9. Solutions : “Mitigation & Adaptation”

 

 PREVENTION is better than CURE

A question is frequently put to us. Why should ExNoRa take these efforts, if Global Warming is certain and so serious? Well, we have three significant options in response to the mighty challenge of Global Warming.

The three Options , Elimination, Mitigation or Adaptation

1. Elimination of Global Warming: There are unfortunately very few who believe that “elimination of Global Warming is possible, as low as 0.1%, but we appreciate their hope.

2. Mitigation: These are those who have confidence that the impact of Global Warming can be made less intense and severe. According to the WikipediA, Mitigation of global warming involves taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to enhance sinks aimed at reducing the extent of global warming.

The takers for Mitigation as a viable option also come under a minority. In the 1990s, it was believed that Global Warming can be reversed. In the year 2000, it was believed that it can be arrested stopping its further increase. Now the belief of those belonging to the Mitigation category is that the growth of Global Warming particularly its pace of growth can be slowed down. But ExNoRa believes that Mitigation is possible, out of its rich experience and witnessing the people’s response on gaining the awareness. If ExNoRa’s ideas spread among the people and the majority of them are aware, then mitigation is indeed possible.

Then why is Mitigation becoming increasingly impossible? To arrest Global Warming as we need to do many things, which unfortunately we are not yet doing, though we can easily make a start without waiting any longer. We should also refrain from doing many activities which sadly we are carrying on mindless of its adverse impact, though we can avoid doing them. Both ways we are wrong.

3. Adaptation: Global Warming is certain and is already happening and will be very severe and the only option now available for people is ADAPTATION. It equips us to adjust to new conditions arising as a result of Global Warming. When the consequences of Global Warming are extreme, ADAPTATION means learning to stay alive and survive. WikipediA elaborates on this, Adaptation to global warming involves taking action to minimize the effects of global warming. Adaptation to global warming consists of initiatives and measures to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects. Vast majority subscribe to ADAPTATION as the only way to respond to Global Warming.

 

No doubt the responsibility lies on the entire population of the world. While Elimination of the adverse phenomena and its Mitigation have to be tackled globally, Adaptation is essentially an important local action as a response to Climate Change. To visualise what Adaptation is, think of the Tsunami which attacked many nations in close proximity to the Indian Ocean, on December 26 2004. People were caught unawares and the destruction to life and property was catastrophic. When an earthquake struck Indonesia, they could have taken necessary precautions, if only they had known Adaptation. They would have moved to safer places as they might have had sufficient time for that. It was then that the humanitarian spirit was evident as it rose in large numbers to extend its helping hand, and rehabilitation is still being continued for the last 4 years.

 

In Contrast to this, the situation in Japan, where the people face different kinds of attacks by Nature like volcanoes and earthquakes, the country is vulnerable to Tsunamis as well. Besides the manifestations of nature’s wrath such as these, Japan also suffered due to a very massive man made disaster, the explosion of Atom bombs during World War II.  Japan is a model country of Adaptation. The ‘never say die’ attitude and ‘never give up’ characteristics of Japanese are admirable and play a huge role in the successful adoption of Adaptation principles in Japan. Nevertheless, the level of awareness on knowing the dangers that are in the offing and the preparedness to face it / escape from it are also vital to survive them. ExNoRa has so far been remarkably successful in bringing about the much needed awareness.

 

Climate Change is resulting in catastrophic cyclones                                        

 

The experts assert that ADAPTATION is important by citing the Myanmar Cyclone; Nargis which took more than a lakh lives. Experts’ including Mr.Al Gore, attributes Global Warming as the cause for the deadliest Cyclone, Nargis.

 

Katrina, the costliest hurricane caused havoc and vast devastation in Southern Florida, Gulf of Bahamas, New Orleans, Louisiana and Mississippi and Cuba from 23^rd August to 29^th August 2005. Among the important factors thought to be the cause of it being so violent and volatile, was Sea Warming. Moreover, Katrina drove home the message of an urgent need for the world population to become aware of Adaptation. Even the most advanced nation, United States, found it quite challenging to face the stark reality of such a disaster as Katrina.

 

 

 

 

Besides the Cyclones, Adaptation assumes importance with regard to any Natural Calamity and Disaster. The deadliest and strongest Chinese Sichuan earthquake that took place at 14:28:01.42 on 12^th May 2008 lasted just a few seconds but took thousands of lives besides leaving several others injured and 11 million people homeless.

 

ADAPTATION is needed in three situations

 

Global Warming & Adaptation

1. Day to Day Life Adaptation (everyday preparedness and awareness)

2. Before a possible Disaster (Disaster Preparedness)                                                                     3. After a Disaster (Relief Operations)       

In many coastal towns, after a Tsunami, the sea water entering and inundating human settlements as well as suddenly receding and the sea withdrawing have become a routine. Either high or low tides have become the order of the day. The people of all human habitats prone to Nature’s fury like cyclones, earthquakes and landslides as well as coastal human settlements should prepare themselves with the help of Government and NGOs like ExNoRa and learn both disaster preparedness and adaptation. 

Seismic zoning maps reveal that many places get into high risk classification, from zone 2 to zone 3, from 3 to 4 and from 4 to 5 and the vulnerability to earthquake is increasing. 

 

Safety Awareness & Disaster Preparedness

Learn everything about SAFETY from www.safetyexnora.org

ExNoRa knows very well that the problem cannot be solved by ExNoRa alone. But what ExNoRa does is to create successful and replicable models to involve people in MITIGATION. The second and still more important is ADAPTATION .The causes may be GLOBAL, but the consequences are certainly going to be LOCAL. We should prepare people to learn ADAPTATION, which is the need of the hour. It is learning to face disasters and always be in a state of preparedness. Here ExNoRa’s role is becoming increasingly significant. That is why ExNoRa has an exclusive satellite organisation, Safety ExNoRa. Please do visit www.safetyexnora.org which informs you on all possible dangers within the four walls and outside your home as well as avoiding exposure to threats and the quintessential survival techniques. It is absolutely necessary that each learns from www.safetyexnora.org and spreads this crucial awareness amongst people involving your circle of family, friends, relatives, colleagues and neighbours at the most basic level. ExNoRa understood that disaster prevention did not rest in our hands alone and so we went a step further and created Disaster Preparedness ExNoRa.

Hence, whatever is the right option, whether it is elimination, mitigation or adaptation, there is now a never before and urgent need for humanity to come together, learn and act. The natural calamities around us prove that we cannot take things easy. Henceforth, whatever we do, we should keep in mind the common and menacing threat of Global Warming.

 

The Good & Bad News Set of Documents

 

1 The Bad News  ?

 Click : 1."The Bad News" -The Link

 

2 The Good News !

Click : 2."The Good News" -The Link  

 

3 What YOU can do ?

Click : 3. "What YOU can do ?"- The  Link

 

4 If you have no TIME

Click : 4."If you have no TIME" – The Link

 

5 Service Opportunities

Click : 5."Service Opportunities -The List"- The Link

 

6 Know Global Warming & All about it

Click : 6."Know Global Warming & All about it" -The Link

 

7 Experts Views

Click : 7."Experts Views"- The Link

 

8 VOLUNTEERISM the NEED of the HOUR
Click : 8. One Time to Whole Life Volunteerism

 

 9 How to face the Climate Change Challenge?
Click : 9.Solutions : Mitigation & Adaptation -The Link

 

10 Here is the MOTIVATION , to communicate it is possible !
Click: It is incredible ! We Can do it !! - The Link

 

 

We will together make it happen!!!

 

With Warm Regards & Best Wishes

 

M B Nirmal, Founder, ExNoRa International,

mbnirmal@gmail.com É098400 34900, 044 42193596

 

You are welcome to contact me and invite ExNoRa Representatives to address any meetings on Global Warming, its causes, consequences and solutions.  You too can become an ExNoRa Representative.

ExNoRa = Excellent, Novel & Radical