TODAY, the world is more prone to extreme natural hazards. No one is ever really prepared or safe when Mother Nature releases her wrath. Even the most resilient nations bow down whenever she strikes.
Another deadly earthquake shook Nepal on Tuesday, May 12. At least 70 people are reported dead following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit eastern Nepal, near Mount Everest.
It wasn’t too long ago when a cataclysmic 7.8 magnitude quake struck Nepal on April 25. The mammoth quake crashed buildings, flattened houses and claimed the lives of at least 6,000 people. Those who survived, and are distraught, are left reeling from the literally earthshaking tragedy.
Like Nepal, the Philippines is no stranger to killer earthquakes. The country sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc that stretches along the basin of the Pacific Ocean. It is home to 75 percent of the world’s volcanoes and accounted for 90 percent of recorded earthquakes. Filipinos are very familiar with various havocs caused by the environment. Each direct hit amounts to millions worth of damages and thousands of families displaced.
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila is among several cities in Asia that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
ADB Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Unit head Preety Bhandari also that “inland cities in the region can suffer sudden devastation from extreme weather phenomena like typhoons. Rising temperatures and other extreme weather changes can also damage crops and livelihoods.” ADM also encouraged current leaders to make sure existing and future infrastructure can cope with increasingly frequent disasters.
People must understand how the world’s current practices are exhausting many of the planet’s limits—leading to risks of damaging the ecosystem that is beyond repair.
About 75 percent of disasters are caused by or related to weather. The world has reached a critical stage in its efforts to exercise responsible environmental stewardship. Despite intentions and some admirable actions done by notable organizations, unsustainable use of the world’s natural resources has left the degradation of the global environment unabated.
Environmental degradation, urban development and population growth, combined with the impacts of natural calamities have increased the risks. Environmental problems caused by impacts of human activities on resources is a phenomenon commonly known as climate change. As time goes by, the planet becomes more vulnerable. Its ability to ward off wastes and destructive effluent is growing thin.
Disasters are difficult to predict, let alone, averted. The catastrophic tragedy in Nepal is a wake-up call reminds everyone that being prepared at all times improves chances of getting out from disasters alive. It emphasizes all nations to do their part in making the planet a safer place.
We are not oblivious to the advent of climate change. While we can’t undo the damages done, we are still capable of decelerating the rate of the effects of climate change and produce a desirable future for the planet altogether. Everyone is simply responsible.
(AJPress)
