Unit 5

Climate Change: Challenges & Solution

Anwesh Roy, PhD

Department of Microbiology
(Molecular Biology Division)
KPCMCH
 What is Climate Change?
• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and
weather patterns.
• Climate change describes a change in the average conditions
— such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long
period of time. NASA scientists have observed Earth’s
surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record
have happened in the past 20 years.
• The shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity
or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human
activities have been the main driver of climate change,
primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and
gas.
 Weather vs. Climate

• Weather describes the conditions outside right now in a

specific place. For example, if you see that it’s raining
outside right now, that’s a way to describe today’s weather.
Rain, snow, wind, hurricanes, tornadoes — these are all
weather events.
• Climate, on the other hand, is more than just one or two
rainy days. Climate describes the weather conditions that
are expected in a region at a particular time of year.
 Global Significance of Climate Change
• Climate scientists have showed that humans are responsible for virtually all
global heating over the last 200 years. Human activities are causing
greenhouse gases that are warming the world faster than at any time in at
least the last two thousand years.
• The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is now about 1.1°C
warmer than it was in the late 1800s (before the industrial revolution) and
warmer than at any time in the last 100,000 years. The last decade (2011-
2020) was the warmest on record, and each of the last four decades has been
warmer than any previous decade since 1850.
• Many people think climate change mainly means warmer temperatures. But
temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Because the Earth is a
system, where everything is connected, changes in one area can influence
changes in all others.
• The consequences of climate change now include, among others, intense
droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar
ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.
Global Significance of Climate Change
Global Significance of Climate Change
 Causes of Climate Change
• Burning Fossil Fuels: The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural
gas for energy production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. This
includes emissions from power plants, transportation (cars, trucks, airplanes), and
industrial processes.
• Deforestation: The cutting down of forests for agriculture, urban development, and
other purposes contributes to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2),
so their removal results in higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
• Industrial Processes: Certain industrial activities release potent greenhouse gases,
including methane (CH4) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These gases are used
in various industrial applications and can have a much greater warming potential
than CO2.
• Agriculture: Agricultural practices, including livestock farming and rice cultivation,
produce methane and nitrous oxide (N2O), both potent greenhouse gases. The
use of synthetic fertilizers also contributes to N2O emissions.
• Land Use Changes: Land use changes, such as urbanization and the conversion of
natural landscapes into agricultural land, can alter the Earth's surface reflectivity
(albedo) and affect regional climate patterns.
 Causes of Climate Change
• Waste Management: Landfills and waste treatment facilities produce
methane as organic waste decomposes in anaerobic (low-oxygen) conditions.
• Use of Fluorinated Gases: Certain industrial and consumer products, such as
air conditioning, refrigeration, and aerosol propellants, contain fluorinated
gases with high global warming potentials.
• Black Carbon: Black carbon, a component of particulate matter emitted
from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, contributes to
warming when deposited on ice and snow, reducing their reflectivity.
• Agricultural Practices: Intensive agricultural practices, including excessive
use of irrigation and land degradation, can alter local and regional climate
patterns.
• Changes in Land Use: Urbanization, deforestation, and changes in land use
can alter local and regional climate patterns by modifying the Earth's surface
properties.
• Natural Factors: While human activities are the primary drivers of recent
climate change, natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and variations in
solar radiation can also influence the climate to some extent. However, their
impact is relatively small compared to human-induced changes.
Greenhouse Effect
 Greenhouse Effect
• The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs in
Earth's atmosphere and is essential for maintaining
temperatures suitable for life on our planet. It involves the
trapping of heat from the sun within the Earth's
atmosphere, which helps to keep the planet's surface
warmer than it would be if this heat were allowed to escape
freely into space. Here's how the greenhouse effect works:
 Solar radiation: The Sun emits energy in the form of
sunlight, which includes visible light and various forms of
electromagnetic radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) and
infrared (IR) radiation.
 Absorption and reflection: When this solar radiation
reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed by the
surface (e.g., land and oceans), warming the planet. Some
of the radiation is also reflected back into space by
clouds, ice, and the Earth's surface.
 Greenhouse Effect
 Infrared radiation: As the Earth's surface absorbs
sunlight and warms up, it emits heat in the form of
infrared radiation. This outgoing infrared radiation is
responsible for cooling the planet.
 Greenhouse gases: Certain gases in the Earth's
atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, have the
property of absorbing and re-emitting infrared
radiation. These gases include carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor (H2O), nitrous
oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). They act like a
"blanket" around the Earth, trapping some of the
outgoing infrared radiation.
 Greenhouse Effect
 Heat retention: By absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation,
greenhouse gases effectively trap heat in the atmosphere. This
process keeps the Earth's surface temperature within a range
that is conducive to life as we know it.
 However, human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels
(like coal, oil, and natural gas) and deforestation, have
significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide. This enhanced
greenhouse effect is causing the Earth's average temperature to
rise, a phenomenon known as global warming or climate
change. Excessive global warming can lead to various
environmental and climatic impacts, including more frequent
and severe heatwaves, rising sea levels, and disruptions to
ecosystems.
 Global Warming
Global warming refers to the long-
term increase in Earth's average
surface temperature due to the
accumulation of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere. It is a
significant aspect of climate
change and is primarily driven by
human activities, such as the
burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil,
and natural gas), deforestation,
and industrial processes. These
activities release greenhouse gases,
such as carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide
(N2O), into the atmosphere,
which trap heat from the Sun and
lead to a gradual warming of the
planet.
Global Warming
The amount of
solar energy Earth
receives has
followed the Sun’s
natural 11-year
cycle of small ups
and downs, with
no net increase
since the 1950s.
Over the same
period, global
temperature has
risen markedly. It
is therefore
extremely unlikely
that the Sun has
caused the
observed global
temperature
warming trend
over the past half-
century.
 Consequences of Climate Change
• Rising Temperatures: Increased global temperatures lead to more frequent and severe
heatwaves.
• Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels: The melting of glaciers and polar ice caps contributes
to rising sea levels, which can result in coastal flooding.
• Changing Weather Patterns: Climate change can alter precipitation patterns, leading to
more intense storms, droughts, and unpredictable weather.
• Impacts on Ecosystems: Climate change can disrupt ecosystems, leading to shifts in plant
and animal habitats, loss of biodiversity, and threats to food security.
• Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 levels lead to ocean acidification, which harms
marine life and coral reefs.
• Health Risks: Climate change can exacerbate health problems, such as heat-related
illnesses, respiratory issues from air pollution, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
• Economic Consequences: Climate change can damage infrastructure, agriculture, and
industries, leading to economic losses.
• Migration and Displacement: Rising sea levels and extreme weather events can force
people to migrate and cause displacement.
• Social and Political Issues: Climate change can exacerbate social inequalities and
contribute to conflicts over resources.
• Water Scarcity: Changes in precipitation patterns can lead to water scarcity in some
regions.
 Mitigation Strategies
• Transition to Renewable Energy: Shift from fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) to
renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power. This
reduces carbon emissions from energy production.
• Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industrial
processes to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions.
• Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests can capture and
store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Reducing Deforestation: Halting deforestation and promoting sustainable land use
practices can prevent the release of stored carbon in forests.
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Develop technologies to capture CO2 emissions
from industrial processes and power plants and store them underground to prevent their
release into the atmosphere.
• Transition to Electric Vehicles: Promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and
enhance public transportation to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
• Carbon Pricing: Implement carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon taxes or cap-and-
trade systems to incentivize industries and individuals to reduce emissions.
• Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Encourage sustainable farming practices that reduce
methane emissions from livestock and minimize carbon-intensive land use practices.
 Mitigation Strategies
• Reducing Waste and Promoting Recycling: Reduce waste generation, increase
recycling, and minimize methane emissions from landfills.
• International Agreements: Participate in international agreements like the Paris
Agreement, where countries commit to reducing their emissions and working
together to address climate change.
• Technological Innovation: Invest in research and development of low-carbon
and clean energy technologies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy
system.
• Behavioral Change: Promote sustainable lifestyles and consumer choices,
encouraging people to reduce energy use and waste.
• Education and Awareness: Raise awareness about climate change and its
impacts to mobilize public support for mitigation efforts.
• Green Building Standards: Encourage the construction of energy-efficient and
sustainable buildings through building codes and standards.
• Adaptive Land Use Planning: Implement land use and urban planning
strategies that reduce the need for car travel and enhance resilience to climate
impacts.
• Investment in Public Transportation: Improve and expand public
transportation systems to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.
 Adaptation Strategies
• Infrastructure Resilience: Design and upgrade infrastructure to withstand
extreme weather events, such as building flood-resistant structures and
reinforcing coastal defenses.
• Water Management: Improve water resource management to address changing
precipitation patterns, including building reservoirs, enhancing water
conservation, and implementing efficient irrigation practices.
• Natural Resource Conservation: Protect and manage natural resources, such as
wetlands and forests, to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services that can
help mitigate climate impacts.
• Crop Diversification: Encourage farmers to diversify crops and adopt climate-
resilient agricultural practices to adapt to changing growing conditions.
• Early Warning Systems: Develop and implement early warning systems for
extreme weather events to minimize damage and save lives.
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promote the use of drought-resistant crops,
improved soil management, and precision agriculture techniques.
• Urban Planning: Integrate climate considerations into urban planning and
design, including green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and heat-
resilient buildings.
 Adaptation Strategies
• Community Education: Raise awareness and educate communities about climate change
impacts and adaptation strategies to foster preparedness and resilience.
• Healthcare Preparedness: Enhance healthcare systems to cope with the health impacts of
climate change, including heatwaves and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
• Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Implement strategies that harness the protective and
restorative capabilities of ecosystems, such as coastal mangroves that buffer against storm
surges.
• Climate-Resilient Policies: Develop and enforce policies that encourage climate-resilient
land use, disaster risk reduction, and building codes.
• Insurance and Risk Transfer: Establish insurance mechanisms and risk transfer systems
to help communities and businesses recover from climate-related losses.
• Emergency Response Planning: Develop and regularly update emergency response plans
to address climate-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
• Capacity Building: Build local and national capacity to monitor, assess, and respond to
climate change impacts effectively.
• Migration and Relocation: Plan for managed retreat in areas prone to sea-level rise and
other climate-related hazards, including supporting communities' voluntary relocation.
 International Agreements
• The Paris Agreement
• To tackle climate change and its negative impacts, world leaders at
the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris reached a
breakthrough on 12 December 2015: the historic Paris Agreement.
• The Agreement sets long-term goals to guide all nations:
 substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global
temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius while pursuing
efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees;
 review countries’ commitments every five years;
 provide financing to developing countries to mitigate climate change,
strengthen resilience and enhance abilities to adapt to climate impacts.

• The Agreement is a legally binding international treaty. It entered into

force on 4 November 2016. Today, 194 Parties (193 States plus the
European Union) have joined the Paris Agreement.
THANK YOU