Can we still afford to stay indifferent about our actions? Can we continue to lead our lives with our eyes closed? These are the questions, all of us need to ask ourselves. As I read the recent headlines, some of which I have mentioned below,  about floods in different parts of the world, I wonder, if there is a future, if we can save ourselves from the fury of Nature, if we can redeem our cities as nature strikes back.

 

Studies point to climate change as the culprit behind the increasingly deadly floods and natural calamities that have been striking world over. Canada, India, China? if we look at the map of the world, we can see that the whole extent of the globe has been affected. Tunza members from Nepal have already highlighted the damaging effects of floods in Nepal. We have already called upon ourselves the devastating effects of global warming already caused by us and we have no option but to prepare for the climate change impacts that are on their way. World over, we see, the hit nations fight back and struggle to recover from the devastation. While it is important to take necessary measures to protect our societies, is it not even more imperative to stop the rapid growth of greenhouse gas emissions in order to truly protect our cities from the catastrophic impacts of climate change? No amount of preparation can be enough to save us from the disastrous effects of climate change. No recovery is complete without addressing the cause of the problem. If there is a hole in our boat, will it help just filling buckets of water and throwing them out. No, we need to plug the hole first or else no amount of bailing out water will save us.

 

Another essential fact we must understand is that our actions do not just impact us or our nation alone. Man may have drawn boundaries on the surface of the Earth and divided continents into nations, but nature does not recognize these boundaries. There are no country-wise divisions in the layers of atmosphere that engulf our planet. Winds do not stop blowing or change their course to respect political borders. So what we do affects not just us, but the whole world. Each one of us has to recognize the consequences of our actions. Moreover, while all of us work in our own ways to combat and reduce global warming, it is also of extreme importance to spread awareness among all segments of the society and educate people about the significance of the way we lead our lives.

 

Can we still afford to stay indifferent? No, we cannot, because our future is at stake and only we can protect it together, by our positive actions and by influencing all those around us. Attack is the best form of defense and we have to attack the root cause of global warming. So let us join hands and unite, the whole world as one to continue our crusade for a greener planet and a brighter future.

 

Thank you Tunza Eco-Generation for bringing us all from different parts of the world, together under this forum to engage in a proactive dialogue- not only making us aware, but helping us share our thoughts and ideas, encouraging us to learn from each other as also pushing us to share this awareness with those around us.

 

Some recent headlines: 

Devastating floods in China trigger huge landslide, burying 40

The worst flooding witnessed by western China in five decades has triggered a landslide, burying up to 40 people. The flooding also caused the collapse of an almost 50-year-old bridge in a neighboring county, sending six vehicles into turbulent waters and leaving 12 people missing. State media reported that flooding in Sichuan has affected 360,000 people since Sunday, damaging or destroying 300 homes, and forcing at least 6,100 emergency evacuations. Mudslides and flooding are a regular occurrence in China's mountainous areas and kill hundreds of people every year. Deforestation has led to soil erosion and made some parts of China prone to mudslides after strong rains.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/devastating-floods-in-china-trigger-huge-landslide-burying-40-8700126.html

 

Canadian Cities' Vulnerability to Climate Change Clear After Alberta Floods

Flooding swept over Southern Alberta, Canada from Calgary to Canmore in mid-June. Evacuation orders were issued in towns and cities as rivers like the Bow and the Elbow swelled and spilled over their banks. Historic water levels were reached in Medicine Hat, downtown Calgary was emptied and underwater, and towns like High River were completely evacuated for days as police patrolled the flood ravaged streets. The Alberta flooding is one of the many climate change impacts already being felt around the world, but it also foreshadows the rise in extreme events that is on the way. The frequency of weather disasters will continue to increase as long as we keep recklessly pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As the climate warms, we will see extreme events like the flooding that push the boundaries of our built infrastructure.

Source: http://theenergycollective.com/lmtozer/245926/canadian-cities-vulnerability-climate-change-apparent-after-alberta-floods

 

5,000 Missing in India Floods: Scientists Say Global Warming is to Blame

As floods and landslides slam the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where 5,000 are missing and 600 are confirmed dead, scientists warn that India is seeing the effects of a global warming crisis that will only worsen as greenhouse gases rise. Heavy monsoon rains set off dangerous flash floods that tore through over 100 towns, ripping up infrastructure, bursting dams, shattering bridges, and destroying homes. Studies point to climate change as the culprit behind increasingly deadly floods in India. India's monsoon season in the late summer and early fall typically brings in 80% of the country's rain. Yet, a study in the Geophysical Research Letters found that greenhouse gases are causing India's rainy season to become increasingly variable and unpredictable, with periods of flood followed by sudden bursts of rain, unleashing deadly flashfloods. 

Source: https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/06/21-2