Clean tech key to sustainable future

April 22 was instituted as Earth Day in 1970 to draw the attention towards the enormous challenges that our blue planet faces. More than four decades on, as we celebrate its 47th anniversary, climate change is still the defining issue of the day. Yes, we have made some progress through the Paris agreement but more needs to be done, and soon. A combination of climate change, fast erosion of biodiversity, rising sea levels, depleting natural resources is propelling the planet toward a point of no return. Arguably, human behaviour and activities are the main drivers of the altering face of earth. We have been pushing natural limits all this while, and the results are for us to see. In 2016, several cities across the world recorded their highest ever temperature readings. Summer across the world is expected to be unforgiving this year, too. On April 20, the maximum temperature recorded was in the southern hemisphere in Le Mafa in Samoa, which is in the middle of Pacific Ocean. It touched 54.5 degree Celsius as per data on El Dorado Weather.

In Canada, a warming climate has melted Kaskawulsh Glacier so much that its “retreat” has changed the course of a nearby river. It is the first modern river piracy discovered by scientists. The bitter truth is that human behaviour and activities are the main drivers of this change. Carbon dioxide emissions are still markedly high, leading to rising mercury levels. World leaders and governments must promote innovation in clean technologies and ensure universal access to existing technological solutions. While we try our best to achieve success on other pertinent objectives such as sustainable development and poverty reduction, it would be hard to move the needle unless issues related to climate change are addressed. In the midst of all this, sadly the poorest and most vulnerable will be hit the hardest. We must remember that the costs of inaction are high. However, with concerted efforts we can develop smart solutions that can heal our earth and also allow nations to develop.