Today, as we mark the 38th World Earth Day, in the light of the recent breaking of an ice shelf in the Antarctic region, the warning signals are clear: time is running out. The high pollution levels, the depletion of the ozone layer, and excessive global warming are no longer just predictions but are fast becoming a reality. The changes can be seen around us. According to reports, the number of hurricanes have almost doubled in the last 30 years. Heat waves are becoming extreme and frequent. The melting of ice caps is taking place rapidly, resulting in negative effects on the aquatic life in these regions. Says environmentalist Abhay Joshi, "We have just 10 years to avert a major crisis. The number of hurricanes too have almost doubled in the last 30 years. Species of animals and birds are facing extinction. India is witnessing extreme temperatures, which has never been observed before. Last winter, a warm city like Mumbai recorded a low of 8.5 degrees celsius, which is astonishing. Awareness needs to be created amongst people, specially youngsters so that timely action can be taken." Picture this. One day you wake up and see your home submerged in water. As you run out, you see the shocked faces of everyone in your neighbourhood bewildered at this unexpected event. The Earth no longer has its polar caps, and earthquakes and tsunamis occur more regularly. Everything around you seems irreversible, much as you would like to change it. This is not a scene from a science fiction movie. It could be, according to scientists and environmentalists, the future of our planet, if we do not take steps to avoid such a catastrophic event from taking place. At a discussion on Global Warming held in the capital recently, the father of green revolution, M.S Swaminathan said, "Climate change is the biggest threat that the world is facing. Habitats are being destroyed. Also, the irregulari ties in the monsoons are a cause of concern. Due to extreme rainfall, agriculture would be hit worldwide and lead to an acute food shortage. Climate literacy must be made mandatory in the education system, so as to make individuals more sensitive and responsible towards this cause." The award-winning documentary by Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, also depicts the seriousness of climate change. Exploring the possibility of a collapse in the ice sheets in the polar regions, the film sheds light on the impact and crisis that such a catastrophe would bring. The rapid deforestation would result in harming the ecosystem, which in turn would lead to extinction of many species. With increasing urbanisation, the emission of gases would increase, and result in the trapping of solar radiation in the atmosphere. This would eventually lead to a massive rise in temperature and cause extreme climate change. Health problems and diseases too are bound to be prevalent. According to scientists, today. cases of malaria can be found in high altitude areas too, which is disturbing. Clearly, the consequences of global warming are severe, and it is up to us to stop this process. Says social activist Nafisa Ali, "Let everyday be a world earth day. We need to create awareness, for which the media must play its part. Tree planting must be made compulsory for all. Alternative sources of energy must be used, and all electric appliances must be switched off when not in use to save electricity. Recycled paper must be used, and plastics should be replaced by cloth or paper. World Earth Day would be meaningful only when everyone takes up the responsibili ty and does his bit to protect the planet. Only then can we do some thing for our home." 38TH WORLD EARTH DAY HOW TO SAVE THE EARTH Plant a tree. Each tree ? absorbs over a tonne of carbon-dioxide in its lifetime. Use paper or cloth ? bags. Plastics are nondegradable and haz ardous. Regularly ? clean the air filters of your AC Use recy? cled goods: Recycling is environment-friendly and saves a lot of energy. Minimise your con? sumption of electricity and power. Don't support products ? which involve cutting of trees.