When man invented wheel, little did he realize that he has begun the process of the end of this planet and mankind. Centuries have gone by and our race towards automation continues relentlessly inventing and discovering ways and means to make ourselves more and more comfortable and today our beautiful planet Earth stands on the threshold of imminent doom.

The effect of global warming has taken its toll on human life in a big way. Global warming is a dreaded phenomenon and we seem to have realized it rather late in the day. We are literally living in a house which is on fire. "People in a burning house cannot afford to lose time in an argument," says an Ashanti proverb.

Time is running out for us. Climatologists warn that sea levels will increase by just 4-35 inches from 1990 levels in another hundred years while some feel that the range could be higher – 20-55 inches. The phenomenon – greenhouse gases emissions- will affect human habitat in a big way.

Home to one sixth of humanity, India will be one of the most affected regions in the world. Studies reveal steady sea level rise, increased cyclonic activity, and changes in ambient temperature and precipitation patterns have already affected or are projected to affect India.

Who are the culprits and the enemies of Earth? Certainly each one of us! It would be a difficult task for the world leaders meeting at Copenhagen on climate change to find out ways and means to save Earth for we have gone to far too fast. CO2 emissions have raised Earth\'s temperature, may be, to a point of no return. Natural calamities are the order of the day. Our quest for mindless industrialization has pushed our mankind to a brink of holocaust. Our reckless interference with nature has made our Planet Earth a dwindling home of about 7 billions inhabitants.     

The hardest hit will be our future generation or the citizens of tomorrow – our children. A report by the NGO 'Save The Children' says that over 175 million children stand at a risk and will bear the brunt of global warming as they face natural disasters like floods and droughts. The report goes on to reveal that 25 million more children will be victims of malnutrition by 2050 due to food shortage.
The real culprits are the developed countries who account for about 70% of carbon emissions. It will be difficult for the developing world to roll back on their technological growth but ways and means have to be found out to cut down on emissions to save the succeeding generations from the scourge of death and disease. The pressure will be on developing countries like India and how Copenhagen Meet will strike an even balance will have to be seen.

We in India stand a visible risk as we still face looming poverty and illiteracy and our quest for development is natural. We have to develop a mechanism to make the process of industrialization cleaner and safer.     

It would be stupendous task for each one of us to be aware of the climate change and the dangers involved. In a country like India, charity must begin at every home. Water levels are receding tremendously and our monsoons are becoming more and more unpredictable pushing our farmer-dependent economy towards a dead-end. Cost and quality of life is unbearable. We have to forcefully avoid wastage – of water and energy.

A major onus of awareness lies on the government. How soon and how effectively we are able to send the message across to over one billion countrymen will depend on the political will of our leaders. We must act now and today as tomorrow will too late. The generations to come will not forgive us. We cannot afford disease and death anymore. Let a Compenhagen begin in every home.