1. Heat stress and its Impact
UPSC Relevance: Use the points and data to enrich your answers in topics like heat stress, climate change, global warming, disaster management and its impact (GS Paper III). (GS Paper I Geography and Society{impact on women, employment etc.} GS paper II Governance)
Introduction:
- During various life stages, women who are employed in heat-exposed sectors, such as subsistence agriculture, may be at risk for pregnancy- related complications, including hypertension, miscarriages, and premature births.
- An increase in temperature can diminish work productivity (due to excessive heat that makes it difficult to work. Or, there is a need for personnel to operate at a slower pace.
- The ILO study (2019) estimated that “Heat stress is projected to reduce total working hours worldwide by 2.2 percent and global GDP by US$2,400 billion in 2030.
- Agricultural and construction workers are expected to be the worst affected, accounting for 60 percent and 19 percent, respectively of working hours lost to heat stress in 2030″.
Prelims Perspective: WHAT IS ILO? |
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations agency for the world of work. Mandate: Its mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards.
Motto: ILO’s mandate as the basis for peace is expressed today as Decent Work for all.
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.
Parent organization: Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), a coalition of UN organization aimed at helping meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
History:It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice. In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed United Nations. |
2. A Proposed Idea of Green Wealth Tax for an Indian Green Deal
- Issue: India faces challenges of unemployment, inequality, and climate change.
- Proposal: Implement a wealth tax to finance an Indian Green Deal (IGD).
INTRODUCTION
- For India to utilise its huge demographic dividend, its young population, the government needs to think long term and prioritise employment both by actively providing for it in the Budget and incentivising employment generation in the private sector.
- To tackle rising inequality, a tax and expenditure policy can be devised. This can deliver on the social, democratic, and climate change fronts. Bold steps need to be taken though.
- There has been a dramatic rise in inequality in wealth and income for more than two decades now. A significant rise in consumption as a result of this has also led to burgeoning carbon emissions by the Indian elite.
- It is clear that the rising emissions by the Indian elite has been led by their conspicuous consumption of carbon-intensive commodities such as housing, industrial goods, transport (airlines, SUVs, etc.) and clothing.
Given that rising emissions are directly related to unprecedented levels of wealth inequality, if the government were to levy a wealth tax, it would be able to solve many problems at one go.
Note : You can use the data charts to enrich the answers
Arguments for IGD:
- Addresses all three challenges:
- Creates jobs in green energy, infrastructure, and care sectors (estimated 38.7 million jobs).
- Reduces inequality by taxing the wealthy.
- Lowers carbon emissions by promoting green energy.
- Wealth Tax Details:
- Tax rate: Around 1.7%, declining to 1.3% by 2032 due to projected wealth increase.
- Funding: Allocated across three sectors:
- Green energy (2%)
- Infrastructure (5%)
- Care economy (health & education) (3%)
- Evidence for IGD:
- Wealth inequality is linked to high carbon footprint of the wealthy.
- Wealth tax revenue can be significant.
NOTE : The proposal is based on estimates and requires further analysis. Potential challenges of wealth tax implementation (e.g., tax avoidance) need to be addressed.
