Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 October 2011
The primary concern of the current generation is the unwanted changes that are occurring in the global climate and the environment. Nothing is permanent. We all know that changes are inevitable. Yet why are we so alarmed by the changes occurring in the global climate? The existence of life on earth is possible only because of the habitable environment that is currently available. The situation was entirely different millions of years ago. Changes in geological time scales brought about many changes in the earth's geography. The natural processes of evolution created the hospitable atmosphere that we live in today. Similarly, if nature changes for the worse, we may not be able to do anything about it. Natural climate changes are beyond our control.
We are not really talking about the sudden or very slow changes that occur in our climate system because of natural disasters and other geological processes but the changes occurring in earth-atmosphere-ocean system due to human interference, which are adverse to the health of the system that we live in. One is surprised to observe the changes reported, and to see the grim climate change scenarios that are being projected by today's mathematical models.
In earlier days, people, as part and parcel of the earth-atmosphere-ocean system, were getting everything directly from nature, just like any other living being, such as animals, birds, and plants. Since their needs were less, the stress on nature was not significant. But it so happens that on planet earth, humans are the only living beings that are bringing about drastic changes.
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