Editorial 1: Beat the heat with people-centric responses 

Context

As India may be facing another hot year, there is a need for solutions that focus on people, involve multiple sectors, and are based on scientific innovations.

Introduction

On March 15, 2025, some States and cities in India experienced the first major heatwaves of the year, which came 20 days earlier than in 2024. Over the last decade, the number of severe heat days and the strength of heatwaves have been increasing. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the hottest year on record, with temperatures about 1.55°C higher than pre-industrial times. In India, December 2022 was the hottest December since temperature tracking began in 1901. The frequency of heatwaves in India has gone up in the last two decades compared to the previous two decades.

• Rising external temperatures, heatwaves, humidity, and wind speed contribute to heat stress.
• When the outside temperature gets close to the body’s normal temperature of 37°C, the body struggles to release the internal heat produced by the basal metabolic rate.
• This leads to heat stress, which can impact multiple organs such as the kidneys, liver, and brain.
• Heat stress can cause illness and, in extreme cases, death.

Socio-economic impact and equity issue

Topic	Details
Impact on Agriculture	Rising temperatures stress the farming sector in India, making it difficult for farmers to work in the fields and leading to reduced crop yields. Livestock may also die, further affecting poor farmers.
Impact on Livestock	Heat stress reduces livestock production, impacting food supply and farm productivity.
Impact on Workforce	Heat stress lowers the productivity of outdoor workers, especially in labour-intensive sectors like agriculture and construction, resulting in loss of work hours and reduced personal and family income.
Economic Loss	Heat stress is estimated to cause an economic loss of 3% to 5% of GDP in many countries, including India. In 2023, 6% of work hours in India were lost due to heat stress. Industrial production is also affected by rising temperatures, electricity demand, and power cuts.
Vulnerable Populations	The impact of heat stress is worst on the poor, marginalized communities, migrants, subsistence workers, women, and the elderly. Women face additional challenges due to social norms like kitchen work, cultural dress codes, and living spaces.
Historical Observations	As early as the mid-19th century, scientists observed that urban areas are hotter than rural areas, indicating a human-made rise in temperature. It took 150 years to develop heat and health action plans (HHAP), with the first ones prepared in non-tropical regions (2003–2008).
India’s Heat Action Plans	In 2013, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, became the first Asian city to develop a Heat Action Plan (HAP). Over the last decade, more than 23 Indian states and around 140 cities have developed State- and city-level HAPs.
National Programme	India’s National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) provides heat advisories and health-related information through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Heat action plans need nuances

• Most Heat Action Plans (HAPs) consist of four to five components:
  • Early prediction of heatwaves to issue alerts
  • Increasing awareness among communities about actions to be taken
  • Preparing and equipping the health system to manage health conditions
  • Long-term measures to reduce heat, including government initiatives to increase trees, parks, and open gardens
  • Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting heat stress, morbidity, and mortality data
• Many Indian states and cities have HAPs, but their implementation requires more focus. Success has been partial and often occurs when city authorities collaborate with state governments, public health institutions, subject experts, NGOs, and community organizations.

Key action points for India

1. State-Level HAP Development/Update:
   • States should develop or update HAPs based on existing plans, incorporating lessons learned and best practices.
   • HAPs should account for both temperature and humidity.
   • Local vulnerability assessments should guide HAP development.
   • Plans must define clear accountability and responsibility for stakeholders.
   • Activation should begin from March each year.
2. Improved Data Collection on Heat Stress:
   • A study in Preventive Medicine: Research & Reviews found excessive mortality from heat stress in Indian cities, requiring better data collection.
   • Data should be comprehensive and accurately reflect heat-related illnesses, identifying vulnerable areas and populations.
   • Understanding who suffers from heat strokes and where can provide actionable, potentially lifesaving information.
3. Integration of Day & Nighttime Temperature Monitoring:
   • Some countries, like the UK, use Heat Health Alert (HHA) systems that consider both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
   • Indian HAPs should integrate day and nighttime temperature monitoring.
   • Advanced, specific warning systems are needed to predict thermal comfort and identify times of day with cooler temperatures, ensuring health and continuity of activities like school and work.
4. Strengthening Long-Term Preventive Measures:
   • Improve building and urban infrastructure, using materials that reduce heat.
   • The poor are most affected by heatwaves; financial support for informal sector workers who may lose wages during heat events should be considered.
5. Context-Specific Heat Advisories:
   • A 2022 study across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh found that a universal “stay indoors” advisory may not be effective for all families.
   • In poorer neighborhoods with confined spaces, temperatures may be higher inside homes and outside, especially in areas surrounded by high-rise buildings.
   • Heat advisories should be tailored to geographical and social contexts within cities.

Need for a people-centric approach

• Summer and Cold Shelters
  • More Indian cities should establish summer or cold shelters, similar to winter shelters.
  • Some States are already developing a ‘cool roof policy’ to promote the use of materials that reflect sunlight and keep houses cool.
  • There is a need for practical, science-based innovations to prevent heatwaves.
• Short-Term Measures During Heatwaves
  • Local authorities often issue short-term measures like advisories to encourage people to drink water.
  • Municipalities and city authorities must ensure the easy availability of:
    • Drinking water points
    • Electrolyte solutions / ORS powder
  • Offices and workplaces (both formal and informal) should:
    • Allow staggered work times
    • Enable early morning and late evening work
    • Close during peak heat hours, especially for those in the informal sector and open spaces.
• Cost-Effectiveness of Heat-Related Actions
  • Evidence shows that investments in heat-related actions and adaptation are highly cost-effective.
  • Efforts should focus on reducing the economic burden of heat stress in hospitals and emergency rooms.
  • Reducing the indirect social and economic costs of heat stress is equally important.
  • With rising global temperatures, heat-related measures are becoming increasingly urgent.

Key Focus Areas	Actions/Initiatives
Summer/Cold Shelters	Establish shelters in cities; promote cool roof policies for homes
Heatwave Short-Term Measures	Ensure drinking water points; provide ORS solutions; staggered work hours
Cost-Effectiveness	Prioritize cost-effective heat stress interventions in hospitals and emergency rooms

Conclusion

Actions should focus not only on short-term measures but also on long-term strategies to tackle rising temperatures. This includes better coordination between agencies and initiatives like providing insurance for lost workdays. If policymakers and planners recognize that heatwaves are an equity issue and adopt a people-centered approach, much of the work will be achieved.

Editorial 2: Calling out American trade illegality

Context

India’s muted response is striking, especially when it should be leading the Global South and pushing for a fair and just trading system.

Introduction

The world is shocked by the U.S. decision on April 2, 2025, to impose reciprocal tariffs, which are paused for 90 days except on China. These tariffs go against WTO rules, but President Trump seems to ignore global trade laws. Since the announcement, some countries have criticised the U.S., while others have stayed silent.

Criticising the U.S.

Country	Response to U.S. Tariffs	Remarks/Actions Taken
Singapore	Strong condemnation	PM Lawrence Wong called it a “complete repudiation” of the MFN principle.
Brazil	Strong condemnation	Stated that the tariffs “violate” U.S. WTO commitments.
China	Strong condemnation + Action	Criticised U.S. for WTO violations, initiated a WTO dispute, and imposed retaliatory tariffs.
Japan	Formal objection	Declared the unilateral tariffs go against WTO rules.
Canada	Legal challenge + Retaliation	Imposed retaliatory tariffs, filed WTO case over tariffs on autos and parts.
Fiji	Mild criticism	Called the tariff hikes “unfair”.
Italy	Mild criticism	PM described the U.S. action as a “mistake”.
India	No direct criticism	Issued a neutral statement, saying it is examining the decision.

Reasons Behind India’s Silence on U.S. Tariffs

India’s lack of public criticism regarding U.S. tariffs is often explained by two main arguments. However, both reasons merit deeper scrutiny.

1. Ongoing Bilateral Trade Negotiations with the U.S.

• Argument Presented: India is in the process of negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the U.S., and it is believed that publicly criticizing the U.S. for its tariff actions could jeopardize these talks.
• Critique of the Argument: This reasoning appears inconsistent and one-sided.
  • The U.S., despite being in negotiations with India, has openly criticized India’s high but legal tariffs.
  • Former President Donald Trump publicly voiced dissatisfaction with India’s tariff regime multiple times.
  • These criticisms did not halt trade discussions or deter cooperation.
• Global Context: Other countries that are also engaged in bilateral negotiations with the U.S. have not hesitated to condemn U.S. unilateral actions.
  • Raising concerns about violations of WTO rules does not amount to hostile retaliation, especially in the absence of reciprocal tariffs.
• India’s Position: Even if India communicates its concerns privately, a public stance would reaffirm its commitment to a rule-based international trade system.
  • Highlighting the need for adherence to global trade norms is not confrontational but constructive.

2. Dysfunctionality of the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism

• Argument Presented: With the WTO’s dispute resolution body currently ineffective, filing a legal case or calling out the U.S. seems futile.
• Critique of the Argument: This view reduces the value of international law to mere enforcement and material outcomes.
  • Legal systems also serve to distinguish legitimate authority from raw power, even when enforcement is delayed or absent.
• Importance of Legal Symbolism: International law enables actors to question and delegitimize actions by more powerful states.
  • Filing a case, even if symbolic, can reinforce the principle of legality and norms.
• Examples from Other Nations: Countries like China and Canada, despite knowing the WTO mechanism’s limitations, have filed legal claims against the U.S.
  • Their actions reflect an understanding that invoking international law bolsters their legitimacy on the global stage.

Conclusion: Respect for trade rules

Recently, about 40 WTO member countries, including many developing nations, supported trade multilateralism and WTO rules in response to U.S. tariffs. However, India, despite backing rule-based trade, did not sign the statement. This is a key moment for India to lead the Global South, promote fair trade, and oppose unilateral actions. History should see India as a defender of its interests and a champion of a just trading system.