MODULE 3
Elements of global warming
Total carbon dioxide emissions by energy sector
Greenhouse effect.
Impacts on air quality, hydrology, green space
Causes of global and regional climate change
Changes in patterns of temperature, precipitation and sea level rise
Total carbon dioxide emission
Terminologies
❖ Greenhouse gases (GHGs) = gases (i.e. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and
fluorinated gases etc., in the atmosphere that can absorb and emit heat (infrared
radiation)
❖ Carbon Dioxide (CO2) = It is an important largest heat-trapping gas that
comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil,
and natural gas), from wildfires, and from natural processes like volcanic
eruptions
❖ Carbon footprint = Total amount of CO2 produced to directly and indirectly support
human activities (Classified in to Scope1,2 and 3). It is measured as CO2e
❖ Carbon footprint calculation = “Carbon Inventory” “Greenhouse Gas Inventory, ”
“Climate Change Footprint”
❖ Carbon Offsetting = an act that aims to remove a certain amount of carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere to compensate for the same amount of carbon dioxide that
someone or something has added to the atmosphere
❖ Carbon Neutrality = achieving net zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere;
employing a technique to absorb carbon dioxide so it is not emitted
CARBON
FOOT-
PRINT
Components of Carbon footprint
■ It accounts the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and is measured in terms of
an individual’s contribution to it.
■ The gasses primarily comprise carbon dioxide and methane that are produced
through various activities like industrial operations, burning of fuels, and the
production and consumption of various products and services.
■ The major part is the emissions are due to fuel combustion happening during
transportation.
■ Domestic and commercial activities also cause the emission of carbon dioxide and
other gasses. It also includes the generation of harmful components emitted during
the production of electricity and other industrial activities that pollutes air, water,
and soil.
■ Carbon footprint increases due to waste generation that is not processed through
adequate waste recycling procedures.
■ The carbon footprint also focuses on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with
goods and services that are consumed by personnel at the individual and community
level.
■ Fuel combustion, water pollution, and emissions of harmful gasses are major
contributors to the carbon footprint.
Hard truth of carbon emissions
• The global average carbon footprint is about 4 tons per person with the
highest in the United States (16 tons).
• One-fourth of the earth’s species are likely to face extinction within the next
40 years if climate change continues to increase at the current rate.
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can help prevent up to 3 million
premature deaths yearly by the year 2100.
• If each of the 140 million homes in a city replaces its incandescent light bulb
with an energy-efficient CFL lamp, it can save enough energy to power over
3 million homes in a year.
Types of Carbon emissions
■ Direct And Indirect Carbon Emissions
■ Carbon footprint is categorised under three scopes:
• Scope 1 or Direct Emissions: Direct GHG comes from sources
where the fuel is burnt on site. Personal vehicles and gas stoves
are examples of scope 1 emissions.
• Scope 2 or Indirect Emissions: Companies that emit carbon, but
purchase electricity are examples of scope 2 emissions.
• Scope 3 or Other Indirect Emissions: All indirect emissions
which are the result of a companies' activities fall under Scope 3
emissions, such as the production of goods, transportation of
purchased fuel, and at an individual scale; using those produced
goods.
Ways to reduce Carbon footprint
Green House effect
Influence of global hydrological cycle in the context of climate
change
Climatic and non climatic drivers influencing SEA level
changes
Revision for CAT2
■ Compare and contrast between
– Solar and terrestrial radiation
– Global warming and climate change
– Various heat transfer mechanisms
■ Illustrate using neatly drawn figure explain :
– The mechanism of green house effect
– Mechanism of photochemistry
– Mechanism of energy balance
– Mechanism of ocean acidification
– Mechanism of unpredicted precipitation
Revision for CAT 2
■ Root causes of Global warming both natural and anthropogenic sources. Also
mention the type of green house gases emitted from the sources. (Hint: Ans
clearly explained in the videos shared)
■ Aerosols boon or bane? (Video shared)
■ Ways to reduce Carbon footprint
■ Impacts on socioeconomic environment due to climate change
■ Illustrate using a figure
– Electromagnetic spectrum
– Aerosol clouds interaction
– Pathway of Photochemical reactions of a species
■ Uncertainties of Global warming and causes for the same.
■ DA1 Group 1, 2 and 4 please go through the notes.
