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Climate resilience? In India, nearly 500,000 shade-giving trees have been cut down in past 5 years

By Vikas Meshram 
Decisive climate action is crucial to preventing the dangerous decline of sea ice. Favorable policies and improved polar monitoring will enhance climate resilience. Reducing emissions and protecting the planet's fragile cryosphere depend on collective determination. Many communities are not prepared to face climate change threats. Investing in resilient infrastructure that can withstand future climate risks is essential.
Sea ice plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. Due to changing weather patterns and rising temperatures, sea ice has fallen to a record low of 15-76 million square kilometers. Global temperatures are rising, ocean currents are becoming unstable, and extreme weather events are intensifying.
The impact of climate change on agriculture is becoming increasingly evident. February 2024 was recorded as the warmest month, but January 2025 saw even higher temperatures, and February is experiencing continuous temperature increases. In many states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, maximum temperatures are expected to reach 30°C. Several regions have already recorded daytime temperatures exceeding 29°C. This is not just India's situation—most countries worldwide are witnessing the clear effects of climate change, which is harming ecosystems.
Rising temperatures not only contribute to the spread of diseases but also negatively impact the entire system. The continuous decline in groundwater levels and the rapid melting of glaciers are alarming. This has direct consequences in the form of unseasonal heavy rainfall, droughts, storms, and wildfires. Climate variability is disrupting the crop cycle. From sowing to harvesting, every stage is affected. When crops reach the flowering stage, sudden temperature spikes hinder their growth, leading to lower yields and poor-quality produce.
Another concerning factor is the absence of dew in winter, inadequate rainfall during the monsoon, and rising temperatures at the wrong time, leading to food crises. Extreme weather events like storms and hailstorms further damage crops. Experts warn that if climate change continues at this pace, food prices will surge multiple times. Sudden temperature fluctuations adversely affect agricultural production and quality, directly impacting inflation.
Climate change is causing rapid land degradation worldwide, raising concerns among nations. Despite ongoing discussions in major global summits, no concrete solutions have been found. Many global organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, are worried about the looming food crisis. Climate scientists and agricultural experts face the challenge of finding alternatives to the most harmful factors contributing to climate change.
Technological advancements have undoubtedly made life easier, but their adverse effects are becoming increasingly apparent. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has depleted soil fertility, and over-extraction of groundwater is causing water levels to drop year after year. Soil erosion and land degradation are accelerating.
Efforts must be made to develop crop varieties that can withstand climate-induced changes. Humanity has disrupted nature extensively, and now we are facing the consequences. We must also focus on controlling global temperature increases. The situation is becoming critically alarming, and if no action is taken, the entire world will suffer the consequences.
Climate change is influencing extreme weather events globally. Wildfires, prolonged droughts, intense rainfall, severe floods, heatwaves, and powerful storms are becoming more frequent and severe. Since the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, have increased dramatically. Methane, carbon dioxide, and other gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. This leads to warmer air and oceans, melting ice, altered weather patterns, and disrupted water cycles.
Droughts affect human health and food production, while floods damage infrastructure and spread diseases. Climate-related disasters increase mortality rates and reduce productivity. Transportation and communication networks, including roads, bridges, ports, power grids, and broadband internet, were not designed to withstand extreme climate fluctuations. Rising sea levels threaten coastal water supplies, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Oceanic heat transport contributes to the rapid decline of global sea ice. As warm ocean currents reach the polar regions, ice melts rapidly from below. More intense storms break fragile sea ice, accelerating its melting. Methane and carbon dioxide trap heat in the atmosphere, increasing global temperatures and accelerating ice melt in polar regions. Drilling and increased maritime activities in the Arctic raise pollution and local temperatures.
As sea ice diminishes, oceans absorb more heat, reducing the planet’s albedo effect and further increasing temperatures. The Arctic’s decreasing albedo accelerates climate change, making the polar regions warm at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Melting ice reduces ocean salinity, slowing deep-sea circulation and affecting climate regulation.
The Supreme Court of India has recently expressed concern over rampant deforestation, emphasizing that protecting trees is a constitutional duty of every citizen. The court has directed authorities to exercise strict control over unnecessary tree-cutting under the guise of development.
Worldwide, nearly 10 million hectares of forests are lost annually, according to United Nations reports. In India, approximately 500,000 shade-giving trees, including neem, jamun, shisham, mahua, peepal, banyan, and pakad, have been cut down in the past five years. This situation is critical for biodiversity, affecting the environment, agriculture, and human life.
Deforestation is accelerating global temperature rise, leading to droughts, health crises, and economic instability. Trees and forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting agriculture, and ensuring public health. However, increasing human greed is causing large-scale destruction of nature, exacerbating climate change and impacting economic and social stability.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that there is little time left to reverse the damage. Biodiversity conservation is essential not just for the environment but also for mental and physical health. Research shows that green spaces help reduce stress. Preserving biodiversity is a collective responsibility. Uncontrolled environmental destruction in the name of development must stop, or the future will be dire. Afforestation, forest conservation, and eco-friendly development policies are urgent necessities.
The weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is expected to impact the climate of the Indian Ocean, Europe, and North America. Melting sea ice indirectly accelerates land ice melt, raising sea levels. If all ice melts, the Greenland Ice Sheet alone could raise sea levels by approximately 23 feet. Temperature changes are increasing storms, droughts, and heatwaves, disrupting atmospheric circulation and making weather patterns more unpredictable.
Immediate climate action is essential. Global efforts must focus on reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience to combat the growing crisis.

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