Climate Change; An Alarming Bell

Climate change is nature’s alarm to human civilization. It can be defined as the statistical changes in the Earth’s climate system which leads to a change in the weather pattern. The term climate change is generally referred to as ‘global-warning’. Global warming is the warming of Earth’s temperature due to various reasons man-made or natural. This leads to the change in all the 5 elements of Earth’s composition that are the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere. Climate change is a very complex issue that can’t be ignored. The statistical data has shown there is being already 1degree rise in Earth’s average temperature from the 19th century. Research and studies have shown that it would take only 2 degree’s rise in Earth’s temperature for us, that is the human civilization to lose the race against climate change and the consequences would be destructive and most importantly irreversible.

“THE TIME IS RUNNING OUT”, the causes of the global warming occurring on Earth leading to climate change are many and only our civilization cannot be blamed for this enormous problem standing right in front of us but as of now, we play a major role. there are various factors contributing to the problem such as: 

●       Changes in the solar radiation which means a hike in energy received by the Earth from the Sun could alter with Earth climatic conditions, the heat from the Sun gets distributed throughout the Earth’s surface by the ocean currents which by that means that more heat will get distributed on the surface and temperature would go up.

●       Variations in the Earths orbit around the Sun.

●       Changes in the reflectivity of Earth’s heat by the continents, oceans, atmosphere.

These causes are just the major natural causes; however, natural causes like the above mentioned have always existed and played there role in altering Earth’s climatic mechanism, also long before the existence of humans.

Therefore the main cause so far detected for global warming is the significant increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution.

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide(CO2), methane(CH4), CFC’s(chlorofluorocarbons) and HFC’s(hydrofluorocarbons) including few other gases, are such gases which have a certain property to trap and radiate heat, this phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect(the basic principle of keeping plants in a greenhouse as the glass walls of the greenhouse traps the heat from the Sun inside the greenhouse).

These greenhouse gases trap the heat which is reflected by the surface of the Earth into the outer space and thus rise in temperature and climate change is observed.

The rapid increase over such a short span of time in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, released by the industries and vehicles and other man-made activities has been an obstruction for the Earth and the nature to heal itself, as plants and some other biological species such as some kind of microorganisms consumes the major greenhouse gas that is carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and give out oxygen which is the necessary element of life form.

Carbon dioxide is the major player in heating up the Earth it constitutes almost 75% of all the concentration of greenhouse gases. The carbon footprint of us as a civilization is massive. Carbon dioxide is formed when carbon is being burnt in the presence of oxygen and we as of now majorly depend on fossil fuels as a source of energy. Burning of these fossil fuels results in the spike of carbon footprint throughout the course of time.

“THE Earth IS BURNING;" The consequences of climate change may not be as fast as to be observed by civil people busy in their daily activities, but are present and definitely worth paying attention in order to survive and save the planet. Some of the results of that is already happening and will happen because of human ignorance are:

●       The most devastating effect of climate change is the melting of polar ice caps which would eventually result in the increase in the average water level in the oceans all over the world resulting in disastrous tsunamis.

●       Hurricanes would also be more frequently observed as the atmosphere would be warmer as of now resulting in faster air and ocean currents.

●       There is no need to mention that Earth would hotter itself which would make the existence of some of the current species difficult or maybe impossible completely.

●       Also the maximum and minimum temperature throughout the planet would increase making life really tough to adjust and hard.

●       The changing of seasons, the rains, summer, and winter have shifted their timelines across the globe and if we go with this pace at some parts of the world in the near future winter wouldnt come.

●       Some if not all biological species would go extinct or endangered as they would not be able to adjust with the climate system in such a short span of time.

From analytical data, the temperature of the Earth is predicted to rise by 8 to 10 degrees in the next century with assuming our carbon footprint to be growing at the same rate as of know. 

IT’S HAPPENING HERE AND IT’S HAPPENING NOW;  The race against climate change can only be won by firstly excepting the fact that this issue exists only then can we solve the issue. There is more than one way in which humans contribute to increase the carbon footprint, dealing with these human activities happening both knowingly and unknowingly can significantly help the planet to recover itself, along with some helpful boosting measures to increase the pace of recovery of the planet.

Some of the effective measures are given below:

●       Reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels. This idea is very conventional and also very significant but fossil fuels make up for two-third of our energy requirement. So the real catch is to shift to an alternative energy source which also convenient and practical.

●       Consumption and utilization of energy, goods, and services with efficiency is the key to reduce the carbon footprint.

●       Population control; with less populated planet there would be enough resources for everyone on the planet and these resources can be efficiently distributed and consumed.

●       Planting more and more trees: as discussed above trees and plants are very efficient in lowering the carbon footprint and providing oxygen.

●       More practical and efficient methods of agriculture should be practiced as deforestation for agriculture increases the carbon footprint as trees are cut down but also destroys the biological diversity.

●       Investing in technology; that is to invest in new ideas about the alternative and new fuels such as using hydrogen as fuel which would be pollution-free and not lead to rise of planets temperature also technologies of geo-engineering to alter Earth’s geology to recover itself from climate change such as shielding it from Sun’s heat to some extent.

Climate change is a serious issue that is to be dealt by all of the world and the people together. The concern should be raised as immediately as possible and actions must be done in order to survive and save the home planet. We are definitely much slow on this to react but still the race is not completely lost but the clock is ticking fast.

Image Source: blog.sciencescore.com

By- Swapnil Bagde,
Student of Engineering,
School of Engineering and Technology,
Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru