“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.”

- Benjamin Franklin

Climate change is the atmospheric condition in which we experience a completely different weather than we usually do. It is basically a condition in which the average weather conditions of about 30-35 years is slowly starting to change over the course of time. Climate change, being undoubtedly one of the most concerning as pressing issues of this era, yet its impacts and repercussions are still neglected and taken for granted. Climate change is such an immense topic that it requires deep understanding, research and knowledge about the social, political, economical and global stances in order to critically share our views and opinions against it.

Climate change is a ghastly matter, concerning each and every individual that resides on earth. It has become a major threat in people’s lives, making it difficult for them to live peacefully. Now who do we blame it for? Well, the only culprit behind all this nuisance is none other than us humans. Only humans are to be blamed for all the devastating outcomes of climate change. Climate change is attributed to all human activities such as burning fossil fuels, carbon emissions and industrial smoke. We humans have put human life in danger for our short term convenience to live life. The effects of climate change do not only haunt humans but also equally affect the lives of innocent animals.

Activities like unmanaged waste, air pollution, burning of fossil fuels, use of old and dusty vehicles, deforestation etc. are the major foundation of climate change. Because of these kinds of haphazard practices by humans, harmful carbon dioxide gases get released into the atmosphere which traps the rays and heat of the sun inside the atmosphere causing the temperature to rise drastically. This term is called the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect results in global warming and global warming results in climate change.

For instance, we all can think back at the storm which conquered Dubai a few weeks ago. People of some gulfs experienced 18 months of rain in a single day. The tragic event took place due to climate change. As we all are aware that dubai is a country with a very high temperature and it hardly rains there, encountering the rain and storm in dubai sent chills down everybody’s spine as it was a very rare occasion. This hazard frightened everybody with the concern of their own safety.

Sky's the limit for effects of climate change. It has affected every facet of life in every possible way. Rising temperatures, melting of glaciers, ice scapes and avalanches, disruptions to the ecosystem are some of the observable ramifications of climate change. According to NASA, Earth’s average surface temperature in 2023 was the warmest on record since record keeping began in 1880, continuing a long-term trend of rising global temperatures. On top of that, the 10 most recent years have been the hottest. With this statement, we can assume that the upcoming years are going to be the most transformative phase in the context of weather. Given all these circumstances, we humans are still at the edge of neglecting the serious impacts of climate change.

According to NOAA's 2023 Annual Climate Report the combined land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.11° Fahrenheit (0.06° Celsius) per decade since 1850, or about 2° F in total. The rate of warming since 1982 is more than three times as fast: 0.36° F (0.20° C) per decade. If this trend continues in the upcoming decades, where do we see ourselves or our future generations in the next 60 years? Will oxygen masks be normalised while going out? Will we need an umbrella, a sweater and a portable fan altogether when we are out because of the unexpected weather? These questions still have a very long way to go.

Now, to prevent all the atrocious deeds of climate change, we should work more on the uses of alternative sources of energy rather than the non renewable sources of energy. We should replace the old and tacky cars with new ones or come up with an even better option i.e electric cars. This would decrease the amount of carbon dioxide and smoke in the atmosphere. Next step we can take is to reduce deforestation. Deforestation will not only increase global warming but also take the lives and shelter of the animals which live free in the jungle. In the name of industrialization and development, companies which are carelessly polluting, and cutting down trees should be fined a hefty amount to make them guilty by the government. Different practices such as raising awareness against climate change globally by the activists, organising different cleaning campaigns, following the principle of 3R method i.e reuse, reduce and recycle should be normalised and practised in order to prevent climate change.

Another significant way for climate change prevention is to initiate the contributions of youth and children in different kinds of campaigns. As children are the building foundation of the nation, they should be involved in these kinds of revolutionary practices and campaigns for our better future. 

“Small efforts make big differences.” To conclude, enacting real change will require the sacrifices of our blood, sweat and tears. We should not let the effects and impacts of climate change take over our happiness and start working on it from today. If we really have to make a difference, we should come up with bold solutions, innovations, creativity, desire and dedication to make this world a better place. There’s still time to rewrite our future, and every small detail counts.