Memory of the Future

Global warming is a 'hot' global phenomemon in recent times and I have heard and sometimes been part of the the discussion on this phenomenon in different situations by friends, colleagues and plain strangers in flights and trains.

Scientists have been quoted in various magazines in which they have created scenarios as to how the earlth would be like if we carry on like this for another 20 years or what would Earth be like in 2050. Melting of Arctic ice has been used to substantiate these scenarios. In India, various articles have used melting of Himalyan glaciers and receding ice cover in Himalyan range have been used extensively to pressurize government into immediate action and to form strong public opinion on the issue.

These scenarios have been accepted as the 'probable future' by the general public as is indicated by the public opinion polls.

This year, the rain Gods in India have been generous with almost all areas of the country receiving ample rains. While this has brought relief to those living in plains like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and to Rajasthan also with water table levels showing significant increase, what has the people wondering is the duration of monsoon. These areas receive most of their rainfall in July-August. This year, the rains started in May itself and continuing even as I write this. Delhi had its wettest and coolest May, then wettest June, then wettest July and it happened again in August.

While people rejoice on this as the rain starved vastlands smile and the countryside has been painted green by the monsoon, the smile have an undercurrent of caution.

This is exactly what the scenarios on global warming had predicted.

This caution is 'Memory of the Future'.