By The Editor
Wanton and reckless exploitation of natural resources by selfish humans to satisfy their insatiable greed for wealth and luxuries has been so rampant during all these years to the extent that at places the earth has been stripped barren and exposed to the whims of nature. According to a study by experts, last year about 22 per cent of Indians were alarmed about global warming and in order to fight climate change stressed the government for policy so that more can be done. During these past few years rain has been very less in Meghalaya which affected crops and power supply and it seems that this year too the situation will not change for the better. In fact it is becoming worse till date and what may happen in days and weeks to come is unpredictable which surely will create suffering and agony to all sections of the population. This phenomenon is not confined only to this region but nationally and to some extent globally.
Study by the international scientist group Earth Commission published in Wednesday’s journal Nature looks at climate, air pollution, phosphorus and nitrogen contamination of water from fertiliser overuse, groundwater supplies, fresh surface water, the unbuilt natural environment and the overall natural and human-built environment. Only air pollution wasn’t quite at the danger point globally. These scientists have advised that there should be regular check-up of the earth in the same manner that humans do in order to know whether the earth is healthy or sick and thus take remedial actions at the earliest. It is obvious that when the earth gets sick the people also become unhealthy. Diagnosis is not terminal which however should be taken seriously before it grows if neglected. By resorting to scientific methods the planet can recover if it changes including its use of coal, oil and natural gas and the way it treats the land and water which are basic items. Unfortunately in the mad rush to acquire wealth and become rich quickly these warnings are ignored and cast aside unmindful of consequences.
The team of scientists comprising about 40 have taken important parameters in study of the planet one of them being climate change. As agreed upon by international leaders in 2015- Paris Climate Agreement- the report uses the same boundary of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming since pre-industrial times. The world has so far warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit), so it hasn’t crossed that safety fence but that doesn’t mean people aren’t being hurt. Scientists have also added that even at 1 degree Centigrade (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) there is huge amount of damage taking place and said that tens of millions of people are exposed to extreme hot temperatures. In such circumstances it is the poor and vulnerable sections of society who suffer the most. Hence all precautionary measures are to be taken seriously and followed accordingly for general health.