Ecologist Nagesh Hegde warns of petroleum dangers

Ecologist Nagesh Hegde warns of petroleum dangers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 18: “Discarding petroleum in favor of solar energy is of paramount importance, especially since petroleum plays a dangerous role in climate change,” said Nagesh Hegde, a prominent writer and ecologist in his key note address on “Global Warming – Present and Future Scenario,” at a seminar organized by the Department of Bio Science of Mangalore University under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, and Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishad on March 18, Thursday. 

Continuing his talk on petroleum products, he said that these products, ranging from toothbrushes to mattresses, are ruling the world, adding that this is the major cause of global warming and climate change. Petroleum combustion causes global warming because petroleum comprises hydrocarbons, he explained, citing the example of carbon dioxide, a chief greenhouse gas that causes global warming. He also spoke about how motor engines and industries, which largely depend upon petroleum combustion for energy, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and thus contribute to global warming.

Mr. Hegde advised people to discard carbon-based technology and welcome hydrogen technology to control the disastrous changes in climate. 

Population explosion and the growing number of vehicles run by petroleum products are the chief contributors to global warming, he said. Giving facts and figures, he said that in 1800, global population was less than 100 crore; but now, it has exceeded 700 crore. He warned that if the population increases anymore even by 10 percent, the pressure on natural resources and forests will increase up to 200 percent, the result of which will be natural disasters. 

Dr. B Mohan Alva, the chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation, inaugurated the seminar. Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy presided over the programme. 

Prof N A Madhyastha, the ex principal of Poorna Prajna College, was also the chief guest of the occasion. He spoke on “Climate Change and Need for an Ecological Insurance.” Declaring that biological resource is the insurance for the world’s future, he criticized man’s greed and irresponsible behavior toward nature. While animals and plants positively contribute to nature, man does nothing by misuse it. 

An exhibition of rare photography by Dr Akhther Hussain, an internationally renowned nature photographer, was held on the first day of the seminar. The audience was mesmerized with the life-like photographs of wild life, birds, animals, and nature. Registrar of Mangalore University Prof K Chinnappa Gowda inaugurated the exhibition. 

M Dinesh Nayak, the founder president of “Sasyashamala” was warmly felicitated by Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, the vice chancellor of Mangalore University, on behalf of the Department of Bio Science, for his achievements in the field of environment conservation.