Global Warming–A Race We Must Win

One of the alarming concerns that pose existential threat to humanity and the entire living beings inhabiting this planet is global warming. The world is grappling with a plethora of crises including, outbreak of war, chaos and diseases, due to which global warming is often relegated to the sidelines. However, if not addressed urgently, extreme heat triggered by global warming has a potential to wipe out entire humanity from this planet.

Global warming can be defined as a gradual rise in the average temperature of earth in recent decades. Since the industrial revolution, the global annual temperature has risen in total by more than 1 degree Celsius. As per the study, between 1850 and 1980, temperature rose on average by 0.07 degree Celsius every 10 years. However, since 1981, the rate of increase has more than doubled. As a consequence, the planet has never been hotter.

Unnatural phenomenon 

Numerous studies confirm that global warming is not a natural phenomenon and it is human activities which are to be blamed for the increase in earth’s temperature. The beginning of global warming dates back to the industrial revolution, the era which saw the rampant burning of fossil fuel. Since the industrial revolution, human activities have released huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which has dramatically altered the earth’s climate. Rapid deforestation caused by haphazard urbanisation is another factor that has contributed to rise in global warming.

Global warming has led to an increase in earth’s temperature which aggravates melting of glaciers and rise in sea level. Likewise, as the earth warms, the rate of evaporation and the amount of water vapor in the air both increase which manifest in flooding, tsunami, landslides. The increased warming has also the strongest impact on reducing snow cover. To illustrate, the iconic Machhapuchhre Mountain in Pokhara is snowless, a devastating consequence of climate change. 

Likewise, a global shift in climate change has also resulted in the loss of habitats of several plants and animals rendering these species homeless with some already extinct and some on verge of extinction.  Likewise, droughts and heat waves are anticipated to become more intense and cold waves less intense and less frequent. As seen in different parts of the world including Nepal, intensifying wildfire seasons, irregular precipitation are other horrifying perils of global warming.

Global warming is a severe problem for individuals alone to combat it. However, each individual effort can culminate into a bigger one.  Some of the measures that can be adopted to reduce carbon footprint are making conserving energy as a part of daily routine and taking careful purchasing decisions as a consumer. The effort could be as simple as walking short distances and carrying shopping bags and saying no to plastics. It rarely registers in our conscience but as a consumer we have power to reverse the cycle of global warming with our seemingly miniscule efforts, but in reality it has power to create a humongous impact.

As quoted by famous celebrity-cum-environmentalist activist, Emma Watson, “As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by being careful in what we buy”. While buying new appliances like refrigerators, washers or dryers, instead of making swift decisions based on marketing gimmicks, consumers should look for products with the government’s energy star label; they meet a higher standard for energy efficiency than the minimum federal requirements. Likewise, while purchasing automobiles, opting for the one with the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions. 

Nepal, despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, witnesses a record number of passenger car sales every year. The growth in this trend can be attributed to various reasons, but the main reason is the country's inefficient and ill-managed public transportation systems. Public transportation in Nepal is characterised by a plethora of problems including unreliability, lack of safety, overcrowding, cleanliness and indecent behaviour from fellow passengers. Buses are often poorly maintained and poorly regulated. Along with that, over speeding, low driving standards are some of the factors that compel the general public to stay away from public transit.

Comprehensive policy

It is therefore imperative on the government's part to develop a comprehensive policy to guide the development of a sustainable transportation system. The state must plan well on issues such as route permits, capacity of vehicles, ticket pricing, departure timing, hygiene, safety, comfort and convenience to encourage the public to use public transportation.  Many developed countries in the world including Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK have some of the world’s finest public transportation systems. 

No wonder, public transit accounts for significant mobility in these countries. Business organisations could also play an active role by incorporating corporate social responsibility in their business practices.  Producing eco-friendly products, saying no to overpackaging are some of the measures they can adopt to combat climate change.  

Global warming poses grievous peril to entire living beings inhabiting this planet. It has already made its presence felt across the world and is on the verge of gaining further momentum if left unchecked. Global warming is a race humanity cannot afford to lose. It is a matter of urgency more than ever for the government, business organisations and individuals to take collective initiative to fight this problem as it’s in the act of today’s generation lies the promise of a sustainable and thriving world for the next generations to come.

(Shrestha is a chief instructor/director Suva Consultancy & Training Institute.)