What Is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to a statistically significant long-term shift in temperature and weather
patterns which persists for an extended period (typically decades or longer) that may be natural such
as through variations in the solar cycle or a result of anthropogenic activities such as carbon
emission.
Since the 1800s, human activities, primarily the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas have
been the primary cause of climate change.
Fossil fuel combustion produces greenhouse gas emissions that serve as a blanket around the earth,
trapping heat from the sun and increasing temperatures.
Carbon dioxide and methane are two prominent greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to
climate change. These are produced, for instance, by burning coal or gasoline. Carbon dioxide can
also be released during forest and land clearing and Methane is emitted primarily by waste landfills.
Among all, the major emitters are energy, industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture, and land
use.
Key Findings related to Climate change
China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide which comprises 30.60% of the CO2 emission
worldwide. China is followed by USA and India.
The Earth is now about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the 1800s. The commitment made under Paris
Agreement may not be met.
By the end of the century, the temperature might rise by as much as 2.4°C if carbon dioxide
emissions continue on their current course.
The levels of greenhouse gases rose to a new height in 2019. The amount of carbon dioxide was
148% of preindustrial levels.
Between 2020 and 2030, the world’s production of fossil fuels must drop by around 6% in order to
maintain a 1.5°C trajectory.
Causes of Climate Change
Several anthropogenic activities induce harm to the environment. A few important of them are-
i. Power Generation
Burning fossil fuels to provide power and heat accounts for a sizable portion of world emissions.
Burning coal, oil, or gas releases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which are still used to produce
the majority of power. Only a little over a quarter of the world’s electricity is generated by
renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and other natural resources.
ii. Manufacturing industries
The manufacturing/industrial sector is one of the leading global producers of greenhouse gas
emissions. Emissions from manufacturing and industry are mostly the result of burning fossil fuels to
create energy for the production of items like textiles, electronics, plastics, cement, iron, and steel.
Gases are also released during mining and other industrial activities, as well as during construction.
iii. Deforestation
A percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions is caused by deforestation, along with agriculture
and other changes in land use. As per an estimation, nearly 12 million hectares of forests are burned
annually. Cutting down forests to make way for farms, pastures, or for other purposes also increases
emissions. Forests absorb carbon dioxide, hence cutting or destroying forests reduces nature’s
capacity to absorb emissions.
iv. Transportation
Fossil fuels are typically used to power transportation machines. As a result, emissions of
greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, are greatly influenced by the transportation sector. In
addition, statistics suggest that over the next few years, energy use for transportation will rise
significantly.
v. Consuming too much
Your home and use of power, how you move around, what you eat and how much you throw away
all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. So does the consumption of goods such as clothing,
electronics, and plastics. A large chunk of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to private
households. Our lifestyles have a profound impact on our planet. The wealthiest bear the greatest
responsibility: the richest 1 per cent of the global population combined account for more
greenhouse gas emissions than the poorest 50 per cent.
Here, we look at five ways in which India will be adversely affected because of climate change:
1. Increase in temperatures and heatwaves
Anecdotal evidence suggests that summers have gotten hotter and more prolonged in India. And
science predicts they will get worse. According to studies, the frequency of summer (April–June)
heat waves over India is projected to be three to four times higher by the end of the 21st century
compared to the 1976–2005 baseline period. The average duration of the heatwave is also set to
double. This could be an all-India phenomenon, with the Indo-Gangetic getting affected more than
others.
2. Monsoons will become more erratic
Research shows that the annual monsoon rainfall in India has seen a steady decline. But at the same
time, there has been an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall events.
According to the World Bank, a 2°C rise in the world’s average temperatures will make India’s
summer monsoon more unpredictable. Since India heavily depends on the monsoon rains for water
supply in the rivers and agriculture, an erratic monsoon could affect every aspect of life. Most
farmers in India depend on monsoon rain to grow crops, and if the rains get unpredictable, it will
threaten India’s food security. Take rice, for instance. While rice yields have increased due to
improved varieties, rising temperatures and erratic rain could mean a fall in yields. A recent study by
German researchers also concludes that if global warming continues unchecked, monsoon rainfall in
India will become more vigorous and erratic. The study compared over 30 state-of-the-art climate
models worldwide and predicts more extremely wet years in the future – with potentially grave
consequences for over one billion people’s well-being, economy, food systems, and agriculture.
3. Increase in droughts and floods
Several studies, including the ones by India’s government, have shown a higher frequency of
droughts and expansion of drought-affected areas since 1950. Drought is also a humanitarian crisis
as people face a shortage of water and food. A drought could further result in internal migration,
with people leaving their homes in search of livelihoods. Incidences of flooding have also increased
in India. These have been mainly due to short-duration, intense rainfall. Such events may increase as
the monsoon gets more erratic, experts say.
Not just the rain, but the melting of glaciers because of warming could also threaten the higher
reaches of the Himalayas, which will see an increased flow of water in the rivers, resulting in higher
flood risks. The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins are considered particularly at risk of increased
flooding.
4. Rise in sea levels
Coastal regions in India have been witnessing the effects of climate change with sea levels rising.
Coastal mangrove forests have played an essential role in protecting human habitats from storm
surges, but with sea levels rising, many mangroves have been wiped out in the western and eastern
parts of the country. Some experts say that the destruction of mangroves and unplanned
construction in Mumbai near the sea have only increased flooding. Mangroves have borne the brunt
of advanced construction and rising sea levels.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest in West Bengal and Bangladesh have for long protected the region
against tropical storms, but increased sea levels have meant that many parts of the Sundarbans have
submerged. The destruction has resulted in tropical storms getting more ferocious, leading to loss of
life and livelihood.
5. More devastating tropical storms
Powerful cyclonic systems making landfall on both the coasts of India were known, but they were
rare events. But research has shown that the frequency of tropical storms has increased in the last
decade. Global warming is cited as the main reason for this. Category 4 and 5 cyclonic storms have
been battering the coasts of India in recent years, and even stronger cyclones are predicted in the
coming years leading to more loss of life in the coastal areas of India. These could also affect the
weather patterns.
A 2016 Nature study found that global heating had contributed to the increased frequency of
extremely severe cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea. India is especially vulnerable as 14% of its 1.3
billion population live in coastal districts, and the number living in coastal areas below 10 metres
elevation is forecast to rise threefold by 2060.
