Rising global temperatures have resulted in an increased frequency of wildfires, droughts, and unprecedented rainfall. Bushfires destroyed 18.6 million hectares of land and killed or displaced 3 billion animals, in Australia from 2019 to 2020. As warmer air traps moisture, wildfires and droughts have become more common. 2021 has seen the worst wildfires in recorded history, with almost every continent affected. The Journal of Hydrology projects that, by the end of the 21st century, India will face more intense droughts. The consequences of this include famine and the creation of environmental refugees.
Whilst trapped moisture creates drier conditions in some parts of the world, it results in greater precipitation in other parts. More than 200 people have died in Europe as a result of extreme rainfall since July of this year. Increased rainfall has also resulted in the emergence of locust swarms. After Cyclone Mekunu in 2018, a locust infestation began which has since spread from the Arabian Peninsula to East Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Climate change manifests itself in different ways, from rainfall, locusts, and droughts, but the result is always human suffering.
However, we still have the opportunity to slow down and reverse climate change. Go Green is our campaign towards this. Guided by the eight principles of Dharma, we are committed to creating social change that benefits all. Protecting the environment and campaigning for more sustainable ways of living connects directly with Go Dharmic’s vision. Go Green advocates for the consumption of organic produce and plant-based diets, a decreased reliance on fossil fuels, the reduction of energy usage, and an increase of renewable energy. At the same time, we at Go Dharmic have pledged to plant around 1 million trees in order to combat rapid deforestation. Our action-based solutions directly tackle the causes of climate change and it is our hope that through our Go Green campaign we can enable people to live happy, healthier, and environmentally conscious lives.
