Developed nations can be held responsible for the hazard due to their indifference towards the environment. [break]
However, the ramifications are also inflicted upon the poor nations. On the other hand, these nations claim to have more serious economic problems such as poverty, unemployment and political instability which deter them from demonstrating their concern towards the environment.
However, as the environment is the common abode, its protection must be provided top priority and poor nations must set other problems aside and invest a plethora of amount and concern for the environment conservation.
Environmental crisis is one of the most devastating problems that the world is witnessing today. Greenhouse effect or global warming, climate change or environmental pollution, have ravaged the essence of the environment.
Climate change is expected to increase the severity of storms and extreme weather, including prolonged droughts and flooding, with an increase in infectious diseases.
Ozone depletion mostly impacts health with increment in cancer rate, cataracts and blindness. All of these will affect vulnerable low-income countries disproportionately. By 2020, up to 250 million Africans may be left short of water, while access to sufficient food is “projected to be severely compromised by climate variability and change.”
Impoverished nations such as Nepal have dire economic condition which has diverted the attention of concerned authorities towards ignoring the environment. Poverty, unemployment, unavailability of basic needs for a large number of populations is the pivotal issue for the poor nations in Asia and Africa.
In nations such as Ethiopia and Somalia, indispensable basic needs such as food and security are a farfetched dream for the citizens. In the scenario, environmental conservation remains as a distant dream.
Furthermore, their economic vulnerability has exposed these nations to environmental problems. Poor but developing nations aim to achieve development at the expense of the environment. Uncontrolled industrialization and urbanization proliferates the concentration of the malicious pollutants in the environment.
In Nepal, its leaders are indulging relentlessly in the power tussle, being totally indifferent towards the environment. Furthermore, political crises such as civil war and instability divert the attention of people from the environment.
How can poor nations show their concern with their environment? They can pressurize the developed nations against taking crucial actions. Furthermore, on account of their changing climatic conditions or environment, they must invest substantial amount of money for the preparation against the calamity.
Furthermore, they must introduce irrigation and water management technology, drought-resistant crops and new building techniques in order to combat the effects of climate change.
Because the global environment does not respect political borders, the impact of ecological damage wrought by one country can be felt across the world.
Impoverished nations will be affected the most by the devastating consequences. Although these nations have severe economic and political problems, they must be able to devote substantial attention to the environment as environment is our abode.
(Joshi is currently doing his A-Level in Chelsea International Academy in Kathmandu.)
Related story
COVID-19 has forced us to reimagine biodiversity conservation
