If not now, When?

At the World Economic Forum, in December an unknown, innocent Swede face silenced the room that was filled with world leaders, weather experts, and other eminent persons by stating some worrying facts about climate change. Climate change is true and world leaders vow to adopt national policies to meet the challenges and dangers posed by climate change and global warming. But, according to Greta Thunberg, the leaders, experts and other ‘negotiators’ are not mature enough to handle the situation. “Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them hope. But I don’t want your hope. I want you to panic,” she shocked the gathering during the Forum.        

Thousands of kilometres away, in Kerala, Malayalis are left hot under the collar and it would not be a surprise that most of them aren’t aware of the phenomenon called climate change, let alone understand it is the reason for the heat. The effects of climate change mean we can expect higher temperatures and more frequent heat waves, climate experts have warned, with poor communities likely to be the worst affected. Even with the state government issuing a sunstroke warning and precautions taken, are we really aware of climate change? Why is our approach to the phenomenon called climate change not fine? The state is facing a threat of a potential increase of heat up to 2-3 degrees Celsius, in the coming days.

According to experts, ‘we will have to get used to these kinds of summers’ in the coming years. Environmentalist and social activist Dr. C.M. Joy says we are still keeping a lazy approach towards serious issues. “There is no doubt that there is a link to climate change. We need to take heat waves seriously around the world as something that we need to adapt to. There are two major reasons for the heat waves, which is the result of major climate change. The first one is the natural phenomenon called El Nino. A natural phenomenon in the Pacific, El Nino, tends to boost global temperature in years when an event occurs. The second reason for the temperature rise is greenhouse gas.”

 

Dr C.M. Joy

Scientists know that greenhouse gases from human activity accumulate in the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing global temperatures to rise. Joy points out that there are no measures to tackle the first reason but the latter, the greenhouse gas, should be controlled. “When we talk about controlling it, we should look at how our policymakers are interested in it. Do they really care? Climate change first became news more than 30 years ago. Why haven’t we fixed it?  The UN has made it clear that planting trees is one of the easiest and effective ways for sequestration of carbon. But are we doing it? No. Are there any effective steps taken by the lawmakers? No. We have brought out a manual on what all are the measures need to be taken from each panchayat in the State for tackling climate change. But the public is not educated enough and authorities should take steps to inform them.”   

With temperature rising day by day, the State Labour Department has rescheduled the working hours. The actual temperature is higher than what barometre shows in many places, especially in Palakkad and Kollam districts. DMO’s office requested to avoid working outside from 12-3 pm as the temperature during that time is more likely to cause sunstroke and we have to stay hydrated.

With every year, the country receives enough proofs that we are walking towards a potential shift in weather, which is in no way favourbale for living. While there are steps taken at the elite level, the information is not getting passed on to the common man. “The government should play a serious role to tackle this situation. We all are part of this now. We have to play our roles well,” Joy added.

Climate change is real and the world now understands what is happening slowly.  What is bringing this change in understanding? Is it a generational shift? Or just the bad weather?  “Scientists are worried we are going to face scarcity in food and water in the near future,” he concludes.  Greta Thunberg is aware of the climate change in our part of the world and she made headlines again recently by sending a message, addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reminding Indians, that we are all part of it, too. Because Greta knows, no part of the world is immune.