Pics: Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 21: “Our planet is getting adversely affected by human activities. This time rainfall has been abnormal because of various reasons. Agricultural fields are severely affected by global warming. Multiple impacts of this warming are drought, heavy rain, storms, flooding and so on. Environment pollution is continuously increasing because of emission of fossil fuel, industries and other activities. That has been causing evaporation of sea water," said chief guest, Dr Raghu Murtugudde, senior earth scientist from the University of Maryland, USA at an academic talk on 'Climate Change, Sustainability and the Global Scenario', organized by Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences at Sir M Vishveshvaraya Hall of Manipal Institute of Technology here on Friday September 20.
Making his presentation at the seminar, Dr Raghu further explained, “With the passage of each decade, global temperature has been increasing at a gradually ascending rate. Environment (nature) is a shared resource, and we must understand that no one owns it. Human mind is intelligent but complicated. There has been a perception that climate change is a future problem and it can be easily reversed.
“Global peace is just a dream. One action cannot solve all the problems,” he added.
“Politicians do not solve problems but they deal with the problems,” Dr Raghu observed.
“Population is one of factors contributing to climate change. Education is the best contraceptive for women today, as proved by the fact that Indian population growth has been coming down. Taking an example that a lady with two children wants to give good life to them, which causes emission. We need to have positive vision and our destination has to be clear in our minds about tackling climate change,” he said.
Concluding his address, Dr Raghu said, "Let us think of safe environment when making money. Let us adopt 'Go Green' initiative for our own better future. Today's Prime Minister is really a positive believer, and he has been implementing many plans for a better future. People no doubt have to think what kind of risk that will come and how to deal with it, but creating a better future is very much important.”
Prof Varadesh Hiregange director, Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences, MAHE, department faculties, and students were present.
About Dr Raghu Murtugudde
Dr Raghu Murtugudde, senior earth scientist at University of Maryland, USA, happens to be a professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and Earth System Science at the University of Maryland. He is trained as an Engineer from IITB and Columbia University but has been working on numerical modelling of the Earth System. He is interested in the human actions and reactions in the context of climate variability and change.