Suppose there was a situation where your house was on fire; you’d expect the neighbours to gather with buckets filled with water. You’d think your kin would be desperately screaming for help and running for the exits. You’d also expect the news to be on it 24/7. However, this is just a hypothetical situation, right? No. The house, which we all live in—the Earth—is indeed on fire! Literally!
The fact is that earth is getting warmer than ever. Wildfires are getting more common and intense, glaciers are melting, and sea levels are rising. Yet, there is no panic, no noise, and no mainstream news coverage on it.
Global Warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface, primarily due to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. These gases trap the heat in the atmosphere, not letting them escape into space. The temperature of the globe has increased by nearly 1.2 degrees celcius because of activities like deforestation, fossil fuel burning and pollution to name a few.
The effects of global warming are already visible and a report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that the temperatures could rise by 1.5 degrees celcius within the next two decades. Polar ice caps and glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates yet people around the world are facing shrinking water supplies. Sea levels are rising near coastal cities yet some places ever get rainfall in the same states. Frequent hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts are causing tremendous havoc on human settlements and ecosystems around the world. Climate refugees are becoming a concern in many parts of the world as regions are becoming less hospitable. Despite all this, people are still not panicking. This can be due to the fact that generally humans do not respond to threats that are not immediate. Climate change generally unfolds slowly over many years, making it harder to feel threatened by it. “Climate Fatigue” has also been seen recently which means when people hear warnings about climate change so much that they simply get bored of them and eventually ignore them.
The perception of the people is also shaped by the realities of the political and economical world. Mixed messaging from the politicians and media outlets have muddled the understanding of public and their response. While some politicians do acknowledge climate change, some simply reject the crisis. The influence of business giants specifically from the fossil fuel industry often lobby against climate regulations and even go to the extent of funding misinformation about global warming and climate crisis.
Big companies often care more about making money now than thinking about what kind of planet we’ll have in the future. Oil companies have spent years trying to confuse people about climate change, paying for ads and reports that make it seem less serious than it really is. “They’ve even paid scientists and lobbyists to say things that downplay the damage, just to avoid changing their business model. It’s the same trick the cigarette companies used years ago when they said smoking wasn’t harmful—just delay the truth as long as you can.
Governments are sometimes complicit as well. Even though scientists all over the world agree on the problem, countries still haven’t really come together to fight it properly. Agreements like the Paris Climate Accord set important goals, but follow-through is, unfortunately, very inconsistent. Some governments still spend public money helping oil and gas companies, even while claiming they support clean energy. It’s a stark example of how politics often falls short in the face of global challenges.
But there is still hope. Around the world, a growing movement of young climate activists is refusing to remain silent. Figures like Greta Thunberg have become global icons and countless lesser-known individuals and organizations are working tirelessly to raise awareness and demand action. These voices are pressuring leaders to be more accountable and transparent. Thankfully, we’re not out of options. In many places, solar panels and wind power are actually cheaper than coal or gas now.
Electric cars are getting easier to afford, and scientists are coming up with new ways to pull carbon out of the air and slow things down. Practices like smart agriculture, reforestation and sustainable urban planning can also reduce emissions and help communities adapt to a changing climate.
However, these solutions require investment and public support. Individuals can play a part by reducing their carbon footprints—through energy conservation, reducing meat consumption, choosing public transportation and supporting sustainable brands. When lots of people start buying eco-friendly products or avoiding polluting companies, it forces businesses to change how they work. Education is another powerful tool. Climate change education in schools can empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills to tackle global warming and other environmental challenges. Similarly, clear and consistent messaging from trusted media outlets can help demystify climate science and counter misinformation.
It’s also important to center climate justice in this conversation. Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing the least to the problem. These communities need resources, representation and resilience planning to cope with the worsening effects of global warming. Ultimately, we are running out of time. Scientists say we’re dangerously close to points of no return—like frozen ground melting and releasing huge amounts of methane, which would make everything worse really fast. If we continue with business as usual, future generations will inherit a planet plagued by chaos, displacement, and scarcity.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. We still have the tools, the knowledge, and the agency to change course. What we lack is urgency in regards to action. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a present reality. And unless we act now—with courage, cooperation and compassion—our burning house may soon become permanently uninhabitable.
The writer is a student at the University of Kashmir
