Axing our own feet through global warming

Axing our own feet through global warming
Humans are perhaps the most self-destructive and silly species on earth, or so it would seem! The recent spate of exaggerated weather patterns is highly indicative of a truth mankind has chosen to ignore for too long now…global warming.

And if we still choose to look away like a child being chided, maybe the day is not far when our cities and urban jungles will be submerged in nature's wrath completely and irreversibly.

In January 2004, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), Sir David King, chief scientific adviser to the UK Government, said to the world, “Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism” He blamed the US for incapability and non-action in controlling emission of greenhouse gases. He was critical about Bush's administration being too dependent on self awareness and other incentive gimmicks. He appealed to America to take the lead in preventing further damage.

The eleventh session of TheUnited Nations Climate Change Conference will be held at Montreal from 28 November to 9 December 2005. The Convention on Climate Change is an international effort to deal with global warming and its effects. The philosophy governing the convention is that the earth is a common resource and needs to be protected from common errors of mankind resulting in the greenhouse effect.

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The US produces about 20% of greenhouse gases in the world, though it constitutes barely 4% of the global population. The world looks up to it today to do its part in combating global warming.
This is especially significant in the backdrop of the recent Katrina and Wilma episodes, where the US itself bore the brunt.

In the recent Rita deluge, George Bush called for conservation of oil. But this is not enough, say environmentalists. The relentless drilling for oil and abuse of environmental laws should stop. What needs to be deeply understood is that human activities and climate changes are inseparably linked, and that we are continuing to underestimate the impact of our irresponsible actions on earth. Massive deforestation to make way for concrete jungles and the use of carbon based fossil fuels are two major issues worsening the problem. Rampant destruction of natural land for construction is snatching our protection against storms, floods and intense hurricanes. Simultaneously, the indiscriminate use of carbon fuels is resulting in the greenhouse effect.

For newcomers, greenhouse gases like water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane naturally exist in the air. They are insular for the earth, because they absorb its long wave infra-red radiation. Minus this insulation, the earth would be a colder place and perhaps unlivable for many species. However, when carbon di-oxide and methane are churned in to the atmosphere by our artificial means, they insulate excessively and raise the earth's temperature, which leads to global warming. This rise in temperature interferes with nature's balance, translating into raised sea levels and subsequent floods, extreme droughts and heat waves.

For facts, carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere today is 370 ppm (parts per million) as against approx. 280 ppm pre-industrial era. Collaborating with this, the previous century witnessed the earth's temperature rising by 0.6°C. Today, the estimate is that the same could be between 1.4 and 5.8°C by the time we cross this century.

The solution has to begin with a strong realization, followed by specifics like use of energy which possesses less carbon with each unit consumed, use of energy with high efficiency, focus on mass public transport systems to reduce load on the atmosphere and last, but not least, solidarity in collective efforts. Construction causes immense energy consumption and carbon emissions. We need to decide on eco-friendly and sensible buildings, supported by various social agencies.

The bottom line remains…..a choice between realization and action, or simply, catastrophe.