Understanding Climate Change – Overview

Climate change is a significant global issue that has been increasingly evident over the past years. It is not limited to India alone; it affects the entire planet. We have witnessed more heatwaves, extreme weather events, and water scarcity, just to name a few examples in recent years.

Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperatures, weather patterns, and other environmental factors on Earth. It is largely driven by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes. These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause global temperatures to rise.

Learning Outcomes from this Blog

1. Understanding Climate Change
2. Causes of Climate Change in India
3. Recent Incidents from the Past Years
4. India’s Achievement 

Let’s not neglect the primary reason for climate change, which is the growing population on this planet. Last year, India’s population reached 1,428,627,663, marking a 0.81% increase in the overall population according to the latest survey report.

The Climate changes not only affect humans but also have far-reaching impacts on the economy and diverse ecosystems. It poses a threat to plants – animals – causing destruction. Also, the issue of population growth is equally important, because increasing population demands more resources for sustainable living at our level.

The specific aim of this article is to look at how Climate change is impacting India and the world in various ways, such as changing weather patterns – rising sea levels in coastal areas, the impact on agriculture, including water scarcity – rapidly melting glaciers, and unpredictable monsoons. We will understand each of these aspects through examples and explore sustainable solutions to address these challenges in this article!

1. Greenhouse gases: Gases that warm the atmosphere and affect climate.

Greenhouse gases are gases trapped in the atmosphere that have the ability to retain heat, causing a natural and necessary process known as the greenhouse effect. This effect is important for maintaining Earth’s temperature at a level suitable for life. However, human activities have significantly increased the concentrations of these gases, rapidly increasing the greenhouse effect, which is contributing to global warming and climate change. Here’s an overview of the major greenhouse gases and their sources.

The primary driver of contemporary climate change is emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as fluorinated gases.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Source: CO2 is emitted primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and land-use changes. It is a major contributor to global warming and climate change.

Methane (CH4)

Source: Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas released from the production and transportation of fossil fuels as well as from digestion (intestinal fermentation) by animals and organic waste in landfills. It has a substantial short-term heating effect.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Source: Nitrous oxide is produced from agricultural activities, such as the use of synthetic fertilizers, and some industrial processes. It has a significant warming effect and contributes to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere.

Fluorinated Gases

Source: Fluorinated gases are man-made and are used in a variety of industrial applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and electronics manufacturing.

Impact: These gases have a high global warming potential and can trap substantial amounts of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

 The combustion of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, for energy production and transportation represents another significant source of CO2 emissions. This significant contribution to air pollution directly impacts climate change.

In an era where technology is advancing rapidly, India, as the world’s fastest growing economy, is facing a critical issue – deforestation. The rapidly expanding construction industry, fueling economic growth, has led to rapid depletion of forests. Deforestation reduces the planet’s ability to absorb CO2, as trees and plants serve as important carbon sinks. This environmental challenge not only disrupts ecological conditions but also exacerbates climate change, underscoring the need for sustainable practices and conservation efforts.

• Livestock Farming: Livestock produce methane during digestion, which is a potent greenhouse gas.
• Rice Cultivation: Rice paddies, when flooded, produce methane in anaerobic conditions.

3. Cement Production: The production of cement is a significant source of CO2 emissions.

4. Land Use Changes: Alterations in land use, such as urbanization, deforestation, and reforestation, can influence local climate patterns.

5. Waste and Landfills: Landfills produce methane emissions as organic waste decomposes anaerobically.

 While human activities are the primary contributors to recent climate change, natural factors can also influence the climate.

• Volcanic Eruptions Volcanic eruptions release aerosols into the atmosphere, which can temporarily cool the planet.

1. Rising temperatures over the past year.

2. Devastating floods in Assam in 2022.

3. Widespread floods in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya in 2022.

4. Occurrence of droughts in various regions.

5. Incidents of landslides.

6. Growing concerns about water scarcity.

Let’s examine the factual data collected by the Indian Meteorological Department up to 2022:

• The average temperature in India has increased by approximately +0.71°C (1.3 degrees Fahrenheit) since the 1980s.
• 2022 was the fifth warmest year compared to the highest temperatures recorded from 1981 to 2010.
• The hottest day on record in India occurred on May 19, 2016, when the temperature in Phalodi, Rajasthan reached 51°C (123.8°F).

For a more detailed overview of temperature trends in 2022, you can refer to Table 1.

Table 1: Temperature Trends in 2022

S. N	Year	Month	Season	Temperature Increased
1	2021	Jan – Feb	Normal	-0.04˚C
2	2021	March – May	Spring	+1.06˚C
3	2021	June – Sept	Monsoon	+0.36˚C
4	2021	Oct – Dec	Autumn	+0.51˚C

Table 2: Hottest Years Recorded

Over the period from 1980 to 2022, India’s average temperature has risen by nearly 1°C. Predictions for the upcoming years suggest that India’s temperature will climb an additional 1.5 to 2°C due to this ongoing warming trend.

The Impacts of Rising Temperature

The effects of rising temperatures in India are already evident. These effects include:

• Increased intensity and frequency of heatwaves.
• More extreme precipitation events, leading to droughts and floods.
• Water shortages.
• Shifting agricultural yields.
• Increased risk of vector-borne diseases.
• Rising sea levels.

Addressing the challenge of rising temperatures and their impacts involves

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Adapting to the consequences of global warming.
• Investing in green energy.
• Promoting tree planting and reforestation.
• Implementing sustainable water management and recycling practices.
• Encouraging sustainability initiatives in businesses.

Extreme Weather Events in 2022

2022 marked the fifth warmest year in the past decade. Alongside rising temperatures, India experienced several natural disasters:

2.      Devastating floods in Assam in 2022.

• This was the worst situation of the year in assam more than Four Millon of people and at least 280 fatalities
• The floods were caused by severe monsoon rains that became more intense due to climate change.
• Assam is linked to the Brahmaputra River, which is at its highest level in 122 years.
• The floods have seriously destroyed a significant amount of infrastructure, including houses, bridges, and highways.
• To aid with the relief and rescue efforts, the Indian government sent out troops.
• The floods highlight the catastrophic effects of climate change.

3.      Widespread floods in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya in 2022.

Devastating floods occurred in Bihar, displacing three million people from their places and resulting in the unfortunate loss of over 100 lives. Same as other states also affected, such as Manipur, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh.

4.      Occurrence of droughts in various regions.

In India, droughts are the most common natural disasters. It impacts more than 600 million people annually and around 60% of the nation’s geographical area.

In terms of hydrological droughts, the five worst years were 1876, 1899, 1918, 1965, and 2000; the most severe meteorological droughts were in same years.

Important: Cyclones in the coastal areas in Andhrapradesh, in 2013, a cyclone in Odisha which Impacts both Humans And infrastructures

5.      Incidents of landslides.

Landslides, primarily caused by heavy rainfall, have resulted in significant property damage and loss of life in several North Indian states. Himachal Pradesh and Punjab serve as prominent examples of such incidents, particularly in the month of July.

These are just a few instances of the extreme weather events that India has been experiencing in recent years. As the climate continues to change, these conditions become more frequent and intense, posing a serious threat to the country.

6.      Growing concerns about water scarcity.

Water shortages are indeed a critical issue affecting many states in India, and it is primarily driven by climate change. States such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, as well as Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, are grappling with this challenge.

The quantity of available water for both drinking and agricultural purposes is diminishing daily due to the melting of the Himalayan glaciers, which is a consequence of climate change. Climate change has led to a rise in the frequency of extreme events such as floods and droughts, and this has the potential to significantly impact water resources.

India’s Achievement on climate changas

It’s evident that since the new government came into power, India has been increasingly focused on sustainability and technology. Government projects like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are notable examples of this commitment. Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in awareness regarding sustainability among the Indian population over the past year.

In line with these efforts, the latest report published by the United Nations highlights that India is making progress in areas such as net-zero energy buildings and green buildings. It’s noteworthy that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are significantly below the world average, standing at approximately 3%. When compared to other countries, India’s greenhouse gas emissions are relatively low.

This is a positive sign that India is moving in the right direction in terms of sustainability and environmental conservation.

Let’s take a another example,

In the transportation sector, another notable example is the government’s push towards electric vehicles (EVs). The Road and Transport Ministry has committed to enforcing strict rules regarding the use of diesel and petrol vehicles. Additionally, the Ministry is actively working on initiatives such as green highways and plastic roads that are made reusable.

Furthermore, the country is making significant progress in converting waste materials into valuable resources, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to waste management and resource use. These initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to address environmental and sustainability challenges, especially in the transportation sector.

Mitigating Climate Change

Recognizing these causes is the first step towards addressing climate change. Mitigating the impacts of climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, adopting sustainable land-use practices, and promoting global cooperation to combat this critical issue.

Understanding the causes of climate change empowers us to take meaningful action, from individual efforts to international collaboration, to protect our environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.