-Sombir Kaushik
In these days, a city that showcased glimpses of future cities with tall buildings, wide roads, and world-class infrastructure is now submerged in water. A recent rainstorm has unveiled the vulnerabilities of Future City. Rainfall of this magnitude is unusual in Dubai, and there is no established system to handle such a rapid transformation of roads into rivers. This serves as a sign of the growing global threat, indicating the dangers of global warming.
Indeed, Dubai and Oman are facing severe flooding due to unprecedented rainfall. How did such heavy rain occur in regions where rainfall is scarce throughout the year?
This question is becoming increasingly common, and the world is concerned about what climate change is indicating. If we observe recent events, such as extreme heat in cold countries like Russia and France and heavy rainfall in snowy places like Ladakh and Badrinath, these extraordinary natural events signal the escalating dangers of global warming.
According to recent research, considering the energy consumption per person, global temperatures could rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2020 and possibly reach 2 degrees Celsius by 2030, compared to the pre-industrial era. The goal set during the Paris Summit was to keep the temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century. However, there is a challenge in achieving this goal, as we still don’t have a clear understanding of how much damage we have caused to nature.
Several statistics indicate that per capita energy consumption has doubled since 1950, and by 2050, it could increase sixfold. Unfortunately, reducing per capita energy consumption is considered the most reliable measure of a country’s development. Everyone talks about reducing it, but no one wants to take the risk of creating policies that might be labeled as anti-development.
On one hand, where the Earth’s weather patterns are changing due to global warming, the sea level and Arctic ice are continuously melting. The sea level has already reached the highest point in the last 27 centuries. Between 1900 and 2000, there was a 14-centimeter increase in global sea level. Going below this level will only be possible when global temperatures start decreasing.
Every year, climate change becomes a significant issue on global forums. However, efforts made in this regard are like a drop in the ocean. We need to take concrete steps soon. What do you think this changing climate is causing the most harm to? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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