Oct 29 2014 : The Economic Times (Delhi)
Prevention is the key
NAMRATA KOHLI
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FAST FACTSKnowledge and awareness about an impending climate danger help one equip oneself with sufficient aids to combat the threat.
Weather forecasting is the attempt by meteorologists to predict the state of the atmosphere at some future time and the weather conditions that may be expected
Weather forecasting is the attempt by meteorologists to predict the state of the atmosphere at some future time and the weather conditions that may be expected
Scorching summers, bone-chilling winters and deluges that resemble cloudbursts are signs that all is not well with climatic conditions.Climate change is the single biggest environmental and humanitarian crisis of our time.The question arises how do we address this? There are a few personal lifestyle changes that one can make to mitigate the risk and certain initiatives can be taken up at the level of community as well. Things that each of us must do to manage and mitigate the environmental risks and challenges.
Like they say, forewarned is forearmed.Weather forecasting is one way to anticipate emergencies and provide protection for human life and buildings.While global warming is leading to frequent weather extremes such as drought, flooding, hurricanes and tsunamis, one way to reduce the risks of people and structures is by weather forecasting. Improved weather tracking would contain the risk to a great extent.
In this regard, technological intervention in the name of weather radar systems will be pertinent. This is basically a surveillance system that allows one to detect weather threat with greater precision. It can be used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, and estimate its form such as rain, snow, hail, etc.
Apart from this, as far as possible we must make an effort to progressively reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and employ alternatives such as biodiesel, wind power, etc.
One way to dramatically curtail transportation fuel needs is to move closer to work, use mass transit, or switch to walking, cycling or some other mode of transport that does not require anything other than human energy.There is also the option of working from home and telecommuting several days a week.
Swapping old gadgets with more efficient ones would save billions of kilowatt-hours. Purchasing energyefficient gadgets and gizmos is an important way to save both energy and money. Think green when making purchases and go for efficient refrigerators, air conditioners and other appliances. Look for products that will last the longest and have the least impact on the environment. Knowledge and awareness about an impending climate danger help one equip oneself with sufficient aids to combat the threat. Weather forecasting is the attempt by meteorologists to predict the state of the atmosphere at some future time and the weather conditions that may be expected.Accurate weather forecasts can tell a farmer the best time to plant; an airport control tower what information to send to planes that are landing and taking off; and residents of a coastal region when a hurricane might strike.
Should there be an impending crisis then one needs to be well prepared with disaster management or mitigation techniques. This implies using community resources to fight the effects of an event until the situation can be stabilized. Through disaster management, we cannot completely counteract the damage but it is possible to minimize the risks through early warning, provide developmental plans for recuperation from the disaster, generate communication and medical resources, and aid in rehabilitation and post-disaster reconstruction. The 72 hours following a major event is the most difficult time because of a lack of coordination among relief organizations.Problems that interrupt rather than coordinate the rescue efforts of all groups involved often occur because of hasty decision making under complicated circumstances and the large number of organizations, which are unsure of their roles.
Like they say, forewarned is forearmed.Weather forecasting is one way to anticipate emergencies and provide protection for human life and buildings.While global warming is leading to frequent weather extremes such as drought, flooding, hurricanes and tsunamis, one way to reduce the risks of people and structures is by weather forecasting. Improved weather tracking would contain the risk to a great extent.
In this regard, technological intervention in the name of weather radar systems will be pertinent. This is basically a surveillance system that allows one to detect weather threat with greater precision. It can be used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, and estimate its form such as rain, snow, hail, etc.
Apart from this, as far as possible we must make an effort to progressively reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and employ alternatives such as biodiesel, wind power, etc.
One way to dramatically curtail transportation fuel needs is to move closer to work, use mass transit, or switch to walking, cycling or some other mode of transport that does not require anything other than human energy.There is also the option of working from home and telecommuting several days a week.
Swapping old gadgets with more efficient ones would save billions of kilowatt-hours. Purchasing energyefficient gadgets and gizmos is an important way to save both energy and money. Think green when making purchases and go for efficient refrigerators, air conditioners and other appliances. Look for products that will last the longest and have the least impact on the environment. Knowledge and awareness about an impending climate danger help one equip oneself with sufficient aids to combat the threat. Weather forecasting is the attempt by meteorologists to predict the state of the atmosphere at some future time and the weather conditions that may be expected.Accurate weather forecasts can tell a farmer the best time to plant; an airport control tower what information to send to planes that are landing and taking off; and residents of a coastal region when a hurricane might strike.
Should there be an impending crisis then one needs to be well prepared with disaster management or mitigation techniques. This implies using community resources to fight the effects of an event until the situation can be stabilized. Through disaster management, we cannot completely counteract the damage but it is possible to minimize the risks through early warning, provide developmental plans for recuperation from the disaster, generate communication and medical resources, and aid in rehabilitation and post-disaster reconstruction. The 72 hours following a major event is the most difficult time because of a lack of coordination among relief organizations.Problems that interrupt rather than coordinate the rescue efforts of all groups involved often occur because of hasty decision making under complicated circumstances and the large number of organizations, which are unsure of their roles.
