Cost of climate change
Sabir Hussain
Climate change is a phenomenon that has been shaping our planet for billions of years and has taken on an unprecedented urgency in the recent times. As the consequences of our disregard for this reality continue to mount, the world is grappling with the far-reaching impacts of anthropogenic climate change. From extreme weather events to collapsing infrastructure and the potential for future pandemics, the cost of climate change is proving to be profound and multifaceted.
The historical stability of greenhouse gas level that allowed for the rise of modern civilization is now under threat. Lessons from history remind us that climate change played a vital role in the downfall of ancient civilization such as the Mayans and the Vikings. Today, as the world is facing an era of unprecedented change and we cannot ignore the potential for similar consequences for our modern way of life as the pace of anthropogenic climate change is alarming.
Unlike the slow geological shifts that shape our planet over millions of years, the impact of human activities is causing rapid and far-reaching changes. Heatwaves, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, food shortage, and droughts are on the rise, each leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Moreover, the changing climate has given rise to the spread of infectious diseases, human and animal migration, and destabilizing societies worldwide.
The economic and social ramifications of climate change are undeniable. It is not merely an environmental concern but a complex challenge that affects every facet of the society. From health to infrastructure to global supply chains, the cost of climate change is felt across the board. In the United States alone, extreme heat is responsible for around 1,500 deaths per year, a number that is projected to rise with increasing temperature.
Perhaps the most immediate and visible effect of climate change is the rise in extreme weather events. The past decade has witnessed a surge in heatwaves, storms, and wildfires that have taken lives and wreaked havoc on communities. Mega-droughts, unprecedented wildfires, and record-breaking hurricanes are stark indicators of a climate system under duress. The oceans, which absorb the majority of excess heat, have warmed, leading to more intense storms and a new classification being suggested for severe storms.
Even our infrastructure, designed to withstand a range of conditions, is faltering in the face of climate change. Sea-level rise, floods, and heavy rains are wreaking havoc on transportation networks, and disrupting the flow of goods and services. Older buildings, constructed under different climatic conditions, are particularly vulnerable.
The economic toll of climate change is substantial and growing. The cost of wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters have reached hundreds of billions of dollars, a figure that is likely to soar as climate change intensifies. But the impacts are not limited to immediate damages; food shortages, exacerbated by declining crop yields and nutrient deficiencies, loom on the horizon. Malnutrition and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue further strain global healthcare systems, raising concerns of more frequent and severe pandemics.
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that urgent action was needed to avert irreversible effects of climate change. The clock is ticking with a deadline set for 2030 to enact meaningful change. As we navigate the complex web of challenges brought on by climate change, the world must come together to address this global crisis. The cost of inaction is already evident, and the road ahead demands concerted efforts to mitigate further damage and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
The writer is an Islamabad-based journalist and Editor S&T of Sunrise Today. He covers science and technology, environment, agriculture, climate change, global warming, energy crisis and public health. He can be contacted at: lectureonline14@gmail.com.
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