Climate change have been occurring for millions of years now only that what is happening today is significantly destructive enough compared to previous occurrences. Climate change can be simply described as a sudden change in weather patterns over long periods of time such as extreme heat or the frequency of flooding. It can have devastating effects to human civilization such as newer diseases, flashfloods, earthquakes and other calamities. Weather patterns today provide us an indication that we are heading into an environmentally chaotic future.
What better way to measure climate change than to monitor the current situation of the Arctic Ice cap. In 1994, a United States Cost Guard-owned icebreaker went on a journey to the North Pole encountering thick packs of ice ranging from six to nine feet thick. The captain of the ship, Marc Rothwell, recalled that they never encountered any problem with strong waves as the ice prevented them from developing. Today, the open sea has expanded giving us an idea that much of the ice seen before has now melted and joined the sea water.
Studies showed that the Arctic is indeed warming twice as fast compared to other parts of the planets. The increased temperatures are melting the ice caps turning them into sea water which in turn accelerates the melting process. Also, the warmer Pacific Ocean water is also passing through the Arctic basin further melting a larger area of ice. The rapid melting of ice caps is expected to increase temperature levels to record highs. It will also significantly increase water levels making more places prone to flooding and more vulnerable to storm surges.
If you have been hearing the news lately, you may have heard about the flashfloods in China that killed over 50,000 people and the wildfires in Russia which threatened to destroy its capital city. Studies also indicated that the year 2010 will be the warmest year all throughout the history of the planet. While we are already experiencing the negative effects of climate change, efforts by government with regards to climate policy have been dull. In fact, the senate democrats have rejected the proposal to instill a climate policy bill.
The recent economic crisis has also snatched the attention of most governments. The governments of various nations are quite busy solving their economic woes while also forgetting the responsibilities they need to do for their environment. Without adequate attention poured unto a climate bill, we will be facing an environmentally devastating future. The lives of our sons and daughters are totally dependent on the decisions we make today. Countries and nations should cut on greenhouse gas emissions and create an environmental policy that will restore and normalize the environment. If we are really concerned about saving Earth, we should really act now.
Showing posts with label climate change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label climate change. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Flashfloods in Pakistan: A Major Cause of Concern
The world today is far different and not as safe as before. Climate change has long been blamed for numerous disasters and catastrophes that have deeply affected the lives of millions of people. The frequent occurrence of earthquakes has caused widespread damage to infrastructure and made more people homeless. Tsunamis have also swept the land taking the lives of thousands or even millions of people. But perhaps the most destructive of them all are abnormal weather patterns that have caused flashfloods and made more people homeless.
In recent news, the country of Pakistan was ravaged by unexpected flashfloods submerging a fifth of the nation’s total land area. Estimates reported that over 10 percent of the population which is roughly 20 million people is deeply affected by this catastrophe. More than 1,500 people were already killed by the floods and about 3.5 million children are in imminent danger of contracting various deadly diseases such as cholera, acute diarrhea and malaria. The millions of people who are stranded are also in danger of starvation and may lack clean drinkable water. Without the necessary help, thousands more may die.
Pakistan currently relies in foreign aid to help give their people basic commodities for survival such as food, water, clothing and medicine. Currently, there have been a lot of countries who contributed already only that it is still not enough to alleviate the problem. The U.S. government has recently pledged $150 million along with 12 transport helicopters. Other countries such as U.K., Japan and France have offered $48.5 million, $10 million and $1 million respectively. It is sad to note that the U.S. is only able to offer so much when in fact it has spent over $100 billion just to battle Taliban forces.
The destruction to property and livelihood may have caused not only starvation to Pakistanis but also reshaped their thinking about survival. The influence brought by severe poverty may cause more Pakistanis especially the young ones to consider Islamic extremism as a primary means to survive. This in turn provides a severe threat to security for the U.S. and the weakened Pakistani government. Without ample help, Pakistanis are forced to commit crimes or even join the Taliban for relief.
The U.S. along with other nations should take this matter very seriously. If the U.S. is very much capable of spending so much money in procuring military hardware and staging many different wars, then they must also focus in saving lives and maintaining trust among the Pakistani people. International cooperation is badly needed to save millions of Pakistanis and prevent further hostilities in the region.
In recent news, the country of Pakistan was ravaged by unexpected flashfloods submerging a fifth of the nation’s total land area. Estimates reported that over 10 percent of the population which is roughly 20 million people is deeply affected by this catastrophe. More than 1,500 people were already killed by the floods and about 3.5 million children are in imminent danger of contracting various deadly diseases such as cholera, acute diarrhea and malaria. The millions of people who are stranded are also in danger of starvation and may lack clean drinkable water. Without the necessary help, thousands more may die.
Pakistan currently relies in foreign aid to help give their people basic commodities for survival such as food, water, clothing and medicine. Currently, there have been a lot of countries who contributed already only that it is still not enough to alleviate the problem. The U.S. government has recently pledged $150 million along with 12 transport helicopters. Other countries such as U.K., Japan and France have offered $48.5 million, $10 million and $1 million respectively. It is sad to note that the U.S. is only able to offer so much when in fact it has spent over $100 billion just to battle Taliban forces.
The destruction to property and livelihood may have caused not only starvation to Pakistanis but also reshaped their thinking about survival. The influence brought by severe poverty may cause more Pakistanis especially the young ones to consider Islamic extremism as a primary means to survive. This in turn provides a severe threat to security for the U.S. and the weakened Pakistani government. Without ample help, Pakistanis are forced to commit crimes or even join the Taliban for relief.
The U.S. along with other nations should take this matter very seriously. If the U.S. is very much capable of spending so much money in procuring military hardware and staging many different wars, then they must also focus in saving lives and maintaining trust among the Pakistani people. International cooperation is badly needed to save millions of Pakistanis and prevent further hostilities in the region.
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