On Friday, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment in Tamil Nadu, announced the launch of the Centre for Heat Resilience. This initiative aims to create detailed heat maps for cities across the state, helping to address rising temperatures and their impacts.
The Centre is part of the U.K. Government’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia Programme, marking a significant partnership between Tamil Nadu and the U.K. Ms. Sahu emphasized that heat maps are essential for effective intervention. “Without accurate, real-time heat maps, we cannot plan successful strategies to combat heat stress,” she stated.
She also raised concerns about the shortage of qualified professionals in the field. “We need more climate scientists, engineers, and health risk modellers. Strengthening our technical capacity is vital,” she added. Integrating heat risk reduction into urban planning is another priority. By collaborating with the Housing and Urban Development Department, they aim to make heat risk a part of the city’s master plans from the outset.
The Centre will explore various solutions, including creating sponge cities and enhancing biodiversity. These efforts are part of broader goals to tackle urban heat and improve cooling infrastructure. Ms. Sahu hinted at the potential establishment of a Centre for Circularity to promote sustainable economic practices.
Seema Malhotra, the U.K. Minister for the Indo-Pacific, highlighted the urgency of addressing extreme heat. She praised Tamil Nadu for its leadership in climate innovation, noting that it was the first Indian state to create a Green Climate Fund and recognize heat waves as a distinct disaster.
Heat-related challenges are becoming more pressing. Recent studies indicate that urban heat islands can raise temperatures by 5-7 degrees Celsius compared to surrounding areas. This can lead to serious health issues, especially for vulnerable populations. As temperatures continue to rise, initiatives like the Centre for Heat Resilience could play a crucial role in safeguarding public health and enhancing urban climates.
In sum, this Centre marks an important step toward tackling heat stress, demonstrating Tamil Nadu’s commitment to climate resilience. As cities face increasingly hot conditions, such proactive measures are necessary to protect both people and the environment.
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