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Nature does not depend on human beings- 23-Jun-2011
Every country is struggling hard in the field of industry, agriculture and technology to eradicate employment and to be acknowledged as developed nation at the global level. In the same way, these countries that are striving for this growth and development should be giving due importance to the environment that they live-in.
In 1500 AD, 35 per cent of land in India was covered with forests, gradually from 1700 to 1940 the statistical figure shows that only 26 per cent of land is under forest and the rest have been destroyed due self-centered reasons. The alarming fact is that the current statistical assessment tells that only 15 per cent of our forest exists. After independence, we have encouraged and involved in deforestation in the name of development. As a result in last 60 years we have lost over 11 per cent of precious forest that brings rain in due season. If this situation persists all the forest would soon vanish.
Environmental studies reveal that from the year 1980, the global temperature has considerably augmented making the planet earth warmer. It has increased by 0.4 to 0.45 degree Celsius and presently has touched nearly 0.74 degree Celsius. It is probable that by the end of this century the earths temperature is likely touch even 6.4 degree, forecasts IPCC (International Panel for Climate Change). If the global temperature would increase by 1.5 to 2.5 degree Celsius, about 20 to 30 per cent of natural vegetation and animals are likely to perish, reveals the study.
Several natural catastrophes are inevitable in the event of increase in global warming, warn scientists. The extensive use of coal, natural gas and petroleum products that emit very high level of carbon content in air is the foremost reason for global warming.
Vehicles, air-conditions, fridges and other facilities were not much available before 50 years, and industries that would produce such amenities did not also exist. Likewise, currently we do not even have clean air to breath as we had in those days. The luxury items and gadgets we use releases large amount carbon, which is becoming the greatest threat to entire mankind as wells the whole world.
We who depend upon these natural resources who should be protecting these natural resources, we are the ones who are destroying it. Definitely, industrial growth is essential for a good lifestyle, employment opportunities and comfortable living. But, for that reason pelting trees, deforestation, making rivers and lakes into housing complexes and building industries is just like deciding / determining our fate or fateful day.
The extensive use of machines and large number of companies coming up in the recent days, result in the emission of huge amount of carbon in the air. As a result, the air we inhale gets polluted. We need lot of trees to reduce the carbon content in the atmospheric air and release more oxygen. But, today lots of trees are being destroyed making way for many industries and companies.
We, who are supposed to prevent this phenomenon, instead have become a part of it, by using needless vehicles, air condition and electric lamps. Extensive farming also contribute to the increase in release of methane, a greenhouse gas.
India stands fourth (4.6) among the countries that release excess of greenhouse gases like carbon and methane. America with 21.2%, China 15.2 % and Russia with 5.4 stand in the first three places. India has increased its release of greenhouse gasses by about 55% from 1990 to 2004, which is a noteworthy fact. Imposing heavy penalty on developed and developing nations releasing large amount of greenhouse gasses ended up unconvincingly at the recent Copenhagen Summit.
Greenhouse gasses are not an enemy to mankind, but the right ratio would only benefit the earth and the living beings living on it. These greenhouse gasses are highly essential to keep the earths temperature right. Their absence would drastically bring down earths temperature, making life difficult for human beings on this earth. In the same way, if there is an increase in the volume of these gasses would cause several catastrophes.
Excess of greenhouse gas prevents escaping of heat from the earth into the free atmospheric air resulting in overheating of the earth. Consequently, ice found in the polar regions melt making excess water flow into the sea, thereby rising of the sea level that would result in sinking of coastal regions and islands posing more danger to the planet, warn a group scientists. Studies prove that the sea level is gradually rising. If this phenomenon would to continue most of the islands would soon be submerged. It is also feared that even Lakshadweep islands would also go under the rising waters.
Greenhouse gas effects would not be confined to particular area; instead it has the ability to change the global seasons. These gasses released in any part of the world do not affect the same place or country; in turn it would affect far-off places like the Artic, Atlantic and the snow-clad mountains found in any part of the world. In the recent days, the penguins and polar bears found in some these areas have started to feel the brunt of greenhouse effect, allege scientists.
Although, rainfall and temperature alterations have been happening for several thousands of years, but these recent study seems to be alarming. For instance, the temperature of Chennai over the last 5 years has recurrently crossed over 40 Degree Celsius many a times than the past 50 years, likewise the rainfall too.
Rainfall scheduled over a period of time, come about heavily in a very brief period. As a result, the rainfall is excess for a certain period of time. As a result, there is no proper place for rainwater to flow in suburbs of metro cities like Chennai, Mumbai where the catchment areas like lakes, ponds and rivers are now being converted into housing facilities. In just two hours of heavy downpour the situation is shoddy that there is water stagnation almost everywhere. One aspect is that, lot of rainwater is getting wasted and the next thing is that the rainwater flowing into the sea further raises the sea level.
Nature does not depend on human beings. All living creatures are only depending on natural resources. Refraining from destroying these natural resources is the best thing we could do for nature in return to all its good.
