Global warming and its impact By Vanita Srinivas.

Global warming in general is understood as a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of research has come out with findings that higher temperature has melted sea ice in Arctic. Consequently this has changed the wind patterns over northern hemisphere, causing cold. Hence it is expected that summers will be hotter and winters will be colder due to global warming.

The onset of global warming dates back to 18th century, when the Industrial revolution began, which led to an increase in carbon dioxide on earth by 34%. This phenomenon has already made evident impact. The glaciers are disappearing fast. Sea levels have been raised by 3%. Heat waves are creating havoc by exposing us to greater risk of heat related illnesses.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report, based on research conducted by 2500 scientists in over 130 countries holds human entirely responsible for the climatic disaster. The research concludes that eventually this will lead to large scale food and water shortage, have catastrophic effect on wild life, and displace people near coastal region as sea levels are going to rise. This will also invite strong hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, wild fires etc. In short we have mindlessly bargained our progress with totally destructive disasters. The future generations will have to pay for the follies of the present generation.

It is never too late to mend things, albeit it’s a fact that we cannot undo whatever has transpired in last three centuries, but we can make an all out efforts to prevent further declension. The efforts are simple.

We should opt for renewable energy over non renewable energy. Renewable energy like wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health, and our economy. Each source of renewable energy has unique benefit.

We should resolve to reduce, reuse and recycle. Most of us don’t realize that reducing, reusing, and recycling can help slow climate change. Every product has a life cycle, and every step ie from its production to disposal, leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing, reusing, and recycling means we buy less or only as much required, and that helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we’re adding to the atmosphere.

Cycling has a multifaceted advantage. It keeps us fit. It doesn’t pollute the atmosphere. It doesn’t congest the roads. Motor Vehicles emit gases which pollute and add to the global warming. Cycling is a good and healthy alternative.

Last but not the least, planting trees is the most practical solution. Through the natural process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutant particulates, then store the carbon and emit pure oxygen.

Let us resolve to make the small efforts possible at our end for cleaner, greener and good global weather.