Climate Change

The world in next century in our hands

Global Warming – unknown facts

Most of us familiar with this phenomenon from our school days. We have already learnt well about this and effects in future. But today’s human activities are exacerbating the pace of climate change.

Three decades before, talks on climate change started by UN and IPCC –Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change formed. Still, no firm decisions and agreements are made to tackle the problem. Last such conference held at Lima on dec-2014.

But reports of IPCC clearly states that the earth will face worst consequences of climate change by end of this century, that is in 2100.

Temperature rise Projection in 2100 it will cross 4 degree C than pre industrial level unless firm actions are taken

Effects on Environment

Ocean• Increase in temperature of sea water –most of the

reflected heat radiation absorbed by water – Sea Level rise due to thermal expansion

• Increase in Co2 content – Ocean acidification – coral reef bleaching leads to affect entire Marine ecosystem

Effects

Inundation of Islands and coastal regions, sea water intrusion

Reduction in Sea foods and affect people who depends on sea for their livelihood

Land Areas Melting of glaciers and ice sheets Wet places become more wetter and dry become

arid Water scarcity and frequency of flooding increases Overall reduction in agriculture productivity as

surface temperature increases Increase in frequency of Heat waves and long

summer period

Likelihood issue development

Agricultural & Food securityEnergy securityWater SecurityHealthMigration and conflict

Models developed by scientists predicted that surface temperature will rise more than 4 C unless we take steps to mitigate climate change.

In present scenario, We can reduce the temperature rise at 2 C than industrial period in best case. That will definitely cause serious impacts on eco system in turn affect human life.

Therefore apart from mitigation, we need to adapt ourselves for the future world.

This requires creating awareness about climate change extensively in individual level and policy formulation in government level in mitigation and adaptation.

In coming years with increasing population, the overall energy requirement will increase manifold that of today. To meet that demand, there should be enough energy sources other than fossil fuels.

Education, Science and Technology will play a vital role in maintaining this world as it is after a century.

Renewable energy resources should be extensively used such that we can generate Zero emission energy

From studies, it is very difficult to bring back the eco system to normal state from current condition and may take up several centuries

Adaption

Change in climate will cause severe natural disasters. The impact of such disasters will collapse the disaster prone areas unless adaption steps are taken.

Mostly poor people will be affected by natural disasters in any sort of country. Investing in adaption steps will help to reduce the vulnerability of hazard.

Disaster preparedness and management is a important one as we cannot prevent the extreme natural events from happening

This year March Global average CO2 level reached peak – main greenhouse gas which causes global warming and climate change.

Increase in pollutants in air directly affects human health also.

Role of science and technology in Climate Change mitigation will be unavoidable.

To make comfort life as well as to protect earth its greater contribution is required.

References

1. “Turn Down The Heat: Why a 4 C warmer World must be avoided “ by The world bank

2. “IPCC Fifth Assessment Report on Climate change”

3. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/06/carbon-dioxide-record-levels-noaa Global Average CO2 level reached peak

4. . http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/06/19/india-climate-change-impacts - India – Climate change impacts