In recent times, climate change has become an acute threat to human existence and livelihood. Increasing incidences of climate change impacts such as floods, heat waves, droughts, natural calamities are not only fatal to human and animal lives but they are also causing severe economic losses. It is one of the things that is most noticeable in everyday life. According to scientists, due to global warming, there will be an increased likelihood of extreme weather condition events. In India, some regions are experiencing these changes already which are manifest in various forms including Floods in India and record setting heat waves.

Floods affected 41 million people in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

Now a days, heavy rains and Floods in India have once again brought many parts of the country to standstill. More than 1000 people have died in the Floods in India this monsoon and death toll may rise as the flood waters increase. As per a United Nations report, at least 41 million people in Bangladesh, India, as well as Nepal are directly affected from flooding and landslides, which resulted from the monsoon rains which begin in June and last until September. In national capital Delhi too, an alert was issued by the government after the water levels of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark.

Intense heat waves killed 1500 people in India

Similarly, around 1500 people died due to intense heat wave this year. It was one of the worst bouts of hot weather for several years. Reports said that this year the heat wave conditions continued for a longer period than in the previous years. They also said that temperatures were 2–5 degrees higher than the seasons’ average.Poring over centuries of scientific investigation and study, it is clear that humans are responsible for most of the climate changes we have seen over the past few decades. When humans burn coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for producing electricity or transportation a considerable amount of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. Landfill sites as well as deforestation are some other factors, which add greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thereby causing the atmosphere to warm more and resulting into varied repercussions such as glacier melting, El Nino, etc. Human activities are disturbing the ecological balance on the earth. This results into the shifting of the seasons.

Farmer suicides in India linked to climate change

In India, more than half of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture and fisheries for their income. Unfortunately this sector is directly dependent on weather conditions. Unpredictable weather causes great distress on agriculture and pushes farmers into debts, poverty and is also the main reason for their suicides.

Extreme climate change is an urgent threat to humanity. It demands conclusive as well as prompt action on our part. It happens without us noticing it much. It also occurs in a manner we cannot control. However, these aspects should not deter us from taking decisive action. We need to be prepared for any kind of problem or eventuality.
A healthy planet and stable climate aren’t political issues. It should be a combined effort and now it is time to get everyone on board and pledge to follow a simple rule in life “reduce, reuse and recycle” and enjoy life to the fullest.

Image courtesy: clearias.com

About Muqbil Ahmar

Editor-in-Chief and Founder at greenubuntu.com. I am an environmentalist, technology evangelist, fitness expert, actor, writer and editor. With more than 15 years in media, I want to be the catalyst for making the world green and rid it of disasters like global warming, climate change, green house effect, pollution, environment degradation, etc. I want to reduce the carbon footprint of humanity for a sustainable development model. I am the author of books such as Artificial Intelligence Made Simple: Learn How AI Is Going to Change Your Life Forever; JNU Days, etc. They are available on Amazon.in. My articles have been published on various mainline media platforms such as FirstPost, Forbes, TechStory, Greenpeace, The Hindu, Business World, DailyO, Inc. 42, CXO Today, Sify. Experfy, BBN Times.Com, etc. I love to write on tech, economy, films, arts and culture, and other diverse subjects. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.