Forests, which are essential carbon sinks and wildlife habitats, play a crucial role in combating climate change. Strengthening tiger conservation programs is vital to protect their ecosystems, benefiting both tigers and humans, writes BK SINGH on the eve of International Tiger Day
Scientific studies have consistently brought out that the planet Earth is warming at a faster pace than ever before. The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of the consequences of frequent and destructive climatic catastrophes if the global rise in temperature is not contained within 1.5 degrees Celsius concerning pre-industrial (1850–1900 levels). Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) dealing with the European Union’s ‘earth observation program’ launched in January 2023, has recently taken stock of the project and found that June 2024 marks the 13th month of global temperature at 1.50 C above pre industrial levels. The monthly average surface air temperature from June 2023 to June 2024 was 16.660C and was .760C higher than the average for 1991-2020 and 1.640C above pre industrial 1850-1900 levels. So far 2023 has been the warmest year on record, but 2024 is on course to break this.