Daily Times

The global warming controversy is one of the most divisive in the world today. To a body of opinion, which counts among its adherents most of the scientific community, the Green House effect is a concrete reality. Some people, including some of the most prominent business and industry leaders as well as certain politicians, dismiss it as a hoax perpetrated to thwart industrial progress.

Those warning of catastrophic changes keep coming up with more and more facts that point in the direction. While some of these facts are obvious and undeniable, the naysayers keep coming up with their own interpretations of data trends to insist that things are just fine and no serious course correction is needed.

One of the most prominent people among the naysayers is Donald Trump, the United States president. In him those in denial have found a prominent and colourful leader. Most of these people are accused of denying the obvious because they see the remedial measures proposed by scientists threatening their economic interests. Instead of exploring solutions for the problem, they call it a mirage. President Trump calls global warming a concocted tale. It is, he says, a Chinese hoax meant to distract American industrialists and retard the American economy. Raj Shah, a White House spokesman, recently responded to a climate change report by saying, “The climate has changed and is always changing”. He implied that the climate would soon change back on its own and without any help from the humans. In a similar vein, the president of Philippine was quoted as saying,” There is really climate change. But who caused it? Not us.”

One of the most prominent people among the naysayers is Donald Trump, the United States president. In him those in denial have found a prominent and colourful leader

As evidence in support of global warming and climate change mounts, the called sceptics are getting funnier than ever. But the changes in weather patterns are not hidden from anybody; nor are migration and conflict that go with it. It has been long feared that the effects of climate change would go way beyond pure meteorological changes and have dire negative consequences for societies worldwide. In recent years, climate change has been blamed for unrest and extensive migration in vast regions. People who had been living in the same area for thousands of years have been forced to migrate on account of droughts and increased temperatures. Several African countries have seen poor harvests, followed by increases in poverty and conflict. The example of Ethiopian environmental displaced persons is staring the world in the eye.

A United Nations report has revealed that some African countries are among the worst sufferers in the wake of climatic shocks.

The case of Sudan is a particularly important one. Climate change has caused prolonged droughts that have wreaked havoc on farmers and destroyed many crops. Driven by poverty and hunger, the displaced farmers are fighting with people they had been living happily with. Climate change is causing civil wars. In Sudan’s case the country did not survive the hostility.

Another UN report has indicated that global warming has had a significant role in the Syrian Civil War.

An analysis of global rainfall data has revealed that there is an upward trend in global heavy rainfall.

It shows that precipitation has increased. The world has also experienced more frequent storms and catastrophic floods. These include Hurricane Katrina which hit the United States in 2005, the 2010 floods in Pakistan and the recent floods in the US and Iran.

Can these facts be taken lightly? Some of the poorest nations are seen suffering the worst even though they do not make large contribution to Green House gases and global warming. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise. According to a UN report, the sea level could rise by 20 to 88 centimetres by the year 2100.

Global warming is thus a reality not a myth. Every responsible inhabitant of the planet has a duty to protect it by taking and advocating appropriate remedial action. As Robert Forte has rightly said earth is the only place to live in.

The writer is a freelancer