The problem of climate change is real. In the run-up to the biggest world conference on environment organised by the United Nations Framework for Climate Change COP27, many institutions have been discussing the cruel effects of climate change on people’s lives and livelihoods.
Scientists from the World Meteorological Organisation are greatly concerned about the all-time high levels of the three major greenhouse gases, i.e. Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide and methane in 2021. And alarmingly, levels continue to rise in 2022.
This is causing the oceans to heat up and may result in the mass extinction of marine species - something we should all be more concerned about.
A recent LANCET report on heat-related issues with an India-specific fact sheet points out that heat-related deaths have increased by approximately 55% between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021. Add to that the countless hours of lost labour leading to a reduction in our GDP. In addition, an increase in the transmission period of communicable diseases such as malaria and dengue is a strain on our overburdened and underdeveloped health system.
The report further highlights that countries and corporations are making choices that go against the betterment of world populations. Our ever increasing reliance on fossil fuels has been a major factor in global politics.
In countries like ours where the average labourer or daily wage earner has fewer laws and freedoms protecting and guaranteeing their livelihoods, such problems can have larger, long-term ramifications. A weaker workforce, the aforementioned reduced GDP and a sense of unrest that comes with such trying times are strong enough to deliver a major blow to the ambitions and aspirations of a developing country.
The evidence is clear: we need to go beyond what we think is enough to mitigate and reduce the adverse effects of climate change in our near future. Sustainability is the need of the hour. Stay tuned to this blog space for our upcoming piece on World Sustainability Day to learn about the many ways that small pockets of humanity are banding together under the canopy of sustainability.
What do you think will be the outcome of this year's COP27? Will it finally get world leaders to make serious course corrections? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and spread the message of #sustainability.