Surge in greenhouse gases despite lockdowns

 Surge in greenhouse gases sustained despite   COVID lockdowns- U.N

It was expected by each one of us globally that, the concentration of greenhouse gases will be decreased to some extent due to COVID-19 lockdown. This was a mere theory. The report published by the United Nations agency that measured concentration of gases – methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide which are the key player in warming our planet and trigger extreme weather events.

Surge in greenhouse gases sustained despite COVID lockdowns - U.N

 

Carbon dioxide, a product of burning fossil fuels is one of the biggest players, and contributor to global warming and touched a record high in 2019. Data is not available yet for 2020 but its trends show that there will be no considerable change in data either. World Meteorological Organization said that such a rate of increase has never been witnessed in the history of their records.

 

After seeing this report it was difficult to digest that such a long lockdown has no considerable effect on the levels of greenhouse gases. This tells how difficult the global warming situation is. WMO head said in his words that “ Our whole economy and our consumption patterns wire us to extremely high emissions even if we all sit in lockdown”.

Be it a “tiny blip” or not, we are supposed to continue our efforts to reduce the greenhouse gases and thereby a decrease in global warming. Simple and small steps have to be taken to reduce its effects. After seeing this report many people including me were shocked and might have a view that after a long lockdown it hasn’t worked much then what kind of effect it will have after these small efforts. We still have to be optimistic because other than this we can’t do anything.

Despite the ban across various cities in India, people were burning crackers. This shows how concern we are, about our environment. The government should also put some extra effort into these situations. Only official notice will not work, proper implementation and strict punishment will have some impact on the people.

Scientists say that much of the carbon dioxide already emitted decades ago and it remains there and contributes to global warming. Nevertheless, we should keep doing what we can do to reduce emissions. A former president once said that “ You cannot change your future, but you can change your habits and surely your habits will change your future ".