Nature reflects our nature
Global Warming and Environmental Hazards k | ltlaDa
Background :
Across many geological times , Earth experienced a myriad of significant weather phenomena resulting in natural climatic variability ( change ) with alternating cycles of glacial and interglacial periods . Earth has been enduring this cycle of ice age and warming phase for millions of years and it is still in progress . But then why climate change is considered as a global challenge ? The issue dates back to the start of the 18th century , where there was massive mechanization of the industries using fossil fuels or in other terms , the rise of an industrial era ( Ruddiman , 2005 ). The economy of the world soared during this phase , so did the emission of the gases from the industries and vehicles . Gases like carbon dioxide , methane play a crucial role in maintaining global temperature . These gases trap the longer wavelength radiation emitted by the Earth and retain heat needed for the survival of all living creatures . The phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect and the gases are known as greenhouse gases . The significant emission of greenhouses gases especially carbon dioxide ultimately traps a large amount of heat , therefore increasing global temperature followed by irreversible consequences like sea level rise , polar ice melting , extreme weather events , etc . It is estimated that the global temperature has risen approximately 1.0 ° C above pre-industrial levels , ranging from 0.8 ° C to 1.2 ° C , with future projection to reach 1.5 ° C between 2030 and 2052 presuming increase at the existing rate ( Masson-Delmotte et al ., 2018 ). Besides , large scale deforestation for intensive agriculture and meat production have decreased the greenhouse gas sink creating an imbalance in the carbon sequestration .
Human beings live in every corner of the globe . People can be found living anywhere in the earth , from tropical jungle to scorching desert , from rugged mountains to flood plains , from remote volcanic island to lavish cities . Consequently , people and their infrastructure are in constant exposure to many environmental hazards .
Hazards can be hydrological like a flood , meteorological like a cyclone , seismological like an earthquake or geomorphological like a landslide . A hazardous event is considered a disaster when it interacts with highly vulnerable and exposed society or community , leading to severe disruption of their functions and causing human fatalities and colossal loss of properties . UNISDR ( 2015 ) reported that the global economic losses from disasters reached an average of US $ 250 billion to US $ 300 billion each year and the trend is increasing . However , not all hazardous events lead to disaster , e . g ., a tsunami or a volcanic eruption in an uninhabited island is not a disaster .
Wicked Problem :
There are many unending debates related to climate change and global warming . There is no agreement among the nations regarding the facts and values related to global warming . It is often complicated to determine what the problem really is or in other words “ a wicked problem ” ( Rittel & Webber , 1973 ). Hence there are a lot of uncertainties and complexities . Developed countries are mostly responsible for global carbon emissions , whereas the developing countries are too facing the consequences . Developing countries argue that the developed nations should take responsibility and spend to mitigate the problem they have created over past centuries . On the other hand , the developed countries counter-argue that future emissions will be from the developing nations and should assume equal responsibility . These arguments halt the consensus , and no action is leading the planet Earth more vulnerable . Two questions as mentioned by Figueres ( 2013 ) play critical role in the joint agreement between all nations and solving the problem are quoted as :“ How do we ensure that developing countries have the support they need to pursue their economic growth with a low-carbon footprint ?” “ What responsibility do we collectively have to future generations ?”
Besides , there is also a big gap in understanding between politicians and scientists . Politicians along with economists reason about the trade-offs involved . For example , high taxation in fossil fuels to cut-off emissions but what about the existing vehicles and industries ; if they crumble , the whole economy gets affected . As a result , politicians fear their downfall because they
Nature and Social Concern Society 25