Is Climate Change real?
Since the birth of our planet Earth, it has gone from a phase of being a hot ball of molten metal to a snowball during ice age. There have been 8 ice ages in the last 800,000 years. Each lasted close to 100,000 years, separated by interglacial periods of between 10,000 and 35,000 years. This proves that change in climate is a normal phenomenon.
Now the question is, if the climate changed before human, how can we be so certain that we’re accountable for the sudden warming of our planet that’s happening today? Scientists have stated that though natural fluctuations in the climate is a usual phenomenon, but off-late temperatures are now rising faster than ever.
Multiple activities engaged by human have soared carbon dioxide emissions, driving up the temperature. Implication of global warming can lead to extreme weather, melting polar ice, low crop harvest among the possible effects.
On an average earth’s temperature is about 15 degree C, but recently it has been much higher and lower. According to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) the past five years, 2015–2019, were the warmest on record.
Sea level between 2005 and 2015 increased by 3.6mm per year. As water increases in volume due to heating it’s the most evident repercussion.
Temperature rises of 2 degree C is considered to be dangerous. However, WMO stated that if the current warming trend stays, temperatures could rise 3-5 degree C by the end of 21st century. Scientists and policymakers recently have reasoned that limiting temperature rises to 1.5C is safer.
Impact of a changing climate can bring adverse effect globally. It can cause frequent droughts, freshwater shortages, heatwaves, floods and storms can dramatically reduce our ability to produce food and result in deaths.
Atmosphere will be filled with even more moisture as more and more water will get evaporated due to warming, causing intense rainfall as well as snowfall in several regions.
Many developing countries, which are less equipped could suffer the most. Chances of animal as well as flora get extinct as loss of habitats will make it difficult for species to adapt.
World Health Organization (WHO) has given stern warning that the health of millions could be threatened by increases in water-borne disease, malaria and many other diseases.
