The modern world faces some grimmest issues such as terrorism, war, and natural disasters. Of them, one of the most debated but least attended is global warming. Evidence suggests that rise in temperatures, varying precipitation and rise in sea levels are a solid manifestation of the problem. What engenders it are factors like green house effect, deforestation and industrialisation. As a consequence, natural disasters, extreme weather events and health problems are occurring with a rapid on set, and because of its supreme perils, the phenomenon needs serious attention.
The process of the Earth gradually warming itself is defined as global warming. There is constant rise in global temperatures. In its synthesis report, the United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), after evaluating the record of 130, confirmed that there is 0.6 Celsius degree rise in global temperatures while also predicting that temperatures could upsurge by 1.4 to 5.8 Celsius by year 2100.
We also know that 2010 was globally the warmest year recorded in history. Besides, precipitation levels indicate that the planet is becoming warmer than ever. Recorded data reveals that there is upward trend in global precipitation and that precipitation has increased over land at high latitudes in northern hemisphere, not least during cold seasons.
As the natural disasters are intimately linked with the process of precipitation; therein lies the reason that the world has experienced more frequent and stronger hurricanes and fierce storms. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in United States, and couple of years later, Pakistan witnessed devastating floods in 2010. Another evidence is rising sea levels.
Reports have shown upswing in sea levels. The IPCC report states that sea levels have risen by 20cm during 20 century which could increase by 20 to 80cm by 2100. In the first place, it was believed that the rise in sea level transpired due to temperature increase as water expands on heating. However, later on scientists discovered that 40 percent of increase was due to warming and melting of ice was contributing rest of 60 percent. Now, apprehension is: this trend could play havoc with inhabitants of the Earth.
As both the poles of the Earth are covered hugely with ice – Arctic and Antratic – if melting is accelerated owing to global warming, it would cause a cataclysmic rise in the oceans ultimately resulting in oceanic calamities.
Factor causing global warming are manifold.
Green house effect is one the element that is increasing surface temperature of Earth. This natural process keeps the planet warm by tapping heat. Scientists say, thanks to green house gases, the Earth has average temperature of 15 degree Celsius, in the absence whereof, it might have been below zero. However, the interference of man in increasing green house gases has disturbed the balance, causing the planet to be warmer than required. A layer of green house gases include primarily water vapor, Carbon-dioxide and small amount of Methane as well as Nitrous-oxide.
There is no denying the fact that deforestation massively adds to the emission of carbon dioxide. Plants absorb Carbondioxide in large shares. Cutting down slew of trees have increased Co2.
Deforestation in being done for variety of reasons. An estimated 18 million areas of forest which is roughly the size of the country Panama are lost each year, according to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) deforestation is responsible for 20% of the world green house gas emission.
Moreover, industrialisation is also adversely contributing to green house effect. With rapid industrialisation and technological boom the green house gases have increased sharply. The dependence of industry on fossil fuels to spur production and growth has soared the degree of Carbondioxide in atmosphere. According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil and coal have greatly increased amount of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. These causes have devastating effects.
Add to it, the natural disaster will multiply in force and frequency. For instance, floods, droughts, tsunamis, hurricanes and terrible heatwaves are big threat to global life and health. A look at our own country will illustrate the point. Super floods during 2010-2012 killed more than 3000 people and resulted in loss of 816 billions. Heatwave claimed 1400 lives in 2015.
The droughts in Thar have decimated the life like never before.According to German watch latest Global Climate Risk Index 2018, Pakistan is 7th most vulnerable country to climate change. Moreover, ever increasing frequency of tsunamis and hurricanes can not be neglected. The world is already witnessing hurricanes and tsunamis at large level and scientists have predicted further rise in these events.
All these risks are rising steeply, while not much is done to avoid them except a few gatherings of nation states. In fact, the countries like USA, one of the most industrially advanced and powerful country responsible for emissions, have pulled out from pacts like Paris Agreement. The other major global players may follow the suit. The issue needs to be heeded, for the threat to be overcome.