Find climate solutions for them, and us

Climate change is, indeed, a great leveller. Rich or poor, no country is immune to nature's growing unpredictability. Torrential rains and flash floods have battered the US East Coast, forcing states of emergency in NYC and New Jersey. Authorities warned residents to stay home as streets, subways and basements threatened to flood. It could just as easily have been an alert for any Indian city. But in this shared vulnerability lies an opportunity for India to turn adversity into action.

In the 30 years since countries first struck a global climate deal, extreme weather has cost India $180 bn in direct economic losses. This is part of a staggering $4.2 tn worldwide. India may have repeatedly failed to prevent urban flooding, with city streets routinely turning into rivers, but it has developed a kind of muscle memory when it comes to managing extreme rain and heat. Drawing on its experience - and mindful of its resource constraints - India could turn its difficult circumstances and (however patchy) expertise to develop solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts in other geographies, including rich countries now looking increasingly frayed. Many of these solutions will need to be implemented at home, serving as proof of concept, demonstration projects and real-time adaptation to the new reality of climate change. Experience, necessity and a vast canvas can help turn adversity into innovation. India's scale and geographical diversity makes it a natural incubator for climate adaptation startups across a range of budgets.

With extreme weather conditions rising, the need for solutions will only increase. Conservative estimates project that by 2034, global climate adaptation market could reach $60 bn. India should seize the moment.