Global warming, defined as the gradual rise in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, is believed to be drastically altering the Earth’s climate. When CO₂ and other greenhouse gases accumulate in the Earth’s atmosphere, they absorb more of the sunlight and radiation that typically bounce off of the Earth’s outer atmospheric layers, leading to global warming. Usually, this radiation would escape into space, but these greenhouse gases, which can last for a very long time in the atmosphere, trap the heat causing the planet to become hotter. Since 1906, the average surface temperature of the Earth has increased by more than 1.6^oF (0.9^oC). This temperature increase has already caused many environmental changes such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, the depletion of habitats and animal populations, dangerous weather events, and a range of other serious effects. All of these changes are going on as humans remain busy making more heat-trapping greenhouse gases to add to the atmosphere.

According to The Korea Herald, “hazardous air pollutants from China fled to form fog in South Korea’s capital, Seoul. Toxic, ultrafine, yellow dust from China blanketed the Korean Peninsula”. A number of countries are badly affected by global warming. This inevitably led to many world leaders choosing to undertake this issue as part of the international agenda in the UN. On April 22, 2016, The Paris Agreement was signed to this effect in Paris, France, by representatives of 196 countries. The world leaders decided to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2^oC, and to strive to keep it at or below 1.5^oC.

On November 3, 2016, South Korea endorsed the Paris Agreement and hosted the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Government has launched many emissions-reduction programs such as a green building plan, an incentive program supporting electric and hybrid vehicles, and support for environmentally friendly public transportation. Many other countries are also working hard towards achieving their environmental goals. According to the World Economic Forum, “Pakistan hit its billion tree goal in August 2017.” This project was titled the Billion Tree Tsunami’. $169 million were spent, and the project’s budget was increased to ten billion dollars by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan. Many other countries like Norway, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and the US are doing much to protect the environment.

It is important to understand that there is no ‘Planet B’. There is only one Earth to live on, so every country shares the responsibility of protecting the Earth. Both reactive and preventive strategies should be implemented to counter the effects of global warming. Reactive strategies include stopping the use of engines that emit greenhouse gases, while preventive strategies include the installation of cheap engines that consume CO_2, commonly known as trees. The world should work on this three word strategy: Protect-Restore-Fund. That is, protecting forests, restoring nature and its ecosystems, and stop funding that destruction of nature. Everyone should know about global warming and take a role in protecting the Earth. Kindle a passion to utilize available knowledge and skills to protect the Earth, because it is a question of survival for future generations. If there is No Nature then there is No Future. The first step is awareness, so join hands and work together!

Engr. Tauseef Ahmed

Doctoral Scholar

Materials Sciences & Engineering

ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & NEBOSH Certified

September 27, 2019

By Engr. Tauseef Ahmed  rosielee@kakao.com

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