Delhi's Pollution Crisis and Climate Change

Environmental Situation in India

Air Quality and Pollution

• Air Quality Index (AQI): On November 12, 2025, Delhi recorded a severe AQI of over 400, marking the air quality as distinctly unbreathable.
• Protests: On November 9, citizens of Delhi protested against deteriorating air quality, with many being detained.

Environmental Disasters

• Flash Floods in Uttarkashi: In August 2025, flash floods occurred in Uttarkashi due to a glacial lake burst, reminding many of the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy where over 6,000 died due to a similar disaster.
• Acid Rain Research: A study by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that rainwater in parts of India has become increasingly acidic over three decades.

Climate Change and Attribution Science

• Climate Attribution Science: This field estimates how climate change alters the intensity or frequency of extreme weather events. Models compare real-world data with a hypothetical world without climate change.
• Attribution Accuracy: Heat waves' attribution is more precise than that of extreme rain events.
• Research Findings: Utah State University linked the 2013 Kedarnath floods to climate change impacts on rainfall patterns in northern India.

Pollution Sources and Impacts

• Primary Emission Sources: Point sources (e.g., power plants) contribute to significant emissions, while non-point sources (e.g., vehicles, agriculture) are more dispersed.
• Acid Rain in Dhanbad: Research indicated rain with a pH of 5.37 in Dhanbad, associating it with emissions from coal mining.

Technological Advances in Climate Monitoring

• Satellite and Modelling Advances: Increasing model resolution and the ability to track emissions through satellites enhance the accuracy of climate attribution.
• Cyclone Prediction Improvements: The IMD has enhanced forecasting models, resulting in reduced fatalities from cyclones.

Legal Aspects and Climate Justice

• Per-Capita Emissions: Proposals advocate for greenhouse gas emission entitlements based on population equity to address climate justice.
• Liability for Emissions: A paper published in Nature discussed the potential for legal accountability for fossil fuel companies in relation to climate damage.

India's Climate Policy and Progress

• Future Projections: India contributes less than 6% to global cumulative CO2 emissions and has made strides in renewable energy, especially solar and wind. The focus, however, is on sustainable long-term plans.
• Material Availability Issues: A bottleneck in battery production materials presents challenges for advancing renewable energy initiatives.

Conclusion

• The interplay between pollution, climate change, and legal accountability is increasingly relevant as India navigates its environmental policies and commitments amidst ongoing challenges from air quality and natural disasters.