GS Paper 1
Syllabus: Geomorphology
Source: DTE
Context: ‘Heat domes’ have been associated with recent unusually warm periods in the USA. Previously, it had also caused heat waves in India, Bangladesh, China and some other Asian countries.
Steps to mitigate Heat Domes’ impact:
| Mitigating Strategy | Description |
| Policies | Developing policies and guidelines on weather variability and urban heat management |
| Greening | Planting more trees and creating green spaces; Investing in green infrastructure such as parks, green roofs. |
| Infrastructure | Using permeable materials in construction, encouraging cleaner cooking fuels, improving public transportation, and reducing personal vehicle usage |
| Waste Management | Reducing landfill size, implementing waste segregation, and managing solid waste at the source to reduce methane production and fires |
| Building Design | Promoting the use of green roofs, cool roofs, and passive cooling techniques to reduce indoor temperatures; Implementing building codes and standards |
| Renewable Energy | Promoting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy for cooling and electricity needs |
| Public Awareness | Educating the public about the risks of heatwaves and the importance of reducing the carbon footprint |
| NDMA guidelines | In 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued comprehensive guidelines to prepare national-level key strategies for mitigating the impact of heat domes and heat waves.
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| Government | India Cooling Action Plan (Reducing cooling demand by 20-25% and refrigeration demand by 25-30% by the year 2037); National Action Plan for Climate Change |
Insta Links
Mains Links:
“Rising temperatures, scorching heat, and economic distress – Heat dome is a triple threat to India’s progress”. Explain how heat domes are formed and enumerate their socio-economic impact. (250 Words)
