The Receding Future
(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 01 July 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 01 July 2025
| Topic: GS1 (Indian Society), GS2 (Polity – Constitution and Secularism) |
| Context |
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Climate Change and Human Vulnerability
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Climate change has ceased to be a distant phenomenon and is now a present crisis with real consequences.
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Extreme heat across continents like Europe, Asia, and North America is setting records year after year.
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These environmental changes are disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable who lack cooling, insurance, or healthcare.
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The editorial stresses that the future is no longer decades away but already “receding” into a collapsing present.
Political and Institutional Failure
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Global political leadership is not rising to the occasion, with climate diplomacy stalled and emission reduction targets unmet.
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The 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement appears increasingly out of reach due to fossil fuel dependence.
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Nations continue to subsidize polluting industries and delay green transitions despite visible crises.
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There is a clear mismatch between scientific urgency and political willingness.
India’s Climate Imperatives
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India faces unique challenges: growing urban heat islands, strained water resources, and vulnerable coastal zones.
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Programs like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans need stronger implementation.
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Urban planning must incorporate green architecture, heat-resilient infrastructure, and climate-resilient crops.
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Policy focus must shift from token greenwashing to actual climate mitigation and adaptation.
Climate Crisis – Global vs Indian Challenges
| Category | Global Scenario | India-Specific Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Rise | 2023–25 among the hottest years recorded | Rising heatwaves across central & northern India |
| Political Commitment | COP pledges unmet; fossil fuel use continues | Implementation gaps in NAPCC & SAPCC |
| Vulnerable Population | Elderly, migrants, low-income communities | Urban poor, farmers, tribal populations |
| Infrastructure Resilience | Varies by country | Urban floods, rural droughts, weak drainage |
| Adaptive Capacity | High in Europe, low in Africa | Moderate but uneven across states |
Conclusion / Way Forward
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The climate crisis is no longer a hypothetical danger but a manifest reality that demands immediate, decisive action. India must strengthen climate governance at all levels, enforce environmental regulations, and invest in renewable energy and resilient infrastructure. Without this, the future will indeed continue to recede — not just for India but for the planet as a whole.
| Practice Question: (GS-3 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present crisis. Examine the socio-economic implications of rising temperatures in India and suggest adaptive policy strategies. |
