Science column
Many climate experts say that last year’s extreme
by an era of global cooling, which would mean that we are
moving towards yet another ice age. If so, then, with the
massive drop in temperatures all over the world, isn’t it
more reasonable to find an easy answer to global cooling?
44 April 08
than half of the economically active population in South-
When we all shout slogans of global warming and at the
same time complain of severe cold, are we not contradict-
ing ourselves?
Further, solar scientists have predicted that by the
year 2020, the sun will be starting its weakest Schwabe
solar cycle of the past two centuries. This would possibly
be leading to unusually cool conditions on Earth. It is in
fact global cooling and not global warming that is a major
threat to the world.
Studies revealed that January 2008 was the second
coldest January in 15 years. Meteorologist Anthony Watts
has reported in www.africasciencenews.org that there has
been a global drop in temperature of 0.63 degree centi-
grade in the past 12 months. As Nobel Laureate Al Gore
had sounded a global warming alert through his documen-
tary, An Inconvenient Truth, would there be anyone else to
sound global cooling alert?
What we are facing now is basically extremes of weath-
er. But what causes it and what could be the effects of it on
all living beings on earth?
Firstly, extreme conditions are caused by a combination
of factors. Human-induced climate change has the potential
to alter the prevalence and severity of extremes such as heat
waves, cold waves, storms, floods and droughts. Tropical
glaciers, coral reefs, mangroves, biodiversity “hot spots,”
and above all, our eco-system are examples of unique and
threatened entities that are confined to narrow geographical
ranges, as they are very sensitive to climate change.
cold was nothing but a cold-kick from the tropical Pacific
Ocean, which is in its La Niña phase, a year after it was in
the opposite warm El Niño phase.
The El Niño part of the cycle involves warmer-than-
usual sea temperatures, great amounts of rainfall (in the
northern hemisphere) and low atmospheric pressure. In
contrast, cooler sea temperatures, high atmospheric pres-
sure and drier air characterize the La Niña phase.
Climate change or global warming is the most serious
environmental threats of the 21st century. Such disruptive
weather would cause economic and business loss to any
country. Agriculture is the dominant sector engaging more
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
• Severe droughts
• Floods and storms
• Agriculture
• Food crisis
• Health disorders
• Threat to plants,
animals and marine beings
• Distortion in ecosystem.
• Economic loss
Science column
east Asia for the last two decades.
Climate change is likely to cause severe droughts and
floods, with major impacts on human health and food sup-
plies. This was stated in India’s Report to the United Na-
tions Framework Convention on Climate Change.
We, human beings can try and adapt to the changing
climatic conditions. But what about the other living crea-
tures like plants, fishes and animals?
If this trend continues, a day would come when we
would not be able to see some trees which we see now or
even the so common tigers and lions might become extinct,
not being able to adapt. Some species might prosper in oth-
er areas and some may perish.
Human beings also would not have fun time. It would
be a tough time for all to survive, as they would face a
range of health disorders. In general, the negative effects
of change in climatic conditions and extremes of climate
would out-do the positive ones.
Agriculture will have to change, as traditional crops
would find it harder to grow under the changing climatic
conditions. The nightmare is that many of the world’s poor-
est areas will find the most difficulty in coping with these
changes. And how much can India, the agrarian economy,
withstand this pressure?
So, the extreme climatic conditions prevailing through-
out the world is not due to Tsunami. Be it due to human ac-
tivities, geographical phenomena or even a solar process,
we should all be ready to face it.
Make sure you have enough woollens for the coming
winters or sufficient cooling systems to keep yourself com-
fortable from the scorching heat during summers.
April 08 45