ENVIRONMENT
Ecological issues are immensely challenging in our world. The rise in global temperatures has led to large scale melting of ice in Antarctica leading to environmental crisis.
Mayank Singh is a researcher working on Global Enviormental Movement based in Colombo.
One of the major challenges that the world is facing today is of global warming. It was believed for a long time that a place liked Antarctica was considerably unaffected by global warming. Scientific research has now put forward the fact that the Antarctica is being affected by climate changes at a much greater degree than it was thought.
The scientist community has been engaged in understanding the impact of climate change and they have been worried regarding thee changes in the North Pole. It was believed that Antarctica has a slower ice meltdown level and the patters are less regular but studies of Antarctica show that ice is melting at a great degree and sea level is increasing.Scientists doing research on Antarctica have found that a quarter of West Antarctic glaciers are melting away at a much greater degree than the average ice stream melted 20,000 years ago.
This will create a lot of issues for people living in areas close to the sea. It is acknowledged that Antarctica is the biggest resource of freshwater in the world today and it has the potential to lead to growth of sea levels across the world. This rise of sea levels will create issues for individuals living in coastal areas. Scientists researching on Antarctica have also stated that in spite of the fact that the world community might start to work towards climate changes and global warming, the fact is that these glaciers cannot be stabilised anymore. It must be acknowledged that a place like Antarctica has the strength to contribute to the sea-level by 4-5 meters and this means that the world will be effected by it. This may take a while to take place but it would happen and we must think of ways to deal with the issue.
It is of immense significance that we start limiting global warming so that we are able to work for stabilizing the Antarctic ice masses. It is important that we work for this greater ecological need and protect cities like Mumbai, Shanghai and New York from sinking.
It is of immense significance that people across the world understand how great the crisis has become and how we must contribute towards sustaining the earth. Global agreements, environmental protocols and the involvement of nation-states to reduce global emissions will fulfill their function but as individuals living on the planet we have our responsibilities towards this great need. It is time we altered our own lifestyles and became sensitive to nature. It is time we become accountable for nature and build sustainable lifestyles that are harmonious with nature.
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