Letter To Editor | Rise in Temperatures

IT is evident since the start of spring that degrees in temperature have increased unprecedentedly. While a layman’s perspective of the situation might be,“it’s good how the harsh cold ended sooner this time”,people need to realise this rise in temperature isn’t the fix to their miseries but an addition to it. Climate change is a very grave issue, but it is unfortunate how people tend to ignore it and go about their daily lives with all their habits adding to it.

Three days ago on 27th of March 2022, Jammu recorded its highest temperature in 76 years at 37.3 degree celsius. Whilst the normal temperature in Gulmarg during the season would remain around 4 degree celsius, it has recorded a whooping 17 degree celsius in the past week, resulting in early melting of snow.

As commoners, the most we can do is try to contribute little by little to the tumultuous climate change. Small habits that we can incorporate into our daily lives include cycling or walking short distances instead of driving, avoiding usage of plastic bags and materials, using a dustbin to dispose of waste (especially non-biodegradable), as it should be and not dumping waste directly onto roads and into water bodies. Kashmiri women mostly, are frequently seen throwing waste on roads, lanes and bylanes, but it is neither civil nor sane of them to do so. We as a community must start gaining some civic sense and manners, and start taking a responsibility towards this planet we’re thriving on.  You and I can start by learning about climate change and contemplating small significant steps to help combat it, so we could be able to aid a greener world. We must realise how selflessly the earth gives its bounties to us, we may never be able to return the favour of mother earth, but we can at least try to not harm it.

Sarah Koul

[email protected]