ENGLISH AECC PROJECT

CLIMATE CHANGE AND

ITS IMPACT ON
DEVELOPED URBAN
AREAS
 CONTENTS:

1. Introduction to climate change

What causing climate change?
When climate change become concern?

2. Greenhouse Gases
Why Greenhouse gases started increasing
rapidly from 18th century
Role of emerging technology

3. Urban developed areas and climate change

Introduction to developed city and
Urbanisation
Impacts of climate change in developed city
Survey Analysis

4. Way forward:
Way forward for climate change in general
Way forward for climate change in urban
areas

5. Conclusion
References
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude

to our assistant professor Mr. Servchetan Katoch, who
gave us the golden opportunity to do this wonderful
project on
“CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON
URBAN DEVELOPED AREAS”
It was he, who conducted our healthy group discussion
and guided us in an ethical, moral and sincere manner
throughout our project and hence, we were able to
complete our project work subsequently.
We acquired so much knowledge on new things
from the research and making up on this project
for which we are really grateful to him.

Secondly, we would like to thank our group members

And friends who held us a lot in finalizing this project
within the limited time frame.
INTRODUCTION

Climate change is the global phenomenon of climate transformation

characterized by the changes in the usual climate of the planet. Global
warming, an increase in average temperature, is one aspect of climate change.
Climate change also involves changing global weather patterns, ocean
currents, and other systems.

The world’s average temperature has changed throughout history. Sometimes

the world’s temperature has been warmer and sometimes it has been colder.
Even the current Holocene is succeeded by the Pleistocene era, the ice age.
Factors like ocean currents and volcanic eruptions caused these shifts. These
changes are part of a natural cycle of heating and cooling and generally occur
over tens of thousands of years.

But now Earth’s climate is changing faster than it ever has during human
history. And the cause of this change is not nature driven, it's anthropogenic.
Earth’s average temperature has increased by 1 °C over the past 100 years
and in the 5th IPCC report released in 2021 states that over the next 20 years,
global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming while
achieving sustainable development.

What causing Climate Change ?

Natural climate cycles can change the temperature of Earth factors like
Milankovitch cycles ,solar irradiance, ENSO cycle, Volcanic eruptions etc
but the changes we are seeing are happening at a scale and speed that natural
cycles cannot explain. These cycles affect the global temperature for years, or
sometimes just months, not the 100 years that we have observed. Meanwhile,
longer-term natural changes like Milankovitch cycles and solar irradiance
take thousands and thousands of years.
It's now proven through various research papers that climate change is
pertinent and it is driven by human activities. Thus climate change denial is
just a fallacy.
Human activities release gases that change the makeup of Earth’s
atmosphere. These gases are making our atmosphere better at trapping the
Sun's heat. We call this the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the
main cause of rising temperatures. Earth’s atmosphere acts like a greenhouse
where the heat out of sunlight reaches our planet through shorts waves and
warms it. But it can't reflected because the waves loses its intensity and
becomes long waves. Only some of the heat is reflected back into space.
These greenhouse gases are responsible for absorbing more heat which led to
heating of planets. These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2),
water vapour, methane, and nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons etc.

The greenhouse gases is not only a curse. It is important to keep earth

liveable. It keeps our planet warm enough for us to survive. Otherwise there
would be very strike difference in temperature in day and night say 50°C in
day and -50°C at night. It stabilizes the temperature. But the unprecedented
increase in green house gases making the situation unfavorable.

When climate change become concern?

Climate change is a very recent topic but the most catastrophic in its impacts.
Climate change is acknowledged as a anthropogenic issue only after 1960s.
Since 1800s, experiments suggesting that human-produced carbon dioxide
(CO2) and other gases could collect in the atmosphere and insulate Earth
starts taking place but at that time they were met with more curiosity than
concern.
By the late 1950s, CO2 readings would offer some of the first data to
corroborate the global warming theory. But during that phase it's not
acceptable by scientific community.
The early 1980s would mark a sharp increase in global temperatures. Many
experts point to 1988 as a critical turning point when watershed events placed
global warming in the spotlight. The summer of 1988 was the hottest on
record (although many since then have been hotter). 1988 also saw
widespread drought and wildfires within the United States. Scientists
sounding the alarm about climate change began to see media and the public
paying closer attention. NASA scientist James Hansen delivered testimony
and presented models to congress in June of 1988, saying he was “99 percent
sure” that global warming was upon us.
One year later, in 1989, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) was established under the United Nations to provide a scientific view
of climate change and its political and economic impacts.
More about Greenhouse Gases -

First of all look at the distribution and intensity of green house gases. Major
GHGs are Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.
There are various other gases but they are very miniscule in numbers like
Sulphur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, CFCs , Ozone etc.

● Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels

(coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and other biological
materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions (e.g.,
manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the
atmosphere (or "sequestered") when it is absorbed by plants as part of
the biological carbon cycle.
● Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and
transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result
from livestock and other agricultural practices, land use and by the
decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
● Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land
use, and industrial activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste;
as well as during treatment of wastewater.
● Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur
hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful
greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of household,
commercial, and industrial applications and processes.

GWP: The Global Warming Potential (GWP) was developed to allow

comparisons of the global warming impacts of different gases. Specifically, it
is a measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb
over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon
dioxide (CO2).
- GWP of Methane is 25 , which means 1 ton of methane is equals to 25
ton of carbon dioxide in terms of capturing heat. Similarly GWP of
Nitrous oxide is 300 and or fluorinated gases is round 1000-10000
times or CO2.

Why Greenhouse gases starts increasing rapidly?

Greenhouse gases started increasing rapidly since 19th century. There are
various reasons cited for it popularly Population Explosion, Industrial
revolution, increasing consumerism etc.
However if we look at all these factors in a integrated manner we would find
they are not independent rather one event is leading to other.
If we look in ancient history, at time of starting of civilisation. The events
followed are People founded different metals and stones and start making
implement out of it through which they could penetrate into soil and they
become aware about magic of agriculture, following this they started
producing surplus and with increase in food resources population increased
and they started living settled life.
Similarly in the 15-16th century renaissance happened in western nations
after which scientific and technological development followed at massive
scale. Those development paved a way for commercialisation of inventions
which lead to industrial revolution in late 18th century, after which per head
availability of resource increased , life expectancy increased thus population
increased. The increased population consume more. And the extent of per
head consumption is continously increasing from that time.

Role of Emerging Technology

People often argue technology is the solution for climate change. We can
control climate change through it. However if we look at current scenario the
emerging technologies that is "Industry 4.0" is even more detrimental in
increasing consumption and carbon footprint.
Now, In this technology driven world where, we have applications to take
care of our mundane needs, we save ime only to spend it on consuming more
resources to make us happy.
Artificial intelligence and Machine learning play a pivotal role in increasing
consumption now a days. All the application now a days used Machine
learning to identify the niche of user and to bombard him with ads. And our
data transacted through out internet to target us and to show ads, which will
eventually tempts up to purchase more.
Even if their can be potential way to use them environment friendly, there is
lack of motivation and concern or adequate research and information to act
towards it.
Although In many places technological development play a vital role in
cutting down emissions now for example renewable energy is now the
cheapest energy source and electric cars are poised to become mainstream.
We can expect further development in technology which will be
environment friendly.

Urban Developed Areas and Climate change -

Climate change is a global phenomenon that largely impacts urban life and
the impacts are not going to be equal and same, all areas depending on their
geographical location, nearby reliefs and weather pattern will face different
challenges. Rising global temperatures causes sea levels to rise, increases the
number of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and storms, and
increases the spread of tropical diseases. All these have costly impacts on
cities' basic services, infrastructure, housing, human livelihoods and health.
At the same time, cities are a key contributor to climate change, as urban
activities are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates suggest
that cities are responsible for 75 percent of global CO2 emissions, with
transport and buildings being among the largest contributors.

In India in 2011 37 crore people resided in urban areas, same in 2020 is 46

crore and according to Ministry of housing and urban affairs it will be 60
crore in 2030 and 80 crore in 2050. This clearly suggests that population in
urban areas still remain growing in our country. And cities will be major
center for economic growth. Globally also currently cities and urban areas
accounts for 80% of growth engine and still large scale urbanisation will be
visible in Asian and African countries, some research says it may be around
50-75% urbanisation.
Cities are in themselves as well struggling with pollution. Carbon emissions
in major cities are at such scale that it becomes difficult to breathe. It's like
vicious circle through which it's very difficult to come out. As urban areas are
center for economic growth, it provides job opportunities of various kinds
and calibre. So the population will definitely increase in the current cities and
new areas will also be converted into urban areas so the carbon footprint will
also increase because of stress on natural resources.
Cities also accounts for 65% of sustainable development goals
86% of SDG indicator. By making our urban areas more resilient,
sustainable, safe, inclusive will help us to achieve many sustainable
development goals. And definitely will make our developed urban areas more
liveable.

Impact of climate change in urban areas-

There will be very diverse impacts of climate change on cities and even many
such impacts can't be identified. Say for example decrease in life expectancy,
we can't establish a direct relationship of climate change in urban areas and
pre mature death but somehow it is connected. We need a vety broad and
comprehensive research to establish correlation between various variables.

But for now, let's see the impacts of climate change in Delhi particularly.
According to IPCC The capital city may experience a 5.3°C rise in mean
temperature by 21st century-end compared to pre-industrial period under the
worst emission scenario. Delhi’s average temperature is expected to increase
by at least 2°C even under best emission release scenario that is expected to
restrict the increase of global average temperature within 1.5 degree Celsius
compared to pre-industrial period. This is considered the critical cut-off point
for survival of mankind.
● Extreme temperatures, temp touches 50° mark in March itself this
year. And in the winter, cold also break many records, temp down to 2-
3° in winter and remain for more than a week and winter is also very
short lived. According to a recently published Lancet report, more than
7 lakh excess deaths in India annually are attributed to abnormally hot
and cold temperatures related to climate change.

● Water crisis : Water level in Yamuna touched record low this year, for
several days water supply disruptions affect Delhi. Many Public
facilities also suffered from water unavailability and water intensive
business disrupted for many days. Rationalising is being followed in
water supplying which led to protests in many regions. This also
increased political tensions between Haryana and Delhi leading to inter
water disputes. Delhi’s development potential is closely linked to the
availability of water. The city is highly dependent on external sources
of water and the available quantum is inadequate for meeting future
demands. Achieving long-term water security is therefore one of the
major focus areas.

● Air pollution: The air quality in Delhi, the capital territory of India,
according to a WHO survey of 1,650 world cities, is the worst of any
major city in the world.Air pollution in India is estimated to kill about 2
million people every year; it is the fifth largest killer in India.

● Power outages: Delhi breaks its own record every year in demand of
electricity during summer months. And from past few years in every
summer states faces power crisis at large scale. Delhi's ever-increasing
peak power demand is expected to cross 8,200 MW during the
summers of 2023. Power outages will significantly impact the public
transport which almost 70% based on electricity. It will also lead to
business disruptions.
● Non bio degradable Waste problems: Solid waste contributes directly
to greenhouse gas emissions through the generation of methane from
the anaerobic decay of waste in landfills, and the emission of nitrous
oxide from our solid waste combustion facilities. Delhi currently
generates 12,350 tonnes of solid waste daily and this is expected to rise
to 18,915 tonnes by 2041.

● Degrading health, : Climate change is already impacting health in a

myriad of ways, including by leading to death and illness from
increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heatwaves,
storms and floods, the disruption of food systems, increases in
zoonoses and food-, water- and vector-borne diseases, and mental
health issues.

● High intensity rainfall : As per IPCC, the maximum one-day rainfall

may increase nearly 22 per cent and 50 per cent by century-end ,
compared to 1850-1900 benchmark depending upon the emission
scenarios (2 °C average global warming and later 3-4°C global
warming).More cases of urban flooding would be witnessed.

● Longer crop cycle, and high probability to crop failure. Eg Heat

waves in March damaged 7% of wheat crop in the India. Climate
change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect
food quality. For example, projected increases in temperatures, changes
in precipitation patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and
reductions in water availability may all result in reduced agricultural
productivity.

● Damage to public infrastructure due to storm surges.Climate impacts

are projected to lead to increases in investment required for
 infrastructure, particularly water storage, flood defences, and water
supply and sanitation in some regions.

Survey Analysis:
A survey from 20 Delhi’s resident is conducted and 6 questions asked from
them to know public perception to climate change and specifically in Delhi.
It’s result is shown below.
In the survey all 100% of respondents agree climate change is a problem and
acknowledged it as one of the major matter of concern. And although people
in general parlance criticize government and institutions, in this survey
majority of them seems optimistic that governement can resolve it and attain
net zero. Also majority of them believe to ensure green mobility electronic
and CNG buses will be more helpful.

Way forward for climate change :

While science tells us that climate change is irrefutable, it also tells us that it
is not too late to stem the tide. This will require fundamental transformations
in all aspects of society — how we grow food, use land, transport goods, and
power our economies.

Steps should be taken urgently to cut down emissions are :

● Plant based meat : Ruminants animals are one of the largest emitter of
methane. The global production of food is responsible for one third of
greenhouse gases emitted by human activity, with the use of animals
for meat causing twice the pollution of producing plant-based foods.
The difference in emissions between meat and plant production is stark,
to produce 1kg of wheat, 2.5kg of greenhouse gases are emitted. A
 single kilo of beef, meanwhile, creates 70kg of emissions. Plant based
manufactured meat can help to reduce emissions upto certain extent.

● Population control is must : A new born child's carbon footprint is

nearly 58 tonne annually while a tree in its lifespan of 100 years able to
consume 1 tonne of co2. The earth is not in position to even handle the
extra pressure of a single human being. Earth's overshoot day comes in
July itself now.

● Change in lifestyle: At current level of consumerism which is

continuously growing it's almost impossible to cut down carbon
emissions. We shouldn't compromise with our living, but we should
avoid buying craps.

● Moving to nuclear energy : Globally 50% or GHGs are released due to

energy fossil fue burning. For electricity at least we can move towards
nuclear energy. Even solar and wind energy are not compatible. And in
production of solar plates and wind turbines carbon footprint will be
very high. Nuclear energy have very less waste and is most efficient
and least pollution and distorting.

● Sound development policy :Ambitious climate action reinforces

developing countries’ economic growth and development. Conversely,
inaction locks them into climate-vulnerable, high-emissions
development pathways.

● Waste management: Segregation of degradable and non degradable

waste. The prevention and recycling of waste also are potent strategies
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the prevention
and recycling of waste diverts organic wastes from landfills, as a
result, a reduction in the release of methane gas from the
decomposition of these organic materials
 ● Cap and Trade or carbon tax for industries. Cap and trade is a
common term for a government regulatory program designed to limit,
or cap, the total level of emissions of certain chemicals, particularly
carbon dioxide, as a result of industrial activity. A carbon tax directly
sets a price on carbon by defining a tax rate on greenhouse gas
emissions or – more commonly – on the carbon content of fossil fuels.

How to make cities more liveable and adaptable to climate change ?

Although the problem of climate change is global, no corner of the globe is
immune from the devastating consequences of climate change. But we can
adopt strategies to make our city liveable for time being.

● Development of public transport and urban Green mobility

- Promoting cyclability and walkability
- Making shaded infrastructure for developing cycling as a means
of transport in local areas
- Expansion of metro lite and metro neo which is low cost project
with same services as of metro.
- More number of electric and CNG Buses

● Green cover infrastructure: It is for proper groundwater recharge

mechanism. And to not let the city converted into urban heat island.
Green infrastructure filters and absorbs stormwater where it falls. It will
prevent water pollution as well. Green cover will ensure proper
evaporation and cooling.

● Green Construction : Green construction refers to the philosophy and

processes that makes the creation and usage of the built environment as
friendly to the natural environment as possible. From the design stage
to assembly to the functionality of the structure upon completion, green
 construction focuses on reducing negative impacts to the planet and
even adding some positive benefits.

● Mini forests within city: Urban forests play an important role in

ecology of human habitats in many ways. Aside from the beautification
of the urban environment, they offer many benefits like impacting
climate. Tress in cities play a important role through transpiration
which cools down environment in urban areas .
● Well distribution of trees in cities
● Rejuvenation of wetlands and creation of artificial wetlands:
Wetlands can also help to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Wetlands regulate, capture and store greenhouse gases. It acts a carbon
sink.

● Retrofit of current houses: Retrofitting current houses will lead to

redesigning of houses and will reduce the energy demand, houses will
become energy efficient. Also retrofit through green construction,
green roofing will also impact climate in long term

● Mandating following of building bye laws for new houses: Important

to achieve orderly development of an area. Cities confronted with
excessive coverage, encroachment and haphazard development
resulting in chaotic conditions, inconvenience for the users and
disregard for building aesthetics. Airy houses will also reduce the need
of Air conditioner and will reduce emissions in long term.

● Overhaul of drainage and sewage system to prevent water pollution

and urban flooding.
 CONCLUSION

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. It is now

more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that
humans are changing Earth's climate. While science tells us that
climate change is irrefutable, it also tells us that it is not too late to
stem the tide. This will require fundamental transformations in all
aspects of society — how we grow food, use land, transport goods,
and power our economies. Especially on energy and agriculture
front we need work more and make it more resilient. In energy
generation we should move towards nuclear energy to lower down
carbon emissions and in agriculture also we need to shift towards
smart agriculture to make our agriculture more resilient, cost
effective and prevent hunger crisis and malnutrition.

It's also high time to focus heavily on cities. Otherwise in few years
we have to choose between developed city or liveable city. Even
currently we faces a lot of issues in developed areas especially on
health fronts , life expectancy after a contiguous rise again will start
falling in urban areas.

If governments, businesses, civil society, youth, and academia work

together, we can create a green future where suffering is diminished,
justice is upheld, and harmony is restored between people and
planet.

If implemented now a lot of costs and damage that could be caused

by the changing climate can be mitigated.
REFERENCES:

https://www.un.org/en/un75/climate-crisis-race-we-can-win

https://www.iied.org/cities-development-trajectories

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/development-paradigms/climate-
change-impacts-and-way-forward/

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-climate-change-happening-and-what-are-
causes

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/understanding-global-warming-potentials

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases

https://www.campaigncc.org/climate_change/introduction

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/greenhouse-effect/

https://youtu.be/52rDpeC6JL0

https://youtu.be/TKsFzDsDMSYperspective/climate/change/and/urbanisation

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