Heatwaves bring home reality of climate change

There is no parity or justice when facing the effects of climate change and often countries that are least responsible for causing global environmental change are facing the brunt of the resulting challenges. Sri Lanka is currently facing this reality with smouldering heat sapping the life out of everyone. 

This week the Meteorological Department forecasts that the maximum temperature in some parts of the island will reach 40 degrees Celsius and will continue until the second week of May. The Department has also issued a warning noting that the Heat Index or the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Extreme Caution level’ in the dry zone.

These tangible changes to the climate are reminders that Sri Lanka must take the necessary precautionary measures in advance and prepare for eventualities. As a small island and a developing nation now amid an economic crisis, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of these environmental changes. Consequences of climate change and pollution such as temperature rise, rainfall variability and sea level rise are critically affecting almost all economic sectors of the country. A single anomaly in the rainfall could have catastrophic effects on the food security and push the country towards severe malnutrition. Occurrences of natural disasters due to extreme weather conditions such as prolonged droughts, flash floods and landslides deprive lives and livelihoods of people.

The Climate Change Prosperity Plan declared by the current administration a couple of years ago was expected to address some of these matters in a more cohesive manner. The plan was expected to deliver an economic growth rate that is 1% per year higher, resulting in GDP that is 34% higher by 2050. The Sri Lankan plan sets a target of increasing Sri Lanka’s renewable energy generation from 35% to 70% by 2030. Two years since the announcement of this plan an assessment is required to ensure that these well-intentioned plans are on track to being achieved.

Heatwaves, unpredictable rainfall that will affect agriculture and electricity generation and increasing levels of air pollution from the Indian subcontinent must now be considered as realities and common occurrences. The deteriorating air quality should be of a particular concern since climate change and air quality are inextricably linked, as the same pollutants that cause climate change also harm air quality – putting at risk people’s rights to life and to health, as well as the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It is imperative that affected South Asian countries urgently create and implement a cross border pollution action plan to deliver adequate finance to help adapt to climate change.

The Government would have no choice but to address these realities with adequate policy changes. Irrespective of the economic crisis that is preoccupying policymakers, it is imperative that they also focus on the real threats posed through climate change which can have serious ramifications on food security, water resources and the general survival of the populace. Undermining the vulnerability of Sri Lanka to effects of climate change would be a serious mistake which would have even worse consequences than the current economic crisis. Therefore, a cohesive and comprehensive policy that is implemented with the seriousness it deserves is imperative.