India can, and must, tackle the problem of hot cities
South Asia has a unique opportunity to show the rest of the world the way to providing cooling access for all
The intense heatwave that has struck South Asia in the last few months has proved to be particularly challenging for those living in cities. While global temperatures are rising, urban temperatures are climbing at even faster rates.
The problem is only likely to get worse as South Asian cities grow more crowded, while heat waves are expected to become more extreme, last longer and happen more frequently. One study predicts that cities can expect the average high temperature to increase by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius and their lowest temperatures to increase by 3 to 7 degrees Celsius by 2050. Extreme heat, already the deadliest natural disaster in an average year, will become even deadlier.
Addressing urban heat is much more than “avoiding a negative”. It is an investment that would boost urban economies around the world — from Phoenix and New York City to New Delhi, Karachi and Dhaka. A growing body of research finds that the broad benefits of cooling down cities — such as improved energy efficiency, worker productivity, air quality, health and equity — are potentially worth billions of dollars to a single city. This represents an economic benefit for vulnerable low-income urban populations.
One example to emulate is Almeria, Spain, which has a unique tradition of whitewashing its greenhouses. Remarkably, based on a 20-year study comparing weather station data, researchers found that Almeria cooled down by 0.4°C compared to a 0.3°C rise in temperatures in surrounding regions lacking whitewashed greenhouses. An alternative strategy is the introduction of “green roofs,” which involves the planting of vegetation on roofs, which also reduces urban temperatures. Fortunately, some South Asian cities, including Ahmedabad and Dhaka, are recognising the importance of cool and green roofs to combat high urban temperatures and are implementing programmes to encourage their use.
Adopting these strategies is important in another way. The growing middle class in South Asia is likely to buy more air conditioners to beat the heat. But many devices will be low-cost and inefficient models that will only consume more energy powered by the fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. We face the prospect of a vicious cycle where a warming planet creates the need for more cooling that could result in more damaging emissions.
South Asia already has at hand simple, affordable and efficient solutions at the local level to deal with the problems of rising urban heat. This provides a unique opportunity for the region to show the rest of the world the way to providing cooling access for all. When we talk of someone being courageous, we mean that the person has the guts to do certain things that are good for all, and most of us shy away from doing so. The literary meaning of courage is the ability of a person to control fear in a situation that may be dangerous or unpleasant, which means the person may consciously undertake things that may cause him difficulties, even death. Such an individual stands out as a hero among us, and is respected and idolised. He never hesi-