The Nangal Wetland, a Ramsar site of international ecological significance, is a calm, glistening body of water located in Punjab's foothills of the Shiwalik range. This artificial reservoir, which was created in 1961 as a component of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam project, has developed into a flourishing natural habitat, a shelter for migrating birds, and a vital resource for nearby residents.
Climate finance has emerged as the financial cornerstone of global efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. With rising temperatures, erratic weather events, and increasing socioeconomic vulnerability, especially in the Global South, the real-world effectiveness of climate finance is under growing scrutiny. Yet, in countries like India and China, two of the world's most influential emerging economies, the central question persists: Is climate finance delivering results on the ground, or is it still more rhetoric than reality?
India is urbanizing fast. By 2036, nearly 600 million people are expected to live in cities. That’s almost 40% of our population. It means our cities will face immense pressure, the existing infrastructures will not be enough: more people will need more coverage of water supply, sewerage and transportation networks, more housing and cleaner air to breathe.
And how much is that going to cost us? According to a World Bank report, around $840 billion by 2036. That’s a staggering amount. But here’s the real question: are our cities rich enough to afford it?
Climate change intensifies, communities across the world face rising sea levels, more frequent droughts, and extreme floods. In response, insurance has emerged as a critical tool to buffer households, farmers, and governments against financial shocks. But traditional insurance models—designed for rare and localized events—are now being stretched beyond their limits by the scale and frequency of climate disasters (Kunreuther & Michel-Kerjan, 2011).
Delhi has been one of the hottest cities in India during the last several years. In 2024 alone, there were days when the capital reached 45°C or more which set off warnings about health problems and increased energy use. Even so, people are not all affected in the same way by this environmental problem. For those living in slums in Delhi, heatwaves mean more than unusual heat—they bring endangerment which can be blamed on both the city’s poor infrastructure and policy problems
Agriculture has long been the backbone of rural India, not merely as a livelihood but as a cultural identity. Yet, in recent decades, this foundation has begun to shift. Although agriculture still employs over 45% of India’s workforce, its dominance has declined sharply from around 70% a few decades ago. The rural economy is diversifying, but this transformation is marked more by distress than opportunity.
Why do India’s climate debates focus so heavily on grand-scale actions, think carbon targets and green tech while ignoring the quiet, daily efforts of rural women? These women, especially in tribal and village communities, practice environmental conservation not out of policy mandates but through tradition, necessity, and a deep connection to the land. Yet their contributions go unremarked in mainstream discussions. Inspired by this gap, I set out to document their stories, drawing on my sociological lens to highlight the gendered dimension of sustainability.