Much has been written and spoken about Climate Change and the catastrophic effect it can have on not just human beings but life itself in the near future. The consequences of global warming caused by human negligence, carelessness, and indifference towards the call to arrest the possible self-created calamity is slowly beginning to surface much faster over the past few years. Temperature has increased by a significant degree across the globe and heat waves affected several countries this year. It has been reported that heat waves claimed the lives of more than 50 people and sent thousands of people to the hospitals in Japan in the past few weeks. While it is intimidating to hear such a development, experts have warned things are not getting better with the climate changing constantly. Scientists have said that the glaciers in West Antarctica are melting faster than ever before since the past few decades due to human-driven global warming. They said that it could increase the sea level by at least a foot by 2100. If this happens, the coastal regions around the world will be in danger and some of the most beautiful and happening cities will be submerged in the near future if glaciers continue to melt at the current rate.
Studies also showed that there is uneven rise in temperature across the world and climate change is drastically affecting rainfall patterns. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, there was no monsoon deficiency in the country this year but some states are experiencing floods while others didn’t receive sufficient rain. The department has reported that Nagaland recorded an excess of 60% rainfall this monsoon but the denizens of Dimapur may not believe that because of the heat wave that left them sweltering. It is not surprising considering the degree of damage the people of the state have done to its forest area over the past few decades, disturbing the ecosystem. The state may be rich in biodiversity but continuous depletion of its forest cover is taking a toll on the environment, causing extreme weather conditions and extinction of many animal and plant species.
Considering the fact that the potential consequences of human-driven global warming are daunting, the world should take concrete action to arrest the issue. Simple steps like emission reduction by using sustainable transportation and taking public transport instead of personal cars, and saving energy, recycling electronic wastes, afforestation, promotion of renewable energy etc. can help fight climate change in a big way. India is at the forefront of environmental dialogue at the international arena but nothing positive will come out of it if the citizens of the country do not implement sustainable actions to fight global warming. While the people can demand the government to take measures against rapid climate change, the actual actions of the people matter at the end of the day. Everyone should be taken on board to fight global warming if we want to see change and avoid the impending catastrophe. And it’s important to act now because it’s about life.
