Contain Climate Change Impacts

The impingement of climate change has been felt across the world. Climate change is largely anthropogenic. Since 1800s, the effects of climate change on human life and the environment have been pronounced. The increasing use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has generated greenhouse gas emissions that trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, thus raising temperatures. Carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapour, methane and nitrous oxide are greenhouse gases. Clearing land and forests gives rise to carbon dioxide, while landfills generate methane emissions. 

Since the 19th century, the earth’s temperatures have risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius. Global warming, as the phenomenon is called, has made human life miserable, exposing tens of millions of people around the world to dangerous heatwaves, water shortages, floods, landslides and other environmental hazards. World governments have been working vigorously to confine the temperatures to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius but the risk of exceeding this limit is always there. It is estimated that this limit will be breached but it is not known when it will happen. The time period may vary not by years but by decades. 

Historic agreement

In 2015, world leaders from 197 countries signed the historic Paris Agreement. They pledged themselves to put people first and reduce their countries’ greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change affects poor countries more forcefully than it does rich countries. Moreover, indigenous people get the greatest blow from climate change than other people. The problems associated with climate change include air pollution, ocean acidification, food insecurity, deforestation, soil erosion, plastic waste pollution, rising temperatures (both maximum and minimum), shrinking glaciers, species extinction, loss of biodiversity and the like. Communities in the Pacific islands are experiencing rising sea level and extreme weather patterns. 

Although there is unison of voices against climate change, the action being pursued by world leaders towards that direction is rather slow. They have committed themselves to reduce carbon emissions but the commitments are not binding and the targets are often missed. Those who have committed themselves to contribute to reducing carbon emissions need to be serious about the climate change issue and completely comply with them. As businesses have a large part to play in carbon emissions, there should be strong international synergy between governments and businesses. Moreover, concrete measures need to be taken to enhance the ability of forests and oceans to mop up carbon dioxide. It may be noted that forests and oceans play a big role in regulating climate. 

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries when it comes to climate change impacts. The country is ranked 4th in terms of vulnerability to climate change. The nation has already experienced the impacts of climate change as it is affected by floods, landslides, soil erosion, heavy precipitation or drought, storms, etc. The contributions of the country to greenhouse gas emissions are, however, minimal vis-à-vis other countries. Ninety-five per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions are generated in the country by agriculture and forests, with the latter making up 77 per cent of the emissions. 

According to the trend analysis (1971-2014) conducted by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the average annual temperatures have been increasing by 0.056 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperatures have also been increasing by 0.002 degrees Celsius although it is not significant. Further, precipitation extremes are also increasing. That is why, some parts of the country receive heavy precipitation, while others suffer drought. 

The data shows that 80 per cent of the loss of property is due to disasters induced by climate hazards such as floods, landslides and glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Scientists warn that rising temperatures could spread malaria and dengue to new areas of the Himalayas. It may be noted that mosquitoes have appeared in the highlands. Climate change affects developing and mountainous countries like ours to a great extent. High-intensity rain occurs in the rainy season in such countries. Climate change has an adverse effect on agriculture, forests, water resources, biodiversity and human health. 

In fact, climate change has become an existential problem. If it is left unresolved, the very survival of humans in the future could be in peril. Where there are problems, there are also solutions. As the fossil fuels are the main culprits, steps should be taken to gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels. Instead of fossil fuels, renewable and cleaner energy should be used. Energy efficiency should also be increased. People should also change their consumption patterns. Luxurious lifestyles of people have also contributed to increasing carbon emissions. 

Worst scenario

Scientists have conceived of the worst scenario: the hothouse earth scenario. Such a scenario appears when the earth becomes uninhabitable. Such a scenario may emerge if the present rate of global warming cannot be curbed. As per the scenario, even if the carbon emissions are reduced as set forth in the Paris Agreement, there is a risk of the earth meeting with hothouse earth conditions. The hothouse climate will stabilise at global average temperatures of 4-5 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial level with sea level rising 10-60 metres. In order to avoid the hothouse earth conditions, it is essential to reduce not only greenhouse and carbon emissions but also to construct or enhance biological carbon stores. 

The average global temperatures are one degree Celsius above the pre-industrial level. The temperatures are rising by 0.17 degrees Celsius per decade. Action against climate change must be taken all the time. So world governments, businesses and other stakeholders, including common people, should act synergistically so as to save the earth from the impacts of climate change.  

(Maharjan has been regularly writing on contemporary issues for this daily since 2000. uttam.maharjan1964@gmail.com)