Climate Change, Meaning, Causes, Impacts and Preventions

Climate Change

Climate change is already affecting our homes. It is important for people to make smart choices to adapt, prevent future problems, and take care of the environment. The UN says climate change means long-term changes in temperature and weather. Since the 1800s, these changes are mostly caused by humans from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. When we burn these fuels, they release greenhouse gases that act like a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and making temperatures rise.

In this article, we will discuss Climate change which will is an important topic of the Environment Subject of the UPSC Syllabus. The UPSC Mock Testcan help candidates prepare for the exam with more precision.

Climate Change Meaning

Climate Change refers to a long-term change in temperature and weather patterns, which may be brought on by anthropogenic activities like carbon emissions or natural processes like oscillations in the solar cycle. Since the 1800s, human activity has been the main contributor to climate change, particularly the use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gas emissions that act as a shield around the planet, trapping solar heat and raising temperatures.

Two significant greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change are methane and carbon dioxide. These are created, for example, through the combustion of coal or petrol. Methane is mainly generated by trash dumps, whereas carbon dioxide can also be released during forest and land removal. Energy, industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture, and land use are all key emitters.

Climate Change Causes

Numerous human-made activities damage the ecosystem. Among the most significant are –

Power Production

Burning fossil fuels for electricity and heat creates a lot of global emissions. Most electricity still comes from coal, oil, or gas, which produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Industrial and manufacturing products

Manufacturing and industry create emissions mainly by burning fossil fuels for energy to make products like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, and clothes. Mining and construction also release gases. Machines in factories often use coal, oil, or gas, and some materials, like plastics, come from fossil fuels. This makes the manufacturing industry one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Deforestation

Cutting down forests to make farms or pastures releases carbon stored in trees, causing emissions. About 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed each year. Since forests absorb carbon dioxide, destroying them reduces nature’s ability to keep emissions out of the atmosphere.

Transportation

Most cars, trucks, ships, and planes use fossil fuels, making transportation a big source of greenhouse gases. Road vehicles are the biggest contributors because they burn gasoline. Emissions from ships and planes are also increasing. Transport makes up nearly a quarter of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, and this is expected to rise in the coming years.

Food Production

Producing food releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This happens through deforestation, cows and sheep digestion, using fertilizers and manure, and running farm equipment with fossil fuels. Food production is a major cause of climate change, and emissions also come from packaging and distributing food.

Building Energy

Residential and commercial buildings use over half of all electricity worldwide. They rely on coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and cooling, which releases a lot of greenhouse gases. Increased use of air conditioners, lighting, appliances, and connected devices has led to higher energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from buildings in recent years.

Climate Change Impact

Extreme weather has resulted in some regions of India due to the significant effects of climate change. Climate change has led to a number of effects, including the melting of ice glaciers and an increase in sea levels. The effects of climate change will be discussed below.

High Temperatures

As greenhouse gases increase, so does the global temperature. The last decade was the warmest on record. Each decade since the 1980s has been hotter than the last. More hot days and heat waves are happening, causing more heat-related illnesses and making outdoor work harder. Wildfires also start and spread more easily. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average.

Severe Storms

Storms are becoming more intense and frequent. Higher temperatures cause more moisture to evaporate, leading to extreme rainfall and flooding. Tropical storms like cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are stronger due to warmer ocean waters, often causing severe damage and economic losses.

Drought

Climate change is making water shortage in many areas. Global warming worsens water shortages, leading to more agricultural and ecological droughts. Droughts can cause destructive sand and dust storms and expand deserts, reducing land for farming. Many people now face regular water shortages.

Warming, Rising Ocean

The ocean absorbs most of the heat from global warming, causing it to warm and expand. Melting ice sheets also raise sea levels, threatening coastal and island communities. The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, but this makes it more acidic, harming marine life and coral reefs.

Loss of Species

Climate change threatens the survival of many species. The world is losing species at a rate 1000 times faster than any other time in human history. One million species become extinct in the next few decades due to forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests and diseases.

No Food

Climate change and extreme weather are increasing hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock are at risk. The ocean’s acidity threatens marine resources that feed billions. Changes in snow and ice cover in the Arctic disrupt food supplies from herding, hunting, and fishing. Heat stress reduces water and grasslands for grazing, affecting crop yields and livestock.

Health Risks

Climate change is the biggest health threat to humanity. It causes air pollution, disease, extreme weather, forced displacement, mental health pressures, and increased hunger and poor nutrition. Environmental factors kill around 13 million people each year. Changing weather patterns spread diseases and make it hard for health care systems to cope.

Poverty

Climate change worsens poverty. Floods can destroy urban slums and homes, displacing people and increasing poverty.

Climate Change and Global Warming

• Global warming has sharply increased the earth’s temperature by one degree Celsius since 1880, causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise, which threatens coastal communities.
• Coral reefs are suffering due to global warming, potentially leading to the extinction of various plants and animals.
• Climate change, driven by global warming, causes extreme weather patterns, leading to droughts in some regions and floods in others, and increases mosquito populations that spread diseases.
• The frequency of natural disasters like floods and tsunamis has risen, leading to higher death tolls and the spread of diseases.
• Global climate change forces many plants and animals to lose their habitats, leading to extinction and impacting biodiversity.

Climate Change in India

• Climate change imbalance the ecological stability and intensifies competition for scarce resources.
• Many people rely on natural resources for survival, and depletion can lead to migration and increased insecurities.
• Extreme weather and changing patterns increase the likelihood of floods and other natural disasters.
• Climate change threatens the food chain, causing market instability and price hikes, and jeopardizes water supply and quality.
• Rising sea levels and transboundary water tensions can lead to migration and social unrest.

Climate Change in India and Preventive Measures Taken

• The National Solar Mission promotes using solar power to generate electricity.
• The National Enhanced Energy Efficiency Mission helps industries save energy.
• The National Sustainable Habitat Mission supports energy-efficient technology in cities.
• The National Water Mission aims to save water through pricing and other methods.
• A mission to protect biodiversity, forests, and ecological values in the Himalayas.
• The Green India Mission plans to reforest over 6 million hectares and increase forest cover from 23% to 33%.
• A national mission promotes farming that can withstand climate changes.
• India has a 20-year plan to combat desertification through the UN Convention.
• The Environment Impact Assessment Program measures how businesses affect the environment.
• Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared to protect wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
• India promotes the use of renewable energy sources.
• India has laws like the Environment Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, and Wildlife Protection Act to safeguard the environment.

Climate Change UPSC

In contrast to the weather, the climate is a long-term process. Over the course of billions of years, a variety of naturally occurring forces have changed our environment. The many natural forces include glaciations, sunspot activity, volcanic eruptions, ice ages, variations in greenhouse gas concentrations, and more. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.

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