AUSTRALIAN RODENT- THE FIRST MAMMAL TO GO EXTINCT DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

The Australian Government officially declared the Great Barrier Reef rodent extinct on 19th February, 2019. 

 

A decade had passed since the last rat-like Branble Cay Melmoys were spotted on the island and now the animal has officially been transferred to the extinct list by the Australian Environment Ministry. 

The declaration was expected after a wide-ranging survey, conducted in 2014, found no trace of the animal. 

Though it is still an astonishing fact that the now- extinct rodents were once considered to be the only endemic mammal species found in the Great Barrier Reef. This fact also makes it more interesting to find out the reason behind their dramatic disappearance. 

But the actual reason behind their extinction is a major cause for concern. The rodents are believed to be the first mammal that has been killed off  as a result of man-made climate change. 

Bramble Cay Melomy is the first mammal to be killed off due to human-induced climate change

 According to the data on sea-level rise and weather events in the Torres Strait region, human-induced climate change is considered to be the root cause behind the loss of the Bramble Cay Melomy. Researchers from Queensland believe that the extinction was 'almost certainly' caused due to repeated ocean inundation of the cay- over the last decade, which had resulted in extreme habitat loss. 

This is an alarming situation for the whole world as climate change has already been proven to be the biggest threat for most of the species on earth. The Bramble Cay Melmoy might be the first mammal to be extinct due to climate change but it will most most certainly not be the last one if significant steps are not taken quickly. 

We, the members of Net Impact, realise the importance of taking an initiative to bring a change in this world and thus we have done our own little bit to save the mother earth. Net Impact has come up with The Climate Drawdown Challenge to conduct workshops to maximise the impact of top solutions to reverse global warming, as identified by Project Drawdown.

This workshop helps in developing original actionable ideas, catalyzes more people to take action against global warming and aims to create a great global impact. 

The whole world has to unite in this battle against climate change if we want to save our planet. Each one of us should take the reponsibility for a safe and a clean environment. The Net Impact is surely doing its bit to create a better world, the only thing left is now for you to join in and help us make a better tomorrow. 

So do be a part in this journey of environment revolution. Click below to apply-

http://bit.ly/2ESwMQc

WRITTEN BY - POOJAN SEHGAL 

                         ( NET IMPACT MEMBER )

 

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS CLOSER THAN WE THINK 

We have often heard reports like 'Shimla's airport and railway station shut down after unexpected snowfall resulting in flight cancellations' or 'Summer in Europe saw the mercury at sizzling new highs with temperatures in Spain and Portugal soaring above 45°C,kills 7.'

Have you ever wondered that even after such advanced metrological systems,we as people have failed to develop a scheme so as to prevent such sudden climactic changes? Have you ever even thought about such quick climatic changes?

Climate change is the change in statistical distribution of weather patterns that lasts for an extended period of time. Global climate change has usually occurred very slowly over thousands of years, but today our climate is changing rather quickly in comparison. This is due to many biotic as well as abiotic factors that cause Earth's climate to get hotter or colder. 

Many lines of evidence demonstrate that human activities especially emission of heat trapping greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion and land use charge are primarily responsible for high temperature extremes and heavy precipitation. These activities have also resulted in melting of glaciers and frequent floods and wildfires. 

All these changing concentrations are thought to have acted as a positive feedback, amplifying the temperature changes caused by long term shifts in Earth's orbit.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE, AND THE WORLD IS BURNING

Also,Global warming is a major cause of concern in today's time, which basically is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.

To add in,Man has been indiscriminately cutting trees and forests for cultivation leading to depletion of forest resources.The industrial boon saw upcoming of many factories engaging in  unsympathetic disposal of waste. The smoke emitted from the factories,fuel combustion and increasing number of vehicles is choking the air. 

The direct repurcussion of all these activities has been on the quality of our climate,our health and our life; affecting people in far reaching ways. 

All this data represent one thing- that we are so close to doom, and yet rather than finding solution, we close our eyes on this major problem.

Thus there is an urgent need to take up the cause of climate change through global policies and NGO's. 

The message to 'Safe Planet Earth' has to be made a household slogan. Even if one member of every family is aware, it will be enough to bring about a change and develop apathy towards our environment.

  

WRITTEN BY - ANADI GIRDHAR

                   ( NET IMPACT MEMBER) 

CURATED BY- POOJAN SEHGAL 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS CATACLYSMIC EFFECTS

Over the past many years, Climate has slowly taken a turn for the worst.Since last
year,doomsday-clock which is maintained by ‘Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ and
measures world’s vulnerability to apocalypse, remained at two minutes to midnight for a
second year running in what the scientists called a dangerous “new abnormal”and climate
change was one of the two reasons of it, other being nuclear threat.

Repeatedly for more than a decade now, Delhi has scored lowest on clean air index around
the world. If you just go for a stroll and look around, you would think it’s a scene from sci-fi
movie depicting dooms day, with people wearing anti-pollution masks all around.

Climate Change has huge effects on health of its inhabitants

Climate change has cataclysmic effects on health of its inhabitants.It also affects rain
pattern further affecting crop production, unemployment and overall economic disruption
in the country. Sudden temperature hikes and lows to extreme levels is a matter of concern
for the capital as it indicates heightened pollution and tampering of humans with nature. If
things keep going the way they are now, Delhi’s downfall is inevitable by 2050.

Educating new generation, using natural resources effectively, restricting use of harmful gas
emitting appliances, making new policies about using more of public vehicles and lesser
private owned vehicles are some of the various steps that could be taken to suppress this
problem.

To overcome this major issue we need to take an action, and we need to do that now.
 
WRITTEN BY- YASH JAIN 
                         ( NET IMPACT MEMBER)

CURATED BY - POOJAN SEHGAL 

FOOD WASTAGE - A HUGE PROBLEM FACED IN INDIA

Even though India grows enough food to feed its entire population yet millions of people still remain hungry, this is shown by the fact that India ranks 100 in global hunger index out of the 119 countries. About 7% of its total food production is wasted while millions of Indians have to sleep on empty stomach, all this food is lost during its production, processing, retailing and consumption. 

The most obvious thing we need to do is to control wastage. Even though India is largest producer of fruits and vegetables around 30 - 40% of it is wasted due to lack of refrigerator storage, poor transport, inadequate logistics support. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation it's worth is around 3.8 billion dollars.

Food wastage leads to problems such as hunger and malnutrition

Not only this, there are other severe  consequences too as millions of tons of wheat rots each year due to improper storage. India faces a loss of around Rs 2 lakh crore annually due to such problems. Moreover 60% of food subsidies does not reach poor due to middlemen. 

In 1964 even FCI was set up to help regarding such things but they neither have warehouse capacity nor man power to help much. Even the buffer stock is left in open, stored in make shift spaces etc. increasing rates of spoilage. To improve the situation there is a dire need to develop the infrastructure at necessary places, replace middlemen and introduce better policies. More than this we need strong will of political class and imagination. Solving this problem can also help with many other issues such as hunger, poverty, malnutrition and pave way for a better and prosperous India. 

But are the current policies enough for this? We do need imaginative Policies, but what can they be? What would be India's future if such problems aren't tended timely? 

We surely need to find answers quickly.

 WRITTEN BY- RIYA JAIN
                        ( NET IMPACT MEMBER) 

CURATED BY- POOJAN SEHGAL