Dr Asangba Tzudir
Issues related to climate change have been a much discussed topic at the global level especially in the context of its impact on the global world. This is also in the context of how the world feels the impact of climatic changes today. However, the issue of climate change seems to be getting normalized in spite of the real impact that is being felt.
11,000 scientists from 153 countries having declared a climate emergency way back in the year 2019 are indications of very troubling trends especially for livelihood. And what makes this climatic emergency more worrying is the fact that the progress made by humanity to address climate change is not enough to coup with the climatic change and its impact.
Indicators are such that, there has been an unprecedented surge in climate related disasters. The world has witnessed devastating floods; record shattering heat waves; earthquakes; extraordinary hurricanes and devastating cyclones; droughts etc. These are clear indications that we are nearing or have already crossed tipping points associated with critical parts of the Earth’s system. Given these alarming developments, the world needs to be constantly informed about this climate emergency.
As such, there is an urgent need for envisioning and adapting to the emerging demands of the climatic situation. Some of the important concerns being the issues of food and security; reduction in forest cover; growing energy use and depletion of natural resources; climate economics especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic; greenhouse gases and temperature; rapid melting of ice; changes in the ocean waves.
India’s unique geo-climatic position has only added to the various disastrous events of geological, oceanic and climatic. And any climatic changes trigger such disastrous events. While India may have a seasonal and regional classification of climate – winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season, its geo-climatic position adds to the variations in climate and climatic conditions and which disrupts the Indian agricultural cycle.
Nagaland too, has witnessed unprecedented effects of climatic changes. Ground water reserves drying up; colder places that once experienced dew or frost during winters are now experiencing heavy snowfall, and the agricultural cycle has also changed. It has created much confusion among the farmers besides the impact on the agricultural production.
While Nagaland has so far been spared of severely damaging disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic situation seems to have taught a lesson on food security. The pandemic which had a cascading impact on pricing mainly on essential commodities seems to have taught the need to maintain ‘at least’ a kitchen garden, besides the health concerns and the benefits of ‘organic’ home grown vegetables.
On the whole, there is an urgent need for revamping the agricultural sector. More in-depth research needs to be done regularly keeping in view the erratic climatic changes and its impact. Crop infestation is also another serious concern. There have been many instances of farmers being unable to protect their crops for lack of proper knowledge. So, educating the masses by providing proper information and knowledge through various platforms will go a long way in augmenting the agricultural sector. Besides, there are various innovative ways in which farmers should to be encouraged.
While we should be wary about the various natural and man-made disasters, and thereby prepare for management of disasters, a serious concern is the growing issues of food security.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
