Time to tackle global warming is now

Global warming isn’t a prediction; it is happening! A person denying it or unaware of it is in the most simple terms complicit. Do we have another planet to live on?   Unfortunately, we have been bestowed with this one planet only that can sustain life, yet over the years, we have turned a blind eye […]

Global warming isn’t a prediction; it is happening! A person denying it or unaware of it is in the most simple terms complicit. Do we have another planet to live on?  

Unfortunately, we have been bestowed with this one planet only that can sustain life, yet over the years, we have turned a blind eye to the plight it is in. Global warming is not an abstract concept but a global phenomenon occurring ever so slowly even at this moment. 

Global Warming is a phenomenon that is occurring every minute resulting in a gradual increase in the Earth’s overall climate. Brought about by greenhouse gases that trap the solar radiation in the atmosphere, global warming can change the entire map of the earth, displacing areas, flooding many countries, and destroying multiple life forms. Extreme weather is a direct consequence of global warming but it is not an exhaustive consequence. There are virtually limitless effects of global warming which are all harmful to life on earth. 

The sea level is increasing by 0.12 inches per year worldwide. This is happening because of the melting of polar ice caps because of global warming. This has increased the frequency of floods in many lowland areas and has caused damage to coral reefs. The Arctic is one of the worst-hit areas affected by global warming. Air quality has been adversely affected and the acidity of the seawater has also increased, causing severe damage to marine life forms. Severe natural disasters are brought about by global warming which has had dire effects on life and property. 

As long as mankind produces greenhouse gases, global warming will continue to accelerate. The consequences are felt at a much smaller scale which will increase to become drastic shortly. 

 The power to save the day lies in the hands of human beings. There is the need to seize the day. Energy consumption should be reduced on an individual basis. Fuel-efficient cars and other electronics should be encouraged to reduce the wastage of energy sources. This will also improve air quality and reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  

Global warming is an evil that can only be defeated when fought together. It is better late than never. If we all take steps today, we will have a much brighter future tomorrow.  

Global warming is the bane of our existence and various policies have come up worldwide to fight it but that is not enough. The actual difference is made when we work at an individual level to fight it. Understanding its import now is crucial before it becomes an irrevocable mistake.  

Exterminating global warming is of utmost importance and each one of us is as responsible for it as the next. Finding a solution to it is of immediate importance.  

Global warming is a phenomenon that has to be fought together. Planting more trees can be the first step that can be taken towards warding off the severe consequences of global warming. Increasing the green cover will result in regulating the carbon cycle. There should be a shift from using nonrenewable energy to renewable energy such as wind or solar energy which causes less pollution and thereby hinders the acceleration of global warming. Reducing energy needs at an individual level and not wasting energy in any form is the most important step to be taken against global warming. 

The warning bells are tolling to awaken us from the deep slumber of complacency we have slipped into. Humans can fight against nature and it is high time we acknowledged that. With all our scientific progress and technological inventions, fighting off the negative effects of global warming is implausible. We have to remember that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors but borrow it from our future generations and the responsibility lies on our shoulders to bequeath them a healthy planet for life to exist. 

 

Elkanah Precious, Lagos State University, Ojo