15 Aug
CLIMATE change has brought numerous forms of natural disasters upon all the countries of the world. Both the citizens and governments of these nations are suffering losses in innocent lives and from an economic standpoint. Unfortunately, now that these natural disasters are becoming more commonplace, the human race would not fare well if they occur every year. The entire world must unite to find sustainable solutions to reduce and prevent them.
Recent natural disasters in Myanmar have occurred in the form of heavy rains, floods and landslides from the resulting soil erosion. The situation is dire with casualties and deaths reaching high numbers albeit humanitarian aid coming in from all corners of the nation.
But the heavy rains have now dwindled and a lack of rain can be equally disastrous. One need only look at drought-stricken areas during the rainy season to see the state of seriousness.
Weather experts have forecasted that the monsoon will be late to enter Myanmar this year and leave earlier still. There is no reason for the rainfall to exceed annual levels but climate change can cause flash floods or droughts. We must be prepared for either scenario just in case.
With recent events transpiring, we may be led to believe that this rainy season has seen a vast amount of downpour but the truth is our dams don’t have enough rainwater and are in fact receiving less than what they did the same time in the previous year.
If the monsoon were to truly leave early then it would cause complications for agriculture and drinking water. Heavy rains have impacted some areas of Myanmar but there are also regions with little or next to no rainfall at all.
Hence, we must begin rationing the drinking water and irrigation water we currently have in anticipation of the possible drought. Authorities should help plan for regions receiving sufficient water for proper storage and have them possibly share it with areas that might not have any rain. They should address this problem by educating and collaborating with local residents and farmers.
Now, more than ever, is the time for the entire world to stand together to reverse climate change before it becomes irreversible. And the main contribution we must all focus on is reforesting the lost acres of trees cut down over the years. They are the missing link between environmental conservation and soil preservation, to regulating the weather at bearable degrees.
We must enact a plan to replant trees every year and save our earth and all living things on it, including ourselves and our future generations.
We would do well to embed the disastrous effects of climate change we are facing now as lessons learnt in our hearts. There needs to be adequate prior planning and safety measures in place to prevent unnecessary loss of lives and homes to natural disasters. It should be a national responsibility for every citizen to be aware of the symbiotic relationship between the forests and the natural environment and everyone’s duty to preserve them.
