Harsh Jaiman

Climate change is a crisis that affects us all. It’s not just about rising temperatures—it’s about the way human actions are causing significant, long-lasting changes to our planet’s climate. While Earth’s climate naturally shifts over time, the speed and extent of the changes happening now are unprecedented. Human activities—like burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and industrial farming—are speeding up this process, and the consequences are already devastating. So, what is climate change really? It’s the long-term alteration of the Earth’s climate caused by a buildup of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to the warming of the planet. It’s like a blanket being thrown over the Earth, keeping more heat in than necessary. Normally, the greenhouse effect is natural and necessary to keep the planet warm enough to support life. But because of human activities, we’re adding more gases than the planet can handle, pushing the climate to dangerous extremes. The Key Drivers of Climate Change The main culprit behind this rapid warming is the burning of fossil fuels. Think coal, oil, and natural gas—the energy sources that power our cities, industries, and vehicles. These releases of CO₂ from burning fossil fuels have a huge impact. Deforestation also plays a major role. Trees act as the Earth’s lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide. As forests are cleared for agriculture, mining, and urban expansion, this vital carbon sink disappears, making climate change worse. The demand for food, goods, and services only adds to the pressure. Industries and agriculture both contribute to the release of harmful gases. Together, all of these activities are pushing the Earth’s natural systems out of balance. How Are Countries Addressing (or Avoiding) Climate Change? Around the world, many countries recognize the severity of climate change. Agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement have been set up to cap global warming at no more than 2°C, with efforts aimed at keeping it closer to 1.5°C. But while the intentions are there, actual progress has been frustratingly slow. In part, this is due to governments and industries resisting real change. One of the biggest roadblocks is the power of the fossil fuel industry. These companies are immensely profitable, and many governments are unwilling to take them on, either due to economic dependency or political influence. Fossil fuel subsidies persist, and transitions to cleaner energy sources are delayed, making it harder to curb emissions. What’s more, the reality of climate change requires global cooperation, but countries have different priorities. Developing nations often feel that they shouldn’t be held to the same standards as industrialized nations that have been responsible for the majority of emissions historically. Finding a balance between economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection is no small task. The Growing Dangers of Climate Change The signs of climate change are hard to ignore. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods are not only increasing in number but in severity as well. These events disrupt entire communities, damage infrastructure, and, most importantly, claim lives. The oceans are heating up, the ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. Many coastal cities and island nations face the very real threat of being submerged. Coral reefs, which support marine life, are also dying off due to higher water temperatures and ocean acidification. Perhaps the most alarming effect of all is the onset of the sixth mass extinction. Unlike the natural events that caused the first five mass extinctions, this one is driven by human activities. Rising temperatures, habitat loss, and pollution are pushing species to the brink, with many unable to adapt in time. We’re losing species at an unprecedented rate, and this loss is felt not just ecologically but also ethically and spiritually. The balance of life on Earth is being disrupted, and humanity is deeply connected to the health of our ecosystems. The Unequal Burden of Climate Change What’s especially troubling about climate change is how unevenly its impacts are distributed. The reality is that a small segment of society is responsible for most of the damage, but it’s the world’s most vulnerable communities that are suffering the most. Wealthy nations and powerful corporations are the primary contributors to climate change. They benefit from exploiting natural resources, burning fossil fuels, and industrial growth—yet, they often push back against meaningful climate action. Meanwhile, it’s the poorer, developing countries that are bearing the brunt of the effects. Many of these countries, already struggling with poverty and inequality, now face severe flooding, crop failures, and displacement caused by rising sea levels. Indigenous communities, too, are disproportionately affected. These groups are often more directly tied to their lands and natural resources. Yet, their voices are frequently overlooked, and their environments are among the first to feel the effects of environmental destruction. This disparity calls for a reassessment of how the benefits and burdens of climate change are shared. The wealthiest nations and companies have a responsibility to lead the way in addressing the crisis and to ensure that developing nations have the support they need to adapt. The Role of Human Greed in Climate Change Human greed is undeniably a major factor in the climate crisis. The pursuit of wealth, power, and control over natural resources has led to the exploitation of the planet’s ecosystems. In many cases, economic systems prioritize short-term profits over the long-term health of the environment. Capitalism, in its current form, often encourages overconsumption and the extraction of resources at the expense of future generations. The demand for more, faster, and cheaper goods leads to more pollution, deforestation, and overuse of the Earth’s resources. Industrial agriculture, mass production, and consumer culture have created a system where profit is prioritized over ecological stability. This greed is not just about money—it’s also rooted in a psychological disconnection from nature. We’ve become so focused on what we can take from the Earth that we’ve forgotten that we are part of