Slow, steady but real
If global climate change is a long and persistent process, why should we be concerned? Prof J Srinivasan, Chairman of Divecha Centre For Climate Change, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has some quick answers
*Climate change is so gradual that its impact cannot be gauged and observed on a daily basis like air, water, noise and other forms of environmental pollution.
*Emission of Carbon dioxide (CO2) doesn’t affect us directly.
However, CO2 traps heat on earth affecting fundamental change in the environment in the long run, may be in next 50 to 100 years.
Why worry?
*Some belt tightening should begin now so that the future generations can have a safer and cleaner environment.
*In past ten years, sea level rose by 3.2 mm due to trapping of heat in oceans with the emission of CO2.
This goes on increasing and will submerge the coastal areas.
*In 100 years, Maldives and larger tracts of Bangladesh will be completely under water.
*Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), also called Freons, and used as refrigerants and aerosol sprays, decompose in the atmosphere damaging the earth’s protective ozone layer.
*Ozone hole, discovered in 1980s, has been contained to some extent with the use of less harmful substances. But, the damage cannot be reversed.
Tougher challenge
*Unlike ozone issue, global climate change is too complex and hard to prove.
*Media and governments should make sustained efforts to educate the people.
*In the Indian context, the impact of global climate change is mani-fold - rise in sea level, melting of glaciers and its eventual vaporization leading to water scarcity in northern parts of India; increase in temperature affecting crop yield drastically.
The flip side
*The flip side, rise in temperature will lead to boost in agricultural production in countries in the northern hemisphere but notably decline in India. The reason - in developed nations, most of the agricultural lands are irrigated, so an increase in C02 will facilitate photosynthesis leading to greater grain production.
*Rise in global temperature would make available large stretches of land in Serbia, covered under permafrost (frozen soil), for agriculture.
Actions needed
*Walk and cycle more; use public transportation.
*Reduce energy use at home and workplace.
*Use paper bags instead of plastic.
*Plant and nourish trees; avoid gift
wrapping and save paper.
