Climate change a great risk to our grandchildren

This frightening fact was released in a recently published report by the humanitarian organisation DARA, and commissioned by 20 countries. Further, the report said: “By 2030, more than 100 million people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2 per cent of gross domestic product if the world fails to tackle climate change.”

Whether we like it or not, climate change is happening. Warming of the climate system is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level. 

Climate change has recently become an increasingly significant issue among many countries, including Thailand and the Maldives. Over the last century, global sea levels have risen about 20 centimetres because of climate change, and further rises of the oceans are predicted, which could seriously threaten the existence of many islands, including the Maldives. 

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Bangkok is one of the major cities on the globe seen as a potential victim of rising sea waters, and whose landscape is sinking due to a history of water drawn from wells within the city limits.

A recent report from Oxfam International paints a grim picture of what a future of worsening climate change and increasing resource scarcity holds for hunger in 2030. Food prices are projected to double due to worsening climate change and resource scarcity. 

It predicts international price rises of key staples in the region of 120 to 180 per cent by 2030. This will prove disastrous for food-importing poor countries, and raises the prospect of a wholesale reversal in human development. 

But, can the global leaders, with their entrenched patterns of conflict, self-interest, quarrels between rich and poor nations and short-sighted behaviour of political leaders, commit to possible cooperation for long-range planning on a global scale?

I doubt it. The global nature of climate change calls for leaders to examine the underlying interdependence and oneness of humanity. The threat posed by global warming offers yet another opportunity to discover within ourselves the fundamental reality upon which the peace, security and well-being of the entire planet depend. And this unity cannot be created without justice among developing and developed nations.

Those who choose to ignore or dispute the science and reports from several institutions around the world, do so at great risk for all of us – and for our kids and grandkids.

Nat Yogachandra

Min Buri