Global warming, climate change, air, water, and soil pollution, we all know about these terms, and these topics have been talked about in school too. But do we really know as much as we think we do? And do we, at a personal level, really care about it? Despite learning about these issues in our schools, in our very own classrooms, we waste loads of paper, pour water on each other just for the fun of it, leave the fans, lights, and AC running even while dispersing, and see no end to the exploitations which, one way or another are affecting nature.
There are some, who genuinely care about the environment who go ahead and talk about it in class discussions, and when they do, often we just joke about how ‘serious’ they’re making a simple classroom discussion. Well, its high time to realize that this needs to be taken seriously, and here’s why;
Glaciers, as we know, are melting. But did you know that from a mere 6.7 inches per year, in the 1980s, they are now melting at a rate of 1.6 feet? This is drastically affecting life at the poles. Permafrost, which is a layer of frozen soil and organic matter that covers much of the Arctic region, is melting too. Not gradually as scientists predicted previously, but thawing overnight in Geological terms.
Melting of permafrost has dramatic effects, and these changes can increase exponentially unless we confine them.
In Russia, 5.4 million people lost their homes and livelihoods due to this reason.
Melting of frozen rivers and lakes containing permafrost makes them start flowing again, obstructing people from traveling across since they use these frozen rivers for travel purposes in certain places.
Since permafrost is nature's freezer, all dead and organic matter gets preserved here, which might even contain harmful bacteria and viruses, hence when it's melting, along with the pungent odor of decayed matter, many viruses too, that can be fatal to humanity, preserved in deep layers of permafrost may resurge. In fact, scientists have even found traces of such possible viruses.
Apart from this, there are innumerable consequences, however, I’d like to mention the major ones that are extremely alarming.
Temperatures are increasing. Causing sea levels to rise, and coral reefs to die. With another 2°C temperature increase, 99% of all coral reefs will perish. This loss will have humongous impacts and diminish the health of the ocean. If the temperature is limited to 1.5 °C, then the sea level worldwide will rise in the coming 200 years (21.3 – 30.5 cm), but won’t accelerate unless the warming reaches 5 °C, then it will increase (188.9 – 219 cm).
Habitat loss is, and will continue to take place; for not just humans but all of biodiversity.
According to an analysis by RMSI, important properties and structures, and roadways of Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, and others, will be submerged.
Increased climatic conditions and extremities are creating natural disasters which, in 2020 alone, left 30 million people to flee from their homes (thrice as much as those by war & violence)
Humans are extremely dependent on nature, 3 billion people consume fish, 80% of the human diet consists of plants and in rural areas of various countries, 80% of the people rely on plant-based medicines.
Still, more than 1 million species of plants and animals are nearing extinction, much quicker than they would have due to natural causes. We’ve sped up the process tremendously.
And whether we like it or not, our actions are the root cause behind this worldwide crisis. We need to co-exist with all living beings because humans aren’t the only species that are walking on earth right now. We need to help nature and have a balance to co-exist with her. So please, do your bit for the environment, however small or big changes you make in your lives to become eco-friendlier and more sustainable, it WILL make a difference.
Whenever we needed her, Nature had been there for us, now she needs us so it's time for us to reciprocate.
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