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GLOBAL WARMING

 


 

Global warming is for real. Every scientist knows that now, and we are on our way to the destruction of every species on earth, if we don't pay attention and reverse our course. Theodore C. Sorensen

INTRODUCTION

 Global warming is the ‘talk of the town’ in this century, with its detrimental effects already being brought to limelight by the recurring events of massive floods, annihilating droughts and ravaging cyclones throughout the globe. The average global temperatures are higher than they have ever been during the past millennium, and the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have crossed all previous records. A scrutiny of the past records of 100 years indicates that India figures in the first 10 in the world in terms of fatalities and economic losses in a variety of climatic disasters.

 Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained increase great enough to cause changes in the global climate’. The term global warming is synonymous with Enhanced green house effect, implying an increase in the amount of green house gases in the earth’s atmosphere, leading to entrapment of more and more solar radiations, and thus increasing the overall temperature of the earth. this entrapment functions like the glass panels of a greenhouse (or the glass windows of a motor car), which allows the sunlight to pass through but prevents the heat from being re-radiated in outer space. It results into warming of the earth surface. This is called greenhouse effect. Besides C02, CH4 and water vapours, nitrous oxide (N20) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also absorb solar radiation. These five gases are called major greenhouse gases because they act like a blanket spread over the earth's surface helping it to keep warm. The major greenhouse gases (GHGs) thus include C02, CH4 ,H20 vapour ,N20 and CFCs .These gases occur in minute quantities in the atmosphere(as nitrogen and oxygen present 78% and 20.9% by volume respectively) but play a critical role in maintaining even temperatures on earth. Carbon dioxide contributes about 60% of total warming, whereas methane, CFCs and N20 20%, 14% and 6% respectively. Besides these major greenhouse gases, hydroChlorooflurocarbons (HCFCs), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), Halans, carbon tetrachloride and ozone also cause greenhouse effect. The relative contribution of different sources to GHGs is as follows:

Electricity and heat production------------------25%

industrial Process---------------------------------------21%

Agriculture, Forestry, and other landuse ------24%

Transportation ------------------------------------------14%

Buildings------------------------------------------------------6%

Other energy-----------------------------------------------10%

(source IPCC-2014)

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era, driven largely by economic and population growth, and are now higher than ever. This has led to atmo­spheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide that are unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years. Their effects, together with those of other anthropogenic driv­ers, have been detected throughout the climate system and are extremely likely to have been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. Concentrations of greenhouse gases – and  especially carbon dioxide– have risen over the past two hundred and fifty years, largely due to the combustion of fossil fuels for energy production. Since the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from about 270 parts per million (ppm) to about 370 ppm. Concentrations of methane have also risen due to cattle production, the cultivation of rice, and release from landfills. Nearly one-third of human-induced nitrous oxide emissions are a result of industrial processes and automobile emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels is not the only anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide. When ecosystems are altered and vegetation is either burned or removed, the carbon stored in them is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The principal reasons for deforestation are agriculture and urban growth, and harvesting timber for fuel, construction, and paper. Currently, up to a quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere can be attributed to land-use change. Sulfate aerosols and black carbon are two important additional examples of anthropogenic forcings. Sulfate aerosols, which enter the atmosphere naturally during volcanic eruptions, are tiny airborne particles that reflect sunlight back to space. Industrial activity has recently increased their concentration in the atmosphere primarily through the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur. Anthropogenic emissions of sulfate aerosols have been associated with a net cooling effect. Black carbon is soot generated from industrial pollution, traffic, outdoor fires, and the burning of coal and biomass fuels. Black carbon is formed by incomplete combustion especially of coal, diesel fuels, biofuels and outdoor biomass burning. Soot particles absorb sunlight, both heating the air and reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the ground. Global Climate Change in the Twentieth Century The climate system includes a great deal of natural variability, and climate fluctuations have always been part of the Earth’s 4.6 billion year history. However, over the past century changes in concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are of an unprecedented rate and magnitude. Human population growth has led to increasing demands for energy and land resources. Through the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy for industrial use, transportation, and domestic power, and through land-use change for agriculture and forest products, humans have been altering the Earth’s energy balance. Scientists believe that these changes may have already begun to alter the global climate.

 CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING

        In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans. Impacts are due to observed climate change, irrespective of its cause, indicating the sensitivity of natural and human systems to changing climate. as a result it has became apparent that the earth has been suffering from fever, and we have to act sincerely to cure it. Carbon emissions still continue to increase. Climate change has become One of the prime issues threatening the sustainability of world's environment. Besides environment, climate change has also impacts on liveability, health and economy of the globe.

1.        A rise in global temperature causes sea levels to rise as Polar ice caps and glaciers begin to melt, along with thermal expansion of water.

2.     More droughts and Floods.                                        

3.        More terrible storms.

4.        Many more hot days.

5.        More diseases like malaria and dengue.

6.        Impacts on ecosystem would change the crop production potential of a region, especially in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America.

7.        There will be a drastic change in weather patterns, bringing more floods or droughts in some areas.

8.        Forests may disappear. Biological diversity may reduce, some species could become extinct.

9.        Some ecosystems may not reach to stable equilibrium for several centuries, especially coral reefs that are highly sensitive to climate changes.

1    problems of drinking water supply, sanitation and drought.

11    .Crop yields will fluctuate. Though overall global agricultural production may not change, there will be large regional difference. Tropics and subtropics may face problem of decreased food production.

1       Negative impacts will be more on developing countries of semi-arid zones.

1       Sea level is projected by several models to rise between 9 cm and 29 cm by 2030 and 96 cm by 2090. The South-Asian region with over 1/6th of the world population will suffer greatly.

14.     The warming would cause significant loss of life. Heat stress mortality and diseases could  increase due to northward expansion of insect habitats.

TO WHOM CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT?

The most affected will be none but the poorest on the planet. Poor developing countries, particularly small island nation states will be the worst hit. A 15-95 cm rise in sea level could turn these people into refugees. Moreover, poor countries are least prepared to face the wrath of floods and hurricanes. Life styles of future generations will be compromised. Plants and animals around the world will be drastically affected due to changing weather and some may even become extinct. Monsoon patterns are also likely to change.

A two degree centigrade rise in global temperature predicted by the year 2030 may cause many damages to the planet. South Asian nations are likely to suffer most and will have sAme special challenges to tackle? Shifting rainfall patterns are likely to leave some parts too wet and others too dry. The Himalayan glaciers would melt and increase flooding. The floods and droughts would spread diseases and agricultural output. And this is really just the tip of the iceberg. The South Asian region is populated by some of the world's  poorest people, in terms of economic growth, levels of education, nutrition and social development. Ironically, it is quite possibly one  of the richest regions in the world in terms of natural resources and biodiversity. Detailed researches of climatic events of the past 150 years have revealed that the temperatures have risen all over the globe, with the warming occurring in two phases. The first phase was from 1919 to 1940, with an average temperature gain of 0.35°C, and the second phase was from 1970 to the present, exhibiting temperature gains of 0.55°C. There has been a particularly alarming effect of global warming on the climate of India. India is already a disaster prone area, with the statistics of 27 out of 35 states being disaster prone, with most disasters being water related. The process of global warming has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of these climatic disasters. According to surveys, in the year 2007-2008, India ranked the third highest in the world regarding the number of significant disasters, with 18 such events in one year, resulting in the death of 1103 people due to these catastrophes.

India is the most flood distressed state in the world after Bangladesh, accounting for 1/ 5th of the global deaths every year with 30 million people displaced from their homes yearly. Approximately 40 million hectares of the land is vulnerable to floods, with 8 million hectares affected by it. Unprecedented floods take place every year at one place or the other, with the most vulnerable states of India being Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.On 6th August 2010, Leh and many other villages of the Ladakh range were drowned by a downpour that killed at least 255 people, and resulted in a state loss of Rs. 133 crore. The unexpected heavy rainfall was attributed to the climatic changes resulting from global warming.Similarly in September 2014 massive floods devastated Kashmir valley, it was the outcome of the climate change.

 

 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate change is about cumulative historical emissions, a tonne of C02 released in 1840 is equal to a tonne of C02 released today. Rich countries account for about seven per cent out of every 10 tonnes of C02 that have been emitted since the start of the industrial area in 1840. As per report of Carbon Dioxide Information analysis Centre of 2007 share of global C02 emissions (per cent) during the period 1840-2006 revealed that USA accounted about 30 per cent, followed by Russian Federation, China, Germany and U.K. with about I0 per cent each, followed by Japan with about five per cent and France, India, Canada and Poland with less than five per cent each, Between 1980 and 2005, the total emissions of the USA were almost double that of China and more than seven times that of India, Between 1980 and 2005.

 

WHAT WE ARE DOING?

 

Frankly speaking very little. Countries around the  world have been putting their heads together to meet the challenge, The only way to escape the disastrous consequences associated with climate change is to reduce emissions by 50-70 per cent below 1990 levels. The use of fossil fuels, hence carbon emissions are closely linked to economic growth and life style. The richer you are more you emit. You have to put limits to your emissions, hence to stop fuel guzzling sports utility vehicles I.e. Iife style. But few are willing to change the way they live. During climate talks, everyone agrees, that no one agrees on how to reduce carbon emissions. Nations are very much divided over climate change. North and South fell apart. The USA feels that the country's economy will suffer if it goes by the Kyoto commitments. There are others who believe that USA has just given in to what the oil and coal industries want-after all they are the funding source of Ms election campaign. EU countries, Russia and Japan-all major polluters- have agreed to cut emissions. India and China, a group of developing countries are not required to make cuts... Yet. The U.S., however, insists that these countries with large economies must also be asked to cut emissions.

 

WHAT ARE THE  IMPACTS ON OUR VALLEY?

Kashmir the beautiful place, known as the swizerland of Asia or paradise on earth.This part of world is much vulnerable to climate change.Any devation in climate of this beautiful place will heavily cost to the people on this patch of earth.September 2014 devastating floods was a wakeup call from nature and  Kullan ,Gagengeer and baltal cloud brusts a couple of years ago were warnings from nature.we haven't learnt much about the environment of J&K that is why we are suffering from natures furies day in and day out.if we can't do any thing good to our paradise we should'nt harm it too. This beauty of nature in J&K is indirect economy of the major population of J&K.The lush green meadows and pristine crystal clear waters is main attraction  to this destiny and blank cheque for economy.

As temperatures increase around the world, weather patterns and seasons will change here in the valley. These changes in climate already are having troubling effects:

• higher temperatures

• more intense rain, cloud bursts and floods

• No snow or heavy snow.

• increased droughts

• increased cost of food

• poor air quality

• changes in forests, agriculture,viticulture and wetlands

 

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Be a part of the solution! What we can do

You can make a difference

Ø  Bike or walk instead of driving .

Ø  Carpool to school.

Ø  Conserve water.

Ø  Get educated about taking care of the environment .

Ø  Use both sides of paper.

Ø  Organize a class project to teach others about climate change solutions.

Ø  Be energy efficient...turn off lights, unplug electronics, use a power strip, unplug chargers (cellphone, iPods, etc.) when not in use.

Ø  Bring lunch in reusable containers .

Ø  Use reusable bottles for water (save money, reduce pollution).

 

What your family can do:

Ø  Reduce, reuse, recycle

Ø  Buy a hybrid car

Ø  Look for green energy alternatives

Ø  Use compact fluorescent light bulbs

Ø  Go solar

Ø  Walk instead of drive

Ø  Buy local

Ø  Shop at the farmers’ market

Ø  Use less hot water

Ø  Use products made from recycled paper

Ø  Bring a reusable cloth bag to the store

Ø  Plant a tree

Ø  Cut down on products with excess packaging

Ø  Compost

Every little thing counts!”

Be part of the solution.

Get involved

Volunteer in your community

Write your elected officials—tell them your hopes for a healthy environment

Start a school project to educate others

Plant trees

Reduce

Take canvas bags to the grocery store

Bring your lunch and drinks in reusable containers

Cut down on the amount of trash you produce

Save energy

Turn off lights, TVs, computers and radios when not in use; unplug your stuff!

Turn down the heat or air conditioning

Walk or ride your bike whenever possible

Conserve water

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth

Take shorter showers

Recycle

Recycle paper, metal, glass and plastic

Use recycled products

Use rechargeable batteries

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today

-Abrraham Lincoln

 

For 200 years we've been conquering nature. Now we're beating it to death.

-Tim McMillan

 

 

References

1.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2001. “Working Group I Third Assessment Report.” Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK. 881 pp.

2.National Academy of Sciences (NAS). 2001. “Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions. “ National Academies Press. 42 pp.

3.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

http://reliefweb.int/disaster/fl-2012-000110-ind

4.Climate Change, Disasters and Security……Issues, Concerns and Implications for India By Sunil Chauhan

5.Flood: Trends and Social Impacts in Indian context

6.Joshi P.C.11, KhattriKhattriP.P.11, Singh M.M., M.22, , Fordham M.33and and GuhaGuha-Sapir

7. Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers

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