Heat Divide |
Every summer, India is reminded that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality. Yet the true measure of the crisis is not found in temperature records or meteorological bulletins. It is found in the widening gap between those who can escape the heat and those who cannot. When temperatures climb past 45 degrees Celsius in cities such as Delhi, the burden is not shared equally. Air-conditioned homes, offices, malls and private vehicles offer protection to those who can afford them.
For millions of others, particularly workers in the informal economy, extreme heat is simply another occupational hazard that must be endured to earn a living. This is where the climate debate intersects with questions of labour, urban planning and social justice. India’s cities run on the efforts of street vendors, delivery personnel, construction workers, domestic workers, rickshaw pullers and countless others whose livelihoods depend on remaining outdoors for long hours. As heatwaves become longer and more intense, these workers face a cruel choice: risk their health or lose their income. The economic consequences extend far beyond individual........