- As we are aware, the consequences of global warming, courtesy of rampant and unabated environmental degradation, have resulted in monumental destruction, causing every country to pause and look at what’s happening around them. The erratic weather vagaries have paved the way for unseasonal rains, unexpected droughts, severe famines, and out-of-the-blue snowfalls when least expected, rendering the whole global community at the mercy of Mother Nature. Humankind’s constant quest to unearth hitherto considered unthinkable aspects has only worsened the situation even more, leading to unpleasant occurrences frequently. The economic cost of such occurrences of natural disasters bears testimony to the challenges faced by us.
PC: National Herald
- Further, we are also aware of how the El Niño and La Niña weather phenomena have caused unmitigated troubles all around, severely denting the economic prospects. The cascading effects are visible despite the whole world earnestly attempting to address the catastrophe in waiting. Unfortunately, the most advanced nations, whose greed to exploit everything under the sun in the guise of development is proving to be dangerous for all humankind. Global warming is indeed a real threat to peaceful existence that can be controlled only if every responsible country, led by the developed ones, takes the lead to address the matter in right earnest. Unsurprisingly, the Western and European countries are increasingly experiencing unprecedented heat. What next?
PC: FlowingData
- Most worryingly, the Himalayan mountain ranges too are not spared the consequences of global warming, as the recurring occurrence of glaciers melting, the creation of temporary lakes, triggering of avalanches, and the subsequent disastrous occurrences are on the rise. The recently occurred Nepal flash flood has not only claimed 579 lives but also left nearly 2,500 people reported missing officially. The numbers may be humongous when the final figures are announced later. However, what is more heart-wrenching/horrendous are the visuals of raging debris-powered flash floods annihilating anything and everything along the way with such brutality. The infrastructure destruction along the way because of the flash floods is unimaginable.
PC: The Pioneer
- Human settlements established over generations have been wiped away in a matter of seconds. The economic consequences of rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure will be enormous. The thousands who are displaced, their rehabilitation, and the monumental efforts required to undertake rebuilding everything from scratch mean we are staring at a devastating situation, to say the least. Agreed, no one can deny that development must be undertaken commensurate with the aspirations of the people perpetually looking to embrace newer innovations, inventions, and initiatives. However, if it is realized at the altar of sacrificing the fragile balance of sensitive ecological existence, it will always result in terrible consequences. We are facing it right now.
