Accelerated warming refers to the significant rise in ocean temperatures, expected to increase between 1.7°C to 3.8°C per century from 2020 to 2100. This alarming trend leads to severe weather conditions, prolonged marine heatwaves, and heightened cyclone intensity.
The warming of the Indian Ocean has a substantial influence on monsoon patterns through the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). This climate phenomenon affects weather conditions, and as the ocean warms, extreme IOD events are anticipated to become more frequent. Such changes can alter the timing, intensity, and distribution of monsoon rains across India, significantly impacting agriculture and water resources.
Marine heatwaves are defined as periods during which ocean temperatures rise abnormally high, lasting from days to months. In India, these events can lead to coral bleaching and the destruction of crucial marine habitats, threatening fisheries vital to the economy. Additionally, marine heatwaves can facilitate the rapid intensification of cyclones that may strike coastal regions, causing extensive damage.
The phenomenon of warming oceans also contributes to sea level rise through the thermal expansion of seawater. This rise poses a significant threat to India’s vast and densely populated coastal areas, increasing the risk of flooding and erosion. Such environmental changes can displace communities and damage vital infrastructure.
To combat the impacts of warming, India must focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in sustainable energy sources. Enhancing the climate resilience of infrastructure, improving disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, and implementing effective coastal zone management policies are crucial. Collaborative international efforts to tackle climate change remain essential for long-term mitigation.
The economic consequences of warming include disruptions in fishing, which is vital for coastal communities, and agriculture, especially in monsoon-dependent areas. The increased frequency of extreme weather events like cyclones and floods results in higher disaster response and recovery costs, leading to long-term economic disruptions.
In anticipation of the expected changes in the Indian Ocean, India is investing in enhancing its meteorological capabilities to predict and respond to extreme weather events more effectively. The government is also promoting coastal rehabilitation projects and advancing marine research to understand and mitigate the impacts of marine heatwaves and other climatic phenomena.
Q1. What does accelerated warming mean for the Indian Ocean basin?
Answer: Accelerated warming refers to the rapid increase in ocean temperatures, projected at 1.7°C to 3.8°C per century, leading to severe weather and marine heatwaves.
Q2. How does ocean warming affect India's monsoon patterns?
Answer: Warming alters the Indian Ocean Dipole, increasing the frequency of extreme events that impact the timing and intensity of monsoon rains across India.
Q3. What are marine heatwaves and their impact on India?
Answer: Marine heatwaves are periods of unusually high ocean temperatures that can cause coral bleaching and harm fisheries, affecting India's economy.
Q4. How does ocean warming contribute to sea level rise in India?
Answer: Ocean warming results in thermal expansion of seawater, significantly contributing to rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas in India.
Q5. What can India do to mitigate the impacts of warming?
Answer: India should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and implementing effective coastal management policies to mitigate warming impacts.
Question 1: What is the projected rate of temperature rise in the Indian Ocean by 2100?
A) 0.5°C to 1.5°C
B) 1.7°C to 3.8°C
C) 2.0°C to 4.5°C
D) 3.0°C to 5.0°C
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How do marine heatwaves affect Indian fisheries?
A) Increase fish populations
B) Cause coral bleaching and habitat destruction
C) Stabilize ocean temperatures
D) Enhance fishing techniques
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is a significant contributor to rising sea levels due to ocean warming?
A) Melting glaciers
B) Thermal expansion of seawater
C) Increased rainfall
D) Coastal erosion
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which phenomenon is influenced by the warming of the Indian Ocean that affects monsoons?
A) El Niño
B) Indian Ocean Dipole
C) Arctic Oscillation
D) Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What is one of the mitigation strategies for India regarding climate change?
A) Increasing fossil fuel usage
B) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
C) Ignoring international cooperation
D) Expanding agricultural land
Correct Answer: B
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