Despite the visible reality of climate c h a n g e , many professional “climate deniers” persist in spreading misinformation. Let’s contrast several common myths with the scientific reality. One pervasive myth claims that global warming is a hoax and there is no climate change. Yet, the surface of the Earth, including the atmosphere, oceans, and land, is warming rapidly, accompanied by numerous changes in the climate. In India, average temperatures have risen by around 0.7 degrees Celsius between 1901 and 2018, leading to more intense heatwaves and changing monsoon patterns, which affect millions of people.
Another myth argues that CO2 is not the cause of climate change. True, the climate has experienced warming periods before, but each instance was driven by excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO2, methane, and sulfur dioxide. Periods like the Eocene, with very high CO2 levels, saw landscapes evolve over millions of years, with oceans and forests gradually absorbing these gases to maintain equilibrium. However, sudden spikes in CO2 from events like volcanic eruptions led to devastation. The end-Permian event, which wiped out over 90% of known species, mirrors the warming and ocean acidity trends we see today, but this time, the CO2 increase stems from human activities, mainly fossil fuel burning. In India, CO2 emissions have grown from 1.2 billion tonnes in 1990 to 2.6 billion tonnes in 2019, largely due to industrial growth and increased energy consumption.
A third myth downplays the significance of a 2- or 3-degree Celsius increase in temperature, suggesting that because we cope with larger daily and seasonal temperature variations, this should be manageable. However, climate-related impacts are often tied to extreme events, not average climate conditions. Small changes in average temperatures can lead to significant increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In India, even a 2-degree Celsius rise in temperature could result in severe heatwaves, reducing crop yields by up to 25 per cent and threatening food security for millions of people.
Some sceptics argue that cutting greenhouse gas emissions won’t significantly affect the climate by 2020 or even 2030, so there is no point in trying. But this is the critical decade for taking effective action to reduce emissions. Immediate steps are essential to mitigate long-term damage and ensure a livable future. In India, renewable energy capacity has increased significantly, from 39 gigawatts in 2015 to over 136 gigawatts in 2021, showing that proactive measures can make a substantial difference.
Another common myth is that climate change is just natural variability, akin to the Earth’s historical cold and warm cycles. However, evidence from basic physics to climate system observations strongly indicates that human activities, particularly the emission of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, are the main drivers of the warming observed since the mid-20th century. In India, the frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones, and droughts has increased significantly, affecting millions of lives and causing billions of dollars in damages annually.
The reality of climate change poses the most fundamental threat facing our planet. We must unite as a global collective to demand major action now, as our very survival depends on it. The evidence and long-term analysis of the drivers of climate change clearly show the inevitable fate of our planet if we remain passive. While the issues surrounding climate change can be complex and overwhelming, immediate action is imperative. This is not a localized problem but a global crisis.
The Pentagon has identified climate change as a national security issue, highlighting the urgency of the matter. A staggering 97 per cent of scientists agree that climate change is real and accelerated by human activity. We are on the brink of the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs, an event that has only occurred five times in the last 500 million years. By 2100, one in six species could go extinct if we do not take action now.
This narrative is not merely a description of long-term climatic trends but a call to understand the dynamics and variations of these changes. Further studies focused on the cause-and-effect relationships are crucial for accurately predicting climate change. Only with such understanding can we hope to address this global challenge effectively.
Our time for complacency has passed. Our survival hinges on immediate, sustained action to combat climate change. The future of our planet and generations to come depends on our response to this urgent crisis. Let’s rise to the challenge and secure a livable future for all.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Dr Souryabrata Mohapatra, Asst Prof IIT Jodhpur
Amit Mitra, Research Associate at NCAER