Disaster in the making: Realise or perish before its too late!

 

Not only Uttarakhand, the entire world is trying to cop up with the extreme weather conditions. The heavy rains in India have resulted in death of over 130 people, with at least 102 dying in Uttarakhand alone. While some countries are facing floods, some are suffering with drought and famine. This is the result of the environmental imbalance caused due to the modification of the environment which gives rise to various environmental problems.

The environmental problems include pollution, soil erosion leading to floods, desertification, landslides, deforestation, vulnerable ecosystem in place of more complex and stable ecosystems, depletion of natural resources, waste accumulation, thinning of ozone layer and global warming.

Scientists believe that it is important to take steps to stop global warming where it is otherwise the world will burn down to ashes.

While drought is killing people in the developing countries, it is destroying the economy of the developed countries. The 2012 drought in US is considered to be the biggest drought in the last 50 years. 80% of the crops were destroyed during the drought.


It’s evident that humankind is responsible for this condition of earth. Ever since the industrial era began in 1750, humankind is using coal, petrol, diesel, wood and natural gas in huge mounts which release carbon di oxide (CO2), which is the one of the main green house gases. These materials are being used by the rich and developed countries the most.

According to Sunita Narayan, Centre for Science, it’s sad that developing countries like India are using the same path as that of the developed nations – using all the natural resources in an irresponsible manner. Poor people will face the brunt of the pollution caused. The poor man will suffer from water shortage, food crisis and famine. The poor countries are still managing food, energy, power, electricity, roads, water and business for their people. In such a situation, how will the poor countries contribute in cleaning the atmosphere.

After 1900, in 90 years, on an average, one American has released 43 times the CO2 that has been released by an Indian. But the debate on who will take the responsibility of the clearing CO2 from the environment, is still on. It may be recalled that Australia and America had denied reducing the release of CO2 at meeting held in Kyoto in 1997.

The amount of greenhouse gases – CO2, methane, nitrogen oxide etc – is increasing. In May 2013, it was reported that readings for CO2 taken at the world's primary benchmark site in Mauna Loa surpassed 400 ppm. According to professor Brian Hoskins, this is likely the first time CO2 levels have been this high for about 4.5 million years. The dense cover of the gases is stopping the reflected rays of the sun due to which the temperature is increasing. The level of CO2 is increasing with the gas emission from planes, vehicles and power plants. The balance could not be maintained due to increasing deforestation.

Chlorofluorocarbons are known to deplete ozone, but conventional thinking is the emission of human-made non-CFC gases such as carbon dioxide had mainly contributed to global warming. Scientists say the hole created in the ozone layer is responsible for the increase in temperature.

The temperature has increased by 0.3 to 0.6 degree C in the last 10 years. There is a possibility of increasing global warming due to which a large part of coastal regions will get submerged under water. A time will come when there will be no clean water, fresh food and clean air to breathe.

How to protect yourself from floods and drought

All the countries should follow Kyoto Protocol. According to the protocol, all emission of harmful gases should be minimized.
Use lesser amount of petrol, diesel and electricity.
Stop deforestation.
Plantation