PrepZen Daily Current Affairs & Exam Desk
Editorial · 2 min read · THE HINDU PAPER EDITORIAL

India's Urgent Need for a National Cooling Strategy

Share: WhatsApp
India's recurring struggle with extreme heat waves necessitates a fundamental shift in strategy. For the past decade, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has primarily focused on reactive measures, annually reporting on preparedness while the core problem persists . Although the 16th Finance Commission has suggested designating heatwaves as a national disaster, potentially opening up central funds, the existing heat action plans have proven inadequate . The NDMA itself acknowledges their uneven quality, noting many are mere imitations of foreign models. Current implementation often boils down to short-term palliatives like water kiosks and shaded waiting areas. While these temporary fixes offer marginal relief and save some lives, they fail to address the underlying vulnerability of millions of Indians whose daily lives – work, commute, sleep – are conducted in conditions increasingly becoming biologically unsustainable .A more comprehensive and proactive approach is imperative : a national cooling doctrine . This ambitious framework must set up sustained access to safe indoor temperatures as a public-health entitlement . Its immediate focus should be on implementing mandatory minimum cooling standards for various indoor workplaces – including factories, warehouses, and call centres – supported by an equitable and transparent inspection system. Technological advancements will play a crucial role, involving passive cooling materials, widespread deployment of reflective roofing, and efficient district cooling systems for densely populated urban areas. Furthermore, air conditioning solutions must be specifically calibrated for India's unique grid peculiarities and climate, which features wetter, longer, and more humid heat compared to the dry European summers that informed much current cooling research. Simply adapting solutions from temperate , affluent Western economies will not suffice , as most Indians cannot shell out for the associated energy costs. Continuing to produce ineffective heat action plans while temperatures soar is no longer a viable strategy; it has become mere theatre . India requires a truly transformative , long-term commitment.

Get daily updates on PrepZen App

Free · 10,000+ downloads · 4.8★

Download

Vocabulary from this Editorial

Acknowledges v

To accept or admit the existence or truth of.

Synonyms: Recognize, concede, admit

"The government acknowledges the need for stricter environmental regulations."

Affluent adj

Having a great deal of money; wealthy.

Synonyms: Prosperous, rich, wealthy

"Affluent nations often have a higher per capita carbon footprint."

Ambitious adj

Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.

Synonyms: Aspiring, determined, driven

"The new project sets an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by half."

Calibrated v

Carefully assessed, set, or adjusted to a standard.

Synonyms: Adjusted, fine-tuned, measured

"The instruments need to be calibrated precisely for accurate readings."

Comprehensive adj

Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

Synonyms: Extensive, thorough, complete

"The report provides a comprehensive overview of the country's economic challenges."

Conceived v

Formed (a plan or idea) in the mind.

Synonyms: Formulated, devised, imagined

"The project was conceived with the aim of promoting sustainable development."

Deployment n

The action of bringing resources into effective action; the strategic positioning of personnel or equipment.

Synonyms: Allocation, distribution, arrangement

"The rapid deployment of emergency services was crucial during the flood."

Designating v

Choosing someone or something for a special purpose, or of giving them a particular status.

Synonyms: Naming, appointing, specifying

"The committee is responsible for designating suitable candidates for the award."

Doctrine n

A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.

Synonyms: Creed, tenet, principle

"The company's core doctrine emphasizes customer satisfaction above all else."

Entitlement n

The fact of having a right to something.

Synonyms: Right, prerogative, privilege

"Access to clean water is considered a basic human entitlement."

Equitable adj

Fair and impartial.

Synonyms: Just, fair, impartial

"The company aims to create an equitable workplace for all employees."

Framework n

A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.

Synonyms: Structure, system, scheme

"The new policy provides a framework for international cooperation."

Fundamental adj

Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

Synonyms: Basic, essential, primary

"Respect for human rights is a fundamental principle of democracy."

Imperative adj

Of vital importance; crucial.

Synonyms: Crucial, essential, vital

"It is imperative that we address climate change immediately."

Implementation n

The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.

Synonyms: Execution, enactment, application

"The implementation of the new software took several months."

Inadequate adj

Lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.

Synonyms: Insufficient, deficient, sparse

"The current infrastructure is inadequate to support the growing population."

Mandatory adj

Required by law or rules; compulsory.

Synonyms: Compulsory, obligatory, required

"Wearing helmets is mandatory for all construction workers on site."

Necessitates v

Make (something) necessary as a result or consequence.

Synonyms: Requires, demands, compels

"The new regulations necessitates a complete overhaul of the production process."

Palliatives n

A measure taken to reduce the force or intensity of (something unpleasant).

Synonyms: Relief, remedy, alleviation

"The government offered only short-term palliatives instead of long-term solutions."

Peculiarities n

An odd or unusual feature or habit.

Synonyms: Idiosyncrasies, eccentricities, quirks

"Each region has its own cultural peculiarities that visitors find fascinating."

Persists v

Continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.

Synonyms: Endures, continues, remains

"Despite numerous attempts, the problem of water scarcity persists in the area."

Proactive adj

(of a person or policy) creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened.

Synonyms: Initiative, anticipatory, forward-looking

"A proactive approach to problem-solving often yields better results."

Reactive adj

Acting in response to a situation rather than creating or controlling it.

Synonyms: Responsive, defensive, retrospective

"The company's reactive strategy led to missed opportunities in the market."

Soar v

To rise very quickly to a high level.

Synonyms: Ascend, climb, surge

"Housing prices are expected to soar in the coming months."

Suffice v

Be enough or adequate.

Synonyms: Be sufficient, be adequate, serve

"A brief explanation will suffice for now; we can discuss details later."

Sustained adj

Continuing for an extended period or without interruption.

Synonyms: Continuous, prolonged, persistent

"The team showed a sustained effort throughout the entire match."

Temperate adj

Relating to or denoting a region or climate characterized by mild temperatures.

Synonyms: Mild, moderate, clement

"The temperate climate of the region is ideal for agriculture."

Theatre n

A dramatic performance; (figuratively) actions or behaviour intended to impress or deceive.

Synonyms: Show, spectacle, drama

"The politician's grand gestures were dismissed as mere theatre by the public."

Transformative adj

Causing a thorough or dramatic change.

Synonyms: Revolutionary, radical, life-changing

"The introduction of new technology had a transformative impact on the industry."

Unsustainable adj

Not able to be maintained at the current rate or level.

Synonyms: Unsupportable, unfeasible, unviable

"The current consumption patterns are ecologically unsustainable."

Phrasal Verbs

focused on

To give attention, effort, or interest to something specific.

"The discussion focused on the economic challenges faced by developing countries."

opening up

Making something available or accessible.

"The new trade agreement is opening up opportunities for small businesses."

boils down to

To be reduced to the most basic or essential point.

"The entire argument boils down to a matter of trust."

set up

To establish or arrange something.

"The government plans to set up a new committee to investigate the issue."

shell out

To pay a lot of money for something, often reluctantly.

"Consumers are often forced to shell out more for essential goods due to inflation."

PrepZen

Keep Learning with PrepZen

Get daily current affairs, live mock tests, mistake bank, vocab builder & more — all free on your phone.

Download Now — Free
PrepZen

Get PrepZen Free

Daily CA, Mock Tests & More

GET