“We are the first generation to feel the sting of climate
change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it."
- Jay Inslee
Climate change
Earth, our blue, tiny and distinguished planet is combatting one of its biggest
crisis inflicted by its own residents, termed as climate change. What exactly is
climate change? Any long-term change in the expected patterns of global or
regional climate, over a significant period of time can be deemed under the
umbrella of climate change. These are abnormal variations of weather or climate,
and how these effect other parts of our planet, Earth. Such abnormal patterns
have certain reasons to their origin and they effect different regions
differently denting the overall climate patterns across the globe.
Background
One of the biggest change in the climate patterns is increasing temperature of
the globe which is termed as global warming. Data shows us that earth’s
temperature is continuously increasing which is fatal for life on this planet.
This anomaly of increasing temperatures is called Global warming. Glaciers
across the globe are also melting due to the increased temperature, this melting
of glaciers is a big alarming moment for all the nations as abnormality in the
melting of glaciers will lead to the threat floods and non-typical rain
patterns. Global warming is also contributing to the rise of sea levels across
the globe, which can be seen in United States and Bangladesh where rising sea
levels have caused cyclones, tornados and disrupted the routine, individual and
state activities. With the beautiful Glaciers melting, sea levels rising,
non-typical patterns of rainfall, droughts, floods, cyclones and overall
temperature rising we are amidst crisis that needs immediate and global
attention. These shifts in patterns are being documented since early 19th
century are well documented the larger reasons show human footprints associated
with them. Many of the state and individual activates have largely contributed
this occurrence of climate change.
Reasons
Researchers and scientists have concluded that humans and their activities are
at guilt of being the main cause of climate change. We humans burn fuels and
fossil fuels for various reasons and needs. This Burning of Fossil fuels
increase carbon dioxide’s level in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a heat
trapping gas and since human activities are contributing to its increase in the
environment we can locate the root cause of why the global temperature is
increasing. Global warming in turn leads to all the prolonged abnormalities in
the climate. Another major cause of climate change is deforestation where
forests, “The lungs of our planet” are victim of man’s greed. Trees are the
major buffer when it comes to climate change as they purify air by reducing the
CO2’s contents from the atmosphere but deforestation is on an all-time high with
land being cleared and trees being cut down to fulfill our never ending needs.
Industrialization is also contributing to global warming where the operations
and waste management of big industries goes unchecked as they continuously emit
harmful gasses in the environment due to which global warming is also on the
rise leading to conditions which will be unbearable to live.
Climate change and Pakistan
From the heavenly northern areas to the breathtaking coastal regions, cities,
towns and villages of Pakistan have all suffered from climate change. Due to
average increasing temperature, summers are getting longer whereas the winter
season is continuously shrinking .This abnormal expansion and contraction in
turn is affecting many industries and sectors e.g. agriculture.
Lack of timely rainfall, dry rivers, Lahore being covered in poisonous smog,
Northern areas facing below average and late snowfall, Karachi’s coastal areas
in threat of cyclones. These are all display of climate change and how it has
disrupted the routine of our environment and atmosphere. Situations like these
need serious and immediate measures.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Since we are the cause, we can play a role in stopping if not reversing all of
these happenings. Climate change is an issue which needs sever international
attention as in many regions people even don’t know if this is a problem or not.
Many industries and mafias are against this issue being internationalized.
Country heads should control deforestations and devise law where industries are
held responsible if the atmosphere is being polluted by their procedures.
Plantations drive and ecofriendly operations must be rewarded and promoted on
all individual, national and international levels so that we can protect our
homes from ourselves. These are issue which can lead to global destruction if
not dealt with seriousness, honesty and timely actions. The choices we make
today can help determine what our climate will be like in the far and near
future.
“I don't want your hope. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I do.
Every day. And want you to act. I want you to behave like our house is on fire.
Because it is.”
-Greta Thunberg