Countdown to climate change

SANA SYED

It is in our hands to save our world.

The countdown has begun. The alarm bell for the rapid change in climate rings even as the the leaders of the world are brainstorming on the issue at Copenhagen (Denmark) to find an effective solution.

The chief reason for climate change is the rise in emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and others due to industrialisation and technological developments.

The result: sea levels could rise by close to one metre this century in response to a temperature rise of up to one degree from the present levels. This will have severe impact on the coastal flora and fauna.

In India, around 7,000 sq. km of coastal land could submerge byrising sea levels.

A significant portion of this inundation will also occur in our state, informs Farida Tampal, State Director, AP & Coordinator, Education Programme Coordination Group (EPCG), WWF-India

Apart from this, what other obvious consequence of climate change are we facing?

“The symbiotic relationship between plants and animals is getting disturbed with the onslaught. We have already started bearing the brunt with the Sundarban deltas submerging in water, Gangotri glaciers melting and the forests of the Godavari and Krishna river valleys and the Eastern Ghats facing survival threat with rise in temperature.

Insects like the honey bee that are an indispensable link between flora and fauna are hard-hit by such environmental disturbances.

Insects, a crucial link in the eco system are gradually moving towards northern areas”, says B. V. Ramana Murthy, Member Secretary, A.P Biodiversity Board.

“Agriculturally, we can tone down the pollution effect by planting short duration crops like millets.

Unlike wheat or paddy it can grow throughout the year, even in water scarce regions and does not require great amount of fertilizers”, he adds.

Simple measures

Is there nothing we can do at the individual level?

Yes we can. Thanks to the positive outlook of students like Anil, Vamshi and Harsh who think a lot can be done at the personal level.

Apart from conserving energy and preferring public transport, Anil uses recycled goods; Vamshi prefers water cooled in earthen pitchers than refrigerated one and Harsh waters the garden every morning to help the green cause. But their academician C.V.K. Shastri, Dean of Academics, Mathematics and Sciences, Abhyasa School, Toopran takes a dig at the conscience of nation states asking, is it not worthwhile for both the developed and developing nations to be a little less ambitious in terms of technology frenzy and material comfort that is taking the world so near its destruction?

Let's wake up before it's too late.

Fact focus

With temperature increase, flora will be unable to perform vital biological functions

When forests shrink the animals depending on them will face extinction threat

In India, species such as Spotted deer, Sambar, Four horned antelope, Barking deer, Blue Bull and Gaur may disappear

With failing rains, freshwater flora and fauna are also in danger.

Birds like Spoonbill, the White stork, the Painted stork, the Ruddy Shelduck, the Mallard, the Garganey, and others may become extinct

Source:http://www.hindu.com/yw/2009/12/15/stories/2009121551301400.htm