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National Solar Mission

Learn about some important initiatives by the Indian government to reduce global warming like National Solar Mission, National Water Mission and more.

As we move toward a modernised world with high-tech technology, an increase in the release of heat-trapping gases is a climate change that has been arising. We have often come across terms like global warming, climate change, etc., either on the internet or through social media, magazines, or newspapers. Before learning what global warming is, we must look into the effects and causes of climate change. Scientists are confident that global average temperatures will keep climbing for future decades, owing to many greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity. 

Over 1,300 experts from the United States, and other countries, make up the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which predicts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 ℉ over the next century. Climate change impacts health’s environmental and social determinants, such as safe drinking water, clean air, enough food, and a safe place to live. We will learn what global warming, its effects and causes, and our country’s steps to reduce global warming, like the National Solar Mission, National Water Mission, and National Mission for a Green India.

What Is Global Warming?

Global warming is the long warming of Earth’s climate system that has been seen from the pre-industrial era (between the 1850s and 1900s) due to human activity and fossil fuel combustion, which raises heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, while the latter refers to both naturally caused and human-caused warming and the consequences for our world. The average growth in Earth’s global surface temperature is the most common metric. Changing climate is the greatest health concern confronting humanity, and health experts worldwide are already reacting to the consequences of this emerging calamity. The long-term rise of the planet’s total temperature is global warming. Global warming causes a crisis known as climate change.

What Steps Has India Taken to Reduce Global Warming?

India is among the few countries to reach its 2015 Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Commitments. Prime Minister Modi unveiled an ambitious project for India’s climate initiatives, including a large scale-up of renewable energy, during the Climate Change Action Summit in New York.

On June 30, 2008, the Indian government announced the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which outlines eight national climate change missions. These include the following:

1. National Solar Mission 

The central and state governments have taken initiatives to promote solar power in India. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was inaugurated in January 2010. The National Solar Mission aims to make India a world leader in renewable radiation by establishing policies for its widespread deployment. Each phase has its own set of core policies and objectives. The National Sustainable Growth Mission (NSM) is a major project of the Indian government, with strong participation from states, to promote environmentally sustained development while addressing India’s energy security challenges. The National Solar Mission would also be a big contributor by India to the international effort to address climate change challenges. 

By 2022, the National Solar Mission hopes to have installed 100 GW of grid-connected solar power plants. The government has administered several policies to meet this goal, including the Solar Park Scheme, Bundling Scheme, CPSU Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme, etc.

2. National Water Mission

The National Water Mission is one of the eight nationwide missions formed by the Indian government as part of the Action Plan on Climate Change. “Water conservation, waste minimisation, and equal distribution both between and within nations through integrated flood resource management and development” is the main goal of the National Water Mission. The objectives of the National Water Mission include:

  • Comprehensive public water data repository and assessment of climate change’s influence on water resources.
  • Promotion of state and citizen actions for preservation and augmentation and water conservation. 
  • Paying special attention to vulnerable areas, such as those that have been over-exploited. 
  • Increasing the efficiency of water use by 20%.

3. National Mission for a Green India

The Green India Mission (GIM), also known as the National Mission for a Green India, is one of the eight missions that make up the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It was established in February 2014 to protect our country’s biological resources and associated livelihoods from the dangers of climate change and to recognise the critical role of forestry in ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, food, water, and livelihood security.

It aims to restore, maintain, and enhance India’s dwindling forest cover and mitigate climate change through migration and adaptation strategies. National Mission for a Green India envisions a comprehensive approach to greening that goes beyond tree planting. GIM focuses on various ecosystem services, including water, biomass, biodiversity, and the preservation of wetlands, mangroves, and key habitats, among others.

Conclusion: 

India is one of the countries to have taken the initiative to reduce global warming and the effects of climate change. Several successful initiatives, as mentioned above, have been launched to protect the environment and the planet from the negative impacts of global warming. These initiatives will help the preservation of extinct species and also focus on water conservation and reducing the effects of global warming.

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Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What causes global warming?

Ans. The emission of harmful gases trapped in the atmosphere leads to increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, and...Read full

What are the steps taken by the government of India to reduce global warming?

Ans. The government of India took initiatives like National Solar Mission, National Water Mission, and Nation...Read full

What are some of the effects of global warming?

Ans. Climate change, migration of species, extinction, etc., are some of the effects of global warming. ...Read full

What is the objective of the National Water Mission?

Ans. The objective of the National Water Mission is the conservation and prese...Read full