A single mature tree can absorb over 48 pounds of CO2 annually. Widespread deforestation for development projects in Bangalore removes these vital carbon sinks, leading to a rise in atmospheric CO2 levels.
- Increased Air Pollution: Forests also play a crucial role in filtering pollutants from the air. They trap dust particles and other harmful airborne contaminants. Clearing forests exposes the land, making it more susceptible to soil erosion and dust storms. This can significantly worsen air quality, especially during dry seasons, and contribute to respiratory problems in the city’s residents.
- Diminished Groundwater Recharge: Urbanization in Bangalore has led to a significant decrease in permeable surfaces like green spaces and natural water bodies. These surfaces play a vital role in rainwater infiltration, replenishing groundwater reserves. With concretization and development covering more land, less rainwater soaks into the ground, leading to drier groundwater tables and a growing dependence on alternative water sources.
Decarbonization: A Path to a Sustainable Future
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, with decarbonization playing a crucial role. Here are some major points to consider:
- Promoting Renewable Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming. This also reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which contribute to air pollution and climate change.
- Water Conservation Techniques: Implementing water-saving techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation, can help manage water resources more efficiently. These practices can ensure that farmers have adequate water supplies during dry spells.
- Using Electric Vehicles: Promoting the use of electric vehicles can significantly decrease carbon emissions from transportation. By transitioning away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, cities like Bengaluru can reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality.
By embracing these strategies, Bengaluru can work towards a sustainable future. Decarbonization is not just an environmental imperative but a necessity for the survival and prosperity of the city.
Let’s act now to protect Bengaluru’s legacy and ensure a healthier, greener, and more resilient future for all its residents.