Global Warming-the ignored truth

"Global warming will not burn you; but it will drown you in waters-Magada"

“You can escape the responsibilities; but you can’t escape the consequences for escaping the responsibility”

Life on earth appeared as early as 4.28 billion years ago, soon after formation of the ocean, about 4.41 billion years ago, and not long after the earth's formation 4.54 billion years ago. Presently the estimated total number of species on earth is about 8.7 million, the most precise calculation ever offered with 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans. But a single species Homo sepian is busy in exhausting all resources and can alter the entire process on the earth. All life forms on the earth need sun’s energy to continue their life. When the earth receives the sun’s radiation and some of the radiation reflected back to the atmosphere in the form of infra red radiation. Some of the IR radiation is trapped which keeps the atmosphere relatively constant range of temperature.

Why it is warming now?

Earth’s ecological system that is atmosphere is so thin that people are capable of changing its composition. Though there is a progressive improvement in science and technology in last two centuries, its growth is phenomenal and faster during last three decades. Population explosion coupled with technological advancements changing the composition of earth’s atmosphere. Among all the gases that are responsible for global warming, the single most major threat is carbon dioxide. There is direct correlation between temperature and CO₂. Roger Ravelle was the first person to propose the issue of CO₂ in the atmosphere. He took the core of ice that formed many years ago. By studying the isotope of oxygen that was trapped in the ice, he precisely estimate the temperature of that particular season. In all 650000 years CO₂ never gone up beyond 300 ppm. In next 50 years it might cross 1000 ppm.  Ten hottest year ever recorded were in last 15 years. The hottest of all was in 2005. Andhra Pradesh witnessed 52 Degree Celsius, 200 cities around the world recorded all time high temperature.

When ocean warms, it causes hurricanes. Water temperature increases wind velocity increases. How we react to the established facts of science. Hurrcane Katrina (August 29, 2005), Hurricane Dennis, and the hurricanes that hit the India were Vayu, Megh, Jal and Fani are all because of ocean warming and depression.  

And now everyone agree that CO₂ is the main issue that is bothering the world but does little to combat it but Norway is the first country to impose carbon tax in the year 1991.

“What gets us into trouble is not just what we don’t know, It is what we know for sure that just aren’t so- Mark Twain”

No ice in Khilimanjaro, South Africa, Columbia Glacier, Alaska. 50% of the people get the drinking water from melting glaciers. Lake Chad of Niger almost dried up. GW sucks moisture from the soil. Promafrost is melting. Winter in Alaska taundra reduced from 225 to 75 days in a year in just last 40 years. Sea ice cap is reduced by 1.5 m km² since 1970. Sun rays reflect back when they hit ice, but it is absorbed by ocean. The impacts of climate change in the Himalayas are real. Melting glaciers, erratic and unpredictable weather conditions, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing temperatures are impacting on the people and wildlife of the region.

 “The era of procrastinations, of half measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place, we are entering a period of consequences”-Sir Winston Churchill Nov 12, 1936

Rain rain go away…

More draught and flooding is the indication of global warming. Global warming increases precipitation and also relocates its distribution. In July 26, 2005, about 37 inches of rain fall within 24 h in Mumbai. Northern Karnataka received 20-40% of excess rains. What we are experiencing now with heavy floods in many states of India is also directly correlates with global warming. The total rain fall might remain the same but uneven distribution will have its significant effect on the agriculture production, alter the breeding season of many fishes and new diseases would affect the human.  

After effects of heavy rains:

            It was so surprising in Kerala. Even after heavy rains last year there was acute shortage of water. This was experienced even in Kodagu, Karnataka. This is due to change in maximum and minimum temperature of that region. Because of the global warming the gradient is increasing. This will affect the soil moisture which is detrimental in crop production.

In spite of deadly consequences of global warming, we have no other choice except accepting the development that need for the humanity but already enough knowledge is available to the mankind so that we can reduce its pace and the magnitude.

What you can do?

§  Use of public transport, car pooling, cycling, walking

§  Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Refuse plastics

§  Segregation of wastes and safe disposal

§  Use of energy efficient gadgets, vehicles and other tools

§  Plant trees..lots of trees..

§  Use of renewable energy sources

§  Follow the rules and regulations given by the competent authorities

§  Support the right politicians and law makers

§  Speak-up in your community

§  If you believe in prayer, pray the people will find the strength to change

§  Put your knowledge into action

Reference:

Excerpts from the film “An Inconvenient Truth”- a 2006 American concert film/documentary film directed by Davis Guggenheim about former United States Vice President Al Gore's campaign to educate people about global warming.

Dodd, Matthew S.; Papineau, Dominic; Grenne, Tor; Slack, John F.; Rittner, Martin; Pirajno, Franco; O'Neil, Jonathan; Little, Crispin T. S. (1 March 2017). "Evidence for early life in Earth's oldest hydrothermal vent precipitates". Nature. 543 (7643): 60–64. Bibcode:2017 Natur.543. 60D. doi:10.1038/nature 21377. PMID 28252057. 

Zimmer, Carl (1 March 2017). "Scientists Say Canadian Bacteria Fossils May Be Earth's Oldest". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.

Ghosh, Pallab (1 March 2017). "Earliest evidence of life on Earth 'found". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.

Dunham, Will (1 March 2017). "Canadian bacteria-like fossils called oldest evidence of life". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.