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>> What were the notable differences between your two countries in relation to climate change? What factors do you think influenced the differences?
India and Sweden are affected very differently by climate change. India is primarily an agricultural economy, and so water plays a much more crucial role in its functioning as compared to Sweden. Moreover, India being a very diverse country, with some cities facing conditions of droughts while others facing the menace of floods, water management is more important in India. Government support in terms of irrigation is crucial for agriculture in India, whereas Sweden does not really have to worry about the issue.
In addition, the level of awareness among the people regarding the issue of climate change is very different in the two countries. While are larger section of the society recognizes the problem of climate change and its other aspects in Sweden, in India this awareness is limited to a minority, mainly comprising the literate class.
Also keeping in mind the large area of India and its diversity in terms of how it has mountains, deserts, islands, plains – all sorts of environments – India is affected more directly as compared to the Sweden.
Most of the differences can be attributed to the fact that India is much larger country when we look at area and population. India’s population (125 million) is 13 times more than Sweden ( 10 million), and its area is 7.5 times bigger than Sweden. Moreover, the literacy rate in India is much lower (71%) as compared to Sweden (99%). And so, it is much easier to communicate to and assist masses in Sweden than India. As pointed out by the Global College, most of the industries in India are within its territory while Sweden imports most of its products. Therefore it isn’t easy to calculate the emission levels in Sweden.
These were the main differences that we observed when discussing our National Survey responses and our research on our UNFCCC theme.
