Mahatma Gandhi once said- “There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.” The quote perfectly explains today’s scenario of nature being affected by climate change. As we use nature for our self-benefits, with the ease and development in technology man has started using resources at a higher scale. Our needs have gone beyond the means to ed because of large-scale consumerism. Our natural resources are meant not only for the utilization of the present generation but also for the future generation. Therefore, a balance between the growth of population and the utilization of resources is a must. Otherwise, an imbalance in any one of them may disturb social, cultural, economic and infrastructural development.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to a rise in global temperature due to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which results in numerous climatic changes and impacts around the globe. It takes place due to the use of fossil fuels on a large scale which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases in the environment. Gases like carbon dioxide(CO2) and methane(CH4) contribute to the Earth’s surface by trapping heat from the sun which results in chemical reactions and this process is known as Effect. Climate change can be a change in Earth’s usual temperature as it has caused some glaciers to melt, some places are getting less rain and some are getting hurricanes.
It seems that people have probably started talking about natural calamities after Kedarnath Flood Tragedy in 2013. As the disaster took place because of torrential rainfall, an attempt has been made to utilize the high resolution of satellites for before and after incident devastation. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall in the state was 385.1 mm which was against the normal rainfall of 71.3 mm, in excess by 440%. The Kedarnath area was mostly impacted because of unprecedented disaster as it faced a huge loss of life and property. As per the latest report presented by the State Government, a total of 169 people died and 4021 people were reported missing (presumed to be dead). Every one of us has calculated the loss and damage that took place due to the disaster but nobody has thought of its cause. Actually we humans are the root cause of this devastating problem, we use the resources for our greedy purposes but in return do not take care of it. If this pace of changing climate continues then the day is not so far that monsoons will become unpredictable to us which will directly result in low production of wheat crops, illness, health issues in human and animals, rivers will be affected, the land will shrink and much more.
Not only this many cities in India are also facing the problem of global warming as a result of which hot years are getting hotter and cool years are getting cooler. This dramatic change in weather is a cause of concern for one and all. The continual decline in greenhouse gases in addition to vehicular pollution when multiplied by air pollution has become the primary focus of climate change. Two most famous cities in India are facing catastrophic problems of climate change. One is the capital city of India i.e. Delhi and the other one is Bangaluru. Nowadays, the problem of smog (smoke+fog) is very common in Delhi, it is possible that the reason behind the increasing frequency of air pollution or smog is climate change. This mainly happens in Delhi usually when the month of October begins and slower winds and cooler temperatures trap pollutants and heat to the ground. Because of the bad quality of air children are the most vulnerable i.e. about half Delhi’s 4.4m school children are under lung related diseases and would never completely recover. According to a survey, it is assumed that pollution is responsible for 7% of annual healthcare spending in developing countries that are heavily polluted. The latter one (Bengaluru) which is known for its industry and year-round moderate weather is not lagging behind. Excessive consumption of fossil fuels, petrol and diesel have resulted in carbon emission of 390ppm in the last two to three years and if the issue of global warming is not addressed then the consequences would be disastrous. Also, 91% of its metropolitan areas are facing a high degree of climate vulnerability.
Impacts of climate change on India and what can be done to improve the current situation are discussed below:
Impacts:
- A World Bank study shows that India lost more than 8.5% of its GDP due to the cost of increased welfare and lost labor due to air pollution.
- According to a study released by the Institute Of Technology, Bombay states that air pollution costs Delhi and Mumbai $ 10.66 billion or about 0.71% of the country’s GDP.
- India is on top of the world in pollution-related to death.
- Climate change affects agriculture about 4-9 percent each year. As agriculture contributes 15 percent to India’s GDP, climate change presumably causes about 1.5 percent loss in GDP.
- It is assumed that by 2030, the production of rice and wheat is likely to decrease by 6-10%. Crops like: potato, soybean, chickpeas, and mustard may also decrease in yields.
- An unexpected change in monsoons may give birth to a major crisis, triggering greater floods in large parts of India as well as droughts in various regions of the country.
- Crop production is expected to fall by 2040s due to extreme heat. Also, droughts will become more frequent in north-western areas like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhatisgarh.
- Water tables are expected to reduce for the increasing demand of the fast-growing population.
- Diseases like: Diarrhea, cholera may rise as the bacteria of cholera rises in saline water which is increasing due to a rise in sea-level impacting agriculture as well as contaminating drinking water.
- By 2050, it might be possible that the country would require to import more than twice amount of food-grain under 2-degree C.
- A substantial rise in mortality and deaths due to heat waves and injuries from extreme weather events are taking place. Malaria and other vector-borne diseases that are the major cause of child mortality are expected to take place in areas where colder temperatures had previously limited transmission.
- People will start to migrate and become refugees because of the bad impacts of climate change on agriculture and their livelihood.
What can be done:
- Use energy wisely and save money too by using energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off computers, TVs and other electronic appliances when not in use. Also, check Energy Star Label while purchasing a new electronic item.
- Get a regular check to identify that where you are using more energy and how it can be reduced.
- One should consume less and waste less by focusing on simple life pleasures, enjoying time in nature.
- Consume less meat and don’t waste food. Grow your own food, focus on buying organic food if possible.
- Reduce transportation emissions by riding a bicycle, taking public transit, for short distances, etc.
- Plant trees wisely, choose those plants that can prevent flood and drought.
- Environmental Film Fares should be conducted to emphasize current climate change and steps should be taken for the same.
- Use solar panels to produce electricity at your home. It doesn’t take much space and could be installed on the roof of the house.
- You can replace Steel and Cement with bamboo and wood as they bind CO2. Choosing products made from sustainable material may help the climate.
- Recently, an agreement known as the Paris Agreement has taken place and India is part of that agreement. The agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to fight against the impacts of climate change and it will help in building a framework to deal with the impacts globally along with country’s own national objectives.