Social responsibility

It’s so alarming that the most powerful country and the superpower of the world, the United States of America, is also the most vulnerable country in terms of weather disasters (“Experts argue about America’s hazard-prone weather,” April 3, Gulf Today website).

According to the report, the United States, the largest economy and apparently a powerful country because of its military power, is also the most vulnerable country in terms of weather disasters. It is not so much due to climate change or due to America’s contribution to pollution because of its lavish living and careless industrial development. It has more to do with its geographical location as it is between temperate and tropical latitudes, oceans on both sides, high mountain ranges like the Rockies in the west and the Gulf of Mexico in the eastern part which brews storms and tornadoes.

Climate change is a global phenomenon. The disastrous impact of global warming on the world has nothing do with borders. There is no doubt that the underdeveloped countries are at high risk. Countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are facing huge climate change disasters despite these countries hardly messing up with climate change.

I am sure the world is vigilant about the climate change and its disasters and must be working hard to tackle the serious threat it is facing now.

It’s also important to educate people regarding global warming because everyone can help limit climate change. To bring about change in daily routine we can help our governments and countries limit climate change for example, use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water or hanging things out to dry instead of using a dryer. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eating more vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Planting trees will definitely help tackle climate change.

Kashif Ansari,
By email