By Aeranshi Jain (Winner)
"The Earth is what we all have in common."
Have you ever taken the Jme to consider why your summers seem warmer, or why headlines speak of wildfires, floods, and melting ice? They’re not just random occurrences- they’re harbingers of a planet under stress. Our climate and environment are linked in a fine balance. When that balance is disrupted, everyone loses-plants, animals, and humans.
In this article, we will go deeper: what is climate change, why is it happening, how it is impacting us, who are the people attemping to repair it, and how you can assist.
Knowing the Environment: Our Home and Protector
Let’s define what the environment is. The environment refers to everything around us: the air, water, soil, plants, animals, and even the climate. A stable environment provides us with:
Clean air to breathe
Clean water to drink
Food to eat
A place to live where life can thrive
But when we pollute, deforest, or overuse the planet’s resources, the environment is weakened and so are we.
As the United Nations has it, human activities have driven the climate system “far outside the range of natural variability” over the past centuries.
United Nations
What Is Climate Change, why is Climate change?
It involves long-term changes in weather and temperature over decades or centuries. When
we discuss climate change today, we’re primarily discussing global warming-the progressive warming of the planet as a result of human-induced: greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse effect (simplified)
Imagine greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) like a blanket
wrapped around the Earth. These admit sunlight but insulate some of the heat that might
otherwise radiate into space. This natural blanket effect is even beneficial to keeping life-
conducive temperatures-but the added extra greenhouse gases make the blanket thicker,
retaining more heat.
The primary sources of these added gases are:
Release of fossil fuel carbon (coal, oil, natural gas) when burned for electricity generation, transportation, and industry
Deforestation (forest clearing diminishes the Earth’s capacity to capture CO₂)
Agriculture, livestock, and waste disposal
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says the Earth’s surface temperature
has already increased around 1.1 °C above pre-industrial temperatures (1850–1900 base
period).
The Times of India
In most future scenarios, temperatures will conJnue to rise, possibly even reaching 3 °C or
higher by 2100 if emissions do not decline significantly
The Evidence Is Clear: These Changes Are Happening Now
The world’s scientists agree: climate change is not a future risk-it’s happening now. Let’s
examine some evidence and impacts.
1. Melting Ice and Rising Seas
The mass of glaciers worldwide has decreased significantly; they are melting faster now than in previous decades.
Even if emissions fall, sea levels are projected to rise up to 0.7 meters (about 70 cm) by the end of the 21st century.
Rising seas threaten coastal communities, erode shores, saltwater intrusion, and could displace millions.
2. Extreme Weather: More Frequent and Severe
Heatwaves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and storms are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Floods and storms have displaced more than 20 million people annually since 2008.
The IPCC further cauJons that for every addiJonal 0.1 °C of warming, the risk of these events increases.
3. Harm to Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Coral reefs are bleaching and perishing.
Many are relocating to cooler regions, or to extinction if they are not able to.
In certain high-emission cases, one-third of all species would be imperiled.
4. Human Impacts-Health, Economy, and Livelihoods
Water insecurity afflicts a median half of the global populaJon for at least a month annually.
Crop yields are declining in most vulnerable areas.
Disease is more easily transmiUed (heat-related illnesses, vector-borne illnesses, etc.).
In India, the issue is mounting: fatalities due to extreme weather incidents escalated by
269% during the last 25 years, from 834 (in 2001–02) to 3,080 in 2024–25.
The Times of India
"The increasing number of disasters prove that climate change is not something that's far away-it's already impacting lives."
Who's The Fighting This Battle? Key Organisations & Agreements
Climate change is an international issue, so solutions to it have to be international as well.
Governments, scientists, campaigners, and institutions at every level are striving to find solutions.
Key Global Agreements & Organisations
UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change): This 1992 treaty is the basis for international action against climate change
Kyoto Protocol & Paris Agreement: These are UNFCCC protocols and agreements. The Paris Agreement (2015) seeks to cap warming at “well below 2 °C,” and ideally 1.5 °C.
United Nations:
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): A scientific organisation that evaluates climate science and provides reports to governments.
Wikipedia:
UN agencies: such as UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), WMO (World Meteorological Organisation), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation). They consolidate a lot of activities on environment, climate, food security, disaster risk, etc.
Non-governmental Organisations & Networks
Climate Action Network (CAN): More than 1,300 NGOs in over 130 countries acting on climate change.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and Greenpeace: Both vigorously campaign for climate solutions, conservation, and policy reform.
Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN): A youth-based NGO in India working with students and youth on climate action and advocacy.
Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA): An African network advocating for climate justice and sustainable development.
These groups pressure governments, increase awareness, organize campaigns, and aid
communities impacted by climate change.
What You Can Do?
You may be thinking, “I’m only a student—what can I do?” But any actions, repeated by millions, have a definite impact.
Here’s what you can do to make a difference:
1. Change Your Habits
Conserve energy: switch off light, fan, and appliances when not required.
Use eco-friendly transport: walk, cycle, take public transport, carpool.
Reduce, reuse, recycle: in particular, plastics and single-use items.
Plant trees: trees take up CO₂ and cool local weather.
Eat wisely: minimise food wastage. Cutng down on meat sometimes also does the trick (livestock emit greenhouse gases).
2. Learn & Share
Read climate change, news, and current affairs.
Discuss with your friends and family—pass on what you learn.
Use social media or your school to raise awareness.
3. Join or Support Local Efforts
Join school/environment clubs or clean-up campaigns.
Volunteer with NGOs or tree-planting campaigns.
Write to local politicians, city councils, or school administrators to urge changes (more parks,
improved waste management).
4. Think Globally Vote for policies and politicians that favor the environment.
Influence local government to embrace green policies (wind and solar power, public
transport, reducing waste).
“I refuse to accept that the mere act of breathing is a crime against nature.” – interview quote by a climate activist
Risks, Challenges & What Lies Ahead
Even as we endeavour to change, there are critical obstacles and dangers we need to face.
The 1.5 °C Barrier
Numerous scientists now alert us that it is already extremely challenging, and perhaps no longer achievable, to keep global warming below 1.5 °C.
Even surpassing it increases stakes: more extreme weather, higher sea levels, and effects less
reversible.
Climate Finance & Equity
Poorer nations tend to feel the brunt of climate change despite being the lowest emittiers.
They require assistance-institutional, technological, and financial—to adapt. But funds pledged are delayed or inadequate.
Resistance & Fossil Fuel Dependency
Most economies continue to depend on fossil fuels. Strong industries and political opposition hinder progress. There is also the dilemma of just transition-ensuring individuals who lose employment (in coal mining, for instance) are helped to move on to new work.
Tipping Points & Irreversible Changes
Scientists are concerned about tipping points-like ice sheet melting, ecosystem collapse, or carbon release from storage-that trigger self-amplifying warming. Some effects (loss of
coral reefs, extinction of species) are irreversible.
A Powerful Conclusion:
“You Are Part of the Solution”
We exist in an era where our decisions count more than ever. The climate crisis is not simply about carbon, gases, or thawing ice—it’s about individuals, aspirations, fairness, and generations yet to come.
The planet doesn’t require saviours but individuals with compassion.
You, at your stage of life, have agency: to educate yourself, to inquire, to insist, to take action.
If you plant a tree today, educate your friends, convince your community, or eliminate plastic pollution, you are doing something tangible.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
We might not achieve an ideal world. We might still cross difficult lines. But every good action builds hope, alters attitudes, and decelerates harm.
So rise up. Speak up. Act up. Be a defender of your planet. Because your generation will inherit what we leave them-and you’re worth inheriting a world.
