The highest temperatures we have seen in 60 years. The hottest nights we have experienced in years. Over the last week, the UK has experienced the longest stretch of hot weather since 1960, clocking in at 34ºC for 6 days. In other parts of the world, the situation has been equally bad or even worse. For example, in Baghdad, Iraq, temperatures have hit 52ºC for a record-breaking 4 days in a row - the previous record was set a few years ago at 48ºC. At this kind of temperatures, going outside becomes life-threatening, and when combined with the high humidity, the air can be downright deadly.
The vibrations of fans roar in your ears. The loud hum of generators boom across the street. Practically no-one dares step outside. The streets are barren, the heat sweltering. In addition to this, the temperature is increasing year on year. If this continues, soon we will see these kinds of temperatures not only in Asia but across Europe and America too. Despite this, even the most extreme measures taken now to limit the damage would only contain this level of damage to the Middle East, North Africa and parts of India, and if we don't take urgent steps against climate change, we won't be spared either.
As temperatures increase across the world at faster rates every decade, I can't help but think that we are close to a tipping point. If we don't stop now, we might never come back. With the population increasing each and every year and new technologies being rolled out like never before, our carbon dioxide (CO2) production has never been higher. To add to this, an increased level of rice and cattle farming means that methane concentrations in the atmosphere have increased drastically too. In countries like India and China, with ginormous populations, rice is a staple food - more people means more production means more methane. If we don't find a way to stop pumping the atmosphere with these noxious gases, soon the world will never be the same again.
Some of you may be asking, but why do CO2 and methane levels matter? CO2 and methane are greenhouse gases. This means that these gases cause the Greenhouse Effect. This is a phenomenon where more heat which the Sun provides to the Earth is absorbed into the Earth than should have been. This happens because when there is a higher concentration of CO2, methane or water vapour, the heat rays reflect off them back down to the surface of the Earth, causing them to be absorbed into the surface of the Earth, heating up the Earth faster than at the natural rate. This is what is causing climate change. This is what is ruining our world.
One of the best ways to solve climate change is by planting trees. Trees are the best way to get rid of CO2, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, from the atmosphere. By the process of photosynthesis, plants take up CO2 and replace it with oxygen. So when deforestation occurs, like is happening in the Amazon rainforest, it adds to the ever-increasing lists of causes for climate change and global warming. But it doesn't end there. How are the logs disposed of? By burning them. This causes even more CO2 to be produced, so not only do we lose oxygen production, we add even more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
But we can stop this. By supporting organisations like Team Trees, which has planted 22 million so far, we can aim to replenish and save our forests and plant-life. But apart from this, we can also reduce our carbon footprint by making small changes to our lifestyle, for example, taking public transport or walk instead of driving to work/school (I know this is difficult now due to COVID), minimizing the amount of heavily packaged items you buy, reduce your home's energy usage, and many more other changes that can be made. By making these minor changes to your daily life, you can make a sustainable impact on preventing even more damage to the world due to climate change.
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See you next week. PS. Thank you to everyone who has donated to or supported my volunteering in any way. I really appreciate every single one of you and am so happy that so many people wanted to show their appreciation for those front line workers who have risked their lives for us. Thank you so much.
If you would like to check out my cause, here is the link to my GoFundMe page: gf.me/u/ygnqtj
Thank you in advance.