Earth is the only planet in the solar system with life. It is the home to all species, but, today our planet is afflicted with environmental issues that are a threat to human lives. The environmental conditions are worsening and perhaps uninhabitable. No doubt world has progressed a lot but with this progress the amount of harmful and toxic wastes has increased. Global warming is the biggest environmental issue we are facing today as a greatest challenge which we need to get solved. Whenever we burn fossil fuels like petrol and gas, coal carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane are the main reasons of increasing global warming on the earth directly influencing the depletion of glaciers which in turn are increasing above the sea level. If the temperature is increasing so rapidly then slowly the entire land will submerged in the water.
Modern life style demands the usage of fossil fuels for transport, electricity and other purposes. In many countries electricity is generated by burning coal. It has been estimated that atmospheric temperature has increased a great level since mid 20th century due to increase in the atmospheric green house gases concentration globally because of increased demand of human living standards. This results an unexpected disasters like flood, cyclones, tsunami, lack of food, epidemic diseases death etc. Increasing global warming leads to more water evaporation from earth to atmosphere which in turn again furthers the prospects of global warming. Other processes like burning of fuels, uses of fertilizers, CFC, ozone and nitrous oxide are also the reasons of global warming. The industrial revelation is also the main cause as advanced countries emit more green house gases. The El Nino phenomenon which sparks climate extremes around the globe has again effected the world’s largest Pacific Ocean. It will result lower crop production and increase chances of wild fire.
Today world is struggling as CoP21 PARIS agreement is the first of its kind global agreement that aims to control global warming. The agreement intends to control the average global temperature rise to less than 2 degree Celsius and working so that it bends towards 1.5 celsius. India has already announced that it will ratify the Paris agreement on climate change. In Kashmir valley people are self centered on one hand and appreciate the beauty of nature on the other hand but no one is concerned about the pollution hazards. Everyone should keep the surroundings clean and green. It is our obligation to keep the environment in good condition for future generations. The state government too is making half hearted efforts for the conservation of natural resources.
Tariq Mantoo can be mailed at mantootariq@gmail.com
