The climate change,
that is, the change of the global climate and in particular the changes in
meteorological conditions that extend on a large time scale, is a major global
existential threat.
The greenhouse effect
causes the increase of temperature of the planet primarily due to the
tremendous increase in carbon dioxide, which has increased by 35% since the
beginning of the industrial revolution. And of course the lion's share in
pollution of the atmosphere with 50% of all carbon dioxide have Europe and
North America. All other
countries together are responsible for the other half,
while the poorest countries are the least responsible. However, the people who
live in these countries it is they who will suffer more strongly of the
consequences.
The causes of climate
change are mainly identified in combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil,
gasoline, natural gas, etc.) which account for 50% of total emissions, in the
production and use of synthetic chemicals, in disaster of forest areas which
contributes to the production of additional gases in the atmosphere and of
course to the greenhouse effect by 15% and in conventional agriculture and
livestock farming, which account for 15% of emissions.
The expert scientists
knock the danger bell and warn that if there is no urgent global coordinated
action by political leaders, governments, industries and citizens around the
world, the temperature of the planet is likely to rise above 2°C relative to
pre-industrial levels by 2060 and the increase could even reach 5°C by the end
of the twenty-first century, fact that will make the lives of future
generations problematic.
Such an increase in
the temperature of our planet will have a devastating impact on nature,
bringing about irreversible changes in many ecosystems and consequent loss of
biodiversity, that is, all living organisms and species that make up life on
the planet, that is, animals, birds, fish and plants (fauna and flora). Many
species are expected to disappear from areas that will be directly and severely
affected by climate change.
Today, compared to
1850 -from when recording data began- a temperature increase of 1.1°C is
observed. So, it is vital importance, the increase not to exceed 1.5°C, because
as scientists estimate, beyond this crucial point there will be no way back.
The climate change,
however, which is due to human activities, is a tangible ominous reality and is
already adversely affecting our planet. The sectors responsible for the
production of greenhouse gases are primarily the sector of energy produce
(units of production of electrical power, refineries) but also industrial
activities, the modern means of transport (cars, airplanes, etc.) and the
activities of the primary production sector.
So, the extreme weather
events, the uncontrolled fires in forests such as the Amazon that have been
characterized as the "lung" of the planet, the heat waves, the heavy
rainfall, the prolonged droughts that create serious eating problems in the
affected areas of the planet, the very powerful hurricanes, are becoming
constantly more often and more intensively, costing tens of thousands of lives
every year and causing huge disasters.
The ice at the same
time and snow on the poles are melting, with the Arctic being the biggest victim
to date, and the world average sea level goes up, as a result to be caused
floods and erosion on coasts and lowland coastal areas and to be created
environmental refugees. If this unfavorable development continues, areas such
as the Netherlands and Venice will be at risk of being permanently lost under
the sea waters as new Atlantis.
The climate change
also increases existing diseases worldwide but also creates new ones, and can
also lead to premature death. Too many diseases are particularly sensitive to
temperature change. To them included communicable diseases such as yellow
fever, malaria, encephalitis and dengue fever, but also eating disorders,
mental illnesses, cardiovascular diseases as well as respiratory diseases.
The climate change
will also have negative impacts on the economies of the countries given the
fact that the high temperatures undermine the productivity of most sectors of
the economy, from the agricultural sector to processing. Valid scientists
predict that by the end of the century, global GDP will have fallen by 7.22%
from what it would have been without climate change.
The teenager Swedish
activist against climate change, Greta Thunberg, has managed in the most
vigorous and loud way to pass the debate over this huge problem, by the heads
of state and government and public dialogue, in society and in the friendly
discussions, mobilizing millions of people around the world, especially young
people, who began to demonstrate demanding by governments the immediate taking
of measures for the confrontation of climate change.
So, Swedish MPs
rightly suggested her for the Nobel Peace Prize. And of course Greta Thunberg
has big right when she says that the measures are being taken to reduce
greenhouse gases and, above all, carbon dioxide are not sufficient.
So, what are the
appropriate measures to be taken without delay to effectively reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by 2050 and keep the temperature at + 1.5°C?
The basic policies
for resolutely mitigating of the problem consist in promoting and utilizing
renewable energy sources (wind, solar, biomass, etc.), the enhancing energy
efficiency, the drastic reduction of the exploitation of oil and gas deposits
and the imposition of carbon taxes in order that to limit the use of fossil
fuels and thereby to reduce significantly carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and
eliminate them by 2050 at the latest, the rapid reduction of emissions of
methane, carbon black and other short-lived pollutants that burden the climate,
the restoration and protection of ecosystems and, above all, forests.
The Paris Agreement,
the first universal, legally binding agreement for the climate, entered into
force in 2016 with great optimism and manifest ambitions, despite the official
US departure statement, which are one of the biggest polluters. Four years have
passed since then and there are no substantial results, fact which raises
serious questions as to whether there is really the political will to tackle
this particularly threatening global problem.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that the
effects of climate change will be so dramatic that human civilization will be
in danger to collapse as a paper tower. So, in the face of this extremely
dangerous climate crisis, the citizens around the world should increase their mobilization
even further and the political leaders to finally stand up at the height of the
circumstances and take immediately the necessary drastic measures, before it is
too late, to reverse this unsustainable course and save the planet.
Curriculum vitae
Isidoros Karderinis
was born in Athens in 1967. He is a novelist, poet and columnist. He has
studied economics and has completed postgraduate studies in the tourism
economy. His articles have been published in newspapers, magazines and sites
worldwide. His poems have been translated into English, French and Spanish and
published in poetry anthologies, in literary magazines and literary sections of
newspapers. He has published seven poetry books and three novels. His books
have been published in USA, Great Britain, Spain and Italy.
Email:
skarderinis@hotmail.gr
Facebook: Karderinis
Isidoros
Twitter: isidoros
Karderinis
No comments:
Post a Comment