Air pollution is linked to more than a thousand deaths annually in India, a study says. The country is also been hit hardest by climate change in the past 30 years with a record of 400 extreme events, as per environmental thinktank Climate Risk Index.
World Environment Day 2025: Climate & Health Crisis In India
Thirteen of the 20 most-polluted affected cities in the world are in this country. During the winter of 2024, many parts of Delhi reported an air quality index of more than 1,000, which is a health emergency.
Air pollution and climate change have been deeply interconnected with the rapid growth and urbanisation in the cities leading to huge production of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, and ground-level ozone which not only pollute the air but also cause global warming.
A study published by Science in 2024 called Communications Earth & Environment stated that the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain, which stretches across northern India from Pakistan to Bangladesh, industry, urban traffic, dust, cooking, and crop fires conspire to produce some of the world’s worst air pollution.
Thirteen of the 20 most-polluted affected cities in the world are in this country. During the winter of 2024, many parts of Delhi reported an air quality index of more than 1,000, which is a health emergency.
On this World Environment Day, the Uttar Pradesh government has organised an environmental awareness campaign across schools with activities related to this year's theme 'plastic pollution'.
Where India Stands?
According to 2025 Climate Risk Index, between 1993 and 2022, India endured more than 400 extreme events which includes floods, heatwaves, and cyclones and caused at least 80,000 fatalities along with economic losses that go upto $180 billion.
The environmental think tank in its report measured both the human and economic consequences of climate-related disasters.
It said that from 1993 and 2022, India’s vulnerability to extreme weather includes devastating floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, along with intense heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015 which effected the population badly. Extreme rainfall in monsoon have led to destruction of property and mass displacement along with loss of life.
Meanwhile, a Lancet report in 2024, mentioned that the coastal areas of India are impacted by sea level rise across the globe, the report said, “India’s extensive coastline, spanning over 7,500 kilometers, faces severe threats from rising sea levels driven by both natural processes and human activities. Coastal regions, such as the Sundarbans, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and parts of Gujarat, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise”.
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The report has mentioned that in 2023, approximately 18.1 million people in India resided in areas less than one metre above sea level which is leading to migration.
Tuhin Ghosh, a Sundarbans researcher and professor at Jadavpur University, Kolkata was quoted by a report in DownToEarth report, saying, “Our studies have shown that 7 of 10 families in the Sundarbans migrate and climate change impacts, along with other factors, play a key role in the dynamics."
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Health And Climate Change In India
Countdown on Health and Climate Change, is a report published by The Lancet, where they studied “10 of 15 indicators tracking health threats (setting) new records”.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, World Health Organization has said, “The climate crisis is a health crisis. As the planet heats up, the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters increase, leaving no region untouched."
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The report stated, “In 2023, people were exposed to, on average, an unprecedented 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures than expected without climate change”.
The Lancet report stated, “India has recently experienced record-breaking heatwaves. In 2023, each person was exposed to more than 2,400 hours, the equivalent to 100 days, per year when light outdoor activity like walking posed at least a moderate risk to heat stress."
The report also said that the infants and the elderly among the Indian population has suffered the the impact of climate change the most in India. The report said, “From 2014-2023, each infant and adult over age 65 was exposed to an average 7.7 and 8.4 heatwave days per year, respectively; 47 percent and 58 percent (over) compared to 1990-1999.”
The frequent and intense heatwaves have also affected the physical health leading to economic losses, as the report said, “181 billion potential labour hours were lost due to heat exposure in 2023 (and) USD 141 billion was the potential income loss from labour capacity reduction due to heat in 2023.”
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Climate change has also resulted in altering the geography of diseases in different areas of India such as malaria which used to be confined to low land areas, has now spread to Himalayas; and dengue infection has expanded throughout the country including coastal regions.
The report said, “The transmission potential for dengue carried by Aedes albopictas mosquitoes increased 85 percent from 1951-1960 to 2014- 2023,” and added that the coastal population has become much more vulnerable infections such as cholera due to climate change.
In 2024, Delhi recorded an annual average PM2.5 level of 107 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3)—over two-and-a-half times the safe limit of 40µg/m3.
The rising levels of PM2.5, which penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, pose a grave health risk, especially for children, elderly and other vulnerable groups with existing conditions. In children, PM2.5 has also been linked to sub-optimal cognitive development and other mental health issues like anxiety.
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The Climate Central, a US-based climate research organisation in a report stated that the rise in 'extreme heat' days have affected pregnant women and the birth outcomes in India.
The New Indian Express has explained that the term "pregnancy heat-risk days" refers to extremely hot days that are associated with heightened risks of preterm birth (birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation) and complications in maternal health. Preterm birth can have lasting health effects on the baby and increase the risk of maternal health problems after birth.
According to the report, India recorded an average of six additional days of 'dangerously high temperatures' for pregnant women each year over the last five years with the typical annual number being 19 days. As per reports the Indian states Goa, Kerala, Sikkim and Assam experience highest number of "pregnancy heat-risk days" compared to others between 2020 and 2024.
What Are Doctors Saying?
Speaking to Outlook India, Dr. Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman, Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied sciences mentioned that he has seen a clear rise in health issues over the past decade that can be linked to deteriorating air quality and climate variability in Delhi.
He says, "We are seeing more patients with respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis—even in individuals with no previous history."
Further explaining the cause for the rise in such health conditions, he said, "The prolonged exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants may also exacerbates cardiovascular diseases and may worsen give rise to or worsen diabetes through chronic systemic inflammation."
When asked about noticing a particular trend among his patients, Misra stated that along with middle-aged and older adults being mostly affected by pollution-linked cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, "we are increasingly seeing younger individuals—especially those in their 20s and 30s—presenting with early-onset asthma, elevated blood pressure, and metabolic disturbances. The impact of air quality is no longer limited to the elderly or chronically ill—it is now affecting all age groups."
Misra confirmed that there is also a rise in diabetes diagnosis among children where both lifestyle and environmental play a role. He explained, "Clearly sedentary lifestyle and poor diet are major drivers. Any environmental issue adds to it. Of increasing concern are environmental factors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals in polluted air, water, and processed foods, as well as reduced outdoor activity due to unsafe air. These factors may interfere with insulin sensitivity and fat distribution at an early age, especially in genetically predisposed Indian children."
Dos & Dont's
Minimize outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours, particularly early mornings and evenings in winter.
Use certified air purifiers at home and wear N95 masks when air quality is hazardous.
Encourage indoor physical activity and avoid outdoor exercise during high pollution periods.
Support clean cooking and transportation alternatives (electronic vehicles), and reduce household burning of waste.
Consume a healthy, plant-based diet (for example broccoli has some properties to fight pollutants, other fruits and vegetables could help, citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and nuts) , which not only supports personal health but also reduces environmental impact.
Avoid household burning of wood, coal Chulhas.
Misra also shared few suggestions that the authorities might look into that includes enforcing stricter emissions standards for vehicles, industries, and construction activities while encouraging Electronic Vehicles.
He also mentioned about strict regulation of stubble burning and promote alternative crop management practices in surrounding states.
The authorities in place should regulate hazardous chemicals in processed foods, water, and packaging. They must also increase urban green spaces and invest in sustainable city planning to buffer against heat and pollution.
Schools should encourage children to eat healthy while the government might look at reducing taxes on healthy fruits and vegetables.
Food Security And Climate Change In India
A survey conducted in India by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and CVoter highlighted the intensity of food insecurity in India, especially for the citizens who have come out of extreme poverty in recent times. The India Today report on the survey said, "Three out of four Indians were very or moderately worried about famines and food shortages, holding global warming responsible."
The studey revealed "60 per cent of Indians experienced agricultural pests and diseases," which is related to food security.
Other impacts include, frequent power outages (59 per cent), water pollution (53 per cent), droughts and water shortages (52 per cent), or severe air pollution (52 per cent).
What Is India Doing About It?
The Uttar Pradesh government has organised an environmental awareness campaign on the ocassion of World Environment Day on June 5. They have organised activities across 75 districts under the slogan "End Plastic Globally" to go with this year's global theme targeting plastic pollution.
According to reports, at the flagship event in Lucknow's Regional Science Centre, Aliganj, children will demonstrate environmental stewardship through innovative methods.
The programming includes street play performances, workshops on sustainable alternatives, art installation made from recycled materials and nearly 5,000 students from 30 Lucknow schools are expected to participate in Aliganj event.
Beyond this event 147 registered NGOs have scheduled community clean-up drives at major water bodies including the Gomti, Ganga, and Yamuna rivers.
National Service Scheme volunteers will distribute 50,000 cloth bags in market areas during awareness walks.
India in 2021 during the COP26 in Glasgow, pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Net zero emissions refer to a situation where the amount of greenhouse gasses released is balanced with those taken out
Reportedly, India has become the third largest GHG emitter globally even though India's per capita carbon emissions being one of the lowest in the world.
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