Extreme weather

In the fourth week of June, 2014, the thermometer reached 41 degree Celsius for three consecutive days. The UV Index, adopted and standardized by the UN’s World Health Organization and World Meteorological Organization in 1994, was at its highest at 11 (extreme risk). During three weeks of June and the first week of July, the UV index had already reached 9 and 10 (very high risk). These measurements were taken in Pune, Karnataka. Auroville does not yet have a monitoring UV Index system (costs: Rs 7 lakhs or about US $ 10,000).

High UV radiation may lead to skin cancer and cataract. According to the World Bank, in India cataract has been reported to be responsible for 80% of bilaterally blindness in the country, compared to 50 percent worldwide. India also reported an earlier onset age of cataracts (younger than 60 years) and a high prevalence of cataracts among women. Five states – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan – and the union territory of Pondicherry account for more than 70 percent of India’s cases of cataract blindness.

High levels of UV radiation may also suppress cell-mediated immunity and thereby enhance the risk of infectious diseases and limit the efficacy of vaccinations.

In Australia, schools and parents are made aware about UV radiation. Under Australian law, hats are compulsory in most Australia schools as part of the SunSmart Policy. Skin cancer is one of the biggest killers of Australian adults and the damage starts in childhood so they make the kids very aware of slip (on a t-shirt), slop (on some sunscreen), slap (on a hat) and wrap (your eyes in sunglasses.) during late spring, summer and early autumn.