Journal of Climate Change - Volume 10, issue 4

Authors: Ramanathan, AL.

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240026

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. i-iii, 2024

Authors: Gupta, Bashabi | Jose, Milu Maria | Aggarwal, Seema | Ranjan, Omjee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One of the main global concerns of the twenty-first century is climate change, which is causing patterns of precipitation and temperature to shift, as well as a rise in the frequency of extreme occurrences. In order to evaluate the effects of climate change on the Himalayan State, the study examines the long-term changes in temperature and precipitation in Sikkim, India, over a period of 121 years (1901–2021). The study uses the “Mann-Kendall Trend Test” and “Sen’s Slope Estimator” to analyse the monthly temperature and precipitation data across Sikkim’s districts: East, West, North, and South. The paper shows that the state …has a significant increase in average temperatures across all districts, with an upward trend and p-values <0.01. The study also shows that the precipitation trends are less uniform, with South Sikkim being the only district exhibiting a significantly decreasing rainfall trend. The rising temperatures and variable precipitation patterns highlight the region’s vulnerability to climate change, with potential implications for water resources, agriculture, and ecological balance. This research points towards the need for urgency in incorporating climate understandings into the policy frameworks to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and promote sustainability in Sikkim. Show more

Keywords: Climate change, Trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240027

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1-8, 2024

Authors: Ansari, Azhar Mustafa | Khan, Mohd. Razaullah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The greater Global concern today is climate change and global warming and to combat this issue the United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by the year 2030 with the collective efforts of member nations. The conventional food system has exploited natural resources in a very negative manner which impacted both human health and the ecological system. The organic food system is an alternative to this which uses a natural way of production prohibiting chemical and artificial synthesis. This study aims to explore the role of the organic food system in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. …The result of the study shows that the organic food system has a significant positive impact in the form of environmental sustainability, public health, social impact, and economic impact on the people. The organic food system significantly contributes to the SDG1, SDG2, SDG3, SDG12, SDG13, SDG14, and SDG15 by reducing poverty, mitigating hunger worldwide, protecting the health of the people and well-being, sustainable consumption and production, climate action, protecting life on the land and under the water. Show more

Keywords: Sustainable development goals, Organic farming, Climate action, Sustainability, Well-being

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240028

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 9-16, 2024

Authors: Rajak, Rajeev | Gupta, Aparna | Rai, Krity | Baruah, Bidyutjyoti | Sharma, Khushboo | Roy, Ankita | Ranjan, Rakesh Kumar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Expanding glacial lakes and associated potential for catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are growing concerns globally. With above-average warming rates (0.3 ± 0.2 °C per decade), the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is witnessing significant glacier mass loss, reduced snow cover, and increased permafrost thawing, all of which increase meltwater availability, leading to formation and expansion of glacial lakes. Glacial lakes, in turn, further accelerate glacier mass loss through calving and subaqueous melt, creating a vicious feedback loop of glacial melting and expansion of glacial lakes. Lake with larger areas has a higher probability of interception of mass movements. …Additionally, it exerts greater hydrostatic pressure on moraine dams and therefore higher magnitude of GLOF which can be extremely destructive, arriving unnoticed and destroying property, infrastructure, and agricultural land, often resulting in extensive loss of life and property. Sikkim Himalayas hosts a large number of glacial lakes and has received considerable scientific attention due to the potential GLOF hazards. This study focuses on 13 vulnerable glacial lakes (VGLs) in the Sikkim Himalayas, analysing their decadal dynamics from 1962 to 2020 using declassified Corona and Hexagon KH-9 imagery and Landsat satellite data. Our analysis revealed a significant increase in the total area of the VGLs, expanding from 3.594 km2 in 1962 to 8.664 km2 in 2020. However, individual lakes exhibited highly variable dynamics and growth histories, falling into either of the two categories, quasi-stable and dynamic lakes. Most VGLs were quasi-stable, with minimal growth over a decade, while dynamic lakes, connected to parent glaciers, showed continuous growth. Based on modelled future lake expansion, South Lhonak and KhangchungTsho were found to have future expansion potential of 0.472 km2 and 0.333 km2 , respectively. With growing infrastructure and population downstream, the risk of future GLOF events is exceptionally high. Understanding glacial lake expansion is crucial for effective risk assessment and policy development in these vulnerable areas. Show more

Keywords: Glacial lakes, Lake expansion, Glacial lake outburst floods, Sikkim Himalayas

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240029

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 17-29, 2024

Authors: Shiwani, | Gupta, Saurabh Kumar | Kanga, Shruti | Singh, Suraj Kumar | Mahgoub, Mohamed | Meraj, Gowhar | Kumar, Pankaj

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This review article provides a thorough examination of the factors affecting energy consumption in India and around the world, focussing on suburban areas and their role in the broader context of building construction and energy efficiency. The study examines the switch from conventional energy sources to more diversified energy portfolios, including electricity, natural gas, oil, biomass, and waste. Moving deeper into the subject, the review delves into the realm of carbon emissions resulting from building and construction. It spotlights the critical contribution of residential energy consumption to the overall carbon footprint and discusses the dual significance of operational and embodied …emissions in the construction sector. This research underscores the necessity for integrated strategies to mitigate carbon emissions in building practices. Furthermore, the paper critically evaluates the evolution of energy regulations, with a special focus on the shift from prescriptive to performance-based Building Energy Codes (BECs). It assesses the capacity of current energy policies to curtail global warming and provides an in-depth analysis of energy usage patterns, policies, and CO2 emissions in the Indian suburban context. The study highlights India’s efforts to modernise building codes and improve energy efficiency while promoting multifaceted strategies that include building code improvements, the use of energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable urban design, and ends with a plea for sustainable development and major reductions in carbon emissions, thereby highlighting the critical role that both local and global initiatives can play. This study provides a thorough understanding of sustainable building practices and energy efficiency, especially in suburban development. Show more

Keywords: CO2 emissions, Suburban energy consumption, Renewable energy integration, Energy efficiency policies, Net zero energy buildings, Environmental impact of construction

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240030

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 31-42, 2024

Authors: Kumar, Jitendra | Rajesh, G.M. | Singh, Gowtham | Sambasiva Rao, P. | Kumar, Pushpendra | Ankit,

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study investigates land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Samastipur District, Bihar, from 2000 to 2020 using Landsat data and GIS techniques. Our analysis reveals a significant increase in agricultural land from 64.24% to 84.80%, amounting to a rise of 59,615 ha. During the same period, natural vegetation decreased sharply from 20.76% to 3.19%, and water bodies diminished from 2.72% to 1.82%. Settlement areas expanded by 38.30%, while barren land was reduced by 44.65%. Accuracy assessments showed substantial agreement, with Kappa values improving from 0.64 in 2000 to 0.88 in 2020, and overall accuracy rising from 71.62% to …90.74%. The Productivity Rating Index (PRI) for Pusa Farm indicates high suitability for major crops, with PRI values of 82.90% for wheat, 106.57% for sugarcane, and 137.14% for paddy. These findings underscore the dynamic changes in land use and the effectiveness of remote sensing for monitoring and managing agricultural resources, providing valuable insights for sustainable land management and policy-making. Show more

Keywords: LULC, Landsat, Change detection, Productivity rating index, Land suitability

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240031

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 43-53, 2024

Authors: Shah, Rahil | Sharma, Ravi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present study conducts a comparative analysis of India’s eight Tier-1 cities, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune, for their climate vulnerability assessment. The secondary data was collected from the India Meteorological Department and published climate vulnerability atlas to draw the relative importance index (RII) score for each exposure indicator of climate vulnerability for each city on the ten climate parameters, including earthquake, rainfall, wind, thunderstorm, cyclone, drought, floods, heatwave, cold wave vulnerabilities. The cities based on inland and coastal boundaries were also considered in scoring calculations. The study’s findings indicate that Chennai and Mumbai are the …most vulnerable cities, primarily due to extreme weather events and sea-level rise, necessitating targeted adaptation strategies. Bengaluru shows lower vulnerability, reflecting its resilient infrastructure and proactive measures. Mid-range vulnerabilities are observed for Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune, highlighting diverse challenges from heat waves to flooding. Hyderabad’s relatively lower score suggests moderate risk yet underscores the importance of continuous infrastructure improvement. The comparative analysis offers critical insights for urban planners and policymakers to develop tailored climate resilience strategies, emphasising sustainable infrastructure, community preparedness, and proactive urban design to mitigate climate risks and foster sustainable development across these urban conglomerates. The study serves as a foundational step towards enhancing the climate resilience of India’s major cities. Show more

Keywords: Urban cities, Climate vulnerability, Vulnerability assessment, Climate resilience, Indicators

DOI: 10.3233/JCC240032

Citation: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 55-64, 2024