The lesson pandemic and unpredictable weather systems are signs of an endangered planet. Here take a look at climate change and its possible repercussions
If there’s one thing 2020 has taught us, it’s to wake up and smell the pollution. Climate change is no longer the looming threat it once was. It is as real as it can be and the toll it has made on our planet is visible to everyone. Therefore, it is high time that we stand up and take action. Is COVID 19 the jerk we all need to sit down and take note? This is due to the fact climate change paralyzes the planet we call our home.
More than ever, 2020 has been a turning point for the majority of us. It took a pandemic of this magnitude to teach people basic health practices. Here are some others environmental challenges to consider.
Agriculture
With over 50% of the total population living on agriculture, India cannot afford to ignore the dominant practices in this sector. All over the world, agricultural practices are unsustainable. It is time to reflect on how well we are meeting the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations to ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
Air pollution
It is as hot an issue as the fires that are causing smog in the NCR region. It is essential to act accordingly as it is reported to be one of the factors increasing the impact of the coronavirus. In addition to various cardiopulmonary conditions caused by particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 10), the WHO reports that around the world, around 4.2 to 7 million people die each year from air pollution and that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.
Plastic pollution
As global consumerism continues to grow rapidly, so does plastic pollution. In 65 years, from 1950 to 2015, plastic consumption increased from 2 to 419 million tonnes, including 11 million tonnes directly in the oceans. It has been fatal for marine life and the ecosystem. If we don’t rethink our practices, it will cause untold damage to our environment.
Food waste
About a third, or nearly 1.3 billion tonnes of food, is lost or wasted. Food wastage and loss represent annual greenhouse gas emissions of 4.4 gigatonnes. In a developing country like India, which already ranks poorly (94) on the Global Hunger Index, 40% of food waste occurs in post-harvest and processing.
Bad governance
Policy makers have long been urged to strictly tax activities that emit greenhouse gases and to push for the innovation of low-carbon procedures. One of these practices is the implementation of the national carbon tax by countries like Europe, Japan and Canada. The Paris Agreement stipulates that countries must drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since this is a voluntary agreement, something more concrete is needed.
Governments need to significantly expand their support for green innovation. A study found that it would take until 2033 to stop global warming if all greenhouse gas emissions were stopped by 2020. It’s time to act
is now.
Sudarshan Gurjar
Best educator of the Unacademy
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