India's Urban Climate Paradox: Exploring the Dynamics of Urban Expansion and Climate Change

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n12.003

Keywords:

Urbanization, Climate change, CO2 emissions, urban vulnerability, Indian cities, environmental impact

Abstract

India's urban populace constitutes 35% of the total and ranks as the third-largest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emitter. This study delves into the interplay of urbanization and climate change, particularly their impact on Indian cities. Analysis spans urbanization trends, CO2 emissions over time, and their environmental repercussions in million-plus cities. Leveraging comprehensive secondary data, distinct patterns emerge, highlighting heightened vulnerability in India's western and northern regions due to urbanization-induced resource depletion. State-level evaluation exposes Gujarat as a major CO2 emitter, while Uttarakhand exhibits low emissions. Robust bi-variate regression affirms a positive correlation between urbanization and CO2 emissions. The study underscores the urgency for vulnerability assessments in Indian urban centers, emphasizing adaptive strategies and policies. While recognizing existing national climate initiatives, it advocates heightened integration of climate action plans within urban frameworks. In sum, this study advocates harmonizing urbanization and climate resilience in Indian cities.

Author Biography

Dr. Raju Sarkar, Scientist C, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG)

Dr. Raju Sarkar, a distinguished scholar, holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies (Demography) from the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru. His educational journey includes a Bachelor's and Master's in Geography from the University of North Bengal, Darjeeling, and a Master's in Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. Currently serving as Scientist C at the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Dr. Sarkar's diverse experience extends to his role as a Research Fellow at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata. With a developmental mindset, he actively engages with esteemed professional organizations and has received accolades such as the UGC-NET in Geography and Population Studies. Proficient in data analysis tools like SPSS, STATA, R, and MORTPACK, along with expertise in geographical software such as ArcGIS and QGIS, Dr. Sarkar is a dedicated scholar with a remarkable publication record and a commitment to continuous learning through workshops and training programs.

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Published

14-12-2023

How to Cite

Sarkar, R. (2023). India’s Urban Climate Paradox: Exploring the Dynamics of Urban Expansion and Climate Change. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 8(12), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n12.003

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 12 (2023): RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

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Articles

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).