global warming-project report

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PREFACE

Burning of Fossil fuel, mass destruction of forest and effluent of various

Industries has lead to the rise in global temperature. Preventing this

global warming is the biggest challenge to the mankind.

This book deals with the scientific aspects of Green house effect and

climatic change, explains why this issue is important, and shows that

there are measures which, if implemented soon, can reduce the social,

economical and environmental impact of changing climate.


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Acknowledgement

I wish to thank all the people who have contributed towards the successful

completion of the book. I also thank my friends and colleagues who have

helped to get necessary facts and figures for this serious topic. Last but

not the least I wish to thank Prof. Kaushik Das , my guide, for his

invaluable advice and guidance throughout the process of writing this

book and without his support, encouragement and patience, this book

writing would have not been possible. I thank him for the inspiration he

gave to me and highly indebted to him for life.

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INDEX

Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................................................... ...... 4

What is global warming? ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Mechanism of Global Warming: ........................................................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................................................... ...... 9

IS THE CLIMATE CHANGING? ....................................................................................................................... . 9

Chapter 3 .............................................................................................................................................................. 17

Who Is Responsible? ............................................................................................................................................. 17

Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................................................ ....... 21

WHAT WILL IT DO? ......................................................................................................................................... 21INTERNATIONAL HEALTH IMPACTS ................................................................................................... 21Effect of global warming on Biological Diversity ........................................................................................ 22

Chapter 6: Countries at Risk ............................................................................................................................... 23

Bangladesh ................................................................................................................................................... . 23Belize ............................................................................................................................................................. 24....................................................................................................................................................................... 24Bhutan ................................................................................................................................................. ........ . 24

Brazil ............................................................................................................................................................ . 25....................................................................................................................................................................... 25Cambodia .......................................................................................................................................... ........ .... 25....................................................................................................................................................................... 25China .................................................................................................................................................... ........ . 26Egypt .................................................................................................................................................... ........ . 26....................................................................................................................................................................... 26Ethiopia ................................................................................................................................................ ........ . 27....................................................................................................................................................................... 27Ghana ................................................................................................................................................ ........ .... 27....................................................................................................................................................................... 27Indonesia .............................................................................................................................................. ........ . 27....................................................................................................................................................................... 27Jordan ........................................................................................................................................................... . 28

..................................................................................................................................................................... 28Kenya ................................................................................................................................................ ........ .... 28Kyrgyzstan ........................................................................................................................................ ........ .... 29....................................................................................................................................................................... 29Maldives .......................................................................................................................................... 29

Nepal ........................................................................................................................................................... 29

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Peru ................................................................................................................................................. ......... ..... 30Philippines ..................................................................................................................................................... 30....................................................................................................................................................................... 30Vietnam ........................................................................................................................................................ . 31....................................................................................................................................................................... 31Zambia ........................................................................................................................................................... 31

Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................................................ ....... 32

How does Global Warming affect India? .......................................................................................................... 32Bengal will suffer: ......................................................................................................................................... 33Rising sea-levels will be a disaster ................................................................................................................ 33Orissa will also suffer .................................................................................................................................... 33

HOW WILL GLOBAL WARMING AFFECT INDIAN ECONOMY? ........................................................ ........ 34

Chapter 6 ........................................................................................................................................................ ....... 35

WHAT CAN WE DO? .................................................................................................................................... .... 35CONSERVATION: ....................................................................................................................................... 36

ENERGY EFFECIENCY: .......................................................................................................................... .. 38GETTING TO ZERO .................................................................................................................................... 39Making a Difference as an Individual .......................................................................................................... 40Go Green .................................................................................................................................................. ..... 42

Conclusion: ....................................................................................................................................................... 43

............................................................................................................................................................................... 44

Bibliography

Chapter 1What is global warming?

Global Warming is defined as gradual increase in the

temperature of the planet earth. Measurements indicate the increase

in earth temperature by one degree Fahrenheit over the past century.

This increase in temperature is because of human activities which

lead to increase in CO2 level and other green house gases.

All the scientists believe that this rise in global temperature will

further lead to global warming, but uncertainties prevail about the

time and severity of the climate change. On the other hand, many

are now convinced that human activities are majorly responsible for

long term warming of the earth by emitting green house gases.

Scientist believes that there is enough evidence to justify a

sensible approach towards minimizing potential consequences of

global warming.

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The Sun rays in the form of Infrared rays fall on earths surface,

a part of which is absorbed by the atmosphere and the major part is

reflected back to the space. Due to the presence of green house

gases like Carbon dioxide and Methane this rays are absorbed in the

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Stratosphere which are again reflected back to the earths surface.

This will lead to increase in temperature on the earths surface. This

process goes on repeatedly as the infrared rays are absorbed more

and more ultimately leading to increase in the temperature of the

Planet in whole.

Green House Effect:

The Sun which is in its Red Giant Phase emits heat from its

surface in the form of radiation with temperature as high as 5800 K

(Kelvin). The majority of the radiation is in the visible wavelength

region, 0.4-1.0 um, where the earths atmospheric gases absorb only

weakly. On the other hand, the low temperature earth emits

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radiation at infrared wavelengths for which the atmosphere is highly

absorbing. In simple terms, the atmosphere lets shorter wavelength

radiation in, but does not lead longer wavelength radiation out. This

behavior is similar to the panes of the glass; the effect is called as

green house effect.

In the strongly absorbing infrared region, different molecular

species are responsible for the opaqueness of the atmosphere at

various wavelengths. Water molecules are major absorbers over

much of the region at which the earth radiates, 5-30um. The 12.5-

18um region is blocked by the carbon dioxide now present in the

atmosphere. The 8.5-12um interval is relatively transparent to much

of the radiation, to radiate back to the space. However, there is a

strong absorption by ozone at 9.6um wavelength in 8.5-12um

wavelength window. Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide

and ozone thus reduces the transparency of the window leading to

increase in the temperature. In addition to this clouds and

particulate matter (aerosols) also contribute to this trapping.

Calculating the combined radiation trapping-effect of these

substances is a bit difficult task because addition of this trapping

cannot be done linearly as this absorption is sometimes overlapping

in the same region. Roughly, carbon dioxide accounts for 12% of the

trapped radiation, clouds trap up to 14% of it. Moreover this

absorption will increase three to four times if other gases are

removed from the atmosphere. The complexities of the radiative

processes are further underlined by noting that the upper layers of

the atmosphere leak relatively more radiation into space than they

trap, so that additional carbon dioxide leads to atmospheric cooling

than warming at layers above 20km.

Over, the last decade it has been found out that variety of

species have strong infrared absorption modes that lie in the window

of transparency (Ramanathan, 1975; Chamberlain et al., 1982).

Trace species that are capable of affecting the radiative balance

include nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons as well as ozone.

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This entire species are increasing because of agriculture and

industrial activity, which in turn increases blanketing capacity of the

atmosphere.

Chapter 2IS THE CLIMATE CHANGING?

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The Long Term Temperature Record

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Source: IPCC, 2001

The above figure gives us information about the increase in

temperature over the period of 1000 years and in particular over the

past 140 years. If we compare the above two graphs, then we can

notice that the increase in temperature in last 140 years is the fastest

and this can be seen by the steep increase in the line from the period

between 1850 and 2000.The past 100 years have been the warmest in the past

1000 years.

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Sea ice trends

The above figure gives us information about the volume of sea

ice in the year 1955 and what will it be in the year 2050. Considering

100% volume of sea ice in the year 1955, the volume of sea ice in the

year 2000 decreased to 79% of 1955 volume, and the future

predictions as shown in the above figure say that the volume of sea

ice will decrease to about 54% of the 1955 volume in the year 2050.Sea ice is declining and will continue to decline

dramatically as per the above prediction.

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Melting sea ice

It is observed that the volume of sea ice is declining and

has become 23% smaller than the previous minimum and about 39%

smaller than the average ice.

Ice has become 50% thinner than its initial density and is

continuing to become thinner and thinner at a very fast rate.

If we consider the thickness of ice, then it is only 3 feet

thick at most locations.

In September 2007 an area the size of Florida (69,000 square

miles) melted in 6 days.

(Source: NSIDC 2007)

Humpback Whales were spotted in Arctic Ocean for the first

time in 2007. This indicates the catastrophic effect in the Arctic

region where initially fishes couldnt survive or live in this region

because of the sea ice, but as this ice is vanishing at the tremendous

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pace, it has opened the doors for these whales to migrate in this

region.

According to the report published by U.S Center for

Atmospheric Research, 2006, the Arctic Ocean could become ice

free in summer by 2040.

Our research indicates that society can still minimize the

impacts on Arctic ice.

(Dr. Marika Holland, National Center for Atmospheric

Research)

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The above Poster gives idea about the glacier recession around

the world. If we compare the posters in black and the same one in

color there is a drastic change in their physical appearance. In some

cases the entire glaciers have disappeared. This clearly signifies the

increase in global temperature and its impact at various places

through out the globe.

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Chapter 3

Who Is Responsible?

We, the People

In the above figure we can see how the graph or the frequency is

rising form 0-1 degrees over a time span of 150 years. If we compare

the Model result and the observations then we can easily interpret

that the cause for this is because of Human Factors only.

Human factorsonly

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Considering the above figure, if we compare the Model result

with that of the Observation then we can interpret that the Natural

Factors are comparatively less responsible than that of Human

factors. This can also be said by comparing the above to figures.

Natural factorsonly

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Sources of Emissions

The above figure gives information about the global source of

emissions. We can see that the Emissions from the Industry and

Power stations are the highest, followed by burning of Transportation

fuels and Agricultural byproducts and so on. Considering the

Emissions, carbon-dioxide accounts for 72%, methane for 18% and

the remaining 9% is from nitrous oxide.

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Major Greenhouse Gas Emitters

The above figure gives information about the Quantity of Green

House Gas emitted by different countries. Major Green House Gas

Emissions comes from the developed countries. U.S and Australia

tops the list of such emissions. The U.S, with 6% of the worlds

population, contributes 25% of the total emissions.

Where will future emissions come from?

U.S and Western Europe are the current leaders in the emission

chart. Developing countries like India, China and Eastern Europe will

contribute a major share in future.

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Chapter 4WHAT WILL IT DO?

Climatic changes will alter natural vegetation, wildlifehabitats, crop growing seasons, and distribution of pests and

diseases. This phenomenon is often referred to as

ECOLOGICAL BACKLASH. Accelerated rise in sea levels, threatening half of the

world's most critical coastal wetlands. Global warming will expose millions of people to new

health risks. About 30 new infectious diseases have emergedin the past 20 years. Global sea level has increased by 10 to 25 cm in the last

100 years and will rise faster in the coming decades. Apart from this, world will face stronger tropical storms,

floods, heat waves, wildfires and landslides.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH IMPACTS

Increased epidemics of malaria in Africa; new cases in Turkey

and elsewhere

Increased cerebral-cardiovascular conditions in China

Increased heat wave deaths in Europe (52,000 in 2003),

typhoid fever, Vibrio Vulnificus, Ostreopsis Ovata, Congo Crimeahemorrhagic fever

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Dengue Fever in SE Asia

WHO: 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses per year isattributed to global warming; numbers expected to double by

2030 (Nature, 2005)

Effect of global warming on Biological Diversity

If the planet warms as projected, natural ecosystem will

change by large changes in temperature, moisture patterns,

evaporation rates, and other physical and chemical changes.

It is possible to predict the responses of plants and animals by

changes in temperature and moisture patterns. For example, it can

be said, if we know that race of dwarf birch, Betula nana , can grow

only in the temperature not exceeding 22 degrees, then we can

predict that this species will disappear from the areas where global

warming leads to temperature more than 22 degrees.

Ecologists can also observe the results of many small climate

experiments performed by nature every year. One can observe what

happens to birch trees if unusually warm weather occurs during a

particular year, infact some trees fail to set seeds. Some trees die if

there are continuous warm years in a row. Scientist have looked in

past to see how the ranges of plants and animals varied in response

to past climate change. A palynologist can count the types of plant

pollen found at different depths in the soil, each depth corresponding

to the time in which a particular layer of soil was laid down. If birch

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pollen is found at a depth corresponding to 10000 years ago, birch

trees must have lived during that time. Similar inference can be

drawn form the fossils of the animals which lived long time back in

some specific temperature, which at present have become extinct in

the same area because of the change in the atmospheric

temperature.

From such observations, it can be inferred that plants and

animals are very sensitive to climate. Their ranges move when the

climate patterns change-species die out in the areas when they were

once found and settle in new areas where the climate becomes more

suitable. We also know from the fossil record that some species have

completely vanished because they were unable to find suitable

habitat.

Chapter 6: Countries at Risk Countries at Risk:

Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana,

India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Nepal,

Nigeria, Philippines, Vietnam and many more.

Bangladesh

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With one of the lowest per capita levels of energy consumption in the

world, Bangladesh is a major point of reference for the injustice of

climate change. Although alarmist media projections are typically

based on the rise in sea level well beyond the worst case 2100

scenario outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC), nevertheless there is a real risk that significant land mass will

be lost, forcing the migration of large number of people. Also the

melting Himalayan glaciers create great risk in the management of

dozens of rivers that flow through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal.

Severe monsoons, longer droughts and more violent tropical storms

are some of the future predictions for Bangladesh. Recent cyclone

Sidr in year 2007 killed 3,500 people and destroyed over half a

million homes.

Over and above, the loss of productive land by sea and river

erosion, and impact on food security is of major concern. The IPCC

has predicted 30% fall in wheat production by 2050 and a small fall in

rice production. This will lead to the challenge of finding new

livelihoods to many households.

Belize

Belize lies in the annual cycle of hurricanes and has

experienced 2 category 5 hurricanes in year 2007 only and neverbefore. Belize is home to one of the worlds largest coral reef, is also

suffering due to increase in ocean temperature. Rising sea levels

have lead to the increase in the risk of the countries like Belize which

are mostly surrounded by coastal region.

BhutanBiggest threat to Bhutan is floods caused by glacial lake waters.

At present 22 lakes are under high risk category and are on the verge

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of bursting and two are under very high risk category. Efforts are

been made by National Environment Commission to access

technology needs in order to prevent this effect of global warming.

Brazil

There are concerns about the use of sugarcane and soya bean

for the production of Biofuels, as a part of Brazils high profile support

for renewable sources of energy (it is the worlds largest producer

and consumer of ethanol). On the other hand it is the worlds eight

largest producer of green house gases and third largest in the

developing world after China and India, depending largely on forestry

and unsustainable land use.

In the year 2005, Amazon was hit by severe drought the worst

in 40 years and the reason for this drought is the rising sea

temperature in the North Atlantic region infact there is a highlysensitive issue regarding the interdependence of Amazon rain forest

and climate change. Also, Deforestation is an issue with Brazil with

almost 16% of the national territory at risk particularly in north and

northeast.

Cambodia

The National Adaption program of Action (NAPA) published in

the year 2006 mention unreliable evidence of increased incidence of

flooding from year 2000 but has little scientific evidence of the nature

of potential change and its consequences. However, it is recognized

that tropical climate change in this region is particularly volatile and

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Cambodia is expected to experience more severe and larger floods

and drought.

Flooding and disablement of irrigation system causes loss in

rice production and as a result adaptation programs are provided to

the people who are indeed very less adaptable to change. Water

management has also been a point of concern because of the spread

of diseases like Malaria and Dengue, the later of which had been

dangerous in the year 2007.

China The potential climate change has lead to the concerns about

food security in China. Uncertainties about droughts and floods andthe disruption in the fresh water availability caused by melting

glaciers have lead to ringing of alarm bells in government. China

overtook US in the year 2007 as the worlds largest emitter of carbon

dioxide years ahead of forecast. This is mainly because of the wide

spread coal based power stations emitting tons and tons of carbon

dioxide in the atmosphere.

Egypt

No ministry exists in Egypt which addresses the climate

change and there is lack of detailed research in potential areas and

very few plans of adaptation are undertaken. Global Studies have

shown that much of Nile delta lies below sea level and is vulnerable

to salt intrusions. One study has shown that one meter rise in sea

level will displace over 10% of Egypts population.

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Ethiopia

Ethiopian government has done nothing in order to face

future consequences of climate change, although the country is least

adaptable to the change. Uncertainties in the pattern of rainfall have

led to thinking over food securities.

Ghana

Like most African countries Ghana is vulnerable to the impact

of climate change and in particular their poor farmers. Also there is a

strong concern over its dependence or link between its primary

energy supply and climate change. In the year 2007 the water level

in Volta Lake had gone to very low level, as a result the hydroelectricpower stations build on this lake was shut down affecting 60% of the

electricity supply of the country, resulting in fundamental economic

consequences. On the other hand the Exceptional rainfall had led to

severe flood causing short term food shortage and affecting about

400,000 people.

Indonesia

Indonesia is also affected by consequences of climate change

with more severe hot and raining conditions. There is a threat over

rice production from two crops a year to one due to less availability of

water for irrigation and household.

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Indonesia is also vulnerable to extreme weather conditions

because of the phenomena like El Nino. The rising temperatures have

led to increase in frequency of El Nino to once in three years from

four years causing more severe floods and tempests. Damage to the

human life and infrastructure is rising over the years and there is

very little room for the Indonesian government to tackle such serious

situation.

Jordan

Human development in Jordan has always been intricately

linked with the scarcity of water. This challenge is now aggravated

with the uncertainties in rainfall. Jordan is one of the ten poorest

countries in terms of water availability. Having experienced five

years of below average rainfall, the potential impact of climate

change on crop yield and water availability has added an alarming

new dimension to Jordans intricate natural resource management.

Kenya The most severe environmental threat to Kenya is caused by

increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns that are consistent with

the predictions of human induced global warming. This results in

uncertain food security, malnutrition and poverty and an increased

incidence of violence for land disputes as the people compete for

scare water resources.

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Kyrgyzstan

The rivers of Kyrgyzstan are the major source of potable and

irrigation water for Central Asia region. The main sources of water for

these rivers are thousands of glaciers in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan,

which are very vulnerable to the impact of global warming. As the

glaciers begin to disappear, the vital source of irrigation,

hydroelectric power and household consumption is at risk in this

region, with Kyrgyzstan at the epicenter of this potential geo-

strategic minefield.

Maldives

Maldives is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to

global warming. 80% of land in Maldives is less than 1m above sea

level and 47% houses have distance of less than 100m from

coastline. With high tides and storms, which usually occur in the

month of may will clearly pose and ever increasing threat of

devastation for the country.

Nepal

The crop production in Nepal has been affected by extreme

monsoon conditions, the pattern of which has been unsettled due to

climate change. The monsoon floods of 2008 have displaced about

180,000 people and caused widespread destruction of crops.

Climate change, to which Nepal is the least contributor, alsothreatens to melt Himalayan snow and glaciers with potential

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disastrous results. Reports published by UN agencies in 2007

conclude that Himalayan region is warming at twice the average rate

and the glaciers are melting faster than anywhere in the world. As

many as 20 lakes in the mountainous region have been identified as

at risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF)

Nepal lacks resources and expertise in identifying and

evaluating the risk and is far behind other least developed countries

in preparation of NAPA.

PeruWater management in Peru is vulnerable to the potential

serious impact of climate change. The country is home to the largesttropical glaciers in the world, a vital source of fresh water during dry

season in largely desert coastal regions. Also, 60% of the electricity

is generated by hydroelectric power and 60% of agricultural land is

irrigated. These glaciers are melting and predictions suggest that the

volume of water availability will begin to fall from as early as 2030.

Sarcastically, Peru itself controls the lever of climate change, being

home to largest tropical rain forest. The rate of deforestation is lessthan 0.5% per annum.

Philippines

In 2007, Bali UN climate change conference, Philippines was the

highest placed country in a new Global Climate Risk Index. This was

indentified when in the year 2006 extreme weather events accounted

for 3000 deaths and widespread destruction by mudslides and

typhoons. Apart from extreme weather, there is a concern that

increasing temperature will affect agricultural yields and food

security, and also rising sea levels threaten over 40 million people

who live in coastal regions.

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Vietnam

A 2007 UNDP case study stated that climate change

represents, a real threat to Vietnams socio-economic development

with poorest communities at maximum risk. Vietnam is one of the

five countries most prone to rising sea levels which will impact the

low-lying Mekong Delta. A one meter rise in sea level will lead to

displacement of 25% of the population living in coastal areas,

destroying agriculture and fishing livelihoods. A severe typhoonseason in 2007 with extensive loss of life, the worst flooding in 50

years which led to the damage of $725 million is an example of

deadly effects of global warming on the economy and on the people

of the country.

Zambia The country like Zambia where there is very little margin for food

security is highly prone to climate change. 2007 report by the WorldConservation Union (IUCN) says that climate change will hardly affect

Zambia. The government NAPA published in the year 2007 says

that, droughts and floods have increased in the frequency, intensity

and magnitude over the last two decades and have adversely

impacted on food and water insecurity-access to safe drinking water

in rural areas in only 37%.

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Chapter 5How does Global Warming affect India?

Defects in Indias food security are very prominent even

without the uncertain impact of climate change. With more than 60%

of agricultural crop dependent on rainfall, even very small change in

pattern, intensity and timing of rainfall will lead to a great change in

the yield of the crop. Green peace is trying to raise awareness

among 50 million people living in the coastal cities regarding the risk

of rising sea level. Adaption plans are eye-catching by their absence,

the chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

Rajendra K Pachauri, himself an Indian, has expressed the view that

India is completely unprepared for the impact of climate change

which he considers could lead to social unrest. There was a great

criticism on management of monsoon floods in 2008 which displayed

3 million people in Bihar alone.

Apart from rainfall patterns, water resources are threatened by

melting of Himalayan glaciers which is the main source of water for 3

main rivers of the country. About 400 million people, one or the

other way are dependent on Ganges. Predictions that glaciers would

disappear seriously weakens the ambitious $200 billion River-linking

project which aims to connect the apparently healthy rivers in the

north to those in the south.

We keep on hearing about the rising temperatures due to

global warming in countries like UK and USA, but the country like

India is one of the most vulnerable countries when it comes to the

effect of global warming. India has a long coastline and rising sea

levels caused by global warming will cause an ecological disaster.

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This is as per 1989 United Nations Environmental Program Study. As

the article explains: In India, the signs already back up a forecast

that as the mercury rise over the Indian Subcontinent, home to one

sixth of humanity, will be one of the worst-affected regions.

Bengal will suffer:

The Himalayan glaciers have started to melt and the average

rate of melting is 34 meters per year as compared to the 1971 levels

of 19 meters. The melting glaciers will cause temperatures and sea

levels to rise and there will be a cascading effect on the crops and

the monsoons. The worse part is the whole island will vanish, infact

two have already gone under- the island of Sunder bans which India

shares with Bangladesh. Temperature in this group of island hasalready increased by 1 degree centigrade.

Rising sea-levels will be a disaster Some climatologists feel that rising sea-levels will increase by

just 4-35 inches from 1990 levels in another 100 years, while some

feel that the range would be some where between 20-55 inches.

Thats a lot and would affect human dwellings in a big way.

In the year far back as 1993 a study to evaluate the impact of

rising sea levels on India was carried out by JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru

University). They calculated what would happen if the sea level rises

by 1 meter and concluded that as many as 7 million people would be

displaced and 5764 sq km of land and 4200 km of land would be lost.

Orissa will also suffer Orissa is one another state will is hardly hit by global warming.

Whole villages in the coastal region are disappearing.

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In September 2002, scientists at the National Centre for

Agricultural Economics and Policy Research conducted a peoples

perception survey on climate induced natural disasters in the

Kendrapara district of Orissa. The research showed that the

frequency and intensity of droughts have increased and so have the

incidents of flooding. Also, the intensity of cyclone has increased and

people believed that the sea-water had become warmer.

Eastern Coast is more vulnerable than the western coast

because the Bay of Bengal is landlocked from three sides and there is

a huge delta of the rivers like Brahmaputra and Ganga. These rivers

carry the water from the melting Himalayan glaciers.

HOW WILL GLOBAL WARMING AFFECT INDIAN ECONOMY?

India may be a long way from melting polar Ice caps, but its

economy will be among the worst affected on account of climate

change. According to a report by Lehman Brothers, Indias GDP will

decrease by 5% for every 2 degrees rise in temperature.

In an interview will Economic Times, John Llewellyn, global economist

from Lehman Brothers, said, global warming is likely to make affectIndia in many ways. Agricultural productivity will be affected as

monsoons will be short with intense burst. Water supply will also be

affected because of lesser snowfall in Himalayas which provides

water for about 40% of the worlds population.

The effect on GDP will be non-linear. Initially, with every 2

degree rise in temperature would result in a 3% dip in global GDP.

The next 2 degrees would do even more damage to the economy.However, for India the effect will be much more harmful. For every 2

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degrees rise in temperature the effect on GDP is 5% and for the next

6 degrees it would be 15-16%. According to Mr. Llewellyn, there is

both a direct and indirect effect due to climate changes and this

differs from sector to sector and from country to country.

Incidentally the largest developers of clean development

mechanism projects (CDM) are in China, while India hosts the largest

no of these projects. According to Mr. Llewellyn these projects

represents revenue transfers for countries like India. India will

continue to reap the benefit for the next 5-10 years. At present, the

carbon emitters in Europe pay up 20 Euros a tonne for their

emissions. As per the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, countries will

have to pay for high carbon emissions and can also trade with

deficient countries. While, the developed world, led by USA and

Europe are among the high polluters, India, China, along with most

developing countries are among the deficient countries who can earn

revenues from trading this emissions.

Chapter 6

WHAT CAN WE DO?

It is We, The People who should do something to reduce such

emissions.

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How can we reduce such emissions?

There are few technological solutions, if any, as such there is no

way to reduce carbon fast enough because if we grow trees or plant

crops it takes too long time to grow and also requires ample amountof water.

Building nuclear power plants may be helpful, but it takes quit a

lot of time to build such plants. But nevertheless, we should not stop

doing such things just because it takes a lot of time to give results.

Only realistic solution can be dramatic, like rapid life style

changes.

One should lower the power usage; reduce the usage of fossilsfuels for transportation (say Good Bye to SUVs and large

personal cars).

CONSERVATION:Examples-

(1) Unplug Appliances

ABOUT 43 BILLION KWH OF POWER IS LOST PER YEAR IN U.S

ALONE.

(2) Pump up Tyres. . .

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ABOUT 4 MILLION GALLON OF GAS IS WASTED DAILY IN U.S.

(3) Lower Thermostat A/c

Lower temperature by 2 degree Celsius or 6 degrees 8

hours/day.

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ENERGY EFFECIENCY:(1)Compact Fluorescent lamps

THEY ARE FIVE TO SIX TIMES MORE EFFICIENT THAN NORMAL

LAMPS

(2) Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars saves money on fuel and also one gets Tax Credit.

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GETTING TO ZERO

Renewable Energy: One should use renewable sources of energy

and people to use renewable sources of energy. Different types of

renewable sources of energy are

Wind Energy : Power can be generated with the help of wind

energy by building Wind Mill based power stations. Government

gives huge subsidy on building wind based power stations at places

where the wind energy can be efficiently utilized of exploited.

Solar Energy: Solar energy can be used in the form of solar

water heaters and solar cookers and many more other innovative

ways.

In Steam hydro power : Hydro Electric Power stations can be

built on rivers where water flows through out the year and where

water falls from high altitude.

Geothermal Energy: This form of energy is the least

exploited type of energy that is used for generation of energy or

power.

Biofuels: Biofuels like Ethanol is blended along with petrol and

is used nowadays. It is widely used in Brazil and other countries like

India has started using it.

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DO EVERYTHING, DO SOMETHING, DO ANYTHING

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The above chart gives idea about how directly or indirectly we can

reduce emissions and save energy.

Go Green

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Conclusion:

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The entire topic can be concluded from the above picture, it

gives the idea about the seriousness of Global Warming.

I strongly believe, it is high time, we should look forward to the

issue of Global warming, work together and take measures forcontrolling it, for the betterment of present and future generations,

and Mankind.

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GO GREEN

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Book on Challenges of Global warming from The Natural

Resource Defense Council of America, edited by Dean Edwin

Abrahamson http://uk.oneworld.net/imagecatalogue/imageview/1667/?

RefererURL=/guides/climatechange/impact

http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=199

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Global_warming_may_melt_India

n_economy/articleshow/2388238.cms##

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL196172.htm

http://www.terradaily.com/2006/061221015453.078uvrt9.html http://infochangeindia.org/200605035763/Environment/Features/Sea-

levels-are-rising-People-s-perceptions-and-scientific-projections.html
http://uk.oneworld.net/imagecatalogue/imageview/1667/?RefererURL=/guides/climatechange/impacthttp://uk.oneworld.net/imagecatalogue/imageview/1667/?RefererURL=/guides/climatechange/impacthttp://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=199http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Global_warming_may_melt_Indian_economy/articleshow/2388238.cms#%23http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Global_warming_may_melt_Indian_economy/articleshow/2388238.cms#%23http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL196172.htmhttp://www.terradaily.com/2006/061221015453.078uvrt9.htmlhttp://infochangeindia.org/200605035763/Environment/Features/Sea-levels-are-rising-People-s-perceptions-and-scientific-projections.htmlhttp://infochangeindia.org/200605035763/Environment/Features/Sea-levels-are-rising-People-s-perceptions-and-scientific-projections.htmlhttp://uk.oneworld.net/imagecatalogue/imageview/1667/?RefererURL=/guides/climatechange/impacthttp://uk.oneworld.net/imagecatalogue/imageview/1667/?RefererURL=/guides/climatechange/impacthttp://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=199http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Global_warming_may_melt_Indian_economy/articleshow/2388238.cms#%23http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Global_warming_may_melt_Indian_economy/articleshow/2388238.cms#%23http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL196172.htmhttp://www.terradaily.com/2006/061221015453.078uvrt9.htmlhttp://infochangeindia.org/200605035763/Environment/Features/Sea-levels-are-rising-People-s-perceptions-and-scientific-projections.htmlhttp://infochangeindia.org/200605035763/Environment/Features/Sea-levels-are-rising-People-s-perceptions-and-scientific-projections.html

global warming-project report

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