Climate change is one of the most catastrophic challenge tha humanity is facing. The warming of the globe, primarily caused by humans has led to profound and far-reaching consequences for our planet’s ecosystem, weather patterns and biodiversity.
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes release large quantities of greenhouse gases. Yes, absolutely provocative. These are the gases provoking the earth’s temperature above desired levels. At the heart of climate change lies the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect: it is an effect in which heat is trapped close yo earth’s surface by “greenhouse gases”. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides and water vapour. Also scientists have discovered that CO2 helps stabilise earth’s temperature. Greenhouse gases occur naturally and are part of our atmosphere’s makeup. Also earth is sometimes called ‘Goldilocks’ planet- it means its conditions are not too hot not too cold- thus helping us to survive.
But since a long time humans have been interacting with environment leading to excessive heat trapped in atmosphere.
Latest Developments
At the UN headquarters UN Secretary Antonio Guterres said that the earth had passed from a warming phase into an “era of global boiling”. This statement made by him is evident because July 2023 is set to be the hottest month in the last 12000 years. In comparison with July 2019 this year has been 0.2 degree warmer.
Also all the unanticipated events happening like the one in northern part of India- extreme rainfall causing a lot of man and material destruction. Recently Himachal Pradesh CM said that there has been a loss of around ₹10000 crores in the state. This is also due environmental changes happening.
The sea levels are rising throughout the globe because of melting of polar ice caps- will eventually threaten the coastal communities and low-lying island communities. Extreme weather situations will become more incessant and also intense.
There will be ocean acidification,caused by absorption of excess of CO2, affecting marine life too. Moreover climate-induced migration and displacement has become a reality for many vulnerable populations.
Plan of Action
To combat climate change both mitigation and adaptation strategies have to be addressed.
Mitigation: should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable sources of energy, improving energy efficiency,etc.
Adaptation: involves preparing for and managing consequences of climate change which are unavoidable. We should build resilient infrastructure, develop early warning signals,etc.
There should be stringent laws by the govt. to bring up the issue of global warming crisis.
With laws and policies it is the responsibility of the citizens to abide by rules and regulations to play noteworthy role. Everyone can contribute in this by adopting sustainable lifestyles.
Also many efforts and actions have already been taken at world level like one in Paris Agreement 2015- aiming to limit global warming to below 2 degree celsius above pre-industrial levels with greater emphasis to keep it below 1.5 degree celsius.
This should be acknowledged by the world’s largest and developed economies that they should work on climate change matter spontaneously and should be more zealous for emission cuts.
The warming of globe due to climate change is a dire and complex issue that requires immediate action. Scientific evidence is clear and also inaction to this issue is severe. By understanding the problem, we can collectively work towards a sustainable and resilient future.
Aryan
Student of MA Political Science
M.No.9876390730