Global warming is for real. Every scientist knows that now, and we are on our way to the destruction of every species on earth, if we don't pay attention and reverse our course. Theodore C. Sorensen
INTRODUCTION
Global warming is the ‘talk of the town’ in
this century, with its detrimental effects already being brought to limelight
by the recurring events of massive floods, annihilating droughts and ravaging
cyclones throughout the globe. The average global temperatures are higher than
they have ever been during the past millennium, and the levels of CO2 in the
atmosphere have crossed all previous records. A scrutiny of the past records of
100 years indicates that India figures in the first 10 in the world in terms of
fatalities and economic losses in a variety of climatic disasters.
Global warming is defined as an increase in
the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained
increase great enough to cause changes in the global climate’. The term global
warming is synonymous with Enhanced green house effect, implying an increase in
the amount of green house gases in the earth’s atmosphere, leading to
entrapment of more and more solar radiations, and thus increasing the overall
temperature of the earth. this entrapment functions like the glass panels of a
greenhouse (or the glass windows of a motor car), which allows the sunlight to
pass through but prevents the heat from being re-radiated in outer space. It
results into warming of the earth surface. This is called greenhouse effect.
Besides C02, CH4 and water vapours, nitrous oxide (N20)
and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also absorb solar radiation. These five gases
are called major greenhouse gases because they act like a blanket spread over
the earth's surface helping it to keep warm. The major greenhouse gases (GHGs)
thus include C02, CH4 ,H20 vapour ,N20
and CFCs .These gases occur in minute quantities in the atmosphere(as nitrogen
and oxygen present 78% and 20.9% by volume respectively) but play a critical
role in maintaining even temperatures on earth. Carbon dioxide contributes
about 60% of total warming, whereas methane, CFCs and N20 20%, 14%
and 6% respectively. Besides these major greenhouse gases,
hydroChlorooflurocarbons (HCFCs), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), Halans, carbon
tetrachloride and ozone also cause greenhouse effect. The relative contribution
of different sources to GHGs is as follows:
Electricity and heat
production------------------25%
industrial Process---------------------------------------21%
Agriculture, Forestry, and other landuse ------24%
Transportation
------------------------------------------14%
Buildings------------------------------------------------------6%
Other energy-----------------------------------------------10%
(source
IPCC-2014)
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era, driven largely by economic and population growth, and are now higher than ever. This has led to atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide that are unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years. Their effects, together with those of other anthropogenic drivers, have been detected throughout the climate system and are extremely likely to have been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. Concentrations of greenhouse gases – and especially carbon dioxide– have risen over the past two hundred and fifty years, largely due to the combustion of fossil fuels for energy production. Since the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from about 270 parts per million (ppm) to about 370 ppm. Concentrations of methane have also risen due to cattle production, the cultivation of rice, and release from landfills. Nearly one-third of human-induced nitrous oxide emissions are a result of industrial processes and automobile emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels is not the only anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide. When ecosystems are altered and vegetation is either burned or removed, the carbon stored in them is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The principal reasons for deforestation are agriculture and urban growth, and harvesting timber for fuel, construction, and paper. Currently, up to a quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere can be attributed to land-use change. Sulfate aerosols and black carbon are two important additional examples of anthropogenic forcings. Sulfate aerosols, which enter the atmosphere naturally during volcanic eruptions, are tiny airborne particles that reflect sunlight back to space. Industrial activity has recently increased their concentration in the atmosphere primarily through the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur. Anthropogenic emissions of sulfate aerosols have been associated with a net cooling effect. Black carbon is soot generated from industrial pollution, traffic, outdoor fires, and the burning of coal and biomass fuels. Black carbon is formed by incomplete combustion especially of coal, diesel fuels, biofuels and outdoor biomass burning. Soot particles absorb sunlight, both heating the air and reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the ground. Global Climate Change in the Twentieth Century The climate system includes a great deal of natural variability, and climate fluctuations have always been part of the Earth’s 4.6 billion year history. However, over the past century changes in concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are of an unprecedented rate and magnitude. Human population growth has led to increasing demands for energy and land resources. Through the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy for industrial use, transportation, and domestic power, and through land-use change for agriculture and forest products, humans have been altering the Earth’s energy balance. Scientists believe that these changes may have already begun to alter the global climate.
In recent decades, changes in climate have caused
impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans.
Impacts are due to observed climate change, irrespective of its cause,
indicating the sensitivity of natural and human systems to changing climate. as a result it
has became apparent that the earth has been suffering from fever, and we have
to act sincerely to cure it. Carbon emissions still continue to increase.
Climate change has become One of the prime issues threatening the
sustainability of world's environment. Besides environment, climate change has
also impacts on liveability, health and economy of the globe.
1.
A
rise in global temperature causes sea levels to rise as Polar ice caps and
glaciers begin to melt, along with thermal expansion of water.
2. More
droughts and Floods.
3.
More
terrible storms.
4.
Many
more hot days.
5.
More
diseases like malaria and dengue.
6.
Impacts
on ecosystem would change the crop production potential of a region, especially
in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America.
7.
There
will be a drastic change in weather patterns, bringing more floods or droughts
in some areas.
8.
Forests
may disappear. Biological diversity may reduce, some species could become
extinct.
9.
Some
ecosystems may not reach to stable equilibrium for several centuries,
especially coral reefs that are highly sensitive to climate changes.
1 problems
of drinking water supply, sanitation and drought.
11 .Crop
yields will fluctuate. Though overall global agricultural production may not
change, there will be large regional difference. Tropics and subtropics may
face problem of decreased food production.
1 Negative
impacts will be more on developing countries of semi-arid zones.
1 Sea
level is projected by several models to rise between 9 cm and 29 cm by 2030 and
96 cm by 2090. The South-Asian region with over 1/6th of the world population
will suffer greatly.
14. The warming would cause significant loss of life. Heat stress mortality and diseases could increase due to northward expansion of insect habitats.
TO WHOM CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT?
The most affected will be none but the
poorest on the planet. Poor developing countries, particularly small island
nation states will be the worst hit. A 15-95 cm rise in sea level could turn
these people into refugees. Moreover, poor countries are least prepared to face
the wrath of floods and hurricanes. Life styles of future generations will be
compromised. Plants and animals around the world will be drastically affected
due to changing weather and some may even become extinct. Monsoon patterns are
also likely to change.
A two degree centigrade rise in global
temperature predicted by the year 2030 may cause many damages to the planet.
South Asian nations are likely to suffer most and will have sAme special
challenges to tackle? Shifting rainfall patterns are likely to leave some parts
too wet and others too dry. The Himalayan glaciers would melt and increase
flooding. The floods and droughts would spread diseases and agricultural
output. And this is really just the tip of the iceberg. The South Asian region
is populated by some of the world's
poorest people, in terms of economic growth, levels of education,
nutrition and social development. Ironically, it is quite possibly one of the richest regions in the world in terms
of natural resources and biodiversity. Detailed researches of climatic events
of the past 150 years have revealed that the temperatures have risen all over
the globe, with the warming occurring in two phases. The first phase was from
1919 to 1940, with an average temperature gain of 0.35°C, and the second phase
was from 1970 to the present, exhibiting temperature gains of 0.55°C. There has
been a particularly alarming effect of global warming on the climate of India.
India is already a disaster prone area, with the statistics of 27 out of 35
states being disaster prone, with most disasters being water related. The
process of global warming has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity
of these climatic disasters. According to surveys, in the year 2007-2008, India
ranked the third highest in the world regarding the number of significant
disasters, with 18 such events in one year, resulting in the death of 1103
people due to these catastrophes.
India is the most flood distressed state
in the world after Bangladesh, accounting for 1/ 5th of the global deaths every
year with 30 million people displaced from their homes yearly. Approximately 40
million hectares of the land is vulnerable to floods, with 8 million hectares
affected by it. Unprecedented floods take place every year at one place or the
other, with the most vulnerable states of India being Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.On 6th August 2010, Leh and many
other villages of the Ladakh range were drowned by a downpour that killed at
least 255 people, and resulted in a state loss of Rs. 133 crore. The unexpected
heavy rainfall was attributed to the climatic changes resulting from global
warming.Similarly in September 2014 massive floods devastated Kashmir valley,
it was the outcome of the climate change.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change is about cumulative
historical emissions, a tonne of C02 released in 1840 is equal to a tonne of
C02 released today. Rich countries account for about seven per cent out of
every 10 tonnes of C02 that have been emitted since the start of the industrial
area in 1840. As per report of Carbon Dioxide Information analysis Centre of
2007 share of global C02 emissions (per cent) during the period 1840-2006
revealed that USA accounted about 30 per cent, followed by Russian Federation,
China, Germany and U.K. with about I0 per cent each, followed by Japan with
about five per cent and France, India, Canada and Poland with less than five
per cent each, Between 1980 and 2005, the total emissions of the USA were
almost double that of China and more than seven times that of India, Between
1980 and 2005.
WHAT WE ARE DOING?
Frankly speaking very little. Countries
around the world have been putting their
heads together to meet the challenge, The only way to escape the disastrous
consequences associated with climate change is to reduce emissions by 50-70 per
cent below 1990 levels. The use of fossil fuels, hence carbon emissions are
closely linked to economic growth and life style. The richer you are more you
emit. You have to put limits to your emissions, hence to stop fuel guzzling
sports utility vehicles I.e. Iife style. But few are willing to change the way
they live. During climate talks, everyone agrees, that no one agrees on how to
reduce carbon emissions. Nations are very much divided over climate change.
North and South fell apart. The USA feels that the country's economy will
suffer if it goes by the Kyoto commitments. There are others who believe that
USA has just given in to what the oil and coal industries want-after all they
are the funding source of Ms election campaign. EU countries, Russia and
Japan-all major polluters- have agreed to cut emissions. India and China, a
group of developing countries are not required to make cuts... Yet. The U.S.,
however, insists that these countries with large economies must also be asked
to cut emissions.
WHAT ARE THE
IMPACTS ON OUR VALLEY?
Kashmir the
beautiful place, known as the swizerland of Asia or paradise on earth.This part
of world is much vulnerable to climate change.Any devation in climate of this
beautiful place will heavily cost to the people on this patch of earth.September
2014 devastating floods was a wakeup call from nature and Kullan ,Gagengeer and baltal cloud brusts a couple of years ago were warnings from nature.we haven't learnt much about the environment of
J&K that is why we are suffering from natures furies day in and day out.if
we can't do any thing good to our paradise we should'nt harm it too. This
beauty of nature in J&K is indirect economy of the major population of
J&K.The lush green meadows and pristine crystal clear waters is main
attraction to this destiny and blank cheque for economy.
As
temperatures increase around the world, weather patterns and seasons will
change here in the valley. These changes in climate already are having
troubling effects:
•
higher temperatures
•
more intense rain, cloud bursts and floods
• No
snow or heavy snow.
•
increased droughts
•
increased cost of food
•
poor air quality
•
changes in forests, agriculture,viticulture and wetlands
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Be a part of the
solution! What we can do
You
can make a difference
Ø Bike
or walk instead of driving .
Ø Carpool
to school.
Ø Conserve
water.
Ø Get
educated about taking care of the environment .
Ø Use
both sides of paper.
Ø Organize
a class project to teach others about climate change solutions.
Ø Be
energy efficient...turn off lights, unplug electronics, use a power strip,
unplug chargers (cellphone, iPods, etc.) when not in use.
Ø Bring
lunch in reusable containers .
Ø Use
reusable bottles for water (save money, reduce pollution).
What
your family can do:
Ø Reduce,
reuse, recycle
Ø Buy a
hybrid car
Ø Look
for green energy alternatives
Ø Use compact
fluorescent light bulbs
Ø Go
solar
Ø Walk
instead of drive
Ø Buy
local
Ø Shop
at the farmers’ market
Ø Use
less hot water
Ø Use
products made from recycled paper
Ø Bring
a reusable cloth bag to the store
Ø Plant
a tree
Ø Cut
down on products with excess packaging
Ø Compost
Every
little thing counts!”
Be
part of the solution.
Get involved
Volunteer in your community
Write your elected
officials—tell them your hopes for a healthy environment
Start a school project to
educate others
Plant trees
Reduce
Take canvas bags to the
grocery store
Bring your lunch and drinks
in reusable containers
Cut down on the amount of
trash you produce
Save
energy
Turn off lights, TVs,
computers and radios when not in use; unplug your stuff!
Turn down the heat or air
conditioning
Walk or ride your bike
whenever possible
Conserve
water
Turn off the faucet when
brushing your teeth
Take shorter showers
Recycle
Recycle paper, metal, glass
and plastic
Use recycled products
Use
rechargeable batteries
You cannot escape the responsibility of
tomorrow by evading it today
-Abrraham Lincoln
For 200 years we've been conquering
nature. Now we're beating it to death.
-Tim McMillan
References
1.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2001. “Working Group
I Third Assessment Report.” Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK. 881 pp.
2.National Academy of Sciences (NAS). 2001. “Climate Change Science: An
Analysis of Some Key Questions. “ National Academies Press. 42 pp.
3.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change
http://reliefweb.int/disaster/fl-2012-000110-ind
4.Climate Change, Disasters and
Security……Issues, Concerns and Implications for India By Sunil Chauhan
5.Flood: Trends and Social Impacts in
Indian context
6.Joshi P.C.11, KhattriKhattriP.P.11, Singh M.M., M.22, , Fordham M.33and
and GuhaGuha-Sapir
7. Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report
Summary for Policymakers