THE abrupt climate changes that have occurred in the past few years pose a threat to our world. The oceans are turning warmer and the sea level is rising.

We can actually observe how frequently we suffer visitations by hurricanes, storms, heat waves, etc. All of these phenomena are occurring because of changes in climate.

The countries that are afflicted are the ones which have played a major role in creating these changes. A study conducted at the Concordia University of Montreal showed that the United States, China, Russia, Brazil, India, Germany and the United Kingdom are the biggest contributors to man-made global warming.

It is estimated that, by the end of the 21st century, nearly 70 per cent of the world’s coastlines will be badly affected by rising sea levels and more than a thousand animal species will face extinction.

That is not all, as there are dire predictions of an alarming rise in infectious diseases, loss of agricultural productivity and food insecurity.

The nations of the world have to act now to check and reverse any further damage and put a stop to climate change.

Maha Lakhani

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2017