Climate change is the most significant environmental and social challenge of the 21st century. Due to human activities, the emission of greenhouse gases has increased, causing a rise in the Earth’s temperature, which in turn is leading to widespread changes in the global climate system. The effects of these changes are already being felt, and they are expected to intensify in the future. It is now evident that climate change has become the greatest threat to the entire world, affecting every aspect of life. The most concerning issue is that no area of life remains untouched by it.
The rise in sea levels due to climate change poses a threat to many islands and coastal cities around the world. The rapid degradation of soil, caused by the loosening of dry, frozen soil, is reducing its capacity to absorb carbon, leading to increased salinity. Problems such as unexpected floods due to untimely rains, cyclones, short-term heavy rainfall, and growing food crises for people dependent on dry land have emerged. Additionally, the destruction of 50% of the world’s pastures, a decline in crop production, and an increase in health issues have resulted from climate change, with mental health deteriorating by up to 12%. Around 30% of species on Earth are at risk of extinction, the threat of superbugs is rising, and meteorites in Antarctica are disappearing, impacting our lives.
The most significant adverse effect of climate change globally has been seen in the form of migration. This trend is rapidly increasing, from the poor to developed countries, creating immense inequality in society. This raises the question of whether we should consider environmental concerns. The risk of disrupted monsoon patterns has also emerged, shaking the entire world. While battling the climate crisis, the world is paying a huge economic price. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres rightly points out that the world is falling behind in preventing climate disasters, and the global community must pressure governments to understand this. Even if global efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees are successful, 961 million people will still be at risk, as warned by Guterres.
According to scientists, climate change has significantly contributed to the rise in temperatures, and the disruption of the monsoon cannot be ruled out. This occurs when the monsoon winds shift in low-pressure areas. When these winds move northward and align with the foothills of the Himalayas, rainfall ceases. During the monsoon, when heavy rain suddenly stops, it is referred to as a monsoon break. In such a situation, severe heat conditions arise in the affected areas. Temperatures suddenly increase in areas where they had decreased due to rainfall, resulting in intense heat followed by heavy rains. This often happens in August. The duration of this phenomenon is around three to four or five days, after which the rains resume. The largest monsoon break since 1976 was seen in August 2023. It is true that after a monsoon break, humidity increases significantly, making people uncomfortable. The humid environment even causes discomfort to people. As a result, temperatures rise from 26-27 degrees Celsius to 32-33 degrees Celsius. This increase in temperature causes many health-related issues. In fact, this climate change is not only harmful to health but also significantly affects agriculture and farmers. Crop production is also impacted.
The irregularities during the monsoon create instability, leading to prolonged droughts and shorter monsoon periods. Changes in the monsoon system cause low pressure and winds to shift southward, resulting in severe floods. Consequently, this affects the northern Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal during the summer. The area affected by this can be approximately as large as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, with a radius of around 1,000 kilometers. In this scenario, the La Niña phenomenon creates severe storms, abnormal temperatures in the eastern Indian Ocean, pre-monsoon heat in the Himalayan regions, and glacier melt, playing a significant role. During this period, temperatures rise to around 35 degrees Celsius, increasing heat. This impacts not only agricultural processes but also stunting, reduced fertility, unviable pollen, and severe effects on grain quality. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to establish an excellent monsoon forecasting system in the country for reliability and stability to make meaningful changes in this direction. Until we become aware of climate change, these problems will persist, preventing us from protecting ourselves from climate change.
The challenge of climate change is severe, requiring action on a global scale. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, reforestation, and adopting sustainable lifestyles, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, it is essential to formulate policies and invest in infrastructure to adapt to climate change.
The challenge of climate change is complex but not insurmountable. If the global community comes together and takes decisive action, we can overcome this problem and leave a stable and prosperous planet for future generations.
Vikas Parashram Meshram is a social worker and activist working towards the rights of tribal and marginalized communities. [email protected]
