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 

U.S Exits The Paris Climate Agreement

Initially, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement was an addition to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic Change (UNFCCC). It was agreed among 195 countries present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in December. China and United States, the two

largest carbon pollutant emitters in the world were part of this agreement.

U.S became part of this agreement under the presidency of Barak Obama. His support and cooperation with China were seen as the major factors leading to the early success of this agreement.

It came into force to bind all the countries together, to fight against the problem of rising temperature on the planet. The main aim of the Agreement is to hold the increase in the global average temperature below 2 °C, over and above the pre-industrial levels, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On 1 June 2017, Donald Trump, the current president of U.S., announced U.S.’s withdrawal from this agreement. He stated that this agreement imposed constraints on the functioning of the U.S. economy with its unfair environmental standards. Donald Trump had pledged to withdraw from the pact during his presidential campaign.

At the time of announcing the withdrawal, he claimed that it was in accordance with his ‘America First’ policy. He reasoned that this agreement puts U.S. at a permanent disadvantage and was effecting the American economy, business and its workers.

According to the Agreement, withdrawal by the United States cannot be before November 4, 2020, four years after the Agreement came into effect in the United States and one day after the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Hence, later White House clarified that the U.S. will abideby the four year exit process. Till then, the United States will be obligated to its commitments under the Agreement, like continue reporting its emissions to the United Nations.

While this decision was celebrated by some members of the Republican Party, international reaction to the withdrawal was overwhelmingly negative. It received criticism from religious organizations, businesses, political leaders of all the parties, environmentalists, scientists and citizens from the United States and abroad.

Even with the Federal withdrawal from the agreement, the governors of several U.S. states continue to remain a part of Paris Agreement at the state level by forming United States Climate Alliance. As on February 2018, 16 states and Puerto Rico have joined the alliance.  Similar commitments have also been expressed by other state governors, mayors, and businesses.

WRITTEN BY- ALISHA VERMA
                ( NET IMPACT MEMBER )

CURATED BY - POOJAN SEHGAL

CASUAL RACISM

Mr. Sargent Shriver, an American Diplomat and politician once said: “We must treat the disease of racism. This means we must understand the disease”

Keeping this statement in mind, let us first find out what casual racism actually means. Most of us have seen or heard this term before but not many of us are aware of its true definition. Well, Casual Racism is nothing but a remark or a throw-away comment that is based on negative stereotypes to say something about a person’s race or ethnicity.

Casual Racism is not necessarily a deliberate act to discriminate against someone or to let him/her down because of his/her race rather it is something that is done unknowingly,  just out of fun. But what people usually tend to forget is that it can have a deep negative impact on the person who faces it.
It not only affects their dignity but also their physical and mental health. And unfortunately most of the people who indulge in casual racism, don’t even understand the magnitude of their irresponsible comments.

THERE IS NOTHING CASUAL ABOUT CASUAL RACISM

I want to clarify that the classifications and categories are not bad, what is bad are the stereotypes and degradation that come with some of the categories we’re a part of. For example, colour of our skin - when someone is described neutrally, without indicating colour, most of the times people will assume that the person is white. On the contrary, to describe someone dark skinned, it will be mentioned specifically. This indicates our stereotype, that, whiteness determines humanity.

We have to understand that our constitution has given us a right to express our views, but it becomes our duty to use this right in a responsible manner so that we don’t casually exclude someone from our society on racial basis.

Further, if you are the one facing casual racism, you should not hesitate to discuss about it and express your views on specific comments made by your friends or colleagues and tell them that you are uncomfortable with the comment and this is casual racism.

These tools can really help the society to fight casual racism.

WRITTEN BY - RAHUL VERMA
( NET IMPACT MEMBER)

CURATED BY- POOJAN SEHGAL

*Why is racism still relevant in 21st century*

One maybe tempted to assume that racism, the belief that some races of people are better than others, is a thing of past and that the society has advanced enough to burst this delusional bubble.

Instances of racism are still prevalent in our society, take the case of frequent use of the term " people of colour" to refer a person who is not white. The intolerance shown by perpetrators can scar the victims and their families for life. Stringent laws and anti-discriminatory policies should be framed and put to practice while people should be well informed of their rights and the laws that protect them. Education can enable individuals understand the concept of 'just treatment' better.

RACISM- STILL VERY MUCH PREVALENT ALL AROUND THE GLOBE

This unfair treatment is in practice all around the world, ranging from workplace to politics. People are deprived of opportunities and basic rights based on their origin.  Take the instance of the movie 'Black Panther' that consisted of an all black cast predominantly at a time when the blacks were still struggling to find their place in Hollywood. Racist hate crimes are the most widespread of all the other forms of hate crimes, the share being as high as 60% of the total. Vandalism is a common practice in many places.

Donald J. Trump's xenophobia and racial discrimination along with political and economic turmoils like Brexit have acted as a catalyst leading to a surge in the number of such crimes. African American community is the one most targeted of all the other communities .

Racism may have been more widespread in older times with the white section of the society given special privileges and rights but it is still a matter of concern in current times that needs to be addressed both on personal level and the level of the government as a progressive modern society. Our leaders should conduct themselves in a more responsible manner and we as members of the society should also act in ways that do not cause discomfort to others.


Written By- Sohal Bagri

CURATED BY- POOJAN SEHGAL