United Efforts Must Against Climate Change

Deliberately or not, climate change has amassed significant global concerns, becoming a common topic of discussion. The world has encountered record-breaking heat waves. This year, May 2024, has been recorded as the hottest May in the preceding 11 months globally. As per AFP reports, more than 1000 people died at the Haji pilgrimage in 2024 owing to extreme heat-related illnesses. As of May 30, 2024, India recorded an unbearable highest temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius. These heat waves caused several deaths. 

Nepal, as evidence suggests, is one of the most prone countries to climate crises in the world. Undeniably, in the past years, Nepal experienced the biggest recorded loss of paddy harvest in October 2021, worth Rs. 8.61 billion. In addition, Nepal's Melamchi water project was flooded and damaged, resulting in several deaths, the destruction of over 200 households, and the washing away of about 750 hectares of agricultural land. However, the worst loss to the country was the loss of 20 years of commitment and Rs. 650 billion in debt investment due to unseasonal freak rain. As in 2024, monsoons come to Nepal three days before schedule; the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority estimates that 1.81 million people and 412,000 households will be affected by monsoons this year. 

In the far east of the Russian river banks, the hill slopes are sliding down to the river as a result of permafrost thawing. The pace of climate change was greatly accelerated as the CO2 and methane gases trapped in that thawed permafrost escaped into the atmosphere. If the current rate of temperature rise holds, the Aletsch glacier in Switzerland is predicted to be just a mere memory by the year 2100. 

Climate change has endangered not only mankind but also numerous animals. Due to the melting of glaciers, polar bears have become the most vulnerable species due to the loss of their sea ice habitat resulting from climate change. Additionally, sea turtles are currently one of the most threatened animals because of climate change. As their sex hatchling is temperature-dependent, the hatchling will be male if the eggs are incubated below 27 °C and female if they are incubated above 31 °C. It has been discovered that turtle hatchlings are exclusively female due to the rising temperature. The vastly altered sex ratio of turtle species has put them in grave danger of going extinct. Furthermore, climate change has substantially disrupted both the marine and grassland ecosystems. 

There is world-wide havoc going on due to climate change. These are some mere illustrations from dozens, but major reminders of our responsibilities towards global health. Life on this planet is certainly at stake if we continue our act of indifference. 

Promoting factors 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace, the world's temperature will increase by 3.4 to 6.1 °C throughout the 21st century. According to historical records, the last century saw the production of enormous amounts of CO2 gases that the preceding 20 centuries had not seen. China, the United States, Russia, and India are the world's top energy consumers and greenhouse gas emitters, respectively. These nations collectively contribute more than 50 per cent of the world's GHGs. 

Climate change is a natural phenomenon, but lately human activities have scathingly fluctuated this process. The amount of GHGs has maximised in the atmosphere trapping maximum heat of the sun. This has led to global warming faster than at any point in recorded history. The main sources of GHGs include CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide, unorganised industrialization, urbanisation, and consumption of an extensive quantity of fossil fuels, deforestation, power generation, chemical experiments, and more. Due to the ozone layer being reduced by such gases, the earth's climate is severely impacted by the sun's terrible ultraviolet radiation. As such, GHGs trap heat in the atmosphere, enhancing greenhouse

Global efforts 

The World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan (2021-2025) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are some notable global efforts. More projects like these should be launched on a global scale. Every single citizen of this planet should feel a sense of duty. To combat climate change, sustainable behaviours and the use of renewable energy should be implemented. The best alternatives may include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower energy, and hydrogen energy. The burning of fossil fuels should be significantly reduced. Industrialization and urbanisation seem to require a new set of working principles. 

The EU's industrial policy advocates a strong, growing, low-carbon industry based on circular material flows. Industries need to aim towards reducing emissions of pollutants into the air, water, and land and generate decreasing amounts of waste. 

According to a recent EEA analysis, implementing the best techniques available and the more ambitious targets of the Industrial Emissions Directive would result in concrete emission reductions: 91 per cent for sulphur dioxide, 82 per cent  for particulate matter, and 79 per cent for nitrogen oxides. 

Countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Chile are three leading countries in climate policy. These countries demonstrate an ideal framework and law to contribute to the mitigation of climate change. Furthermore, every city in the world should learn to adapt to sustainability, like Zurich, Switzerland, Copenhagen, Denmark, Canberra, Australia, etc. These countries are powered by 100% renewable energy. They have an effectively powered energy plant that turns waste into energy that helps power houses and buildings. Zurich is able to produce 80 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Over 90 per cent of their old glass and polythenes get recycled at special collection points. Copenhagen has multiple sustainability initiatives in place to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2025. These cities rely on renewable energy and large amounts of green space. We should examine these exemplary cities and imitate the adoption of the latest technologies in the most practical way to support sustainability goals. 

Conclusion 

Climate change does not recognise borders; its impacts are felt globally. Even if a country elevates climate-changing factors, the adverse effects ripple across the entire planet. Social injustice, wild diseases, several pandemics, ecosystem destruction, unhealthy migrations, shortages of food and water, loss of biodiversity, natural disasters, economic loss, and most significantly, climate change, all contribute to an insecure future. Our earth, our home, demands a world-wide collective effort to prevent potential catastrophes. As citizens of this planet, it's time to unite in innovation and initiatives to combat this pressing obstacle and secure a sustainable future.

(Rai is a SEE appeared student.)