KARACHI:
The jet stream, a high-altitude, fast-moving current of air, plays a crucial role in regulating weather patterns across the globe. Due to the rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily caused by human activities, the jet stream is undergoing significant changes. These disruptions are leading to a range of negative consequences, including extreme weather events, prolonged heat waves, and changing rainfall patterns.
The polar vortex is a large-scale low-pressure system that circulates the Earth’s poles, manipulating weather patterns in the mid-latitudes. As the jet stream weakens and becomes unreliable, it allows the polar vortex to dip further southward, bringing frigid air masses to regions that typically experience slighter climates. This phenomenon has resulted in severe winter storms and deep freezes in areas unfamiliar with such harsh conditions, leading to disruptions in transportation, infrastructure damage, and increased energy demands. Conversely, the altered jet stream also contributes to heatwaves and droughts in other regions. The slow development of weather systems caused by a weakened jet stream can result in extended periods of sweltering temperatures and threaten ecosystems and human health. Changing rainfall patterns due to jet stream disruption has severe consequences for agriculture, water availability, and biodiversity.
Addressing jet stream disruption and its implications for global warming requires both local and international efforts. We must prioritise a rapid transition to clean and renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary driver of these changes. Governments, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play in embracing sustainable practices, promoting energy efficiency, and investing in research and development of green technologies. By nurturing a collective understanding of the issue, we can encourage individuals to make informed choices in their daily lives, support policies that prioritise environmental sustainability, and engage in climate activism.
Tehreem Siddique
Rawalpindi
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2023.
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