Earth is warming up — and it’s becoming more and more obvious. Rising sea levels, glaciers melting at unprecedented rates, and extreme heatwaves in major cities are just some of the effects of climate change that are no longer confined to the scientific community and the realm of world leaders. It is now a reality to millions of people, daily.
The world may see record setting temperatures before 2030, according to recent reports from both the United Nations (UN) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The Arctic is warming almost quadruple the rate of warming in the rest of the world, scientists say, and is a clear warning signal to the future.
Extreme Weather is transforming the lives of people worldwide. The summer is getting longer and stiffer in many cities, the heat wave phenomenon is becoming more severe. Wildfires are rampaging, rivers are drying up due to drought and flash floods are wiping out villages, roads and homes. What used to be a rare occurrence is becoming a regular occurrence in many countries.
The experts say that the majority of the crisis is caused by the human activity. Continuous burning of coal, oil, and gas releases GHGs into the atmosphere. These gases retain heat and are the gases that gradually heat the planet, year after year. The situation has got worse by deforestation and pollution.
But the effects are more than temperature increases. The farmers are facing the issues of irregular rainfall and dry weather, which have caused damage to their crops. Coastal communities are at risk of sea-level rise and wildlife are losing their habitat. Hazardous heat can also exacerbate dehydration, respiratory diseases and other health issues, health experts say.
Despite these obstacles, there is still a glimmer of hope.
There is a growing trend in countries around the world to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The world is increasingly incorporating electric vehicles, green technology and sustainable projects into its climate strategies. The youth and climate activists are also getting louder, urging Governments to take bolder action, before it’s too late.
The next ten years are expected to be pivotal years in the battle against the virus. What world leaders do in their decisions today can influence the future of the planet for generations.
Nature’s voice is growing louder by the year. The key is whether humans will act in time before the heat won’t be reversible.
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