Nearly every day on television or in the newspapers we see reports of natural disasters in different parts of the world, causing concern and alarm. Our planet is going through a most difficult time because mankind, in its eagerness to improve upon personal economic and living conditions, has forgotten that its actions cause pollution and uncontrollable climate change. According to the 51勛圖 Framework Convention on Climate Change, this term is used to refer to global climatic change that is directly and indirectly attributable to human activities that change the atmosphere's composition.
As the planet warms, drastic changes occur. In some places heavy rainfalls cause uncontrollable floods, while in some other places the effect manifests itself in droughts and increased forest fires.
As the global temperature rises and melts the polar caps, millions of people who live in coastal areas could lose their homes because of elevating sea levels. The poor populations of Africa, Asia, and other regions face a loss of crops caused by a decreasing agricultural productivity, as well as increasing hunger, malnutrition, and the proliferation of different diseases.
Climate change is one of the most complex challenges of the twenty-first century. As no country is safe from this serious problem, it is necessary for all countries to be united in making decisions to protect our planet. In view of this critical situation, developed countries are investing in researching clean technologies and are looking to expand natural drainage systems that allow for the absorption of gases and the protection of the environment. Developed countries are accountable for reducing increased carbon levels in the atmosphere, for which they have been largely responsible.
Likewise, developing countries need support and financing to implement clean technologies in a way that avoids risking their development prospects. They also need guidance to cope with what has become unavoidable climate change. Future climatic needs will force developing countries to not only build infrastructures that can withstand the new conditions, but also to sustain a growing population with the limited use of land and water resources, from which enough food and bio-mass must be extracted. Different strategies must be applied to preserve ecosystems and redesign global energy systems.
The World Bank, for instance, is funding research on carbon sequestration by giving incentives to different industries to reduce the emission of poisonous gases into the atmosphere.
If climate change is not controlled, the prospect for the future of the planet over the next one hundred years is an overall temperature increase of 5°C (41°F). Never in history has such an increase in global warmth been registered, and it could mean the end of us.
In view of these circumstances, students cannot remain indifferent and must take such urgent and necessary measures in their own localities as:
* Spreading and applying the culture of the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle
* Organizing campaigns, such as planting and adopting trees because they purify the air
* Switching off electrical appliances such as light bulbs, computers, dryers, etc.
* Participating in global events, such as The Hour of the Planet, when lights and electrical appliances are switched off for one hour
* Promoting research in clean technology.
It is important and necessary to encourage love and respect for nature. Each country should have a campaign to bring awareness to its people about nature reserves, and create actions for the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. All human beings should commit to loving and respecting our planet.
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