Global Warming: It’s Impact In & Outside Valley

The term ‘Global Warming’ is not new to the people living across the globe as it has taken new routes and has become a major threat to the world. Establishing its links in the valley has made it an issue of concern in Jammu & Kashmir also. Global temperature has risen by O.8-O.9 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years. Valley’s temperature has however risen by 1.2 degrees. According to experts of Global Calamities, although global warming is a global phenomenon but its roots will have significant impact in the valley, as its stored glacier water is now melting at a faster pace. There are people around the globe who are manipulating and taking stock of global cooling or global warming but I believe focus has to be on the much awaited debate of global warming. The ice at the North and South poles is melting which means the weather is getting hotter. Erratic snowfall and snowfall patterns and unusual warm winters in the valley are some sudden changes. The diverse types of ecosystems and communities especially the poor rural people living in the mountains across Jammu & Kashmir are among the affected by this climatic change. The increase in the levels of sea water can be demonstrated by the Paris Agreement (2015-2030) alone, when the stated commitment ended, the world will have caused enough warming to drive sea levels about 4-5 inches higher in the future and let us not forget the rise of sea level and it’s ally the ‘FLOOD’ which recently wiped out Telangana (2020),Kerala, MP, Gujrat, Karnataka (2019), Gujrat alone in 2017,Assam (2016),Chennai, Tamil Nadu(2015),Jammu and Kashmir (2014).
Among the major causes of the decline of top food grains in J&K, global warming stands second after land use changes. A quick glance at Government data shows that climate change has eaten into the output of top food grains in J&K. With changes in rainfall patterns in the state, farmers face dual threats from flood and drought. Both extremes can destroy food crops. Agriculture and its allied sectors is the mainstay of J&K economy, providing livelihood opportunities to 70 percent of its population and contributing to around 27 percent of its income. In the last few years, because of climate change in the valley, there has been a dismal production of paddy and rice every year and farmers of many areas of the valley are adopting Horticulture. The food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stated in 2016 that climate change is increasingly affecting nearly 80 % of the world’s poor who depend on Agriculture for their livelihood. Saffron production in Kashmir has a historical background and J&K is the only place in India to produce Saffron for commercial purposes, but saffron production has decreased during the last two decades due to Global climatic changes. Looking at the present situation in J&K, the figures in terms of production, area and yield rate are not satisfactory as the gap between deficit and requirement is increasing at an increasing rate which has gone up to 81 percent against the current population growth. Before putting out ourselves in the vicinity of Global calamities like global warming and before it is too late, let us not forget to; A)Recycle more B)Drive less C)Plant tress D) Switch to Renewable energy E) Use energy efficient devices F)Use less hot water G) Turn off electronic devices and H) Spread awareness as I opted to aware you through my piece about global warming, now it is your turn to help me out to tag the readers and your friends.
( The author is pursuing M.Sc Chemistry at AMU Aligarah. Views are his own) [email protected]