Nowadays the phrase ‘global warming’ is popping up every now and then on news channels and making headlines in the newspapers. The recently held Copenhagen summit on environmental issues has been an approach to finding out a solution to this threatening problem that the whole world is experiencing today. If drastic measure is not adopted as early as possible, the day is not far away when the very existence of life will get wiped out from the earth.
In the context of the present gloomy scenario, environmental study is gaining much weight. The study on environment is an emerging field encompassing vast areas. It focuses on the state of air, land and water that is of utmost importance as the key to our survival. Students of this study program get to know different aspects of environment such as environmental geology, ecology, conservation biology, international environmental issues, global environmental science etc. This study also imparts training on waste management, recycling of waste, green certification and many more.
The immense curiosity for the study of environment has most probably emanated from ‘global warming’, one of the much talked about word in the 21st century world. In fact, it is a field that sheds light on a variety of environmental issues. Among the current environmental problems, global warming has been the chief concern with environmentalists. Global warming is caused by an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in atmosphere beyond the permissible limit. The quantity of carbon dioxide present in air is approximately 20%. But due to accretion to the amount of this gas in atmosphere, the sunrays reflected from the earth surface are getting absorbed at an increasing rate leading to the spread of a warm blanket all over the globe.
Environmentalists are of the view that such a grave problem as global warming is caused due to lack of responsibility of mankind in preventing atmosphere from getting polluted. We feel proud to be the most intelligent animal on the earth but shame on us! Our negligence and lack of foresightedness has fostered such a severe problem that is endangering our own entity. Instead of several warnings from environmentalists, we pay little attention towards curbing this problem. Rather we get engaged in trifle bickering over petty issues that have surfaced during the Copenhagen summit. World leaders should take up rigorous measures to ensure the blessings of pure and healthy environment for the future generation but they are engrossed in letting out faux promise but no action.
Global warming is an outcome of the build-up of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and some others. Many developed countries top the list of green house gas producers. With the advent of technology developed and developing countries are concerned about industrial revolution in order to reach the apotheosis of development as a result of which the emission of such gases is increasing day by day imposing a hovering threat over us.
According to the recent environmental study, the temperature of the earth has increased by 1degree Fahrenheit over the last century and is expected to accelerate in the coming years if we are slow coach in taking proper actions. Each and every citizen of the world has to be aware of the detrimental impact of global warming on our lives and acts as a responsible person to make the world habitable for our successors.
Environmentalists have opined that global warming has changed the climate of different parts of the world. It is responsible for scanty or no rainfall in some parts of the world whereas other areas are often inundated with heavy rainfall. This whimsical atmospheric condition has hampered harvesting in several parts of the world. Possibility of thunderstorms and severe drought in sizable parts on the earth is looming large. Increase in temperature is at the root of melting of glaciers in the arctic region causing rise in the sea level thereby posing a serious concern.
Environmental study has not only deliberated upon the natural disaster that may happen due to this global warming phenomenon but also dealt with the health hazards caused by it. Rise in temperature adds to air and water pollution causing harm to human health. Rising temperature also brings on heat tiredness and other respiratory problems. It also augments the risk of malfunctioning of blood circulation system in our bodies.
According to environmental study, global warming also amplifies the risk of getting infected with diseases for us hardly experienced in the warmer zones of the world. Malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis are to name a few caused by harmful insects that multiply in such unfavorable conditions of the global climate.
The above all picture is only a tiny pie of the threatening reality. Environmental study has done a great job in focusing on these major problems that should be rooted out and it needs a solemn effort on part of every one of us. We have already got trapped into danger. If no immediate measure is taken, the problem will spiral up and go beyond control. The introduction of environment study as a separate discipline is boon to us as it has warned us about the imminent danger that is global warming as well as dug up its causes and consequences on us. Once the cause of the disease is diagnosed, it will be easy to heal the wound if we are willing to do so. It is high time for us to join our hands together to eradicate or lessen the problem in order to ensure a better future.
