Firsthand Account of India’s Heatwaves
How we dealt with the heatwaves in sustainable ways.
Over the past month, India felt like it was on fire. During the peak noon hours, we couldn’t even touch the hot water coming in our taps from the overhead tanks. The houses also got insanely hot, thanks to the western architecture for which we ditched vernacular Indian traditional buildings capable of coping with this kind of extreme weather. Stepping out of the house was out of the question.
Truth be told, we were among the privileged lot who didn’t need to stay out in the sun. Millions of others, however, didn’t have a choice but to stay outdoors to earn their livelihood.
The past few days gave the much-needed respite from the heatwaves due to rain and thunderstorm.
What Did We Do to Navigate the Deadly Heatwaves
We decided to navigate the heatwaves in sustainable ways.
1. We Used Coolers Instead of Air Conditioners
During the heatwaves, India’s demand for electricity went through the roof as people used more air conditioning. To meet the growing electricity demand, India decided to double down on coal. Ironically, the heatwaves are making us consume more energy that is coming from fossil fuels. Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel, responsible for over 0.3C to 1C increase in global average temperature.
We are aggravating the problem that caused the heatwave in the first place. It is just a vicious cycle. As the heatwaves increase, so does the demand for fossil fuels. Moreover, air conditioners release powerful greenhouse gases, with thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide.
Initially, we limited the use of air conditioning to the night. Later on, we switched to coolers completely. We also decided to not increase our electricity consumption.
It also led us to the realization that modern Indian houses are made using western architecture that never made sense in the Indian climate. It further aggravated the situation during heatwaves. The solid concrete roof in modern houses absorbs the heat throughout the day and radiates it inside at night.
The houses are so hot during the night that one can’t imagine sleeping in the rooms without cooling them if you live on the top floor of a house. These houses are less resilient to India’s high temperatures and even less to the changing climate. Moreover, the AC units that help people sleep at night, release the heat into the streets, further increasing the local temperature by around 2°F as per U.S.-based studies.
We completely abandoned the topmost floor of our house so that we don’t have to use ACs. As of now, we have even decided to install solar panels in our current house to fulfill our electricity needs.
For the long term, we have decided to build an eco-friendly house with traditional Indian architecture. It requires less energy to cool. It stays 3°C –4°C cooler than the concrete houses in summer. Moreover, eco-friendly houses are built using materials that don’t carry a huge carbon footprint like houses built using concrete and cement.
2. We Stored Drinking Water in Earthen Pot Instead of Refrigerator
We drank water chilled using earthen pots instead of refrigerators. For generations, Indians have been using earthen pots to store water. It gives perfectly chilled water between 10°C to 14°C without wreaking havoc on the environment. I did miss the ice-cold water initially. The multiple health benefits of earthen pots also stopped us from going back to drinking refrigerated water.
3. We Worked towards Making Long Term Commitments to Sustainability
These heatwaves should act as a warning sign for what is yet to come. When I talk about making our lives sustainable, it is not only to fight climate change but also to adapt to it. Even if we start making changes now, the world is still warmer than it was a decade back. Crops are failing and extreme weathers are common.
As a child, I lived in a small city surrounded by hills and it was known for its pleasant weather up until a decade back. I never needed to use even a ceiling fan. Now, people use ACs to keep their houses. That is the difference a decade of pollution and environmental degradation has done to my hometown of Dehradun. It is almost 50 km from Rishikesh (the yoga capital of the world). I no longer live there.
It is only sustainability that can help us adapt to the current reality. Fighting climate change is something that would take decades. Hence, we need to adapt.
I and my husband are planning to build our own house. We are committed to building an eco-friendly house for ourselves that supports our zero waste lifestyle and helps us reduce our carbon footprint substantially. I will talk extensively about that in another article.
We are also investing in a farm where we can do natural farming. Moreover, there are small steps that we have taken, like getting rid of plastic and packaged food, buying fresh vegetables and fruits locally, and ditching supermarket products, amongst other things. We are witnessing a spillover impact of the choices we are making.
Our friends and extended family members also have started taking smaller initiatives toward sustainability. I urge you to take one small step every day towards a sustainable future. If you have children, their future is at stake. Make sustainable choices and avoid getting green-washed by big corporations.
Parting Note
While we had the luxury of not needing to step out in the deadly heatwaves, there were people who absolutely had no choice in the matter. They had to head out and work in extreme conditions every day, pushing their bodies to the limit. I am talking about India’s poor population- people who live hand to mouth. They include construction as well as factory workers, sweepers, guards, hawkers, home delivery guys, maids, and farmworkers. These people can’t afford to sit at homes and offices like some of us. These are the people with the least carbon footprint and yet they were the ones who suffered the most.
The world will never know the real cost of these heatwaves. It is the people who died from these deadly heatwaves. In India, a majority of deaths are not recorded. Most of the people who die from heatwaves are homeless people sleeping on baking pavements and unbearably hot slums.
I guess we will never know the real consequences of the unsustainable choices we are making today in pursuit of economic growth. Our convenience is costing people their lives! Remember, if we are not a part of the solution, we are a part of the problem. We are all in the same boat. It is only a matter of a very short amount of time before climate change affects each and everyone on the planet and that includes the billionaires and capitalists who are building bunkers in New Zealand.
Make small changes today. Ditch consumerism and support local and sustainable businesses. Look out for sustainable solutions. There are many startups that are working towards eco-friendly ways and alternatives. Each small action on your part can end up saving a life somewhere.
Thank you for reading.
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