Climate change : Should we begin to worry? | Essay by Sashrika,14, Mumbai
Climate change – a word we are hearing a lot these days. What is it and is it worrisome? 14-year-old Sashrika from Mumbai explains in this brilliant essay.
“A torrid summer, rise in power demand risks stalling Asia’s climate goals” – Business Standard India.
“A new spike in global temperatures” – The New York Times.
“Scorching Record-Breaker in Vietnam Confirms Extreme Predictions, Expert Warns” – Google News.
“Climate change: 40% of ocean’s ‘twilight zone’ species at risk from global warming” – BBC News.
These are the leading headlines that have appeared in revered newspapers all over the world in the past few months.
It has been well past three years since we entered into a new decade, and although this was supposed to be the time to make changes, it has really not been so. The truth, although disdainful, needs to be told.
Climate change, which has been a pressing issue throughout the majority of the 21st century, has still not been addressed to the level that it should be. Sure, conferences and meetings regarding this are being held daily, but have any striking changes occurred? The answer is no.
The quality of the situation is actually worsening day by day, as more and more people contribute in little ways to accelerate global warming, not realizing its repercussions that will affect them greatly in the long run.
Worrying about climate change has started to affect people as global warming becomes more and more apparent in the world. Global warming is the unusual increase in the average temperature of the earth due to the extensive release of greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels over the past century. The need for more natural resources has been increasing rapidly as the world starts advancing each day. The need of the people grows and so, to fuel that, our fossil fuels which have taken more than a million years to form, are being used extensively which results in their quick depletion.
The increase in greenhouse gases have resulted in global warming as it is due to these gases that the sun’s rays are getting trapped in the earth, which would otherwise get lost to space, subsequently, increasing the average temperature of the Earth.
Scientists’ predictions have started coming true; from melting of giant glaciers and ice sheets across Antarctica to the rise of sea levels which pose a danger to nations bordering the seas. NASA’s predictions regarding the potential effects of global warming include wildfires, longer periods of drought, and an increase in tropical storms have been happening quicker than assessed before.
At this point, the world’s average temperature is more than any ever recorded in history. These changes are leading to a shift in weather patterns and are disrupting the natural balance. The extra energy that is being trapped in the atmosphere is not only affecting the general temperature, but also the oceans. The oceans are steadily getting warmer day by day and due to this, aquatic animals and plants, not being able to adjust to this sudden change, are perishing.
Another important factor is the rising level of the sea because of the melting ice. The sea level rises by 3mm every year, and although this may seem like a negligible number, this has many effects. This brings about greater storm surges and flooding.
In the 21st century, countries that border the ocean face great threats including flooding, coastal erosion and submerging. Additionally, the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, which even though keeps it from the atmosphere, makes the ocean itself acidic endangering marine life.
Climate change also leads to the extinction of many species and threatens the existence of many endangered animals, both in land and ocean. Climate change has exacerbated the extinction of several species, including polar bears, whales, insects and sharks to say the least. Global warming, forest fires and extreme weather has greatly affected their habitats due to which their survival rate has decreased. A million species are at the risk of extinction in the upcoming decades.
Climate change is one of the major reasons behind a rise in global hunger and nutrition. With the increase in temperature, fisheries, crops, produce and livestock are being destroyed rapidly. Since oceans absorb carbon dioxide and are turning acidic day by day, different types of marine animals that are a source of food for billions are under great threat. Heat is also depreciating the amount of water and grasslands for grazing.
It is also due to climate change that poverty and displacement are increasing in great numbers. Frequent floods sweep away peoples’ homes, destroying livelihoods, droughts, especially those that occur in agrarian countries, damage fields and crops, ruining the main source of income for a great number of people. Over the past decade, events related to climatic change have displaced around 23.1 million people every year.
Considering all the factors mentioned above, as well as countless others that are starting to become more prevalent, we can be rest assured that climate change should not be taken lightly. It is a cause of great concern and worry as it affects all of us, some directly or indirectly, and we are the ones who will have the consequences of our actions in the long run.
“The problem is real; it is growing and the worst is yet to come.” – UN’s March report on climate change.
