Climate Change:

Science and Solutions

PREPARED BY:
U. V. PATEL
R. K. PRAJAPATI
Earth's Climate System
➢Earth’s climate system is a complex interaction of the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
➢It regulates global temperatures and weather patterns through
various natural processes.
GLOBAL WARMING OR GREEN HOUSE EFFECT
➢The increase in the average
temperature of global
atmosphere is called global
warming.
❖Green house effect
➢Green house is a house
made of glass having high
temperature inside.
➢The trapped energy causes
the inside air temperature to
rise and keeps it warmer
than surroundings. This
phenomenon is called green
house effect.
The Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that keeps
Earth’s surface warm enough to sustain life.
It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from
the Sun. Without this effect, Earth’s average temperature would
be about -18°C, instead of the current +15°C.
How It Works:
Solar radiation reaches Earth, with some energy reflected back
into space and some absorbed by the surface.
Earth’s surface re-emits infrared radiation (heat).
Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate some of this infrared
radiation, preventing it from escaping into space.
This process maintains Earth's energy balance but has been
intensified by human activities, leading to global warming and
climate change.
 Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
and Their Sources
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are atmospheric gases that absorb
and emit infrared radiation. Human activities, particularly
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes,
have significantly increased their concentrations.
❑CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
❑METHANE (CH4)
❑NITROUS OXIDE (N2O)
❑CHLORO FLUORO CARBON (CFC)
❑OZONE (O3)
❑WATER VAPOUR
GREEN HOUSE GASES
Sr. Green Contribu Global Life Sources Why Are GHGs a Problem?
No house tion in warming (years
. gas global potential ) Increased GHG
warming
concentrations enhance
1 CO2 60% 1 100 Burning of fossil fuels the greenhouse effect,
causing global
2 CH4 20% 25 12 Anaerobic temperatures to rise.
decomposition of
organic waste This leads to climate
3 N2O 6% 230 120 fertilizers change impacts, such as
extreme weather, rising sea
4 CFC 14% 12000- 800- AC, refrigerator, levels, and disruptions to
16000 50000 spraying paints ecosystems.
CLIMATE CHANGE
➢ Climate change refers to any significant change in
climatic factors such as temperature, wind, precipitation
lasting for an unexpected period.
➢ Global warming refers to rise in temperature of earth,
while climate change refers to other changes in addition
to global warming.
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Evidence of Climate Change
Evidence of Climate Change
A. Rising Temperatures
Global: The Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1.1°C
since the late 19th century.
India: The average temperature has increased by 0.7°C between
1901-2018, with extreme heatwaves in Delhi, Rajasthan, and
Maharashtra.
🔥 Example: Delhi recorded 52.3°C in May 2023, one of the highest
temperatures ever.
Evidence of Climate Change
B. Melting Glaciers & Ice Caps
Global: Arctic sea ice is declining 13% per decade, and Greenland &
Antarctic ice sheets are losing billions of tons of ice yearly.
India: The Gangotri, Siachen, and Chorabari glaciers in the
Himalayas are retreating rapidly.
❄️ Example: The Kedarnath floods (2013) were worsened by glacier
melting.
Evidence of Climate Change
C. Rising Sea Levels & Coastal Erosion
Global: Sea levels have risen by about 20 cm since 1880, with
increased flooding in coastal cities.
India: Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata are at risk, and Sundarbans
mangroves are shrinking.
🌊 Example: Ghoramara Island, West Bengal, is disappearing due to
rising sea levels, forcing people to migrate.
Evidence of Climate Change
D. Changes in precipitation patterns
(Changing Rainfall)
Global: Some regions experience record rainfall, while others face
severe droughts.
India: The Southwest Monsoon is becoming unpredictable, leading
to floods and droughts.
🌧️ Example: Kerala floods (2018) due to extreme rainfall killed
400+ people and displaced thousands.
Evidence of Climate Change
E. Extreme Weather Events
Global: More frequent cyclones, wildfires, and droughts are being
observed.
India: Cyclones (Amphan, Tauktae), floods (Assam, Bihar), wildfires
(Uttarakhand), and droughts (Vidarbha) are intensifying.
🌪️ Example: Cyclone Amphan (2020) caused ₹1 lakh crore in
damages in West Bengal and Odisha.
Impacts of Climate Change
1. Biodiversity Loss 🌿🐯
Global Impact: Impact in India:
Rising temperatures and habitat destruction Himalayan species like snow leopards and red
are causing mass extinctions. pandas are losing their habitats.

Coral reefs, home to 25% of marine species, Western Ghats forests are shrinking due to
are dying due to bleaching. erratic monsoons and rising temperatures.
Deforestation and wildfires are threatening Sundarbans mangroves, home to the Bengal
forests like the Amazon and Australian tiger, are disappearing due to sea level rise.
bushlands. 🐅 Example: The Ganga River dolphin, India’s
🌍 Example: The Great Barrier Reef has lost national aquatic animal, is endangered due to
over 50% of its coral cover due to heatwaves rising water pollution and temperature
and ocean warming. changes.
Impacts of Climate Change
2. Ocean Acidification 🌊🐠
Global Impact: Impact in India:
Oceans absorb 30% of CO₂ emissions, making Coral bleaching in the Gulf of Mannar and
them more acidic. Lakshadweep threatens India’s marine
biodiversity.
This weakens marine organisms’ shells and Fish populations in the Arabian Sea and Bay
coral reefs, disrupting the food chain. of Bengal are declining due to acidification.
Fisheries are collapsing, affecting marine Mangrove ecosystems, which act as natural
economies. coastal defenses, are weakening.
🌍 Example: Pacific oyster farming in the US 🐠 Example: The coral reefs in Andaman &
and Canada is declining due to increased ocean Nicobar Islands are experiencing bleaching,
acidity. affecting marine life and local fishing
communities.
Impacts of Climate Change
3. Desertification 🏜️
Global Impact: Impact in India:
Around 40% of the world’s land is degraded 30% of India’s land is undergoing
due to desertification. desertification (ISRO).

Africa’s Sahara Desert is expanding, and Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and

droughts in California and Australia are Karnataka are losing fertile land.
worsening. The Thar Desert is expanding, reducing
Desertification leads to water shortages and agricultural productivity.
agricultural collapse. 🌾 Example: Bundelkhand (Madhya
🌍 Example: The Aral Sea in Central Asia, once Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh) faces severe
one of the world’s largest lakes, has almost droughts, forcing many farmers to migrate
dried up due to climate-driven desertification. to cities.
Impacts of Climate Change
4. Social and Economic Impacts
💰🏠
Global Impact: Impact in India:
Climate change is worsening poverty and food Agriculture, which supports 60% of India's
insecurity. population, is at risk due to erratic monsoons.
Extreme weather events damage infrastructure, Floods and cyclones destroy homes, roads, and
homes, and economies. businesses.
Climate refugees are increasing, with millions forced Health risks are increasing due to heatwaves,
to migrate due to rising seas and droughts. waterborne diseases, and air pollution.
🌍 Example: In Bangladesh, thousands are 👷 Example: Mumbai and Chennai face
displaced each year due to flooding and rising sea frequent flooding, leading to economic losses
levels. and displacement of people.
Climate Change Mitigation
(Control the Climate Change)
1. Energy Efficiency and
Conservation 💡🔋
Global Strategies: India’s Initiatives:
Improving industrial, household, and transportation Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme
energy use can reduce emissions. encourages industries to improve energy
efficiency.
Smart grids and LED lighting lower electricity
demand. Ujala Scheme promotes LED bulb distribution,
saving energy and cutting emissions.
Fuel-efficient vehicles and public transport systems
reduce fossil fuel consumption. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric
Vehicles (FAME) promotes electric vehicle (EV)
🌍 Example: Japan’s "Top Runner" program sets adoption.
high energy efficiency standards for appliances,
reducing energy demand. 🚗 Example: Delhi's odd-even traffic scheme
reduced air pollution and fuel use.
Climate Change Mitigation
(Control the Climate Change)
2. Transition to Renewable
Energy Sources ☀️🌬️
Global Strategies: India’s Initiatives:
Solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy Target: 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity
replace fossil fuels. by 2030.
Many countries aim for net-zero emissions by Largest solar park at Bhadla, Rajasthan (2.2
2050 by scaling up renewables. GW).
Governments are investing in large-scale International Solar Alliance (ISA), led by
offshore wind farms and solar parks. India, promotes global solar energy
cooperation.
🌍 Example: Denmark generates 50% of its
electricity from wind power and aims for 100% ☀️ Example: India’s Kurnool Solar Park
renewables by 2050. (Andhra Pradesh, 1,000 MW) powers
millions of homes.
Climate Change Mitigation
(Control the Climate Change)
3. Carbon Capture and
Storage (CCS) 🌱🏭
Global Strategies: India’s Initiatives:
Capturing CO₂ emissions from industries and CCS research is still in early stages but
power plants before they reach the gaining momentum.
atmosphere. Indian Oil, NTPC, and Tata Steel are
Storing captured CO₂ underground in exploring CCS projects.
geological formations. Carbon sequestration through afforestation
Direct air capture technologies remove CO₂ is a key focus.
directly from the atmosphere. 🏭 Example: The National Thermal Power
🌍 Example: Norway’s Sleipner Project has Corporation (NTPC) is working on a pilot CCS
stored 1 million tonnes of CO₂ per year under project to capture emissions from coal
the North Sea since 1996. plants.
Climate Change Mitigation
(Control the Climate Change)
4. Sustainable Land Use and
Forestry 🌳🌾
Global Strategies: India’s Initiatives:
Reforestation and afforestation absorb CO₂ Green India Mission aims to increase forest
and restore ecosystems. cover and restore degraded land.
Sustainable agriculture reduces emissions from National Agroforestry Policy encourages
deforestation and soil degradation. farmers to grow trees along with crops.
Agroforestry integrates trees into farming CAMPA Fund (₹50,000 crore) supports
systems to enhance carbon sequestration. afforestation projects.
🌍 Example: China’s "Great Green Wall" aims 🌱 Example: Miyawaki forests are being
to plant 100 billion trees to combat developed in cities like Bengaluru and
desertification. Chennai to improve urban green cover.