In 2023, the world faced an onslaught of unprecedented climate extremes, bringing the urgency of global climate action to the forefront. The year was marked by record-breaking heat waves, severe floods, worsening wildfires, and rising sea levels, all of which had a global impact, including in India.
1. 2023 declared the hottest year on record: The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service declared 2023 to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding all prior standards. The terrifying truth signified the escalation of the climate disaster.
2. India saw extreme weather events almost every day from January to September 2023: According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment, India saw extreme weather occurrences on over 86% of the days between January and September. Heatwaves, floods, cyclones, and lightning all caused major loss of life and property.
3. Ocean surface hits highest-ever recorded temperature: The global average daily sea surface temperature reached a record-breaking 20.96 degrees Celsius in August. Scientists warned that this was not an isolated incident, but rather a forerunner to future difficulties that could endanger marine and human ecosystems.
4. India experienced its driest August since 1901: Since 1901, August 2023 was India's driest August on record, with a 36% rainfall deficit. Drought and water shortages impacted crops and livelihoods in agricultural areas like Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
5. IMD states that the duration of heat waves in India has increased over the last 30 years: According to the India Meteorological Department, the duration of heat waves in India has grown by 2.5 days over the last 30 years due to global warming. Heatwave frequency and length are expected to increase further in the following decades, according to projections.
6. Two million species facing extinction, a new study says: According to a new study published in PLOS ONE, up to two million plant and animal species worldwide are at risk of extinction, which is double the previous estimate by the United Nations in 2019.
7. Forest fires are intensifying globally, and India’s rainforests are affected too: Satellite data revealed a disturbing pattern of global forest fire intensification and spread, affecting biodiversity hotspots such as the Amazon and rainforests in Southeast Asia and India. In comparison to prior years, India experienced an exceptionally high number of fire alerts.
8. India’s renewable energy capacity touched 172GW in March 2023: The country's goal is to generate 500GW from non-fossil fuels by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
9. High Seas Treaty adopted: Several countries signed a major global ocean pact at the United Nations, seeking to safeguard 30% of land and ocean by 2030 through the development of large-scale marine protected areas and environmentally safe open-seas operations.
10. India backs the “historic” Global Stocktake outcome: The "UAE Consensus," a significant accord endorsed by India, marked a watershed event at COP28. It advocates for a shift away from fossil fuels, establishing ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency, and laying out a clear path to a more sustainable future.
A CSR Initiative of
Designed and Executed by
Implemented by
Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
