Every conversation in Mumbai now revolves around the prolonged summer, delayed monsoon, and water scarcity. The list does not stop here. Escalating temperatures over the past few years, and the intensifying heat with each passing day add to the woes.
I find myself joining the chorus, albeit with a slightly different perspective. I would like to draw your attention to the pattern of electricity consumption.
Now, before anyone reaches for their metaphorical daggers in defence, I agree that our per capita electricity consumption is considerably lower than that of our global counterparts. There is certainly room for improvement, and it is expected that the numbers can/will double sooner than later.
I would like to emphasise that my observations are solely based on my personal consumption patterns and are not drawn from any external sources. Over the past few years, I have noticed a considerable jump in my electricity usage. Allow me to provide an example for better understanding. In 2013, my monthly consumption stood at approximately 120 units. By 2017, it had risen to over 250 units, and now, in 2023, it exceeds 600 units. I wonder why, the number of electrical appliances remained the same, on the contrary, it was replaced with more energy efficient ones. The number of ACs has gone up by 1 more unit. I personally believe this increase is not solely attributed to the addition of an extra air conditioner.
Can somebody explain the reason for this noticeable increase in my electricity consumption?
I believe that the impact of climate change has compelled us to run fans round the clock, resulting in higher energy usage. Additionally, household air conditioners, which used to operate for an average of 12 hours per day, now run for around 20 hours. Now what is worrying me is, as we further embrace electric vehicles, consumption is likely to escalate even more. I must mention that I am a strong advocate of electric vehicle adoption in India.
It is evident that the root cause is the visible impact of climate change. The question then becomes: how can we effectively tackle this issue? For many, being part of the climate mitigation plan is in vogue, but are we truly doing enough? Are there sufficient narratives in place to create the necessary awareness? It is crucial that we collectively take steps towards addressing this challenge and not lose sight of the difficulties we face during the summer season once the monsoon arrives.
