Global Warmig & Urban Heatwaves: Top 25 UPSC MCQs
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| Category | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Heatwave Risks | Concrete stores heat; nights stay hot; long spells cut body cooling; risk rises. |
| Hydration | Drink water often; skip coffee, alcohol, sugary drinks; eat water-rich fruits. |
| Clothing & Protection | Light, loose cotton or linen; light colors; hat or scarf; UV sunglasses. |
| Outdoor Safety | Avoid 11 am–4 pm; choose shade; carry water, hat, sunglasses, umbrella. |
| Home Cooling | Block the sun with curtains; ventilate mornings/evenings; add plants for shade. |
| Illness Signs | Exhaustion: sweat, fatigue, headache. Heatstroke: confusion, dry skin, fever. |
| Care for Vulnerable | Keep the elderly, kids cool; limit outings for pregnant/chronically ill; ensure fluids, food. |
What Are Urban Heatwaves and Why Are They Dangerous?
Heat waves occur in cities when high temperatures persist for a long time. The heat wave effect is greater than in rural areas (outskirts and villages) because urban structures (concrete jungles) absorb heat and release it at night.
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Since urban heatwaves last longer, the body loses its natural cooling ability, leading to health problems.
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The lack of a drop in nighttime temperatures can reduce your body's ability to rest.
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The elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with heart or lung problems are at higher risk.
How to Stay Hydrated in Rising Temperatures?
Hydration is especially important during hot weather. Dehydration can make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature.
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Drinking water frequently throughout the day, even when you're not thirsty, can help keep your body hydrated.
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Reduce your intake of coffee, alcohol, and high-sugar drinks, which can accelerate dehydration.
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Include fruits and vegetables with a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, and oranges, in your diet.
Watch this quick guide to urban heatwave alert: Learn 3 simple ways to protect yourself in just 2 minutes.
What is the Right Clothing During Urban Heatwaves?
Your clothing plays a key role in reducing the effects of heat. The right clothing will keep your body cool.
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Lightweight cotton, linen, bamboo fabrics allow air to pass through easily, and sweat dries quickly.
Moisture-wicking fabrics that absorb moisture keep the body cool
- Loose clothing – allows air to flow easily and reduces heat.
- Light colors – absorb less sunlight.
- Light clothing that covers arms and legs protects against UV rays.Hat/scarf that covers head and neck – prevents sunstroke.
- UV protection goggles for eyes.
How do Outdoor Activities at Peak Heat Hours affect You?
It is best to avoid going outside during peak heat hours during heat waves.
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Limit outdoor activities, especially between 11 am and 4 pm, during hot weather days.
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Choose shaded areas when you must go out.
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Carry sufficient water, a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella with you when traveling, especially during hot weather.
Heat-Related Illness & Solutions
| Illness / Risk | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Heat Cramps | Drink electrolyte-rich fluids, and rest in a cool place. |
| Heat Exhaustion | Move to shade, sip water, loosen clothing. |
| Heatstroke | Call emergency help, and cool the body rapidly. |
| Heat Rash | Keep skin dry, wear loose, breathable clothes. |
| Sunburn | Apply aloe vera, avoid direct sun exposure. |
| Worsening Chronic Disease | Stay cool, follow the doctor’s advice, and hydrate well. |
| Infectious Disease Spread | Maintain hygiene, and use mosquito control methods. |
| Skin Cancer (Melanoma) Problems | Long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking fabrics. Avoid peak sunlight hours (10 AM–4 PM). |
Why Keep Yourself Home During Hot Weather?
Heat waves, periods of abnormally high temperatures, can pose serious health risks and lead to various illnesses, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions. Extreme heat can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, heat rash, and sunburn. It can worsen chronic conditions like cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney disease, and diabetes. It can also contribute to infectious diseases, food and water contamination, and illness spread in crowded, cool spaces. Vulnerable groups need special attention. Seek medical help if symptoms appear. For medical advice, consult a professional.
Keeping your home cool naturally is not only energy-saving but also good for your health.
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Block direct sunlight from entering your room by using curtains, blinds, or shades.
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Create airflow by opening windows in the morning and evening.
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Growing plants and trees around the house can provide natural shade and cool air.
How to Identify and Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses?
It is very important to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke caused by heat exposure early.
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Excessive sweating, fatigue, headache, and vomiting are signs of heat exhaustion.
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Symptoms such as confusion, dry skin, and high fever are signs of heatstroke, and immediate medical attention should be sought.
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To prevent these, it is necessary to drink enough water, rest in the shade, and eat light meals.
How to Protect Vulnerable Groups from Urban Heatwaves?
The effects of heat are more dangerous for certain groups. They need special attention.
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The elderly and children have weak body temperature control, and they should be kept in cool places.
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Pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses should avoid going outside.
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It is important to provide these groups with adequate fluids and nutritious food.
Top 25 MCQs on Global Warming & Urban Heat Waves for UPSC MCQs
Test your understanding of global warming and urban heat waves through 25 carefully designed UPSC-level MCQs covering causes, impacts, mitigation strategies, and contemporary environmental challenges.
1. What is the primary cause of current Global Warming trends?
a) Solar flares
b) Volcanic eruptions
c) Enhanced Greenhouse Effect due to human activities
d) Changes in Earth's orbit
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Answer: c) Enhanced Greenhouse Effect due to human activities
[Image of greenhouse effect diagram]
Burning fossil fuels releases excess gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet faster than natural cycles.
2. Which gas is the largest contributor to human-caused global warming?
a) Methane
b) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
c) Nitrous Oxide
d) Water Vapor
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Answer: b) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
While others are more potent, CO2 is released in such massive quantities from burning coal, oil, and gas that it drives the most warming.
3. What is an "Urban Heat Island" (UHI)?
a) A tropical island
b) A city area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas
c) A heated swimming pool
d) A desert city
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Answer: b) A city area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas
Concrete, asphalt, and lack of trees absorb and retain heat, making cities much hotter than the countryside, especially at night.
4. Which surface has the highest "Albedo" (reflectivity), helping cool the Earth?
a) Asphalt roads
b) Dark ocean water
c) Snow and Ice
d) Forests
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Answer: c) Snow and Ice
White surfaces reflect most sunlight back into space. As ice melts due to warming, less heat is reflected, speeding up warming further (feedback loop).
5. The "Paris Agreement" (2015) aims to limit global temperature rise to well below:
a) 1.0°C
b) 2.0°C, aiming for 1.5°C
c) 5.0°C
d) 10.0°C
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Answer: b) 2.0°C, aiming for 1.5°C
Keeping warming under 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is critical to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
6. "Methane" is a potent greenhouse gas primarily released from:
a) Cars
b) Livestock (cows), landfills, and natural gas leaks
c) Cement production
d) Nuclear power plants
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Answer: b) Livestock (cows), landfills, and natural gas leaks
Methane traps roughly 80 times more heat than CO2 over a 20-year period, making it a key target for quick climate action.
7. How do "Green Roofs" help mitigate Urban Heat Islands?
a) They look pretty
b) They absorb heat and release it via evapotranspiration, cooling the air
c) They reflect all light
d) They generate electricity
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Answer: b) They absorb heat and release it via evapotranspiration, cooling the air
Vegetation on roofs provides insulation and cools the surrounding environment, unlike dark concrete roofs that radiate heat.
8. Rising sea levels are primarily caused by melting ice sheets and:
a) More fish in the ocean
b) Thermal expansion of seawater (water expands as it warms)
c) More rain
d) Plastic pollution
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Answer: b) Thermal expansion of seawater (water expands as it warms)
As the oceans absorb heat from the atmosphere, the water physically expands, accounting for a significant portion of sea-level rise.
9. A "Heat Wave" is generally defined as:
a) One hot afternoon
b) A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, often with high humidity
c) A tsunami
d) A forest fire
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Answer: b) A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, often with high humidity
Heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting due to global warming, posing severe health risks.
10. What is "Carbon Sequestration"?
a) Burning carbon
b) Capturing and storing atmospheric CO2
c) Mining coal
d) Melting ice
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Answer: b) Capturing and storing atmospheric CO2
This can be natural (planting trees/forests) or artificial (pumping captured CO2 underground) to reduce greenhouse gases.
11. Which population is most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses during urban heat waves?
a) Teenagers
b) The elderly and young children
c) Office workers
d) Swimmers
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Answer: b) The elderly and young children
Their bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature, making them prone to heatstroke and dehydration.
12. "Coral Bleaching" is a consequence of warming oceans where:
a) Corals turn colorful
b) Corals expel the algae living in their tissues and turn white
c) Corals grow faster
d) Fish eat the coral
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Answer: b) Corals expel the algae living in their tissues and turn white
This stress response often leads to the death of the coral reef ecosystem if temperatures don't return to normal quickly.
13. "Cool Pavements" are designed to:
a) Melt snow
b) Reflect more solar energy than standard dark pavement
c) Make cars faster
d) Generate heat
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Answer: b) Reflect more solar energy than standard dark pavement
By using lighter colors or special coatings, they absorb less heat, helping to lower the temperature of urban areas.
14. The "Keeling Curve" is a famous graph that shows:
a) Stock market trends
b) The steady rise of atmospheric CO2 concentrations since 1958
c) Population growth
d) Sea level rise
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Answer: b) The steady rise of atmospheric CO2 concentrations since 1958
Measurements taken at Mauna Loa Observatory confirmed the human impact on the atmosphere.
15. Why does high humidity make a heat wave feel hotter (Heat Index)?
a) The air is heavy
b) Sweat cannot evaporate efficiently to cool the body
c) Water heats up faster
d) It rains hot water
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Answer: b) Sweat cannot evaporate efficiently to cool the body
The body relies on evaporation to lose heat. When air is saturated with moisture, this mechanism fails, increasing heatstroke risk.
16. Which sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions globally?
a) Energy (Electricity & Heat)
b) Agriculture
c) Waste
d) Forestry
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Answer: a) Energy (Electricity & Heat)
Burning fossil fuels for power and heating remains the biggest driver, followed by transport and agriculture.
17. "Wet-bulb temperature" is a critical measure because:
a) It measures rain
b) It indicates the threshold where human survival is impossible even in shade
c) It measures light bulbs
d) It is used for farming
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Answer: b) It indicates the threshold where human survival is impossible even in shade
At a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C, the body can no longer cool itself, leading to death within hours.
18. "Permafrost" melting is dangerous because:
a) The ground gets muddy
b) It releases massive amounts of ancient trapped Methane and CO2
c) It makes the earth shrink
d) It cools the planet
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Answer: b) It releases massive amounts of ancient trapped Methane and CO2
This creates a "tipping point" where warming causes more release, which causes more warming.
19. What is the "IPCC"?
a) International Police for Climate Change
b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
c) Indian Power Control Center
d) Ice Protection Committee
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Answer: b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
It is the UN body that assesses the science related to climate change and provides reports to policymakers.
20. Using Air Conditioning (AC) during a heat wave creates a paradox because:
a) It makes the room too cold
b) ACs pump hot air outside, making the urban exterior even hotter
c) It uses water
d) It attracts bugs
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Answer: b) ACs pump hot air outside, making the urban exterior even hotter
This "waste heat" exacerbates the Urban Heat Island effect, increasing the need for more AC usage.
21. "Ocean Acidification" is caused by the ocean absorbing excess:
a) Plastic
b) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
c) Oil spills
d) Salt
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Answer: b) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH and harming shell-building marine life.
22. A "Climate Refugee" is someone who:
a) Loves warm weather
b) Is forced to leave their home due to climate impacts (drought, sea-level rise)
c) Travels for fun
d) Studies climate
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Answer: b) Is forced to leave their home due to climate impacts (drought, sea-level rise)
This is an increasing global crisis as areas become uninhabitable due to extreme heat or flooding.
23. "Net Zero" emissions means:
a) Producing zero emissions
b) Balancing emitted greenhouse gases with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere
c) Stopping all factories
d) Using zero electricity
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Answer: b) Balancing emitted greenhouse gases with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere
It is the goal for many nations by 2050 to stabilize global temperatures.
24. Which type of energy is NOT a fossil fuel?
a) Coal
b) Solar
c) Natural Gas
d) Petroleum
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Answer: b) Solar
Solar, Wind, and Hydro are renewable energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases during operation.
25. "Climate Mitigation" refers to actions that:
a) Adapt to the changes
b) Reduce the severity of climate change (e.g., cutting emissions)
c) Ignore the problem
d) Measure the temperature
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Answer: b) Reduce the severity of climate change (e.g., cutting emissions)
This contrasts with "Adaptation," which involves adjusting to the changes that are already happening (e.g., building sea walls).
Conclusion
Urban heatwaves are becoming more common due to climate change, and they pose a serious health threat. By following the hydration habits, proper clothing choices, time management for outdoor activities, and natural home cooling methods outlined in this article, you and your family can significantly reduce the effects of heat. These precautions will not only keep you healthy but will also help reduce the physical stress that comes with rising temperatures. Heat protection should be a lifestyle habit.
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Very detailed and easy to understand article.
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