Global Warming: An Ever Growing Challenge

Is global warming a myth or fact?

Global warming is the biggest challenge of the twenty-first century as it has jeopardized the very structure of our global community. It is an increment in average global temperature and has serious consequences. It has given birth to dramatic climate changes. There is an increase in the global temperature of air, and oceans which is responsible for the melting of glaciers and the increase in sea level.

Is global warming a myth or fact?

Some believe that global warming is no more than a myth while some consider it a reality. But it is a fact that many changes in the environment are due to global warming. If people continue to consider it as a myth they would suffer from catastrophic impacts.

What do researchers say?

The United Nations panel on climate change has clearly mentioned the increase in global temperature plus sea level annually. Expectations are for a global temperature rising up to 1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celsius and for sea level to rise 20 to 88 cm by the year 2100.

What raises global temperature?

Several elements are responsible for global warming:
• Emission of greenhouse gases such as Carbon dioxide, Chlorofluorocarbons, etc.

What processes are paving the way for global warming?

• Combustion of fossil fuels
• deforestation
• power plants and transportation

Is there any evidence of global warming?

Global warming is evident by temperature, precipitation, and sea level. Scientists have observed a significant increase in each of these indicators. There has been a surge in graphs of these indicators during the last century.

A report by the United States National Academy of Science says,

"Available evidence suggests that abrupt climate changes are not only possible but are likely in the future, potentially with large impacts on ecosystem and societies."

Perilous global warming and its effects

Global warming is going to make many alternations in the world's geography and climate. Marginalized communities are endangered as they tend to change their geographic location. It will also jeopardize life on continents as well.

Detailed effects are as under:

1. Vulnerable coastal areas:
   UN experts reported that by the next century sea level could rise by 20-80 cm. Coastal areas are at the greatest risk. Developed countries would have to build walls on the coast at the expense of losing agricultural land. The island countries like the Maldives would be most prone as rising sea levels would make it inhabitable. Furthermore, Bangladesh would suffer seriously as it would have to lose agricultural land.
2. Inevitable Climatic changes:
   Global warming would increase rainfalls, storms, and floods. History is evident, the northern hemisphere is facing more storms. Monsoon rains, which are caused by temperature differences would increase and would make land infertile.
3. Epidemic and other diseases:
   Due to extreme climatic changes, diarrhea, and cardiovascular diseases are more frequent. Global warming will directly affect the supply of fresh water and consequently water water-stricken countries will face alarming situations. International Panel for Climatic Changes due to global climate variations and population increase five billion people may experience water stress by 2025.
4. Effects on the ecosystem:
   Global warming is a threat to the ecosystem as it will affect endangered species like African gorillas, Bengal tigers, Polar bears penguins, etc. They would not be able to migrate despite climatic changes. Global warming will disturb the food chain and water supply to marine life and amphibians. Hence, more species would have been extinct.
5. More food dearth:
   Global warming will moderate temperature at regions with higher altitudes thereby increasing food production and it will tend to decrease food production in lower altitude regions as a consequence of temperature increase and devastation of agricultural land. Thus, there will be a more unequal distribution of food resulting in more starvation and deaths.

Threshold of global warming

There is a 'threshold', after which global warming may become unstoppable. Abrupt and tremendous climatic changes would be observed after that very point. It is the point at which anthropogenic activities can trigger the enormous release of carbon dioxide and methane. To put a hurdle in the path of increasing global warming we must stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases.

How to mend ways

The world needs to take prompt actions to prevent threshold conditions. There is a dire need to cut short anthropogenic emissions. This is difficult as the world's economy is largely dependent on fossil fuels. We need to use renewable energy resources. For example, Solar energy is widely used in developed as well as underdeveloped countries. We just need to increase our dependence on Solar energy. Wind energy is a good source of energy. Nuclear energy is considered the best way to get energy. We have to take alternatives to nonrenewable energy resources.

Both individual and collective efforts are necessary to curb this menace. The emission of greenhouse gases should be reduced by taking measures. For example, using public transport, improving vehicles fuel efficiency, establishing more wind and solar powerplants, and using recycled powerplants. The plantation campaign will definitely work.

More plantation and forestation will be a hurdle to climatic changes. We need to mend our ways right now, prompt actions are the need of the hour. We have to take strict action before it is too late. World leaders and world organizations are responsible for taking strict actions in this regard.