The period of global
boiling is upon us as temperatures climb around the world, making July the
hottest month ever recorded with the present monsoon condition in India. The
recent statement made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is a crucial
wake-up call for the entire planet. It is obvious that we can no longer afford
complacency as we struggle with the direct effects of climate change. We'll
examine the relevance of the UN chief's warning in this blog, comprehend the
difficulties presented by the worsening climate disaster, and consider the
actions we must take to lessen its consequences.
Recent El Nino effect on
current Monsoon in India
Devastating floods have
recently hit regions in northern India like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Punjab, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. While Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh specifically only received 5–10% of the region's
typical rainfall during this time period.
Other states also experienced less rain than usual. Farmers delayed
their planting season while they awaited enough rain. Wells and bore wells are
still dry in August as well. In typical
rainfed zones, the situation gets worse. In order to deal with the low rainfall
conditions and reduce food price inflation, the Indian government has already
restricted the export of rice, wheat, and sugar.
July's Record-Breaking
Heat
The fact that July 2023
was the hottest month on record emphasizes how urgent Guterres' message is.
Such intense heat has a wide range of negative effects. Globally, the
repercussions of rising temperatures are already being felt, from deadly
wildfires that destroy enormous swaths of land to heatwaves that put people's
health, especially the vulnerable, in danger. In addition, excessive heat can
strain energy systems, affect water resources, and disrupt agriculture. The
consequences are extensive and demand prompt response. According to the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU's Copernicus Earth observation
program, the use of fossil fuels has increased global temperatures this month,
shattering previous records.
Zeke Hausfather, a
climate scientist at the US NGO Berkeley Earth, calculated that the record will
be broken by closer to 0.3C using technologies developed by Japanese and
European meteorologists.
"It is virtually
certain that July 2023 will be the warmest month on record by a wide margin,
barring a major asteroid impact today," he said. Personally, I'm a little
surprised by the size of this record. There is nothing comparable in the July
historical record, as far as we can tell.
According to a quick
analysis from the World Weather Attribution network released on Tuesday,
greenhouse gas pollution has increased the temperatures of lethal heatwaves on
three continents this month.
We must take on the task
with a feeling of urgency and purpose in the age of global Boiling. The warning
from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is a call to action, urging us to
acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and take appropriate action to
address it. Future generations and the planet we call home are dependent on us.
It's crucial to keep in
mind that every action, no matter how tiny, helps with the overall effort to
prevent climate change. Through our combined efforts, we can bring about
positive change in a variety of ways, including reducing the use of single-use
plastic, promoting renewable energy programs, and participating in
community-led conservation activities.
Let us all be motivated
by a shared commitment to protecting the environment for now and future
generations as we navigate the era of global boiling. Acting right away will
have an impact on how our world develops in the future.
