Mohsen Tizhoosh
The global warming, one of the main problems of our century, has become a sensitive and influential issue that considerably affects our socio-economical activities as well as our everyday lives.In recent years, scientists have conducted extensive research in climate change and global warming. Most researchers, approximately 82%, believe in global warming, and some of them, nearly 18%, are still suspicious. Meanwhile, almost 60% of environmental researchers point the finger to human activities as the reason for global warming, 30% disagree and 10% are undecided
What is extremely important, one may observe, is the growing acceleration of development and its negative effects on the earth's environment. According to official figures released by multiple international bodies, 45000 hectares of forests are destroyed leading to the destruction of natural habitats and hence causing the extinction of 130 species of plants and animals on a daily basis. This is a crisis that all international organizations should attempt to fight with proper actions. The elimination of animal and forest ecosystems, beside production of greenhouse gases by both developed and developing countries, has worsened the living conditions for all living organisms on this planet. Among others, one might point to the annual entry of seven billion tones of carbon dioxide into atmosphere that endangers future sustainability
At the same time, the earth’s population has increased to over 7 billions and is predicted to reach 8.5 billions by 2050. One result of this population explosion is the increase of poverty in most societies. 45000 people die of hunger on a daily basis, 38000 of them being children. Can we avoid human tragedies within the next 10 years? Can we plan for 100 millions children who are born every year? Can we prevent the annual death of 25 millions people due to contaminated water today? What about future? Global warming is changing our environment in various ways. First and foremost, the agricultural industry will be seriously damaged due to spread of pests with a 30% potential decrease in agricultural products, something that would, among others, cause enormous economical loss for many countries. Another effect of global warming would be the outbreak of infectious diseases especially in tropical and warm regions; a disaster that could cost many lives
As well, the polar ice would gradually melt due to the increase in temperature leading to elevation of the water levels in oceans; this would, as we know, seriously endanger the existence of many islands and coastal regions
Looking at all that, developing countries, being dependent on oil and agriculture, would face insurmountable challenges. The population increase and unsustainable development are the factors that would worsen the effects of global warming in these regions. The severity of potential damages could be lessened with some reasonable actions and prudent planning
What the world needs today is a change in global policies. Sustainable development, using renewable sources of energy such as solar power, revitalization of destroyed forests and preventing more deforestation, reduction of greenhouse gases, reasonable water management, fair distribution of food, protecting biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, stopping the usage of fossil energy, and population control can contribute to our future sustainability
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