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| - Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A Social media post claims that Ganga Aarti can eradicate global warming. Our fact check reveals it is taken out of context and is False. It can be categorised as Satire.
The Claim
As per a post on X says that Ganga Aarti can eradicate global warming. The social media user used the hashtag of PollHumor.
Fact Check
Background
On May 14, 2024, during an interview in his constituency, Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi talked about various topics. Here is a link of the interview:
After this interview, the social media was full of satirical and humour posts related to the points discussed by the PM. Following are some of the examples of these posts:
During the interview, as per the video, PM Modi suggested that Indians’ love for nature and their conservationist mindset are vital. While advocating for nature worship as a solution to global warming, he does not specifically claim that Ganga Aarti alone can solve climate change or global warming. Here is our fact check about the claim whether ganga arti can address global warming or not.
What is Global Warming and climate change?
Global warming happens when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants collect in the atmosphere, trapping heat that would normally escape into space. These pollutants, including CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic gases, cause the planet to heat up, a process known as the greenhouse effect.
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the Earth’s climate patterns over a prolonged period. These changes are mainly due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, urbanisation and industrial processes. These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and lead to various environmental impacts. The effects can include rising temperatures, more frequent and severe weather events, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.
What is Ganga Aarti and what is its religious significance?
Ganga Aarti is an important Hindu ritual performed at the banks of the sacred river Ganges (Ganga). It is usually carried out at sunrise and/or sunset. During the Aarti, priests conduct worship ceremonies, light oil lamps, chant hymns, and offer prayers to the river goddess Ganga. Devotees gather along the riverbanks, taking part in the ceremony by offering flowers, lighting incense, and immersing themselves in the spiritual ambiance.
The river Ganga holds immense religious significance in Hinduism, revered as a divine embodiment of purity and spirituality. Ganga Aarti is linked to age-old Indian belief in nature worship and conservation. The deep attachment of Indians to nature emphasise how worshiping nature and rivers like the Ganga reflects this connection.
Is Ganga Aarti the solution to climate change?
No, Ganga Aarti is not the solution to climate change. It holds cultural and spiritual significance, but it lacks the all-inclusive approach needed to address the complex global challenge of climate change. Moreover, due to its sacredness it attracts lakhs of devotees almost everyday. This increased influx of pilgrims and tourists worsens the already existing pollution situation of the river Ganga. With thousands and even lakhs of people offering lamps (Diya) and flowers to the river Ganga, it adds to the water pollution and disrupts the ecology. Furthermore, people taking dips in the holy river further aggravate the condition.
But there’s more to it, the cities on the banks of river Ganga are one of the most densely populated and thus contribute heavily to the water pollution. For instance, untreated sewage, industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, remains of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral rites, and animal carcasses are major contributors. Along with this, religious practices/offerings also impact the river. As a result, the river contains high concentrations of harmful bacteria and toxic chemicals.
We would say, Ganga Aarti strengthens awareness about environmental conservation and the importance of preserving natural resources. But, it does not offer concrete solutions to mitigate the underlying causes of climate change. Climate change needs systematic and joint efforts on a global scale. These can include addressing emissions reduction, renewable energy adoption, sustainable land management, and international cooperation.
Why is the Ganga so polluted?
Various factors heavily pollute the Ganga. Cities and towns along the river dump large amounts of untreated sewage directly into the water. Factories release harmful chemicals and waste into the river without proper treatment. Farms contribute to pollution through runoff that carries pesticides and fertilisers into the water. Additionally, people following religious customs place partially burned or unburned bodies into the river during funeral ceremonies, adding to the contamination. Pilgrimage sites along the river have resulted in heavily populated cities and thriving businesses which further aggravates the river pollution. Overall, these activities lead to high levels of dangerous bacteria and toxic substances, making Ganga one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
Sadly, despite being one of the most important rivers in our country, the Ganga remains heavily polluted, and the effectiveness of efforts to clean the river is still a matter of debate.
How can the government tackle climate change?
Governments play a central role in combating climate. The government can manage this serious issue through the following
- Setting Emissions Targets: Establishing ambitious targets for emissions reductions to limit global warming and mitigate climate change impacts.
- Investing in Clean Energy: Allocating resources for research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
- Regulating Emissions: Enforcing regulations and standards to limit emissions from industries, transportation, and energy production.
- Adaptation Planning: Making strategies to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation (rainfall, snowfall, hail or frozen rain) patterns.
- Engaging in International Diplomacy: Participating in international climate negotiations, forging agreements, and cooperating with other nations to address shared challenges and achieve global climate goals.
- Energy Efficiency: Enhancing energy efficiency in industries, buildings, transportation, and appliances to minimise energy consumption and lower emissions.
- Carbon Pricing: Implementing policies like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems to put a price on carbon emissions, incentivize emission reductions, and speed up investment in cleaner technologies.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable farming practices that reduce emissions, enhance soil health, conserve water resources, and support food security.
What are some of the sustainable solutions for climate change?
Sustainable solutions to climate change emphasise on long-term environmental, social, and economic efficiency which are balanced. Some of the likely sustainable solutions are
- Promoting Renewable Energy: Scaling up renewable energy deployment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate emissions, and strengthen energy security.
- Conservation and Restoration: Protecting and restoring ecosystems such as forests, oceans, rivers, wetlands, and mangroves to enhance carbon sequestration (the method of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere), preserve biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
- Green Infrastructure: Designing and implementing infrastructure projects that incorporate green technologies, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban forests, to mitigate climate impacts and enhance urban resilience.
- Circular Economy Practices: Transitioning towards a circular economy model that emphasises resource efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, and reuse to minimise environmental impacts.
- Community Engagement: Empowering local communities, indigenous people, and marginalised groups to participate in climate action efforts. Teaching everyone to adapt to climate impacts, and build resilience through community-based initiatives and partnerships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ganga Aarti holds cultural and religious significance, but it is not a solution to the complex and extremely urgent challenge of climate change. Addressing climate change requires joint efforts at all levels of society. And, this can include policy interventions, technological innovations and behavioural changes. Plus, international cooperation to minimise emissions, adapt to impacts, and thus build a sustainable future for generations to come.
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