Climate Change: Time is Ripe for Revival

The Earth is the only habitable planet in the solar system. Even though 70 percent of the planet is covered with water, it hosts as many as seven billion human beings. Other than homo-sapiens, the planet supports a myriad of flora and fauna species. From polar bears to the lanternfish, the planet has been supporting life unconditionally.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the natural setup of the planet has been challenged consistently. As a result, the disruption of the natural order has occurred. The most devastating factor was the invention of plastic in 1862. It has defaced the planet and made it sick. From aquatic to terrestrial life, the proliferation of plastic products is proving fatal. Oceans are filled, with incoming plastic piling up every day. According to a report, we are producing over 380 million tons of plastic every year. Besides plastic invasion, air pollution (carbon emissions) and several other forms of pollutions are ruining mother earth. This all has resulted in climate change.

From frequent flash floods to wildfires, mother earth seems to have hit the wall. It’s dying. Instead of taking preventive measures to save the planet, the rich are attempting to flee to other planets, such as Mars. One of the spectacular misfortunes of modern times is that the rich, who own industries, pay lip service to the cause. No constructive steps have been taken so far.

I remember an incident when the former president of the United States, Donald Trump, confronted Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, as she had poked the rich during a speech. It’s plain simple that Mr. Trump did not like her idea of shutting down large-scale factors that have been running for ages and therefore contaminating the environment one way or the other. As a matter of fact, governments across the world would want to tighten environment laws but couldn’t as the rich fund their election campaigns.

“The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say - we will never forgive you.” Greta Thunberg at UN Climate Summit, New York, 23 September 2019

“We showed that we are united and that we, young people, are unstoppable.” Greta Thunberg at UN Youth Climate Summit, New York City, 21 September 2019

The quotes used in this piece were extracted from BBC.

 

Drought Forces Colorado River Water Cutback to the Southwest States

The scientists and researchers recently have declared the water shortage for the first time ever in the Colorado River which serves as an arterial waterway for over 40 million people in the west region of America. The water levels at the largest reservoir have fallen record low. Water basins that connect with the river primarily supply basic household water for agriculture purpose, for irrigation for farms, and also provide hydropower to regions like Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Mexico.

However the farmers have various other diversified water sources which has helped them to reduce the risk of upcoming water cuts. But still the acute water challenges for a region facing a growing population drought will definitely be a nightmare for farmers as there will drastic change in the temperature in the coming years. Scientists also identified that due to drastic changes in melting snow in the spring could be one of the many reasons for sudden drop in the amount of water flowing from the mountains, where the Colorado River originates before.

Keeping this in mind, United Nations has released a landmark climate report which shows the rising index of global temperatures which is rapidly increasing than ever before. Scientists have stated that they will be addressing these climate changes by utilizing the best available technology and science, and they will continue to work across the landscapes and communities that primarily rely on the Colorado River.