Asia is at the front line of climate change. Extreme heat in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, wildfires in Australia, typhoons in Japan, are real and present dangers and likely to become more frequent as climate change intensifies. McKinsey’s report on ‘Climate risk and response in Asia’, finds that, without adaptation and mitigation, Asia is expected to experience more severe socioeconomic impacts of climate change than other parts of the world. Large cities in the Indian Subcontinent could be among the first places in the world to experience heat waves that exceed the survivability threshold. Just as information systems and cybersecurity have become integrated into corporate and public-sector decision making, climate change will also need to feature as a major factor in decisions. Climate science tells us that some amount of warming over the next decade is already locked in due to past emissions, and temperatures will continue to rise. India anticipates a significant infrastructure build out over the next decades with projects worth $1.77 trillion across 34 sub sectors, according to the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Robust regulations around outdoor work could significantly reduce the economic risk of lost hours as well as the toll on life from heat waves. The good news is that we have started to see some Indian states and cities pursuing such policies. Ahmedabad City Corporation introduced a heat action plan- the first of its kind in India in response to the 2010 heat wave that killed 300 people in a single day. The city now has a heat-wave early warning system, a citywide programme of roof reflectivity to keep buildings cool, and teams to distribute cool water and rehydration tablets during heat waves. Renewable energy has grown rapidly in India and can contribute 30 per cent of gross electricity generation by 2030, according to the Central Electricity Authority.
Which of the following cannot be inferred from the above passage?
Correct Answer :
Increase in mitigation strategies will eventually lead to an increase in pollutants.
Solution :
Correct Answer: "Increase in mitigation strategies will eventually lead to an increase in pollutants."
Explanation:
To determine which statement cannot be inferred from the passage, let us analyze the passage and evaluate each option step-by-step:
1. Option 1: "It is imperative to lessen our vulnerability to harmful effects of climate change."
Can be inferred: The passage emphasizes that Asia faces severe socioeconomic impacts from climate change and mentions adaptation/mitigation efforts (e.g., heat action plans, regulations around outdoor work) to reduce risk to life and economy. Therefore, lessening vulnerability is strongly supported.
2. Option 2: "Increase in mitigation strategies will eventually lead to an increase in pollutants."
Cannot be inferred: The passage states that adaptation and mitigation are needed to avoid severe impacts and highlights renewable energy growth as a positive step. Mitigation strategies aim to reduce climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions, not increase pollutants. The passage nowhere suggests or implies that mitigation causes an increase in pollutants.
3. Option 3: "Reduction of emissions which are heat-trapping and harmful for environment should be our primary goal."
Can be inferred: The text notes that past emissions lock in warming over the next decade and rising temperatures create severe dangers, supporting the need to reduce emissions.
4. Option 4: "The infrastructure development plans need to be climate friendly"
Can be inferred: The passage highlights India's upcoming $1.77 trillion infrastructure build-out alongside the need to integrate climate change into decision-making.
Therefore, the statement that "Increase in mitigation strategies will eventually lead to an increase in pollutants" is completely contradictory and cannot be inferred from the given passage.
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