We live in a world where emissions from our refrigerators have caused the ozone layer to evaporate and we’ll get skin cancer if we sunbathe. If that not a science fiction scenario, I don’t know what is……….
Those with a taste of irony would find these words aptly fitting the current status of drastically changing climatic patterns our country is witnessing. Pollution is the epidemic that has affected life on a global scale.
Scientific evidence is clear with surface temperatures on earth warming at a pace that signals a decisive shift in the global climate, one expects to witness variations in the cycles of cooling and warming more rapidly than before.
India’s main environmental concern is its growing population, which is expected to increase TO 1.8 billion by the year 2050. In order to feed so large a population, more ground water resources will be needed to irrigate crops, increasing the risk of poor soil quality due to salinization. In recent times, several studies across the globe have shown that changing climatic patterns would have a deep impact on the existing fresh water resource availability.
But demands for resources do not end here; from increasing demands for fuel wood, food and clothing, the list seems endless. And this ultimately results in exceeding pressure on the existing and exploited resources.
In order to meet such demands, our natural forest cover is at stake. A survey done by the Central Government of India clearly shows that the farmers of our country would at least have to double their productive outcome so as to meet the rising demands. As assumed, this would again lead to excessive use of fertilizers and clearing of forest. Expanding agrarian population has also affected wild life.
Thousands of plant species, both rare and useful are on the verge of extinction. Wetlands cover about 18% of our land cover, but most of them are under rice-paddy cultivation.
Another environmental issue that has gained heat is global worming. And one of the greatest reasons for its birth is humanity itself. Earth is hospitable to life because its atmosphere works like a green house, retaining enough of Sun’s heat to allow plants and animals to exist. This natural climate system depends upon the presence of certain gases- most importantly Carbon dioxide. However, the system’s stability has been jolted. Hiked atmospheric carbon dioxide has broken all records, taking shape of a crisis.
Even a future cut of emissions would witness a rise in the temperature by approximately 2 degree Celsius over the next century. If carbon dioxide emissions are not reduced, temperature could increase by 5 degree Celsius or more.
Effects of global warming are prevalent all over India. Increasing precipitation in high latitude regions, frequent flooding, increasing draught and declining water supply are all symptoms of this phenomenon.
Lakshwadeep, comprising tiny low lying islands are at the risk of being inundated by sea level rises associated with global warming. Increase cyclonic activity, and changes in ambient temperature and precipitation have impacted or are projected to impact India.
Ongoing sea level rises have lead to submerging several portions of the Sunder bans. Temperature rises on the Tibetan Plateau are causing Himalayan Glaciers to retreat, thus reducing the flow of the Ganges, Bhramaputra, Yamuna and other rivers. According to a 2007 WWF Report, the river Indus would soon dry off. “So is the case with Ganga”, say Glaciologist in Delhi.
Climate changed has also affected the Indian economy. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development and Research claim that if the predictions relating to global warming come to fruiting, climate related factors could cause India’s GDP to decline by up to 9%. Contributing to this would be shifting global seasons for major crops such as rice, production of which could fall by 40%.
Changes in the hydrological cycle accompanied by coral bleaching has reduced the effectively of ocean carbon dioxide sinks by about 15%.
What would accompany the tropic and sub tropical regions of India in the coming decades is increased illness and death rate, followed by an epidemic spread of malaria (guarantees WHO).
The best way to avoid all such problems would be to create a general awareness among the people belonging to various strata of the society.
For such an awareness we need to stress upon educating and employing this knowledge on a qualitative pattern even if the quantitative outlook is ignored to some extent. What would be most helpful is a Hand on Environmental learning programme targeted mainly for the youth of today so that they can learn about scientific protocol and perform environmental learning activities which they have already been introduced to in theory.
Formation of Eco Clubs by various non governmental organizations to promote environmental protection and public health is needed. Most importantly one must stress upon an effective database taken from time to time which would help us to understand an exponentially increase our success rate for growth potential.
Moreover, on an individual level for proper management of resources, one must follow the formula of the four R’s i.e. Refuse, Reuse, Recycle and Reduce production of waste.
Scientist are warning that if we fail to cut emissions, the future will be hard for people who live in areas like Jagatsingpur, Anantapur, Jhalavar and Raipur; were one lives on the margins.
They did not cause the climate problem- but they are likely to suffer the most from it. We must act fast or all that would remain for us would be concrete and tyres.
