Things are gradually changing but these have speeded them up globally. In ancient era, humans were bolted to nature, war used to be happened with swords and shields, no economic activity was generated through carbon and fuels and neither concept of burning fossils and metals existed. However, things rapidly changed and society as a whole moved ahead.

Fastest era is not only facilitating humans but also depriving them from natural resources. Yes! You read it rightly. Humans are deprived of natural resources. Instead of using natural/organic products, people moved towards artificial/inorganic change and feel proud and think that is a symbol of superiority and dominance. Before going through a deep literature, difference among weather, climate and global warming must be cleared. Weather refers to atmospheric conditions that occur locally over short periods of time-rom minutes to hours or days.

Familiar instances include rain, snow, clouds, winds, floods or thunderstorms. Climate, on other hand, refers to long-term regional or even global average of temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns over seasons, years or decades. It refers to general weather conditions of a place as measured over many years. Somehow, climate change and global warming is often used interchangeably, global warming “Recent rise in global average temperature near earth’s surface”, is just one aspect of climate change. Hence, it can be concluded that climate change is a broader terminology and covers various factors of geology. Global warming is affecting almost every planetary ecosystem. It refers to gradual increment in average temperature of earth’s atmosphere because an increased amount of heat striking earth from sun is being trapped in atmosphere and not radiated out into space. However, when we talk about climate change, very first things that comes in our mind is significant long-term changes in global climate. Global climate is connected system of sun, earth and oceans, wind, rain and snow, forests, deserts and savannas and everything people do. Climate change is rapidly affecting our forest. Millions of trees are damaged every year due to changing climate patterns.  Since pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have increased earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius a number that is currently increasing by 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade. It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed atmosphere, ocean and land. To monitor and study past, present and future climate change, scientists use observations from ground, air and space, along with theoretical models. Climate data records provide evidence of climate change key indicators, such as global land and ocean temperature increases; rising sea levels; ice loss at Earth’s poles and in mountain glaciers; frequency and severity changes in extreme weather such as hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods and precipitation and cloud and vegetation cover changes, to name but a few. A variety of factors, both natural and human can influence earth’s climate system. Increased use of fossil fuels, deforestation and increasingly intensive agriculture are main cause of climatic change by humans. Meanwhile, forces that can contribute to climate change include sun’s intensity, volcanic eruptions and changes in naturally occurring greenhouse gas concentrations. But records indicate that today’s climatic warming (particularly that which has occurred since mid-20th century) is happening at a much faster rate than ever before and it can’t be explained by natural causes alone. According to NASA, “These natural causes are still in play today, but their influence is too small or they occur too slowly to explain rapid warming seen in recent decades”. Climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, cited World Health Organisation.  Indeed, historical models suggest  likelihood of being displaced by a disaster is now 60 percent higher than it was four decades ago and largest increases in displacement are being driven by weather and climate-related events. Rise in global temperatures upsurge number of fatalities and illnesses from heat stress, heatstroke, and cardiovascular and kidney disease. Extreme weather events, such as severe storms and flooding can lead to injury, drinking water contamination and storm damage that may compromise basic infrastructure or lead to community displacement. It’s worth noting that displacement comes with its own health threats, such as increases in urban crowding, trauma, social unrest, lack of clean water and transmission of infectious diseases. Besides, another factor which is inextricably linked with climate change is air pollution which deteriorate respiratory health. In order to combat issue and to ensure best pollution free environment, it is extremely important that a massive number of trees should be planted all over country that will certainly bring a decline in level of hot temperature.

To help establish an environment-friendly society, everyone should play its positive role. We need plantation because trees help to control environmental degradation- trees are also an important source of controlling land erosion and mitigation of floods. Trees are source of enhancing natural beauty of our surroundings so we need to make collective efforts to protect trees. In fact, plants are ornaments of earth and a big source of oxygen for everyone. Plants are beautiful gift of nature and their protection is our societal responsibility. Every citizen of society should play his/her positive role to make this country more beautiful. Some environment friendly trees such as Gulmohar, Neem, Amaltus, Lignum, Peepal etc. which do not require any additional care and are also relatively cheaper than other plants should be planted. As humans, we must request our family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and relatives to plant trees as much as we can. It is our collective responsibility to take active part in such campaigns by planting maximum number of trees. All segments of society should participate in this noble cause. People need to take this step now because one can make change but together, we make difference.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 16 2022

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