Rising climate voices

 


What is the need to concern about climate

change in the current situation?

In the current scenario, people of the world are suffering the severity of impacts of climate change that scientists predicted in the last decades. Rising temperature, melting glaciers and ice caps, more frequent heat waves, changing weather patterns and rising sea levels are the key indicators  that climate change results from the shifts in our ecosystem. We are facing signals that our ecosystem is transforming at an unprecedented rate. The  Earth's climate has changed due to natural factors such as solar radiation, variation shifts in the Earth's orbit, volcanic eruptions and cyclic ocean patterns over the 800,000 years. Today the principal cause of climate is induced by human influence in which the majority is driven by burning fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The emissions lead to global warming and subsequent climate change. We have already ruined our planet and cannot allow its further deterioration to continue. Actually, it needs our immediate attention as well as commitment to take decisive action to fight against this rapid change in our environment. 



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Are the human activities the most significant causes of Earth's rising temperature?

The answer is undoubtedly yes by all means whether we believe in science or not. You must have observed that since the Industrial Revolution the Earth's global temperature has increased about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and will continue to rise 0.2 degrees (0.36° Fahrenheit) every coming decade. Our current century is the warmest of the past ten centuries and the warming trend continues. The average global temperature for 2023 was 1.18 degrees Celsius (2.12°F) declaring it the warmest year on official record. Crossing 1.5° Celsius will be triggering point of our ecosystem beyond which we will see irreversible impacts of climate change transforming life on earth. 

 Increase in the emissions of greenhouse gasein the atmosphere is the key driver of global warming. Greenhouse gases are naturally present in the atmosphere. They are essential to keep the Earth warm and liveable. Without them, the Earth's temperature would be extremely cold, not suitable for many forms of life. But since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, accumulated greenhouse gases emissions reached their highest level. They are trapping more heat and resulting in a high rise in global temperature. We can only target the emissions if we have a clear understanding of the source and the type of emissions, in addition to how they are contributing to the greenhouse effect. 


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So which greenhouse gases exactly are thickening the atmosphere to hold more heat? 

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases are the greenhouse gases that are particularly responsible for the rising temperature of our planet                                      

Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor of total emissions from greenhouse gases. It is not a harmful gas as it naturally produced as a part of Earth's carbon cycle. Both plants and animals release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of processes such as respiration and decomposition of organic matter. In the current scenario, abundance of carbon dioxide by human activities contributes to climate change. It is a long-lived gas, and it stays in the atmosphere for thousands of years or more. It implies that it will continue to affect Earth's climate for a long period of time. We generally emit about 35 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year. 

The carbon dioxide emissions due to human activities is 50 % higher than it was before the Industrial Revolution. 

  • Combustion of fossil fuels for energy generation in transportation release huge amount of carbon dioxide. 
  • Industrial processes release large amounts of carbon dioxide as a byproduct. 
  • The burning of fossil fuels to generate percent of electricity and heat of the world is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. 
  • Deforestation and converting forests into agricultural land negatively affects the natural carbon cycle and increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
  • Burning biomass such as forests and agricultural residue releases the same amount of carbon dioxide as burning fossil fuels. 
  • Agricultural practices such as rice cultivation and use of synthetic fertilisers also release carbon dioxide. 

Methane is a natural gas that occurs naturally and as a byproduct of human activities. Methane is the second-largest culprit after carbon dioxide that contributes to climate warming. It is responsible for 30 percent of the rise in global temperature and the more immediate impact on climate change. It stays in the atmosphere for a relatively short period of time, about 12 years, but absorbs much more heat so reducing its emissions can result in quick benefits. A majority of smog production in the atmosphere is due to methane emissions making it a dangerous pollutant which leads to various respiratory health diseases. 



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The major contribution of methane through human activities is about 60% in the atmosphere. 

  •  Methane is released during the extraction, storage and distribution of fossil fuels. 

  • Most of the cattle, sheep and goats emit methane gas during digestion. 

  • Rice cultivation in flooded fields generates methane through the decay of organic matter. 

  • Improper waste disposal in landfills produces methane as organic waste decomposes. 

  • When manure is stored in pits or tanks, lack of oxygen promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria which breaks down the organic matter producing methane gas. 


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Nitrous oxide is a stronger greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere as a byproduct mostly from agricultural activities through microbial processes in anaerobic conditions. It can last in the atmosphere for 114 years, relatively long life. The warming potential of nitrous oxide is 300 times more than carbon dioxide. When exposed to sunlight and oxygen it acts as an ozone destroyer. 

Human activities are responsible for 40% of nitrous oxide emissions other than emissions occurring naturally. 

  • Most of the nitrous oxide emissions come from agricultural practices that involve the use of nitrogen fertiliser and manure. Microbes in the soil convert excess nitrogen into nitrous oxide. Using appropriate quantity of nitrogen fertiliser to the soil and minimum tillage for cropping can reduce nitrous oxide emissions. 

  • Cattle produce nitrous oxide along with methane as a byproduct during digestion. 

  • Domestic wastewater treatment releases nitrous oxide as a byproduct of the microbial processes.  

  • Biomass burning also releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere due to high-temperature reactions involved in burning. 

Fluorinated gases are powerful greenhouse gases which are man-made organic compound used in industrial applications. They are emitted in small quantities but have higher global warming potential than any other greenhouse gases thus playing a major role in greenhouse gas emissions. The lifetime of these gases in the atmosphere ranges from several years to centuries. They were banned in the 1980s as they opened the hole in the Earth's ozone layer. After the 1987 Montreal Protocol hydro fluorocarbons ( HFCs) were developed to replace ozone depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro chlorofluorocarbons HCFCs). Fluorinated gases emissions can be regulated by using the best substitutes like ammonia, propane, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons.  

 Fluorinated gases emissions are attributed to four parts per billion of the atmospheres. HFCs, PFCs and SF6 are used in various applications. 

  • Fluorinated gases are used in refrigerants, air conditioners and cooling appliances due to their low boiling point and excellent heat transfer properties. 

  • These are used in aerosol cans and propellants such as spray paints and inhalers due to their inertness and stability. 

  • Some fluorinated gases are used as a blowing agent in the production of foams plastics applied to insulation and packaging materials. 

  • 80 percent of SF6 is used in the electrical industry. Some of it is also used as contrast agents in medical imaging. 

  • PFCs are used as specialist solvents, textile finishers and fire suppressants.  

Water vapour is another powerful greenhouse gas. It is an essential component of the water cycle as it exists naturally in the atmosphere, and it is the primary reason for earth being a habitable zone. Human influence has warmed the land and atmosphere by greenhouse emissions leading in acceleration of earth's capacity to retain moisture in the form of water vapour, which absorbs the heat radiated from the Earth thus acting like other greenhouse gases, but it stays in the atmosphere for about 9 days before condensing and falling  back to Earth's surface as rain and snow. This extra warmth from water vapour is responsible for extreme rainfall and flooding. With reduction in greenhouse gases emissions, we can reduce global temperature which is the only factor that determines how much moisture can be held by the atmosphere. 

What are the key indicators of climate change we shouldn't ignore? 

The sea reflects most of the sun's radiation back into the atmosphere. In recent years the majority of heat is going into our oceans delaying some ice freezing in the most sensitive parts of our planet, the polar regions. The melting of ice accelerated at both the polar caps.

Rapid melting of glaciers and ice-sheets  contributes significantly to rising sea levels and threatening coastal regions. Since 1923 global sea levels have risen 6.7 inches ( 170 mm ). Some major cities will be at high risk if the sea level rises higher more than 3 feet. These small rises can have big impacts. If we fail to take immediate action on climate change, sea level could rise up to 6.6 feet by 2100.   

 Melting of Himalayan glaciers happening at a rapid rate. Increased rate of evaporation creates denser clouds which are responsible for hurricanes , powerful storms and heavy precipitation . Changes in atmospheric circulation can contribute to more intense precipitation over a shorter period of time leading high risk of flooding.


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Mountains and Polar caps which hold most of the snow and ice are the source of fresh water for the world population. Here we are witnessing an unexpected shift between snowfall and rainfall as a result of rising temperatures. Low air temperature is the main driver of onset of snow because freezing point of water is not possible above zero degree. In today's warming world, we are getting more rain rather than snow at high altitudes. We are witnessing the rate of snow melting is greater than the rate of onset of snow now. Climate change is changing the dynamics of snow melting. Winter season is shortening and now there are less chances for chances for snow to exist. It also means that freshwater is declining. Glacial lakes formation are the most distinguishable feature from the outcome of glacier melting. Although these lakes supply freshwater but rise in melting water in the lakes can create havoc with it's outburst floods for the community living in mountains.    

Droughts arise from natural variation in climate change patterns of rainfall and temperature. Prolonged dry conditions in an area with less than average rainfall become a drought. Greater water loss from soil and vegetation, improper irrigation and agriculture practices can lead to soil degradation which subsequently reduce water retention capacity of the soil. All sustainable human activities are amplifying the frequency and the severity of droughts in the current situation. Drought conditions are contributing towards water scarcity and stressing ecosystem. Agriculture alone accounts for 70 percent of water withdrawal. Over extraction of groundwater and excessive water consumption is also depleting water resources. Ground water level has been diminishing at an alarming rate leading to water shortage in some regions. By 2025 around two - third of the world's population will be underwater stressed conditions. 

Extended periods of droughts and heat waves are more susceptible to igniting wildfire. Wildfires directly threaten people's lives. It emits billions of tons of carbon dioxide which causes harm to the climate as well as the health of living organisms. Rising temperatures are responsible for intense heat waves which can harm human health by increasing the spread of diseases and heat related illnesses. Many species of plants and animals are struggling and migrating fast to adapt to the rising temperature. The year 2023 broke all records of climate change indicators.

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Do you still neglect the diagnosis of climate change by our ecosystem? 

For some people who are not aware of the science a few degrees change in temperature doesn't make a difference. This is not the fact that if the temperature goes up another half degree Celsius, the following worst impacts will be faced by the most of people all around the world. 

  • Our major ecosystem will collapse.
  • Acceleration in melting of ice.
  • Heavy and intense precipitation would happen and leads to higher flooding risks.
  • Sea levels will climb higher more than 3 feet.
  • People living in coastal regions will be displaced.
  • No marine life due to low oxygen levels of the oceans.            
  • Deadly heat waves will engulf cities.                                                
  • The world will go through mega droughts. By 2030, half of the world's population will be living in areas of high-water stress.
  • Frequent wildfires and reduction in biomass will occur at extreme levels.
  • The weather will be too hot for people to survive.
  •  Underprivileged people of low- income countries will be most susceptible to poverty, hunger and displacement during catastrophic events.


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Why Skepticism exists regarding climate change? 

Skepticism stems from the people regarding various concerns and questions due to lack of sense of urgency about the climate crisis. It is very crucial to engage in such discussions to motivate them to understand the consensus among the scientists that human activities contribute significantly to climate change. The comparison between skeptical and mainstream views is genuine on the basis of climate science but psychological denialism of the skeptics is due to their underlying beliefs. Only acknowledgement and strong belief in scientific based evidence contributes to better understanding and foster awareness about the urgency of climate action.

Different Skepticism to climate change 

  • Some people have misconceptions about science, claiming current temperature changes are just a part of Earth's natural cycle. 
  • Skeptics question the accuracy of climate data analysis tools and methods used by scientists. 
  • Some people oppose climate policies based on their political and cultural beliefs. 
  • Some individuals and groups are concerned about the economic implications of climate actions in transitioning to cleaner energy. 
  • Industries that rely on fossil fuels prioritise their short-term economic interests ignoring long term consequences of climate change. 

Earth is showing signs of climate change which are consistent with scientific research and predictions. It is necessary that people should come forward and acknowledge the cause of rapid changes in climate change. It is true that we don't have time to waste but it's not too late. Earth's average surface temperature is 1.36 degrees Celsius now. We must limit global warming to the 1.5 degree target to avoid its worst effects. We need to change perception in people as they lack knowledge and understanding of the cause which further prevents them from receiving robust evidence of climate change accurately. We all need to become more liberal to see things very differently from the conservatives. We should shift energy resources from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy because our future life is in clean energy. 

Kinds of cleaner sources of energy that we can implicate in our system. 

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Solar energy is a green energy that can be used anywhere in the world where we get sufficient amount of sun rays reaching our planet. The energy from the sun is converted into heat and electricity through solar panels. It is the best alternative to fossil fuels and creates no carbon emissions. Solar panels are more secure and require low maintenance cost although investment cost was higher in the past. With advancement in solar power technology the solar energy system will be more affordable in the coming days.


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Wind energy  is a clean energy and sustainable source of energy that is readily available everywhere. Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it to electricity. It is a growing industry supporting thousands of jobs. It does not release toxic substances that can cause negative impact on environment. Of course, there are challenges including installation in rural areas and bringing electricity to the urban areas which is affecting the cost. Upgrading transmission networks and infrastructure technology will accelerate the application of energy and reduce costs. 

 Tidal energy  is one of the renewable sources of energy which is harnessed by using the power of tides and oceans. When the water levels near the shore rise and fall at 10 feet or more it creates strong currents which are used to rotate turbine to generate electricity. It is a more powerful, consistent and reliable source of energy unlike solar and wind power which needs the right weather conditions to do the same. Its high capital cost and complex barriers are the hindrance in the growth of sustainability on a commercial scale. In future we can expect that technology to design efficient systems for tidal energy production so it will get more economical and lower the negative influence on marine ecosystem. 


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Geothermal energy is a clean source of energy derived from the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. The heat of the Earth can be converted into electricity through different ways. It can be used in the places where heat within the earth rises to the surface. It has less harmful effects as compared to other greenhouse gases. It can generate high amounts of energy every day without any limitations. The fuel that powers geothermal power plants is available the whole time which is not possible with solar and wind power. However the installation of a geothermal plant requires huge investment, but the cost can be recouped more quickly if the plant is running 97 percent of the time.     

Inducing healthy agricultural practices always have a positive impact on people and environment                                                      

  • Crop rotation under organic farming improves soil fertility and water retention. Healthy soils require fewer synthetic fertilisers and are under pest control. 
  •  No tillage cultivation in cover crops helps in preventing soil erosion and enhancing moisture in erratic weather. No tillage cultivation supports biodiversity and contributes to a more balanced ecosystem.  
  • Agroforestry, in which we combine trees and shrubs in our agriculture system or livestock in the same unit of land.This management increase biodiversity by supporting habitat to wider range of plant and animal species. It enhances nutrient cycling and improves soil fertility leading to increased crop yields. 
  • Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. 

Afforestation and Reforestation can help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Preserve forests, wetlands, mangroves and grasslands. We have seen a sharp decline in them all over the world. They act as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere globally. Wetlands store an excess of water during heavy rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding. As compared to terrestrial forests mangrove forests absorb 10 times as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and always act as natural barriers to protect coastal communities during floods and tsunami. Grasslands play an important role in cleaning air and water. They store carbon in their roots and the soil. Grasslands provide habitat for diverse range of plant and animal species. Their enormous root system prevents soil erosion by wind and water. 

Now what do you think about whether we can take care of our planet or not? 

Yes of course, we can together take initiative to reduce global warming which will require more than courage. It is the immediate task with a demand from global climate crisis for us to achieve a sustainable future for all forms of life on Earth. Besides governments, we will need support from all types of industries, and we should also put an effort into our individual level. It can make a difference in the fight against climate change. It is not necessary we do something big, but all citizens have a role to play. If we all think so, the contribution from the world's population of 8 billion will matter a lot. We should raise awareness about the climate crisis to drive meaningful change.

Steps by which an individual contributes to protecting our planet 

Interconnection between climate change and growing population is clearly visible. The world population will reach 10 billion in the year 2057 with a current growth rate of 0.88% per year. The more people on our planet means the more demand for energy, food and water. Population growth and climate change together can bring the worst challenges we are about to face in future. A comprehensive approach to achieve a balance between population growth and its impact on the ecosystem is crucially required by us                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                  

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 Greenhouse emissions from transportation are going to double by 2050. In transportation, we can maximise energy consumption, ultimately saving energy by switching to hybrid cars and more fuel-efficient vehicles. We should offer carpool with participants who can share the cost of fuel and tolls resulting in financial savings. Public transport has a higher occupancy rate so more people can be transported using less energy. We should avoid long-haul flights because emissions released at high altitudes have a more potent warming effect than emissions released at ground level. We can opt for walking, biking, skating or scooting when we are not on a long-distance drive for the zero-carbon footprint. 

 Switch to a plant-based diet and introduce your meat and dairy consumption. It can lower emissions as we are destroying our rain forests to grow food for livestock grazing. Millions of tons of food are wasted globally. The management of food waste is required to achieve food security. Food is wasted at an environmental cost, and it accounts for greenhouse gas emissions. Buy local and seasonal food as they are more nutritious and contribute to less pollution. Make compost of inedible remains of fruit and vegetable scraps for your garden as a way to reduce your food waste                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

We can make choices to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste to resource conservation. World plastic production has doubled over the past 50 years. The use of bio plastics is the best alternative to avoid pollution from single use plastics. One should always check what items we can throw away or recycle   

 The textile industry is one of the culprits partially driving the climate crisis. It is responsible for 8 - 10 percent of carbon emissions. About 100 billions of clothing is incinerated or buried in the landfills every second. We should change our consumption habits in lifestyle to reduce our own carbon fashion footprint. Avoid frequent style changes and owning fewer clothes can only be acceptable as a sustainable action.                                                                                                                                               

Pumping, treating and distributing water requires significant amounts of energy that meet often through fossil fuels. So conserving water helps to reduce pollution and conserve fuel resources. Conserving water resources also minimises the impacts of droughts in the communities where drought conditions exist. Reducing water waste is a good habit for every one of us to save our environment. It is not a job reserved for the water management team                                                                                   

Switching off the electrical appliances when we are not using them is a convenient way of energy conservation in our homes. In addition to this switch to a more efficient LED bulb from regular light bulb. Install weather proofing walls and roofs with double glazing doors and windows in home to maintain a stable indoor temperature to minimise the use of AC and heat pumps significantly reducing greenhouse emissions                                                                                                                   

 Encourage planting trees around the world to keep the global temperature in balance. 

By now you are very much aware of the concept of climate change and there should be no question doubting the scientific data and climate crisis. It is already too late when we need to stop doing long term damage to our environment. We are reducing its capacity to feed us and our coming generations. We are handling our mother earth to our children in a sick condition. This is the time when we should engage ourselves in science. If we don't act now, climate change will be irreversible. It is not a threat that is confined to a particular place. It is a global challenge concerning all of us because greenhouse emissions affect life everywhere and we should prepare for its consequences. By our vital contribution and strong collaboration, we can take the drastic actions which are the necessity of time now to make the absolute change to create a future where our planet thrives.

Support the climate change campaigns and contribute to the collective effort to address the challenges.


Global climate change strike - No Planet B - Global Climate Strike 09-20-2019
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash


 

                                                       

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