Cool it-Increased exposure to heatwaves needs a policy response, nationally and globally

• The staggering loss of an estimated 153 billion hours of labour during 2017 due to rising temperatures around the globe is a reminder to governments that they are not doing enough to dramatically curb greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Lancet countdown on health and climate has reported that India was particularly affected by the rising frequency of heatwave events and lost about 75 billion hours of work, a significant part of it in the agricultural sector.
• This has worrying implications for rural employment and the well-being of a large section of the population that depends on farming.
• At stake for all countries in the developing world is the health of millions, many of them already vulnerable to extreme weather events.
• Coming on the eve of the UN climate conference in Katowice, Poland, the report of the Lancet panel for 2018 brings clarity, placing connected issues in perspective for governmental action.
• The consensus on climate change is that it has begun to affect the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events.
• India’s approach to adaptation should, therefore, prepare for catastrophes with a well-considered plan to provide relief and rehabilitation.
• The aggravated impact of climate change on health is a serious issue for policymakers to consider when they gather in Katowice for the conference on December 2.

The Hindu