Transcript General Information on India

India
in the face of climate change
Diese Präsentation wurde von EPIZ e.V. im Rahmen des Projekts Global Fairness – Schools as Agents for Change entwickelt.
Sie darf für Bildungszwecke genutzt werden und ist Teil des Unterrichtsmaterials „Ein Klima für den Wandel“.
Contents
1.
Historical and political background
2. Consequences of climate change in India
3. Projections for the next 30 years
4. India’s position in climate negotiations
1. Historical and political background
First civilizations (200 000 BC- 1000 AC)
 Human activity on the Indian Subcontinent dates
back to 200 000 BC.
 High skills in natural sciences, e.g. astronomy.
 Foundations of the castesystem were laid around
600 BC.
1. Historical and political background
The role of religion
 Hinduism and Buddhism were founded in India and
spread from there.
 The Indian Subcontinent was conquered by Muslims
around 1300 and the Muslim belief was introduced
in the 16th century.
1. Historical and political background
Colonial dominion
 First trading posts were set up by England and
France in the 17th century.
 At the end of the 18th century, England began to
expand its territorial power by the use of force.
 The English Empire colonized and exploited the
Indian population, e.g. they introduced English as
the official language and assumed the highest level of
power.
1. Historical and political background
India today
 Colonial power ended 1947 due to independence
struggles. (One of the leading protagonists was
Mahatma Gandhi).
 India designed its first democratic constitution in
1950.
 Official language: Hindi
 Population: Over 1.2 billion people
2. Consequences of climate change in India
 Climate change affects monsoon seasons: droughts
and floods.
 The rural population is most vulnerable due to its
dependency on natural resources.
 Coasted regions where mostly the poorest live are
most strongly affected by natural disasters.
3. Projections for the next 30 years
 Water supply is at risk because of the melting of the
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Himalayan Glaciers, which are the source of fresh
water.
Rise of sea-level threatens coastal population.
Temperature is predicted to increase about 0.61.2°C.
Rainfalls are projected to become stronger.
Monsoon seasons will shift more and more.
Natural catastrophes are likely to increase in
intensity and frequency.
4. India´s position in the climate debate
 India ranks third in the world in terms of CO2-
emissions.
 However, compared to population numbers,
emissions are relatively low.
 National Action Plan against Climate Change since
2008: Investments in renewable energies, but no
obligatory goals for reduction of emissions.
 India has to balance poverty reduction and climate
protection.
4. India’s position in the climate debate
 India claims common but differentiated
responsibility in climate protection:
 ...demands technical and financial support for
climate protection from older industrial countries,
 ...speaks against economic sanctions for “developing”
countries,
 ...claims stricter goals for older industrial countries.
Sources
 http://www.bpb.de/internationales/asien/indien/44
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384/geschichte-bis-1947?p=0
http://india.gov.in/india-glance/profile
http://www.bpb.de/internationales/asien/indien/18
9166/indiens-umweltpolitische-herausforderungen
http://www.klimaretter.info/politik/hintergrund/18
040-obama-draengt-indien-zu-klimaschutz
http://www.adaptcap.in/climate-changeprojections/