SUMMARY of the Article “‘Global boiling’” by Masood Lohar, Dawn, June 25th, 2024
This year’s Haj witnessed a tragic incident where over 1,300 pilgrims succumbed to extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 51.8 degrees Celsius. This event underscores the escalating crisis of extreme weather, described by UN Secretary General António Guterres as “global boiling.” The phenomenon represents a significant shift from global warming to more severe and dangerous climatic conditions. Similar heatwaves have recently affected Pakistan and India, with temperatures in Sindh reaching 52.2°C and in Delhi surpassing 44°C, causing widespread fatalities and heatstroke cases. These events align with a global pattern of unprecedented weather extremes. The term ‘global boiling’ highlights the unpredictable nature of current climate changes, which include alternating extremes like droughts, floods, and heatwaves. For instance, regions near Makkah recently experienced both extreme heat and flash floods. Other examples include record-breaking rainfall in Dubai, leading to severe flooding and fatalities, and simultaneous extreme weather events in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, ranging from severe flooding to prolonged droughts. These climatic anomalies are causing significant disruptions to human health, agriculture, and ecosystems, reducing crop yields, increasing drought and flood risks, accelerating ice melt and sea level rise, and leading to species extinction. The article calls for urgent and robust climate action to mitigate these escalating impacts and stresses the need for global sustainable practices and policies. It uses the metaphor of the ‘boiling frog syndrome’ to illustrate human complacency towards climate change, warning that without immediate action, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
This year, over 1,300 Haj pilgrims died due to extreme heat, with temperatures hitting 51.8 degrees Celsius. This tragic event shows how severe weather is becoming due to climate change, now described as “global boiling” by the UN Secretary General. Similar heatwaves have affected Pakistan and India, causing many deaths and illnesses. Extreme weather is happening all over the world, with floods in Makkah, heavy rains in Dubai, and severe weather in China. These events are harming people, crops, and animals. The article urges immediate action to combat climate change and prevent further damage.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
Immediate Climate Action
Governments worldwide need to implement and enforce stricter climate policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices across all sectors.
Global Collaboration
Countries must collaborate on climate action plans, sharing technology, knowledge, and resources to combat the global impacts of climate change. International agreements and cooperation are crucial for addressing cross-border environmental challenges.
Investment in Green Technologies
Invest heavily in green technologies and innovations that reduce carbon footprints, such as electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, and sustainable agricultural practices. Encourage research and development in these areas through subsidies and incentives.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Launch widespread public awareness campaigns to educate people about the severity of climate change and the steps they can take to reduce their impact. Emphasize the importance of individual actions like reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting eco-friendly products.
Disaster Preparedness and Resilience
Develop and implement disaster preparedness plans to protect communities from extreme weather events. This includes building resilient infrastructure, creating early warning systems, and conducting regular disaster response drills.
Reforestation and Conservation
Promote reforestation and conservation efforts to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and protect biodiversity. Support projects that restore natural habitats and expand green spaces in urban areas.
Sustainable Agriculture
Adopt sustainable agricultural practices that increase resilience to climate change, such as crop diversification, soil conservation, and water-efficient irrigation methods. Provide support and training to farmers to implement these practices.
Legal and Policy Reforms
Enact and enforce environmental laws and policies that limit pollution and promote sustainable development. Hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact through regulations and penalties.
Climate Education
Integrate climate education into school curriculums to raise awareness among the younger generation about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.
International Climate Financing
Establish and expand international climate financing mechanisms to support developing countries in their efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Ensure that funds are used effectively and transparently to achieve climate goals.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:
- Over 1,300 Haj pilgrims died due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 51.8 degrees Celsius.
- Pakistan’s Sindh region experienced temperatures over 52°C, with Mohenjodaro hitting 52.2°C.
- Delhi faced temperatures surpassing 44°C during India’s longest-ever heatwave.
- In Dubai, record-breaking rainfall caused severe flooding, resulting in fatalities and significant travel disruptions.
- Southern China experienced severe flooding, displacing over 100,000 people, while northern China dealt with prolonged droughts and heatwaves.
- Extreme weather events are reducing crop yields, increasing the risk of droughts and floods, and disrupting food production and supply chains.
MCQs from the Article:
1. What term did UN Secretary General António Guterres use to describe the severe state of climate change?
A. Global warming
B. Global boiling
C. Climate crisis
D. Climate catastrophe
2. How many Haj pilgrims succumbed to extreme heat this year?
A. Over 1,000
B. Over 1,200
C. Over 1,300
D. Over 1,400
3. What temperature did Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Pakistan, reach during the recent heatwave?
A. 50.2°C
B. 51.2°C
C. 52.2°C
D. 53.2°C
4. What significant weather event occurred in Dubai in April this year?
A. Severe heatwave
B. Prolonged drought
C. Heavy snowfall
D. Record-breaking rainfall
5. How many people were displaced by severe flooding in Guangdong province, southern China?
A. Over 100,000
B. Over 200,000
C. Over 300,000
D. Over 400,000
6. Which metaphor is used in the article to describe human complacency towards climate action?
A. The boiling pot
B. The boiling frog
C. The melting ice
D. The burning forest
VOCABULARY:
- Succumbed (verb) (جان بحق ہونا): Failed to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.
- Blistering (adjective) (شدید گرم): Extremely hot.
- Calamity (noun) (آفت): An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress.
- Phenomenon (noun) (واقعہ): A fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen.
- Unprecedented (adjective) (بے مثال): Never done or known before.
- Dire (adjective) (انتہائی برا): Extremely serious or urgent.
- Escalating (verb) (شدت اختیار کرنا): Increasing rapidly.
- Validation (noun) (تصدیق): The action of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something.
- Perilous (adjective) (خطرناک): Full of danger or risk.
- Intriguing (adjective) (دلچسپ): Arousing one’s curiosity or interest.
- Torrential (adjective) (موسلادھار): (of rain) falling rapidly and in copious quantities.
- Disruptions (noun) (خلل): Disturbances or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process.
- Anomalies (noun) (غیر معمولی چیز): Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
- Mitigate (verb) (کم کرنا): Make less severe, serious, or painful.
- Complacency (noun) (اطمینان): A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
- Catastrophic (adjective) (تباہ کن): Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
- Escalated (verb) (بڑھ گیا): Increased rapidly.
- Displacement (noun) (بے گھر ہونا): The moving of something from its place or position.
- Exacerbating (verb) (بڑھانا): Making a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
- Bleaching (verb) (سفید ہونا): The process of becoming white or pale, especially due to loss of pigmentation.
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dawn.com
‘Global boiling’
Masood Lohar
THIS year’s Haj turned tragic as over 1,300 pilgrims succumbed to soaring temperatures, which reached a blistering 51.8 degrees Celsius. This calamity marks a new chapter in the saga of extreme weather events gripping the planet, a phenomenon UN Secretary General António Guterres dubbed “global boiling”.
The deadly heatwave in Saudi Arabia is part of a broader trend of unprecedented heat affecting regions worldwide. Earlier this month, Pakistan and India faced similar extreme conditions. In Sindh, temperatures skyrocketed to over 52°C, with Mohenjodaro experiencing 52.2°C, nearly matching the country’s record high of 54°C.
Across the border, the situation is equally dire. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the country’s longest-ever heatwave. Over 100 deaths and 44,000 cases of heatstroke have been reported, with Delhi’s temperatures surpassing 44°C, severely affecting the quality of life and economic activities.
In July 2023, Secretary General Guterres introduced the term ‘global boiling’ to describe the escalating impacts of climate change, indicating that the planet was transitioning from ‘global warming’ to a more extreme and perilous state. Initially met with scepticism, this term has since gained alarming validation as unusual weather patterns, including extreme heatwaves and unprecedented rainfall, have been observed globally.
The term has gained alarming validation.
One of the most alarming aspects of climate change is its unpredictability. Events that defy historical patterns have become the new norm, catching communities off guard. This climate ping-pong of drought to flooding and extreme heat to cold is quite intriguing. For instance, only weeks ago near Makkah, where extreme heat has killed hundreds, there were unprecedented flash floods. Videos circulating on social media show powerful floods sweeping across the Fatma Wadi in Al Jumum Governorate. According to witnesses, for the first time in recorded history, the local wadi overflowed.
In April this year, Dubai experienced record-breaking rainfall, the heaviest in over 75 years. Social media and TV screens were flooded with images of luxury cars, including Rolls Royces, Porsches and Lamborghinis, floating through Dubai’s waterlogged streets.
The floods wreaked havoc, resulting in deaths in the UAE and Oman, where 10 children died when their school bus was swept away. Over 1,000 flights at Dubai’s airport, one of the world’s busiest, were cancelled, causing significant travel disruptions.
Such severe storms and heavy rainfalls in April also led to flooding and fatalities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan reported several deaths caused by heavy rains and snowfall.
Southern China faced severe flooding in Guangdong province, displacing over 100,000 people. Meanwhile, northern China battled prolonged droughts and heatwaves, highlighting the varied and devastating impacts of climate change across the country.
These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severely impacting human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. Extreme temperatures and changing precipitation patterns reduce crop yields, increasing the risk of droughts and floods, thereby disrupting food production and supply chains. Accelerated melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributes to rising sea levels, while thawing permafrost releases large quantities of greenhouse gases like methane, exacerbating global warming. Drastic changes in habitats lead to the extinction of species unable to adapt, with coral reefs facing widespread bleaching and die-offs due to temperature sensitivity.
The term ‘global boiling’ underscores the urgency and severity of the climate crisis. The unprecedented heatwaves, torrential rains, and their devastating impacts are a stark reminder of the need for immediate and robust climate action. As nations grapple with these extreme events, the global community must prioritise sustainable practices and policies to mitigate the escalating impacts of climate change and safeguard the planet for future generations.
The idea of ‘global boiling’ ironically aligns with the ‘boiling frog syndrome’. This metaphor illustrates the dangers of complacency and gradual change. Accor-ding to the story, if a frog is put in boiling water, it will try to save itself by quickly jumping out. However, if it is placed in cold water that is slowly warmed, it will not be able to see the danger and will die as the water heats up.
This metaphor aptly captures human complacency towards climate action. Nature, it seems, has escalated from ‘warming’ to ‘boiling’ to deliver a massive jolt from the climate cauldron.
The writer is an expert on climate change and sustainable development and founder of the Clifton Urban Forest.
X: masoodlohar
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2024