Saving the good earth

July and August are the monsoon months,not of summers. Why this change? In the present scenario,we are knowingly doing things against the nature. Using plastic bags,air-conditioners,more cars and so on. We know about global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. We must take steps like reducing the consumption of plastics by carrying our own cloth or jute bags and should walk short distances. Air-conditioners are now a must but if we try to use ACs for shorter durations,it will be effective too. Once the heat is controlled,you will not need ACs for keeping you cool.
Suramya Agarwal,VIII-A
St Mary’s school,Safdurjung Enclave

Are we waiting for a miracle to take place to save Nature?

If yes,we shouldn’t. The main cause of the destruction we are meting out to the environment is the convenience it’s giving us. We can use ACs,refrigerators,ovens etc,but exercising control is necessary. The consequences,otherwise,are there for us to see — the rains not showing up,the acid rain,the droughts over large parts of the country and the condition of the poor farmers. Not using items which emit greenhouse gases like cars and refrigerators would prove tough for citizens. But now,the only option left with us is to save and value the environment. Planting trees is the greatest and easiest way. One thing to be avoided is the use of polythene bags. “Reuse,Reduce and Recycle”. It is very important to save energy,electricity,cooking gas,petrol etc.

It is easy to look the other way but the loss is too great to overcome. And the choice doesn’t rest upon you anymore.
Benazeer Hena,VII A
St Paul’s School,SDA

Global warming. A human-induced calamity struck the world in the mid 20th Century and has been strengthening its grip ever since,victimising India as well. This is fed by green house gases (which has no green side to it) and the pollution caused by the vehicles invented by mankind.

According to a survey,only 30 per cent of households use fuel,50 per cent of India use firewood and rest 20 per cent use other means. At this rate,forests are bound to disappear. Also,scientists have stated: “In India,the signs already back forecasts that as the mercury rises,the Indian subcontinent that is home to one-sixth of humanity,will be one of the worst-affected regions.” Over the years rising sea levels have already submerged two islands in the Sundarbans,villages of Orissa are vanishing into the Bay of Bengal,rivers are flooding Bihar,while drought affect other regions. The effect on the Himalayas too has been adverse.

It is red alert in India. A word of caution for our own benefit,so let’s start making responsible choices and not forget the three Rs — Reduce,Recycle,Reuse.
Vani Mehra,XII-Commerce,
Tagore International School,Vasant Vihar

Some say that climate change is a natural phenomenon,which had its origin during the Industrial Revolution. But it has increased a lot since we started taking more from Earth and returning less to her. Increasing population,increasing demand for resources and wastage due to human negligence are few of the many factors of global warming.

It is reiterated that global warming is responsible for more frequent droughts and floods. This is expected to intensify in the future. India is among the top 10 nations that have been most affected by extreme weather changes last year. India is likely to face significant adverse effects in a range of sectors,including agriculture,health,forestry and infrastructure.

Polluting it and destroying our natural resources is the way we are treating our earth. Change starts from our own homes.
Dikha De, X-B,
Springdales School,Pusa Road

The entire world may not have come to a consensus whether climate change has hit India or not. However consensus is not science.

All the signs that are the harbingers — droughts,doom and death — has come. When I see the rampant destruction of the Sunderban forests,the drying of rivers,the delayed monsoons and the dense soot hanging over cities,I know that change is near,and it’s not just the cyclical process of normal global warming.

Climate change is one of the impediments to India’s progress and sustainable development. It represents an additional stress on ecological and socioeconomic systems that are already facing tremendous pressures due to rapid urbanisation and development.

The time is not for finger-pointing but for joining hands and walking resolutely,one step at a time,into a greener future. Because we have not inherited this earth from our forefathers,but borrowed it from the future generation.
Digveer De,XII
Springdales School,Pusa Road