Climate Change is Real

It’s hot with temperature being recorded at 55°C. There is moisture in the air and we are losing every last drop of water through our skin. Look towards the heaven and there are clouds hovering upon our heads but it seems as if they’ll take years to pour down. Most of the ice glaciers have added reservoirs of water, and there is much more water around us than we actually need but that too is used for wrong reasons and at wrong places.

My nature land, my mother earth dear!

Filled with thoughts of thee, this heart was proud.

But now my heart swims with tears

For all the trees, glen and green,

Have floated away, away like a departed dream.

I am not being a prophet of doom but only stating the stark reality. We are literally hot under the collar. Do you wish for this to happen? Neither you, nor do I want it, but changes in climatic conditions all over the planet, have paved the way, for this catastrophic reality.

Climate change is a long-term shift in the climate of a particular location, region or planet. The shift is measured by features associated with average such as temperature, precipitation and wind-patterns.

Before we proceed further, let me elucidate on the fact that global warming and climate change are two different terms that are often misunderstood and used inter-changeably. Global warming refers specifically to any change in global average surface temperature. The term global warming is still often used by media and others to describe climate change.

Now, let me take you behind the scene and delve deep into the factors causing such changes in climate green- houses grass such as Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxides, Chloro-Fluoro Carbons, Ozone, etc. are responsible for a rise in temperature. These gases are released into the atmosphere by various natural and human activities such as burning of fossil fuel, volcanism, cement manufacture etc. These processes also release a large amount of aerosols responsible for the changes in climate. The abrupt changes brought about by the man in the land –use pattern have also contributed to a great extent in this havoc. Another cause of climate change could be variation in ocean currents that can alter the distribution of temperature and precipitation.

These changes in climate are cataclysmic. There is a rise in carbon –dioxide levels. 379 parts per million is the present concentration of carbon-dioxide in atmosphere, highest in six lakh fifty thousand years! This has caused the average surface temperature of earth to rise by about 0.6°C in the past century. Oceans are warming up at about 0.05°C. Glaciers are melting at a very fast rate. The Gangotari glaciers, the Arctic ice, the Antarctic ice, all are continuously receding. And due to all this reason, the sea level is continuously rising which is expected to be 40 cm higher   by 2100. This would erode the coast lines and would submerge the coastal areas. Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai would be under water by 2050. The virtual drying up of Sub-Saharan Africa and a sudden increase in the precipitation in the former Soviet Union Nations is also a result of this climatic change. Diseases like dengue and malaria are expected to be on the rise as changes in temperature make it conducive for mosquitoes to thrive. Nearly 50% of India’s total biodiversity is at risk with 25% of the flora and fauna, facing threats of extinction. Ice sheets are collapsing and mountain streams are running dry! Winter is losing its bite! Droughts are frequent and widespread. Thawing permafrost has caused the ground to subside by more than 15 feet as in some parts of Alaska. Floods are frequent, there is saline invasion and due to all these factors what results is a total crop wipe out.

Protect, Preserve, love mother earth more

Mingle with the universe and let the sublime spirit soar.

There is no time to waste. Apocalypse stares us in the face, as Al Gore, a tireless champion for action on global warming says: “This is our only home and that is at stake, our ability to live on planet earth, to have a future civilization.”

Stop green house gas emission, increase efficiency in power generation, popularize alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar power, and conserve water. There is a lot that each one of us can do. Halt! Hear the voice of mother earth, but before that try listening to the voice of your conscience.

GHG -Greenhouse gases

Author’s Bio:

Nitesh Katoch is a resident of Palampur (H.P.). He is presently studying in 12^th standard at D.A.V. Public School, Palampur. He is a nature lover. He pursues gardening as a hobby. Email- katochnitesh(at)ymail(dot)com.

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