Protecting Mother Earth To Protect Life

The Earth is the only known planet in the universe to possess life forms. It is very unique in many respects that makes life possible on it . First, its proper distance from the Sun ensures the right temperature range prevailing on it in which water, the basic necessity for life, can exist in all its three different forms (solid, liquid and vapour). Second, it has an atmosphere which is a mixture of several life saving gases in proper proportions. The greenhouse gases present in our atmosphere traps the sun's radiant heat and provide a suitable temperature for life. Without them, the Earth would have been incredibly colder with an average temperature of -18°C ( instead of the present 14°C) where no life could exist! Third, a layer of Ozone at our lower atmosphere cuts off the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the Sun  protecting life on the Earth. Under these unique favourable conditions, flourish a vast diversity of life in air, water and land in perfect harmony with one another.

  However, due to the climate change induced by global warming as a result of man's interference with nature , these favourable conditions are slowly vanishing , turning our planet increasingly inhospitable for life. Accumulation of greenhouse gases primarily from the burning of fossil fuels traps the sun's heat  making earth warmer day by day. As a result, a rise of nearly 2.7°C is expected by the end of the century as compared to pre-industrial times which is way higher than the safe level.

Climate change has drastically affected the rainfall , agricultural yields,  frequency of extreme weather events like tropical storms  and the ElNino system that regulates global weather phenomena. The fact that the summertime temperature is inching towards 50°C and  the fact that the monsoons have become highly unpredictable in the Indian subcontinent in recent years with an increase of natural disasters like floods and famines remind us of the grim consequences of the fury of mother nature. Warming and acidification of the seawater had also resulted in the bleaching of coral reefs which are the breeding and spawning grounds of fish, decreasing the fish catch and the seafood industry across the world.

   This has affected the lives and livelihoods of people at various places leading to conflict, hunger and poverty. The most vulnerable to the events of climate change are the communities of developing countries and small island nations who have limited finance and technology to combat the menace of climate change .

  The COP- 26 climate summit held at Glasgow in 2021 has called for protecting these communities and their natural habitats from the wrath of climate change related events by mobilising additional finance through increasing the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of parties. This will not only  ensure the climate resilience of communities by increasing their   adaptability to climate change, but also facilitate the transfer of green technologies for a smooth  transition from the fossil fuel based economy to a green economy . The parties have also pledged to act collectively to  achieve the goal of zero carbon emission by the middle of the century.

   It is to be remembered that the planet earth knows no territorial boundaries and geographical demarcations in its conservation measures as it is a single biosphere entity of human habitat. We must act together to bring back its lost glory by strengthening the life support system of the planet of which we are an integral part. The celebration of Earth Day  reminds us of our commitments to achieve this goal in the most sustainable, innovative and equitable way.

Nikunja Bihari Sahu

Education Officer

Regional Science Centre

Bhopal