Climate change is a plebian and critical issue in the contemporary world, that has badly hit human life. It has gripped the whole world and wreaked havoc. The reality is that climate change is costing lives and it is a humanitarian crisis as well as an environmental one. The menace of climate change has been triggered by many factors, such as excessive greenhouse gas emissions, enormous use of non-renewable energy sources, deforestation and other anthropogenic activities. Ostensibly, thanks to these factors, the earth gets warmer which leads to changes in climate patterns.
According to the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC), the leading body of the United Nations for the assessment of climate change has proved scientific evidence, for warming of the climate system. Unequivocally, scientists, climate experts and authorities of the world have observed the changing patterns of rainfall, floods and temperature rise are some indicators of climate change.
The considerable rise in global temperature leads to the rapid melting of ice sheets. The satellites measuring Antarctica show the rapid loss of ice. If the present trends persist, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer by 2040. According to IPCC reports, there was a 20cm rise in sea level during the 20th century, and if the present trends continue, it could rise by 20cm to 88cm by the year 2100; it will be vulnerable and pernicious for upcoming generations. The global emissions rate has kept worsening over time. Hitherto, the process of capitalism and neoliberalism are responsible for environmental degradation due to the ruthless commodification of nature in the race to accumulate profits.
Insofar, colonialism also greatly influenced the shape of prevalent economic systems, which have enabled vast accumulation via the ruthless exploitation of people and our planet. For instance, some eminent scientists and climate experts have warned if the global temperature continues to rise at the current pace it will have catastrophic consequences for years.
ZAKIR ULLAH
MARDAN
