Climate Change Final
Climate Change Final
The term “climate” refers to the long-term patterns and trends of weather conditions
in a particular region or over the entire Earth. Climate is determined by a variety of
factors, including the amount of solar radiation the Earth receives, the composition of
the atmosphere, ocean currents, and the Earth’s rotation and tilt. Climate is typically
characterized by parameters such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind
patterns, and atmospheric pressure. These parameters vary across different regions
and can change over time due to natural factors, such as volcanic eruptions and
changes in solar radiation, as well as human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and
deforestation. Climate is different from weather, which refers to short-term
atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind. While
weather can vary widely from day to day and even hour to hour, climate represents
the long-term averages and trends of these conditions. Understanding climate patterns
and trends is important for many reasons, including predicting natural disasters,
managing natural resources, and developing strategies to adapt to changing
conditions.
The term “Climate change” refers to the long-term alteration of global or regional
climate patterns and conditions over several decades or longer. It is primarily caused
by human activities that release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the
atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes are
some of the major human activities that contribute to the increase in greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere. The increased concentration of greenhouse gases
traps more heat from the sun in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to an increase in
global temperatures.
This results in a range of effects, such as melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, rising
sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, more frequent and intense weather
events, and altered ecosystems. Climate change is a major global challenge and is
already having significant impacts on the natural world, human societies, and
economies. The scientific consensus is clear that human activities are the primary
driver of climate change and that urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and limit the severity of the impacts.
Many countries and organizations are taking steps to address climate change through
mitigation efforts, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to
renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency. In addition, adaptation measures
are necessary to manage the impacts of climate change that are already occurring,
such as developing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and
changing agricultural practices to adapt to changing precipitation patterns.
Overall, climate change is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires collective
action at all levels, from individual behaviour changes to global policy solutions, in
order to mitigate the impacts and ensure a sustainable future.
Yes. Earth’s average surface air temperature has increased by about 1 °C (1.8 °F)
since 1900, with over half of the increase occurring since the mid-1970s. A wide
Range of other observations (such as reduced Arctic sea ice extent and increased
Ocean heat content) and indications from the natural world (such as poleward shifts of
temperature-sensitive species of fish, mammals, insects, etc.) together provide
Incontrovertible evidence of planetary-scale warming.
The sun plays an important role in climate change, but it is not the primary cause of
current climate change. The energy that the sun emits and the way that it is distributed
across the Earth’s surface influences climate patterns on a global scale. The sun’s
energy drives the climate system by warming the Earth’s surface and causing
evaporation, which leads to the formation of clouds and precipitation.
However, the primary cause of current climate change is human activities, particularly
the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a gradual increase in
global temperatures. The increase in temperatures can lead to changes in climate
patterns, such as more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and
changes in precipitation patterns. The sun’s activity does have an impact on climate,
but its influence is small compared to human activities.
The sun goes through regular cycles of high and low activity, which can affect the
amount of energy it emits. However, studies have shown that the current warming
trend cannot be explained solely by changes in solar activity. In fact, measurements of
the sun’s energy output show that it has actually decreased slightly over the past few
decades, while global temperatures have continued to rise.
Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the average temperature of the
Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, primarily due to the increased concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun that
would otherwise radiate back into space, causing a warming effect that can have
significant impacts on the Earth's climate system.
Global warming is a major concern for the planet's future as it poses a significant
threat to human societies and ecosystems. In order to mitigate the effects of global
warming, it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-
carbon, sustainable economy.
OBJECTIVES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
It is also important to reduce deforestation and land-use changes, which are major
sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, reducing emissions of short-lived
climate pollutants, such as black carbon, can also help to reduce the impacts of
climate change.
It is also important to invest in early warning systems and disaster risk reduction
measures to help communities prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are given
the resources they need to adapt to climate change.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are given
the resources they need to cope with the impacts of climate change.
ANALYSIS OF OBJECTIVES
Many of these strategies require significant investment, but can also generate
significant economic benefits, such as job creation, energy savings, and reduced
healthcare costs associated with air pollution. Governments can play a key role in
mitigating climate change by implementing policies such as carbon pricing,
renewable energy mandates, and regulations on emissions from transportation and
industry.
Climate change is causing a range of impacts, including sea level rise, increased
frequency and intensity of natural disasters, changes in precipitation patterns, and
more frequent heat waves. There are a variety of strategies for adapting to climate
change impacts, including improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather
events, enhancing water management, developing drought-resistant crops, and
relocating vulnerable populations.
These impacts can have significant negative effects on human societies and
ecosystems, including economic losses, displacement of people, and loss of
biodiversity. Many resilience strategies require significant investment, but can also
generate economic benefits by reducing the costs of climate impacts and improving
the resilience of communities and ecosystems.
Developing countries often lack the financial and technological resources to address
the challenges of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
adapting to the impacts of climate change, and building resilience to future climate
risks. Providing finance to support climate action in developing countries can help to
overcome the financial barriers to climate action, including financing for low-carbon
infrastructure, renewable energy development, and climate adaptation and resilience
measures.
India, a country with a population of over 1.3 billion, is experiencing the impacts of
climate change in various forms. Climate change, caused by human activities such as
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities, has resulted in rising
temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events
in the country. These impacts have affected various sectors, including agriculture,
water resources, public health, and the economy. The effects of climate change in
India are expected to worsen in the coming years, as the country faces the challenges
of meeting the growing demand for energy and economic growth while reducing its
greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, it is important to understand the impacts of
climate change in India and take measures to adapt and mitigate its effects. The
following are the impacts of climate change in India:
Water availability: Climate change impacts water resources in India, which is critical
for agricultural production. Reduced water availability due to changes in precipitation
patterns and increased evaporation can lead to crop failure, reduced productivity, and
increased irrigation costs.
Soil degradation: Climate change impacts soil quality and degradation, leading to
decreased soil fertility, erosion, and nutrient depletion. These changes can have
significant implications for crop production and food security.
Glacier melting: Climate change is causing the melting of Himalayan glaciers that
serve as a vital source of water for major Indian rivers. The melting of glaciers can
lead to the depletion of river flows, affecting the availability of water for agriculture,
energy production, and human consumption.
Water quality: Climate change impacts water quality in India, leading to changes in
water temperature, chemical composition, and the spread of waterborne diseases.
• Human Health: Climate change has significant impacts on human health, affecting
people's physical and mental health. The impacts of climate change on human health
can be analysed as follows:
Mental health: Climate change is causing extreme weather events, natural disasters,
and displacement, leading to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and
post-traumatic stress disorder.
•Energy: Climate change has significant impacts on the energy sector, affecting the
production, distribution, and consumption of energy. The impacts of climate change
on energy can be analysed as follows:
Renewable energy: Climate change is driving the shift towards renewable energy
sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, which are less carbon-intensive and
more sustainable than fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels: Climate change is affecting the production and distribution of fossil
fuels, leading to disruptions in supply chains and higher costs for extraction,
transportation, and refining.
Energy efficiency: Climate change is driving the need for energy efficiency measures,
such as building insulation, efficient lighting, and energy-efficient appliances, which
can reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
•Costal zones: Climate change has significant impacts on coastal zones, affecting the
natural environment, human settlements, and economic activities. The impacts of
climate change on coastal zones can be analysed as follows:
Sea level rise: Climate change is causing sea level rise, leading to flooding and
erosion of coastal areas, which can damage infrastructure, affect coastal habitats, and
threaten human settlements.
Storm surges: Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of
extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and cyclones, leading to storm surges,
which can cause severe damage to coastal infrastructure and communities.
Saltwater intrusion: Climate change is causing changes in rainfall patterns and sea
level, leading to saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, affecting the availability
of drinking water and agricultural productivity.
Coastal erosion: Climate change is causing increased coastal erosion, leading to the
loss of beaches, wetlands, and other coastal habitats, affecting wildlife and
ecosystems.
Tourism and recreation: Climate change is affecting the tourism and recreation
industry in coastal zones, leading to changes in tourist behaviour, and causing damage
to coastal infrastructure, affecting local economies.
Invasive species: Climate change is affecting the spread and establishment of invasive
species, leading to changes in community composition and ecosystem functioning.
LITERATURE CONTENT
To understand the topic about climate change around we referred the documentary
called "2040" presented by Screen Australia, produced by GOOD THING
PRODUCTION and Regen Pictures which is associated by Shark Island Institute. The
following documentary talks about a guy named "Damon" and his daughter "Velvet"
and she is currently four years old and her mother "Zoe". They had named their house
as "Happy Bubble". Damon talks about how the world is facing severe and rapid
changes and it needs to be address urgently. Earth for last millions of years have been
a part of carbon cycle in which some of the gases gets released and some gases are
stored. Together its mixture is known as equilibrium. But it is changed after Industrial
Revolution. For thousands of years we have hovered 180-200 million parts of carbon
dioxide in the air. In today's generation the numbers have increased about 40% which
led to trapping heat in the atmosphere. Due to heat being trapped in the air, it is
consumed by our oceans 90% which also contains carbon dioxide and it makes the
water more acidic than that of 150 years. The following event not only affects the
biodiversity but it also starts the affects the weather conditions. It causes heavy rains,
storms, hurricanes, floods, and also snowfall heavier. The current climate has been
changing rapidly.
The heat stored in the air not only affects the weather but it also starts affecting to the
north pole and south pole which leads to melting of glaciers leading to rise of sea
level affecting the coastal zones. As a father he wants to solve these problems by
finding solutions and want to apply these solutions and give the future generations a
better and safe future. He begins the journey by asking the children of what type of
future they would like to see. He finds himself in BANGLADESH for research of
energy and their he finds out about rural area in which every house has solar panels
and small house structure which leads to less consumption of energy. If the people
can’t afford solar panels, they can simply buy from neighbour’s it is known as trading
of electricity. So if they buy the more amount of energy the less they have to pay in
upcoming months. Having efficient amount of energy provides greater amount of
resilience to the locals.
Bangladesh has been a major country affected by the climate change. Floods,
earthquakes and many more have been affected the locals in last one and half year.
Making own electricity and power grid it starts to connect people. If the countries
shift to solar power, solar batteries and provide energy for cheaper rates than it is
possible that the energy used will be 100% renewable by 2040. Due to this the job
security will increase effectively.
Damon visited to NYC America and he got to know that the road vehicles provide
20% of emissions. It means that by 2040, there will be around 1 billion cars
worldwide. One possible demand is that transfer of ownership of cars on demand. To
the replacement of cars Damon tries out electric cars which are driverless. Countries
like America are planning to use driverless cars as transportation and increase the
prices of fuel cars 4 times than the transport car so the people have no choice than to
prefer the cheaper one. It reduces the cars and increases the parking spaces. Those
extra spaces can be used as growing new plants and veggies. People can also use the
top floor as their own farm and grow fresh fruits. Damon also meets new people,
children, doctors, climate analysts, scientists and many more throughout the journey
for finding out the perfect solution of climate change. Damon gives the message to the
world that people should adapt to the new changes in the climate change around the
globe. People should reduce the usage of toxic gases which can lead to rising sea level
and many natural calamities. People should use renewable energy green buildings,
electric cars, which can lead to better change for the future generations.
LEARNING
We are all interconnected: Climate change is a global issue that affects everyone,
regardless of where they live. It has made us realize that we are all interconnected and
that the actions we take in one part of the world can have far-reaching consequences
for others.
We need to be more sustainable: Climate change has highlighted the need for us to
adopt more sustainable practices in our daily lives. We must reduce our carbon
footprint, conserve our natural resources, and shift to renewable energy sources.
We need to address the root causes: Climate change is primarily caused by human
activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. To effectively
address this issue, we must address the root causes and transition to a low-carbon
economy.
We need to address the equity and justice issues: Climate change has unequal impacts
on different communities, with the most vulnerable and marginalized populations
often being the hardest hit. We must address equity and justice issues in our climate
action to ensure that no one is left behind.
We must remain hopeful and take action: While the challenges posed by climate
change can be daunting, it is essential that we remain hopeful and take action. We
have the technology, the knowledge, and the resources to address this issue, and we
must act with urgency and determination to create a better future for all.
CONCLUSION
Climate change is a complex and pressing issue facing our planet today. The
overwhelming majority of scientific evidence indicates that human activities, such as
burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are causing the Earth's climate to change at an
unprecedented rate. This is resulting in rising global temperatures, melting ice caps,
more frequent and severe weather events, and a range of other environmental impacts.
The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and pose significant risks to
human societies and ecosystems worldwide. These risks include increased frequency
and severity of heatwaves, droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires, as well as negative
impacts on food and water supplies, human health, biodiversity, and economic
development.
To mitigate the impacts of climate change, it is essential that we take immediate and
sustained action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy
sources, conserve natural resources, and implements adaptation measures to reduce
our vulnerability to climate impacts. The global community must work together to
address this challenge, and urgent and collective action is needed to create a
sustainable future for all.
REFERENCES
1. https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
2. https://www.ipcc.ch/
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
4. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24021772
5. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/climate-change/
6. https://www.youtube.com (2040 Documentary)