Climate change is a complex natural phenomenon, originates from Earth's geological and astronomical processes. Volcanic eruptions, oceanic cycles, solar radiations and orbital variations alter global temperatures, influencing ice ages, glacial melting and sea level fluctuations, shaping Earth's climRead more
Climate change is a complex natural phenomenon, originates from Earth’s geological and astronomical processes. Volcanic eruptions, oceanic cycles, solar radiations and orbital variations alter global temperatures, influencing ice ages, glacial melting and sea level fluctuations, shaping Earth’s climate over millennia.
Human activities significantly contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation and land use changes. Key contributors include transportation (27%), industry (21%), agriculture (14%), and energy production (25%). Additional factors include waste management, industrial processes and consumption patterns, collectively intensifying global warming and its devastating consequences.
Individual efforts to reduce carbon footprint –
- By using energy efficient appliances, turning off lights/electronics and adopting eco friendly transportation like carpooling, biking, walking and driving electric/hybrid vehicles.
- Choosing plant based diets, buying locally sourced produce, minimizing food waste, composting, recycling and avoiding single use plastics and packaging.
- Upgrading to energy efficient homes, conserving water, using eco friendly cleaning products, reducing air travel, and adopting sustainable lifestyle habits.
- By educating themselves and others, participating in local climate initiatives, advocating for climate policies and supporting sustainable community projects.
Collective action can combat climate change. By reducing emissions, conserving resources and adopting sustainable lifestyles, we can mitigate its impacts and secure a livable future.
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Human activities such as unregulated construction and tourism have heightened the risk of natural calamities in ecologically fragile regions like Kedarnath. Rampant construction without proper appraisal of environmental impact has resulted in deforestation and soil erosion, and has also interfered wRead more
Human activities such as unregulated construction and tourism have heightened the risk of natural calamities in ecologically fragile regions like Kedarnath. Rampant construction without proper appraisal of environmental impact has resulted in deforestation and soil erosion, and has also interfered with natural water drainage systems, increasing the susceptibility of the area to landslides, floods and other natural disasters. The devastating Kedarnath flood disaster in 2013 brought this into focus when haphazard buildings and roads compounded the loss of lives and property.
Tourism though economically beneficial, has caused too much environmental degradation in the region. The inflow of visitors makes it necessary to put up a lot of infrastructure which in turn consumes large tracts of natural habitats and also generates more waste, thus polluting the environment further.
To achieve sustainable development in such regions, it is of primary importance to enforce environmental laws. Construction in general, must be limited and if at all undertaken then only using eco-friendly practices. Similarly, promotion of eco-tourism involves locals and reduces environment impacts. Reforestation should be promoted at construction sites, waste should be properly disposed off and sustainable construction materials should be used.
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