Elvidio Miranda
It is a proven scientific fact that global warming by the large-scale use of fossil fuels in particular coal for generation of power and petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for transportation is actually not decreasing.
In fact burning of fossil fuels is increasing, leading to the emission of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide in particular, which is causing global warming as the heat of the sun is trapped in the atmosphere, leading to increase in the temperature of the earth, which leads to heatwaves that lead to wildfires.
This in turn leads to trees being burnt down, which are actually the lungs of the earth. Through the process of photosynthesis, in the presence of sunlight and with chlorophyll, trees become the catalyst that strips the atmosphere of the carbon dioxide produced. This destruction of trees has further contributed to the vicious cycle of global warming.
There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to burning of trees as well as an increase in the temperature of the earth. In order to arrest global warming, it is important to address the root cause, which is burning of fossil fuels.
Usage of coal and petroleum products should be drastically reduced, because in doing so, temperature of the earth will be reduced as well as global warming will be reined in.
It may also be stressed that due to the heating of the earth’s crust, the ambient air has become hotter and people resort to usage of air conditioners, not only in offices, homes and shops, but also in the passenger vehicles, which in themselves result in greater emission of heat, which again throws out ambient hot air into the atmosphere.
This also leads to more consumption of electricity, which is again generated by burning coal. Thus more power is used, thus aggravating the vicious cycle of global warming.
Climate conferences have been held many times, but the urgency of action to curb usage of fossil fuels is not being implemented by way of phasing out coal-fired plants as well as using electrical vehicles, as also hydrogen fuel cell cars.
Also there is an urgent need to implement policies for the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power plants and wind turbine energy, as well as harness safe nuclear power in order to ameliorate the degree of global warming.
We have to nip the problem in its bud as it is taking a toll on the entire world.
Heatwaves, wildfires, floods with accompanying landslides, drought and to great extent severe climate anomalies such as cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons - which are all a consequence of temperature rise and high degrees of pressure – is spelling doom on earth.
It is definitely that fossil fuels usage has to be drastically reduced so that the earth becomes a cooler and healthier place to live in.
Also it is pertinent to note that if you use a computer for 12 hours, it consumes Rs 15 of power per day, which works out to the consumption by one domestic customer and if this electricity is generated by coal-fired plants, then as we go into the digital age wherein computers, laptops and android mobiles are being used to harness Artificial Intelligence, the need for electricity will also increase.
This will only further add to the vicious cycle of global warming that requires it to be put to an urgent stop to prevent global warming and climate change.
Control of man-made global warming is in the hands of man himself to be used for a better world that does not warm and pollute the world in which we live in.
The damage caused to the earth in terms of loss of life and the destruction of the environment is causing a great degree of global losses, which should be reined in.