Avupi Khizho
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, NU
Introduction
Climate change and global warming are the defining issues of our epoch and have made many issues that are aesthetic issues in the Archipelago of the PSR26 irrelevant. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, cutting down trees, and building factories, have caused the planet to heat up to an unprecedented extent. All of these activities have resulted in an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) which are all trapper of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere causing global temperatures to rise.
What is Global Warming and Climate Change?
While global warming refers to the increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature over time, climate change is a more general term referring to the various changes happening to our planet, including changing weather patterns, melting glaciers and the shifting of ocean current. But while the climate has changed naturally over millions of years, the current trend is alarming because it is happening at an accelerated rate because of human interference.
Greenhouse effect is the main reason for the world to get warm in which CO₂, CH₄, and water vapour traps the sunlight and prevent it to go back in the space which causes Global eye catching warming. This effect is natural and even essential if we are to make life possible on Earth, but the process has been sped up by excessive emissions from human activity, to the point that dangerously high temperatures have resulted. Global temperatures have already increased by around 1.2°C since the Industrial Revolution and, without drastic measures, this increase could exceed the critical threshold of 1.5°C within the next few decades.
Melting Ice Caps and Rising Sea Levels
Melting Ice, a Major Consequence of Global Warming. The Arctic and Antarctic regions, which are vital to the regulation of global temperatures, are heating up at double the rate of the rest of the world. The melting ice is also raising sea levels, which directly threatens low-lying countries and coastal cities. If trends continue, cities including Mumbai, Jakarta, New York and Dhaka could experience catastrophic flooding, displacing millions and resulting in severe economic losses.
Beyond rising sea levels: The melting of glaciers also disrupts other crucial freshwater supplies. Many regions, from the Himalayas to the Andes, rely on glacial melt water for drinking water and agriculture. As glaciers shrink rapidly, water shortages could become a major crisis for billions of people.
Extreme Weather Events
As the planet warms up, we are seeing more extreme weather happening all over the globe. Hurricanes, typhoons, droughts, and wildfires are showing up more often and with greater force. Lately, we've witnessed terrible wildfires in Australia, California, and the Amazon rainforest that have wiped out millions of acres of trees, taken the lives of countless animals, and forced many people to leave their homes.
In the same way, long-lasting droughts in Africa and certain areas of Asia have created shortages of food and water, changing people's lives and leading them to move away. Meanwhile, other places have faced too much rain and severe flooding, like what happened in Pakistan and Europe in the past few years. These weather-related disasters not only take lives but also lead to significant financial losses, putting many economies in a tough spot.
Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Climate change is threatening ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to mass extinctions and habitat loss for various species. Coral reefs are dying due to ocean acidification and rising temperatures, while terrestrial species are losing their natural habitats due to deforestation, wildfires, and rising temperatures. This loss disrupts ecosystems and weakens the natural balance.
The Role of Human Activities
Human activities, including burning fossil fuels, industrialization, deforestation, livestock farming, and unsustainable consumer habits, are the primary drivers of climate change. Industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, and livestock farming contribute to energy consumption, methane emissions, and environmental degradation, harming marine life and contributing to global warming.
The Need for Global Action
Combating climate change is a challenge that everyone has to come together to fix. Each person, government, and business has a part in decreasing carbon emissions and implementing better alternatives. The Paris Agreement of 2015 that was signed by almost 200 nations attempts to make sure the global temperature does not increase by more than 2°C, with the most favorable outcome being that it is remains under 1.5°C. In order to achieve this target, there needs to be a lot more spending in the solar, wind, and hydroelectric renewable resources, along with meeting emission reduction targets.
A lot of countries have said that they will reach net-zero emissions by the middle of this century. This ambition needs to be followed up by an actual plan. Green energy policies, better farming methods, and forest conservation need to be made. Also, businesses have to spend money on green friendly solutions and people should do their part by being mindful and conserving energy.
The Shift to Renewable Energy
One of the most effective strategies to mitigate climate change is moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The cost of solar and wind energy has decreased, making them feasible substitutes for coal and oil. A number of countries have begun funding green energy, with Denmark, Germany, and China being frontrunners in renewable energy manufacturing.
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer yet another substitute for petrol. With advancements in battery technology and government subsidies, EVs will outnumber existing motor vehicles in the next few decades. This shift will greatly lessen emissions from transportation.
Developed Countries’ Climate Responsibilities and Justice
As much as climate change is a global challenge, its ramifications differ throughout the world. Developing countries, for example, suffer much more from climate change impacts than their wealthier counterparts because they have low emission and they do not have appropriate technology and infrastructure. Countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands face hardships such as hunger, droughts and poverty-stricken economies.
Considering the fact that developed countries with a long history of emitting the most pollution are the ones that owe strict ethical guidance in taking compensatory measures by alleviating at risk nations through financial assistance as well as technological assistance and human resource development aid. Justice for climate change states that rich nations should apply more effort towards climate change control regardless of time, resources or financial support to make sure that every single nation is able to equally respond to and minimize the impacts of climate change.
The Role of Individuals
Though big policy changes and advances in technology are important, individuals can have great influence as well. Basic changes in lifestyle — flying less; reducing energy consumption; using public transport; using less plastic; and in general following a plant-based diet as opposed to Red Meat — when done from a wide population can significantly reduce the global carbon footprint. They can also advocate for stronger climate policies by supporting leaders and organizations that prioritize environmental protection.
Investing in education and awareness: the litmus test of our resolve to combat climate change Through an understanding of the crisis and the dissemination of that knowledge, they can influence their communities and demand more of their governments and businesses.
Conclusion
Climate change and global warming are no longer future threats; they are here and now, and they are affecting millions of lives and transforming the face of the planet. The science is definitive, and the consequences of nonaction are dire. However, there is still hope. The only way forward is a transition to renewable energy, a stop to programmes designed to support fossil fuels, and more international collaboration in environmental policies, once we have recognised the implications of climate change to us and our planet.
The time for action is now. The time to act is now, and this crisis can only be solved if governments, industries, and individuals are united in confronting it. The future of our planet relies on the decisions we make today.
