Module 6: Climate Change:

Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation

Understanding climate change: Natural variations in climate; Projections of

global climate change with special reference to temperature, rainfall and
extreme events; Importance of 1.5 °C limits to global warming; Impacts
Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change: Observed impacts of
climate change on ocean and land systems; Sea level rise, changes in
 Climat
e
 It is the average weather of a particular
area is called as climate. It is the
general weather conditions, seasonal
variations of the region.
 The average of such conditions for a
long period is called climate.
What is Climate Change?
Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather
conditions are referred as Climate change
It has Caused major shifts in Temperature,
Rainfall and Wind patterns.

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE:

 Presence of green house gases in the
atmosphere increases the global
temperature.
 Depletion of ozone layer increases the
 What is the difference between
Weather and Climate?

Weather describes the state of the

atmosphere (hot/cold, wet/dry,
calm/stormy, clear/cloudy) at a given
point in time and geographic location
Climate is the averaging of
atmospheric conditions over longer
periods of time (usually tracked for
at least 30 years).
 Effects of Climate
Sea Level Rise: MeltingChange
glaciers and the thermal
expansion of seawater due to warming contribute to
sea-level rise. This poses risks to coastal
communities,
Sea-Ocean ecosystems,
Warming: and
Rising infrastructure.
global temperatures
result in ocean warming, which can disrupt marine
ecosystems and impact species distributions.
Some species may struggle to adapt to changing
temperature regimes, leading to shifts in marine
biodiversity.
 Effects of Climate
Change
Ocean Acidification:
Increased levels of atmospheric
carbon dioxide (CO2) are
absorbed by the world's oceans,
causing ocean acidification. This
harms marine life,
particularly organisms with
calcium carbonate shells or
skeletons, such as coral reefs,
mollusks, and certain species of
plankton.
 Effects of Climate
Coral Bleaching:
Change
Elevated sea temperatures
can lead to coral bleaching, where corals eject
symbiotic algae that provide them with food and
color. Repeated bleaching can lead to coral death
and decline of coral ecosystems.
Impacts on Fisheries: Climate change can
affect fish populations and the timing of fish
migrations. It can also impact the health of fish
stocks and the communities that rely on them for
food and livelihoods.

Increased Storm Intensity: Warmer ocean

temperatures can fuel the development of more
powerful hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, can
damage coastal ecosystems like mangroves
and coral reefs, as well as coastal
infrastructure.
 Effects of Climate
Change
Economic Implications: Coastal communities, particularly those reliant
on fishing and tourism, can experience economic losses due to the
impacts of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems.
 Impacts of climate change on land system : forests and natural ecosystems
Loss of Glaciers and Ice Sheets: Warming temperatures are causing glaciers and ice
sheets to melt at an accelerated rate. This contributes to sea-level rise and impacts
the availability of freshwater resources in some regions.
In just 10 years, the global glaciers have lost ice equivalent to the weight of
680 billion elephants --Report
Altered Precipitation Patterns: Climate change can disrupt precipitation patterns,
leading to more frequent and severe droughts in some regions and increased rainfall and
flooding in others. These changes can have significant implications for agriculture,
water resources, and ecosystems.
Increased forest fires: Higher temperatures and prolonged droughts can lead to more
frequent and intense wildfires. This poses risks to ecosystems, property, and human
health.
Human Health Impacts: Climate
change can affect human health
through heat-related illnesses, the
spread of vector-borne diseases,
and worsened air quality due to
Altered
wildfires andEcosystems:
pollution. Changing
temperature and precipitation
patterns can disrupt ecosystems,
impacting species' survival, migration,
and reproduction. This can lead to
shifts
Water in Scarcity:
biodiversity Altered
and
ecosystems.
precipitation patterns and increased
evaporation due to higher
temperatures can lead to water
scarcity in many regions, impacting
drinking in water
Changes Growing supplies,
Seasons:
agriculture,
Altered and industry.
temperature and precipitation
patterns can affect growing seasons
and crop yields. This can lead to food
insecurity and impact agricultural
practices.
India was the fifth
most affected country
by climate change,
globally.
According to the World
Risk Index
2020, India is
the fourth-most-at-
risk country in South
Asia, after Bangladesh,
Afghanistan and
Pakistan.
 Causes of Climate Change
A) Natural factors: Natural factors can influence Earth's
climate change
1. Solar Variability: Changes in the sun's energy output can influence
Earth's climate, which leads to periods of warming or cooling.
2. Forest Fire: Forest burns have significant effect in climate change as
they release of huge amount of CO2, CH4, nitrous oxide (N2O), and black
carbon
3. (soot)Activity:
Volcanic particles. Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of volcanic
gases, ash, and aerosols into the atmosphere. These aerosols can reflect
sunlight back into space, leading to temporary cooling of the Earth's
surface. Though, the cooling effect is usually short-lived, as the aerosols
eventually settle out of the atmosphere.
However, the current trend of rapid climate change is
primarily attributed to human activities, especially the release
of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
 B) Human activities:
Greenhouse effect

 Greenhouse gases are CO2,

Methane, Nitrous oxide, NO2,
 and CFC
Among these CO2 is the most
important greenhouse gas.

 O3 and SO2 act as serious

pollutants causing global
warming.
 Progressive warming up of a gas
surface due to blanketing effect
of man-made CO2 atmosphere.
 Green House Gases

• Carbon dioxide (CO2)

• Water Vapor
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
• Ozone (O3)
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
(CClmF4−m and C2ClmF6−m)
Global Warming

 Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

are transparent to light but absorb
IR radiation. These gases allow
sunlight to penetrate the atmosphere
and are absorbed by the earth
surface. This sunlight is radiated
back as IR which is absorbed by
gases. As a result, the earth surface
and lower atmosphere becomes
warm. This is called Global warming.
 Causes of Global Warming
1. Fossil fuel burning: Combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and
natural gas for energy production and transportation is a major source of
greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2).
2. Farming using Fertilizers: Livestock farming produces methane (CH4), a
potent greenhouse gas, and the use of synthetic fertilizers releases nitrous
oxide (N2O).
3. Deforestation: The cutting down of forests reduces the planet's capacity to
absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
4. Industrial Processes: Various industrial activities release greenhouse
gases and other pollutants (like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
5. Black
(PFCs) etc.)Carbon
into the(Soot): The release
atmosphere. of
For example, cement production generates
black
CO2 ascarbon from incomplete combustion of
a byproduct.
biomass and fossil fuels.
6. Transportation: The use of gasoline and
diesel fuels in vehicles, as well as emissions
from ships and airplanes, contributes
significantly to CO2 emissions.
 Effect of Global Warming
1.Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels due to rising Temperature
leading to the loss of coastal land.
2.Extreme Weather Events such as hurricanes, droughts,
wildfires, and floods, can cause significant damage to
infrastructure and agriculture.
3.Disruption of Ecosystems which threats to biodiversity.
4.Disease will spread fast, impacting human health.
5.Water Scarcity impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies,
and sanitation.
 Solution of Global Warming
1.Transition to renewable energy sources.
2.Stop deforestation and start afforestation.
3.Reduce Emissions from Transportation using
public transport, promoting electric vehicles.
4.Planting trees on a large scale to capture CO2
and Protect existing forests.
5.Reduce, recycle and reuse the waste
materials.
6.Shifting from coal to natural gas.
 Importance of 1.5 °C limits to global warming
These limits were established as part of Paris Agreement, an international treaty aimed at
addressing climate change.
Importance of 1.5°C Limit:
Reducing Climate Impacts: Limiting
global warming to 1.5°C, rather than
2.0°C, significantly reduces the risk and
frequency of climate impacts. This
includes fewer extreme weather
events, less sea level rise, and
reduced risks to ecosystems and
biodiversity.
Food and Water Security: Achieving
the 1.5°C target is crucial for maintaining
stable food production and water
resources. Higher temperatures and
changing precipitation patterns can
disrupt agriculture and water availability,
with potentially dire consequences for
food security.
Ecosystem Protection: A 1.5°C limit
 Indigenous knowledge for adaptation to climate change
Indigenous knowledge, often referred to as traditional
ecological knowledge (TEK), is a valuable resource for
adapting to climate change. Here are some examples of
how Indigenous knowledge contributes to climate change
adaptation:
 Understanding Local Ecosystems: Indigenous peoples
possess an deep knowledge of their local ecosystems,
including seasonal changes, animal behavior, plant
phenology, and weather patterns. That can help to
anticipate and respond to climate-related changes, such as
altered migration patterns or changing growing seasons.
 Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management:
Indigenous farming methods, such as growing different crops
together and using traditional forest farming, can handle
changing weather better. These approaches can provide
food security even in the face of changing conditions.
 Water Management: Indigenous communities often have
sophisticated water management systems that maximize the
use of available water resources. These practices can be
 Traditional Weather Forecasting: Indigenous knowledge often includes traditional
weather forecasting methods based on natural indicators, such as animal behavior,
cloud formations, and wind patterns. These methods can supplement modern
meteorological data and enhance early warning systems for extreme weather events.
 Cultural and Spiritual Connection: Indigenous knowledge often recognizes the deep
cultural and spiritual connections between people and nature. This perspective can
motivate conservation efforts and foster a sense of responsibility for protecting the
environment.
 Ethical and Sustainable Resource Management: Indigenous knowledge systems
often emphasize sustainable and ethical resource management practices, which can
help combat overexploitation and habitat degradation, both of which are exacerbated
by climate change.

Adaptation to climate change is an ongoing process that requires

continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment, aimed at