GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY

The 44th U. S. President Barack Obama once said: "No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change."  

Simply defined, the word ‘climate’ denotes the weather conditions which prevail in a specific region. It has a significant impact on the lives of plants, animals and humans which can either be positive or negative. Hence, it is obvious, that all living components are dependent on the climate for their ultimate survival.  

The publications from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change （IPCC） provide evidence that human activity-related greenhouse gas emissions have been responsible for global warming between 1850 and 1900. 

Human activities, namely the burning of fossil fuels and heavy energy consumption, industrialization, nuclear experiments and irregular disposal of solid waste have generated unfavorable climate conditions, natural hazards and are menacing natural ecosystems at present. Human activities have accelerated the warming of the earth's atmosphere within a short period of time. The release of pollutant gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, CFCs, HFCs etc. has further worsened the natural greenhouse phenomenon and caused an imbalance in the natural environmental systems.

The Australian wildfires in 2020 which occurred in the state of New South Wales were a major hazard created by climate change. The extinction of millions of endemic plant and animal species, as well as biodiversity, shook the entire world. Additionally, the floods in the South Asian country Bangladesh have drawn the attention of the world due to worsening climatic conditions in particular due to heavy precipitation and cyclones.

Thereupon, what responsibilities do we humans share to curtail climate change? It is we humans who designed innovations and infrastructure. Thus, could we prioritize the climate and mother nature over globalization and development? Sustainable development can be used as an important tool to minimize the adverse effects of climate change. The use of renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power, following eco-friendly methods, reforestation, use of public transport instead of private vehicles and improving the productivity of electronics and vehicles can be put forward as measures to achieve sustainable development. Leading a simple lifestyle and being an inspiration to the world is a way of educating people. It is the first initiation of what human responsibilities are. The environment which we live in is the place for humankind to cherish, not to disrupt.  

Written by:

Rtr. Shivoli Gomes (Blog Team Member 2022-23)

Edited by:

Rtr. Samadhi Mallawa Arachchi (Sub-Editor 2022-23)