Black carbon, emitted alongside other pollutants from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, contributes to global warming and poses serious health risks. India, with significant black carbon emissions from traditional cookstoves, faces heightened health hazards including heart disease and premature death.
Q. Where does black carbon come from?
Black carbon is emitted from various sources including vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, agricultural burning, and residential heating. Its presence in the atmosphere results from incomplete combustion of organic matter, especially in engines and heating systems.
Q. What are its impact on climate?
Black carbon plays a crucial role in climate change. It absorbs solar radiation, leading to a warming effect on the Earth’s atmosphere.
Despite its short lifespan compared to CO2, which remains in the atmosphere for decades, black carbon’s potent warming effect per unit of mass makes it a significant contributor to global warming, particularly in the short term.
Q. How does black carbon compare to CO2 in terms of environmental impact?
While black carbon is highly effective at trapping UV heat, being one million times more effective than CO2, it is relatively short-lived in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. Black carbon typically dissipates within days or weeks, unlike CO2 which can linger for hundreds to thousands of years.
Q. What are the implications of black carbon deposition on Earth’s surface?
Black carbon settling on the Earth’s surface, particularly in regions like the Arctic Circle, can have detrimental effects. When it darkens the surface of snow and ice, it reduces the surface’s albedo, or its ability to reflect sunlight. This reduction in albedo accelerates melting and slows freezing, contributing to the loss of polar icecaps and rising sea levels.
Q. How does black carbon contribute to a vicious cycle in climate change?
The impact of black carbon on surface albedo creates a feedback loop: as more ice melts due to decreased reflectivity, more dark surfaces are exposed, leading to further absorption of heat and accelerated melting. This cycle exacerbates the effects of climate change, particularly in polar regions.
Q. What are its adverse health effects?
Exposure to black carbon particles has severe health implications. It is associated with respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular issues including heart disease and stroke. Moreover, pregnant women exposed to black carbon face higher risks of birth complications, and prolonged exposure can lead to premature death, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Q. How significant are black carbon emissions in India?
Residential activities contribute a substantial 47% to India’s black carbon emissions, with industries and diesel vehicles also playing significant roles. Despite progress in industrial and transport sectors, residential emissions remain a challenge, impacting public health disproportionately.
Q. Has the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) made a difference?
The PMUY, initiated in 2016, aimed to provide LPG connections to impoverished households, reducing reliance on traditional biomass fuels. While it has connected over 10 crore households, concerns arise as many beneficiaries still heavily rely on traditional fuels due to refill issues and high LPG prices.
Q. What is the government doing about it?
While the government has increased LPG subsidies, accessibility and affordability issues persist, hindering the transition to clean cooking fuels. Lack of last-mile connectivity and availability issues necessitate innovative solutions like local production of cleaner fuels such as coal-bed methane (CBM) gas.
Q. What about India’s global responsibilities?
As India commits to long-term decarbonization goals, addressing black carbon emissions becomes crucial. Prioritizing initiatives like PMUY not only improves public health domestically but also positions India as a leader in global climate mitigation efforts, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and reducing indoor air pollution-related deaths.
Conclusion
By understanding the importance of curbing black carbon emissions and implementing effective strategies like the PMUY scheme, India can not only improve public health but also contribute significantly to global climate action, paving the way for a sustainable future.