Hello and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so excited to be learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called, "Climate Change in India".

Grab everything you might need for today's lesson, and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to describe some impact of climate change in India, and give examples of ways in which the country is taking climate action.

Before we can begin this learning, we need to define the keywords that we'll be using throughout today's lesson.

The keywords in today's lesson are, climate change, monsoon, small-scale farming, greenhouse gases, and renewable energy.

Climate change, this is the, "Large-scale and long-term change in the planet's climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures." Monsoon.

"A seasonal change in wind direction that brings a very rainy season or a very dry season." Small-scale farming.

"Growing crops, and raising livestock on a small area of land." Greenhouse gases.

"Gases in the earth's atmosphere that trap heat." Renewable energy.

"Sources of energy that can be re-used and will not be used up or run out".

Now that we've defined these keywords, we can begin our learning.

The first question we are going to explore in today's lesson is, "How is climate change impacting India?" Climate change is affecting our planet and people in many different ways.

Some of the major impacts include, rising temperatures, global temperatures are increasing, leading to heat, waves, droughts, and more extreme weather events.

Melting ice and rising sea levels.

Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, causing sea levels to rise, which threatens coastal communities.

More extreme weather, climate change leads to stronger storms, heavier rainfall, and more frequent wildfires, making some areas more dangerous to live in.

Changes in wildlife and ecosystems. Many species are struggling to survive as their habitats change or disappear, due to rising temperatures and deforestation.

Impact on agriculture, crops are affected by droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather, leading to food shortages in some regions.

Health issues, rising temperatures and pollution increase health risks, such as heat stroke, respiratory diseases, and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

These effects are already being seen around the world, and are expected to become more severe in the future, and less action is taken to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Lucas and Sam are having a discussion.

Sam said, "Everyone in India and around the world is affected by climate change equally".

Lucas said, "I think that some people are impacted by climate change more than others".

Pause the video here and decide who you agree with and why.

Press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Everyone is affected by climate change, but some places and people are impacted more than others.

Aisha said, "India is one of the countries that is more impacted by climate change than other countries".

And Izzy said, "Not everyone in India is impacted by climate change equally".

This map shows countries resized, based on the number of people affected by floods, droughts, or extreme temperatures.

The larger a country appears, the more people are at risk from these climate related disasters.

India is one of the most affected countries, which is why its size has increased on the map.

With its large population and diverse climate, India faces severe heat waves, unpredictable monsoons, and rising sea levels, and water shortages.

These extreme weather events can harm people's health, homes, agriculture, and access to clean water.

As climate change continues, more people in India and other vulnerable regions, will experience its effects, making it even more important to take action to reduce emissions and adapt to these challenges.

India mostly experiences a tropical monsoon climate, meaning it has distinct wet and dry seasons.

The annual monsoon rains are essential for farming, drinking water, and generating electricity through hydropower.

However, climate change is making these monsoon rains more unpredictable.

Some areas are experiencing heavier rainfall leading to severe flooding, while others experience weaker monsoons or delayed rains, causing droughts.

These extreme weather patterns are affecting agriculture, water supply, and people's livelihoods, making it harder for communities to plan for the future.

As climate change worsens, India will need to adapt by improving flood defences, water shortage systems, and sustainable farming practises, to manage these increasing risks.

What might be the impact of this on India's population and its economy? Pause the video here whilst do you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The increasing unpredictability of monsoon rains due to climate change, can have serious impact on India's population and economy in several ways.

The impact on the population, flooding can destroy homes, force people to leave their communities, and increase the spread of diseases.

Droughts can lead to water shortages, making it harder for people to get clean drinking water and grow food.

Health problems may increase due to extreme heat waves, poor air quality and malnutrition from failed crops.

Rural communities, especially farmers, are more vulnerable, as they depend on stable weather for their crops.

The impact on the economy, agriculture, which employs millions of people, may suffer from poor harvests, due to floods or droughts, leading to food shortages and higher prices.

Infrastructure damage from extreme weather events can be costly to repair, affecting transportation, businesses, and daily life.

Water shortages can impact industries that rely on water, such as manufacturing, and energy production.

Tourism, an important sector in India, may decline due to extreme heat, flooding, and environmental damage.

Overall, if India does not adapt to these climate challenges, it could face economic slowdowns, increased poverty, and higher risks for millions of people.

However, investing in climate resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness can help reduce these risks.

I would like you to complete the text below.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Let's check our answers.

"Climate change is causing the monsoon rains in India to become more erratic and unpredictable".

Well done.

Unpredictable rainfall leads to floods or droughts.

Small-scale farmers in India are going to face serious challenges.

Crop failure due to too much or too little rain, can leave farmers without food to eat or sell.

Losses of income, means that they struggle to afford essential food, like healthcare and education for their children.

Debt increases, as farmers may have to borrow more money to survive, leading to financial instability.

Livestock losses occur if animals don't have enough food or water, further reducing their income.

Small-scale farmers are going to struggle even more.

They lack savings to help them through difficult times.

They depend entirely on their crops and animals for survival.

They don't have access to advanced technology like irrigation systems, that could help them to manage changing weather.

They receive little government support, making it harder to recover from disasters.

More farmers may leave rural areas, to look for work in cities, increasing urban poverty.

Food shortages could lead to higher prices, affecting millions of people.

The farming sector, which is important to India's economy, may struggle to keep up with the demand.

To help, India needs to invest in climate resilient farming, including better irrigation, drought resistant crops, and financial support for struggling farmers.

Flooding has always been a natural part of India's climate, but climate change is making it happen even more often, and with greater intensity.

This is particularly severe in Assam, a state in northeastern India, where heavy rainfall has led to devastating floods.

Homes have been destroyed, and many houses, especially in rural areas, are not built to withstand severe floods, leaving thousands homeless.

Crops are washed away, making it harder for farmers to earn a living and provide food.

Bridges and roads can be washed away, cutting off villages from food, water, and medical help.

Heavy rain weakens the soil, leading to landslides that bury homes and farmland.

Many families must need their homes sometimes permanently, adding to India's growing number of displaced people.

Some long-term consequences are, the destruction of property, farmland, and roads cost millions and billions to prepare.

Flood water spread diseases, especially in overcrowded relief camps.

Crop destruction can lead to rising food prices, affecting the entire country.

To reduce the impact of flooding, India needs to invest in stronger flood defences, better early warning systems, and climate resilient infrastructure to protect people and their livelihoods.

Heatwaves in India are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

In 2024, India faced its longest ever heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius, in several parts of the country.

These extreme heat conditions can cause severe health problems, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.

It can also strain the country's power supply, as people use more energy for cooling, leading to potential power shortages.

Additionally, the heat wave can affect agriculture, as crops struggle to survive in such extreme temperatures, impacting food supply and the economy.

What might be the impact of this on India's population and its economy? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The impact of frequent and extreme heat waves on India's population and economy can be significant.

Heat waves can lead to heat stroke, dehydration, and other health problems, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.

And this could strain India's healthcare system, and increase healthcare costs.

High temperatures can harm crops, reducing agricultural yield and food production.

And this could lead to food shortages, higher prices, and increased poverty for farmers, especially those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

With extreme heat, there is a surge in electricity demand, due to an increased use of fans and air conditioners.

This can lead to power shortages, especially during peak times, affecting industries and daily life.

A decline in agriculture output and productivity due to heat waves, can affect India's economy, as a large portion of the population is employed in agriculture.

The overall economic growth may slow down, and the government may need to invest in more disaster relief and recovery.

Extreme heat might force people, especially farmers, to migrate from rural areas to urban areas, in search of better opportunities, putting additional pressure on cities, and urban infrastructure.

In summary, heatwaves can disrupt daily life, harm public health, and put additional pressures on India's economy and resources.

"Which of these are impacts of climate change in India?" I would like you to select two answers.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The answers are, C, increased risk of flooding and droughts, and D, more intense heat waves.

Well done on this task.

"Not everyone in India is impacted by climate change in the same way.

Which of these homes do you think would be more resistant to flooding and why?" Pause the video here whilst you take a closer look, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The house that would be more resistant to flooding is the one on the right, compared to the one on the left, well done on this.

"Flooding has devastating consequences around the world, but some people and places are more affected than others".

Lucas has said, "Some people might live in poor quality homes that are less resistant to flooding".

Izzy has said, "Some people won't have insurance or savings to fall back on if their homes or crops are damaged or destroyed".

"Some places have better emergency services and flood warning systems than others".

And Sam said, "Some places have more resources than others to adapt to climate change impacts, for example by building flood defences".

What do you think might be the reason for these differences? Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

A lot of it is to do with wealth.

If an area is wealthy or a government has a lot of money, they're able to invest in flood defences, and warning systems. But if they don't have that, their priorities are focused on other areas that need to be addressed.

For example, healthcare, and education, and rising poverty levels.

Well done on this.

"Other climate change impacts such as heat waves, also affect some people more than others".

For example, temperatures in Mumbai's informal settlements are typically five to six degrees hotter, than in the surrounding areas with better housing.

These informal settlements are often overcrowded, with high population density.

Many people live in buildings with metal roofs, which can trap heat, and these buildings typically lack proper insulation, or cooling systems. As a result, the people living in these areas are more vulnerable to extreme heat, which can lead to serious health problems like heat stroke and dehydration.

"True or false? Flooding and heat waves have always happened in India.

It has nothing to do with climate change." Pause a video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause a video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Brilliant.

The reason why this statement is false is because, flooding and heatwaves have always happened in India, but climate change is causing them to occur more often, and become more severe.

Fantastic work on this task.

You've done brilliantly.

I would now like you to look at the statement on the screen.

It says, "Everyone is impacted by climate change equally".

I would like you to place a cross on the line representing your opinion, whether you agree or disagree.

State your opinion.

Do you agree, disagree, or partly agree with the statement, and then justify your opinion, and provide reasons why you think this is.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Brilliant, let's look at our answers.

Here is a possible answer where you may have placed your cross on the scale.

I have placed it here at disagree, because I don't think that everyone is impacted by climate change equally.

And a possible answer to explain this is, "I disagree with the statement.

Although everyone is affected by climate change, some people and places are impacted more than others.

Some people and places have more resources to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change than others.

For example, some places might have better flooding warning systems or emergency services.

Some people might live in poor quality homes that are less resistant to flooding and won't have insurance or savings to fall back on if their homes or crops are damaged or destroyed." Fantastic work on this task, you've done brilliantly.

We're now going to explore our second question of today's lesson.

"How is India taking climate action?" People around the world are taking action against climate change in many different ways.

This might be through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impact of climate change.

Izzy has said, "But a lot more action is needed than just these two strategies".

Using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is important for tackling climate change.

This chart shows the different sources of the world's energy consumption.

As you can see, the percentage of energy coming from renewable source is increasing, which is a positive trend.

However, much of the world's energy is still produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

These fossil fuels contribute to air pollution and climate change.

So transitioning to cleaner energy resources, is crucial for a sustainable future.

India, like many countries, is increasing its use of renewable energy, to help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

This chart shows how India's use of renewable sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to generate electricity has changed over time.

You can see that the share of renewable energy in India's electricity generation has been growing steadily.

This shift towards renewable energy is an important step for India, as it works towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, improving air quality and meeting its climate goals.

India, like many countries, is increasing its use of renewable energy, sources to help combat climate change, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

One example of this effort is the Bhadla solar park, located in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India.

Spanning a massive 56 square kilometres, it is one of the largest solar parks in the world.

The park harnesses the power of the sun to generate electricity, contributing significantly to India's renewable energy production.

The vast area and sunny climate makes an ideal location for solar energy, helping India move towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Can you take a closer look, and see if you can spot where the solar panels are in the satellite image? Pause video here whilst you attempt this, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The solar panels are located here.

Well done.

Another important source of renewable energy, is India's hydropower.

Using hydropower helps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change.

However, hydropower can impact the environment and people in other ways.

For example, building dams may mean that, people living nearby are forced to move somewhere else, as they need to flood the area to create reservoirs.

India's largest source of renewable energy in 2023 was, A, wind power, B, solar energy, C, hydropower.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is C, hydropower.

Well done.

India is also taking important steps to combat climate change by increasing its forest cover.

Forests are often referred to as carbon sinks, because they absorb and store carbon, which helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Since carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, increasing forest cover is a crucial part of India's climate action efforts.

Deforestation, which is clearing the forest for agriculture, urbanisation, and other purposes, is a major cause of climate change, because it releases the carbon stored in trees back into the atmosphere.

By focusing on protecting and expanding forests, India's working to mitigate climate change, and preserve biodiversity, while also contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

India is one of the ten most forest-rich countries in the world, but a lot of its forests have been lost.

Izzy has said, "India has lost about 6% of its tree cover since 2000.

That's an area greater than the size of Wales".

Tree planting is one way India aims to increase forest cover.

Climate action is not only about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also about helping people adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In India, farmers are finding ways to adjust their practises to cope with changing climate and its effects.

Some of the ways farmers are adapting include, growing drought resistant crops.

Climate change is making rainfall more unpredictable, and drought is becoming more common in some areas.

By growing crops that are resistant to drought, farmers can continue to produce food, even when there is less water available.

Storing and using water more efficiently.

As water resources becomes scarcer, farmers are implementing methods to conserve and make better use of the water they have.

This includes techniques like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and using more efficient irrigation systems to minimise water waste.

These strategies help farmers cope with the challenges posed by climate change, and ensure that they can continue to produce food, and support their livelihoods even in changing environments.

Tropical storms and flooding are becoming more frequent and intense in India, due to the impacts of climate change.

To help people better prepare for, and respond to these extreme weather events, improved warning systems are essential.

One effective way of alerting people is by sending warnings directly to their mobile phones.

These mobile alerts can inform communities about the upcoming storm or flood, giving them time to evacuate or take necessary precautions.

Early warning systems can also provide information about the severity, and expected duration of the event, allowing people to make better decisions about how to protect themselves and their property.

In addition to mobile alerts, public broadcast systems, social media, and local authorities, can play a key role in spreading these warnings quickly and efficiently.

This proactive approach helps reduce loss of life, protect property, and increase the ability of communities to recover after a disaster.

I would like you to complete the text.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Your text should read like this.

"India is taking climate change action by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change".

Fantastic work.

I would now like you to describe a way in which India's reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

I'd also like you to describe a way in which people in India are adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Lucas has said, "If possible, use other sources of information to find different examples to those described in this lesson".

Pause the video here, whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent, let's check our answers.

"Here are two examples from this lesson.

One way in which India is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions is by using more renewable energy sources such as solar power and hydropower.

Farmers in India are adapting to the impacts of climate change by growing drought resistant crops and trying to use water more efficiently".

Fantastic work on this task, you've done brilliantly.

Sam has said, "Perhaps you could create a positive climate news board, with examples of ways in which people are taking climate action." That's a fantastic idea, and it would help to highlight the amazing work that people are doing all around the world, to help combat climate change.

Well done.

We've now come to the end of our learning on climate change in India, and you've done brilliantly, but let's summarise what we've learned today.

"Some people and places are more impacted by climate change than others.

Droughts, flooding and heat waves in India are more frequent and severe because of climate change.

People around the world are taking action against climate change but a lot more action is needed.

India is taking action in different ways to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to climate change impacts." Fantastic work on today's lesson.

You've done fantastically, and I look forward to learning with you again very soon.