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Course Title: Environmental Sustainability

(Course Code: DI02000051)
Unit– IV Climate Change: Science and Solutions
4.1 Earth's climate system and the greenhouse effect, Greenhouse gases (GHGs) and their sources,
4.2 Evidence of climate change like Temperature records, Melting ice caps and glaciers, Rising sea
levels, Changes in precipitation patterns, Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather
events
4.3 Impacts of Climate Change: Biodiversity loss, Ocean acidification, Desertification, Social and
economic impacts
4.4 Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions like Energy
efficiency and conservation, Transition to renewable energy sources, Carbon capture and storage
(CCS), Sustainable land use and forestry

4.1 Earth's climate system and the greenhouse effect, Greenhouse gases (GHGs) and
their sources
❖ Definition of climate change
Climate change describes a change in the average conditions such as temperature and rainfall in a region
over a long period of time

Weather and climate

Weather and climate are two different but related terms .

Weather refers to the condition of a place or an atmosphere on a daily basis. It could be cloudy,
sunny, rainy, stormy or clear. It is a part of the natural phenomenon which maintains the equilibrium in
the atmosphere.
In contrast to the weather, the climate is the long-term condition of a particular region. It refers to
the average weather in a place over many years. While the weather could change in just a few hours,
climate takes hundreds, thousands, even millions of years to change.

Climate is the long-term condition of a particular region. The climate changes in a particular region
are based on the atmosphere and environmental conditions of that region.

Factors that affect the climate of a place:

● Latitude – Places near the equator are hotter because they get more sunlight, while places far from
the equator (higher latitudes) are cooler.
● Elevation – Higher places (mountains) have thinner air, which makes them colder.
● Ocean Currents – Warm ocean currents can make a place warmer, and cold currents can make it
cooler.
● Topography – The shape of the land (mountains, valleys) affects temperature and rainfall.
Mountains block wind and rain, changing the climate.
● Vegetation – Trees release water vapor, which can create clouds and change the climate.
● Prevailing Winds – Winds move air around. Winds from the ocean bring moisture (cool and rainy),
while winds from dry areas bring heat.
● Human Activities – Pollution, deforestation, and industries cause climate change by increasing
global temperatures.
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❖ Earth's climate system and the greenhouse effect

Earth’s Climate System:
The climate system controls the Earth’s temperature and weather patterns. It
includes:
1. Atmosphere – The air surrounding Earth, which traps heat and regulates
temperature.
2. Hydrosphere – Water bodies (oceans, lakes, rivers) that store and transfer
heat.
3. Biosphere – Living things (plants, animals, humans) that affect and adapt to
climate.
4. Lithosphere – Land (mountains, deserts, forests) that influences temperature
and rainfall.

Greenhouse Effect:
● The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm.
● The Sun’s rays reach Earth, and the surface absorbs some heat while reflecting
some back.
● Greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor) trap some
of this heat, preventing it from escaping into space.
● This keeps the planet warm, but too much greenhouse gas can cause global
warming, making Earth too hot.

●The greenhouse effect plays a critical role in regulating Earth's surface temperature. It's a natural
phenomenon involving the interaction of solar radiation with atmospheric gases and the subsequent
energy transfer.
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●Mechanism of the Greenhouse Effect

● Solar Irradiance:
The Sun emits shortwave radiation, which penetrates Earth’s atmosphere.
A portion of this radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, increasing its temperature.
● Thermal Re-radiation:
The warmed surface re-emits energy in the form of longwave infrared radiation.
● Greenhouse Gas Absorption:
○ Certain gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄),
and nitrous oxide (N₂O), absorb outgoing infrared radiation.
○ These gases have molecular structures that allow them to trap heat energy
effectively.
● Heat Trapping and Re-emission:
○ Absorbed energy excites greenhouse gas molecules, causing them to vibrate and re-
emit radiation in all directions.
○ A portion of this re-emitted energy returns to Earth’s surface, leading to additional
warming.

●Remedies:
○Renewable Energy Integration: Transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources like solar,
wind, and geothermal reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
○Energy Efficiency Improvements: Optimizing energy use in buildings, transportation, and industrial
processes minimizes overall energy demand and subsequent emissions.
○Sustainable Practices: Implementing sustainable forestry, carbon capture technologies, and energy-
efficient infrastructure development can help mitigate climate change impacts.

❖ Greenhouse gases (GHGs) and their sources

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are atmospheric gases that trap heat from the sun. This phenomenon is
known as the greenhouse effect, which is essential for maintaining a habitable temperature on Earth.
However, human activities have led to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases, causing
global warming and climate change.
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Types of Greenhouse Gases

The main types of greenhouse gases are:
● Carbon dioxide (CO2)
● Methane (CH4)
● Nitrous oxide (N2O)
● Fluorinated gases

Sources of Greenhouse Gases

The main sources of greenhouse gases are:
● Carbon dioxide (CO2):
○ Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
○ Deforestation (fewer trees to absorb CO₂)
○ Industrial processes (cement production, steel manufacturing)
○ Respiration by living organisms
● Methane (CH4):
○ Agriculture (livestock digestion પપપપપ પપપપ, rice paddies પપપપપપપ પપપપપ)
○ Landfills and waste decomposition
○ Oil and gas extraction and transportation
● Nitrous oxide (N2O):
○ Agricultural activities (fertilizers, soil management)
○ Burning fossil fuels and biomass
○ Industrial processes
● Fluorinated Gases (CFCs, HFCs, PFCs, SF₆, NF₃)
○ Refrigeration and air conditioning (HFCs, CFCs)
○ Industrial processes (aluminum, semiconductor production)
○ Fire extinguishers and insulation materials

4.2 Evidence of climate change like Temperature records, Melting ice caps and
glaciers, Rising sea levels, Changes in precipitation patterns, Increased frequency
and intensity of extreme weather events Global warming-causes & effect
( પપપપપપ પપપપપપપપપપ પપપપપપ પપપપ પપ પપપપપપ પપપપપપપ, પપપપપ પપપપપ પપપપ
પપપ પપપપપપપ, પપપપ પપપપપપ પપપપપ, પપપપપપપ પપપપપપપપપ પપપપપપ, પપપપ
પપપપપપ પપપ પપપપપપપપ પપપપપપ પપપપપપપ પપપપપપપ પપપપપપપ પપપપપપપપપ પપપપપ
- પપપપપ પપપ પપપપ)
1. Temperature Records:
● Scientists precisely gather temperature data from various sources:
○ Surface weather stations: These provide continuous, ground-level temperature
readings.
○ Satellite measurements: Satellites use infrared sensors to measure the temperature
of the Earth's surface and atmosphere.
○ Ocean buoys and ships: These record the temperature of ocean water at different
depths.
○ By combining and analyzing these datasets, scientists create a comprehensive picture
of global temperature trends.
○ The key finding is that the Earth's average temperature is steadily increasing. This
isn't just a natural fluctuation; the rate of increase is unprecedented in recent history.
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● Evidence:
○ Consistent warming trend: Global temperature records show a clear upward trend,
with the most recent years being among the warmest on record.
○ Regional variations: While the planet as a whole is warming, some regions are
experiencing more rapid warming than others. The Arctic, for example, is warming at
a rate two to three times the global average.
○ Long-term perspective: By analyzing ice cores, tree rings, and other paleoclimate
data, scientists can reconstruct past temperatures. These reconstructions show that
the current warming trend is significantly different from natural climate variations.
● Significance:
○ Rising temperatures are a fundamental indicator of climate change, and they have
far-reaching consequences for other aspects of the climate system.
2. Melting Ice Caps and Glaciers:
● Ice caps (large ice masses on land, like those in Greenland and Antarctica) and glaciers
(rivers of ice) are shrinking due to increased air and ocean temperatures.
● This melting contributes to sea level rise and alters ocean circulation patterns.
● Evidence:
○ Arctic sea ice decline: Satellite imagery shows a dramatic decline in the extent of
Arctic sea ice, particularly during the summer months.
○ Glacier retreat: Glaciers around the world are retreating at an accelerating rate.
Some smaller glaciers are disappearing entirely.
○ Ice sheet mass loss: Satellite data shows that the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets
are losing mass, contributing to sea level rise.
● Significance:
○ Melting ice reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity), causing it to absorb more solar
radiation and further accelerate warming.
○ It also disrupts ocean currents, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate.

3. Rising Sea Levels:

● Global sea levels are rising due to two main factors:
○ Thermal expansion: As ocean water warms, it expands, taking up more space.
○ Melting ice: Meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets flows into the ocean, increasing
its volume.
● Evidence:
○ Tide gauge measurements: Tide gauges along coastlines around the world have
recorded a consistent rise in sea levels over the past century.
○ Satellite altimetry: Satellites use radar to measure the height of the ocean surface,
providing accurate data on global sea level rise.
○ Coastal impacts: Coastal communities are already experiencing increased flooding,
erosion, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources.
● Significance:
○ Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities and infrastructure, displace populations, and
damage coastal ecosystems.

4. Changes in Precipitation Patterns:

● Climate change is altering the distribution and intensity of rainfall and snowfall.
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● Some regions are experiencing more frequent and intense droughts, while others are
experiencing increased flooding.
● Evidence:
○ Regional variations: Some areas are getting drier, and other areas are getting
wetter.
○ Increased extreme events: Heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent,
leading to increased flood risk.
○ Drought severity: Droughts are becoming more prolonged and severe in many parts
of the world.
● Significance:
○ Changes in precipitation patterns can lead to water shortages, agricultural
disruptions, and increased risks of natural disasters.

5. Increased Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events:

● Climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme weather events, such as
heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.
● Evidence:
○ Heatwaves: Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting.
○ Hurricanes: While the total number of hurricanes may not be increasing, there is
evidence that the strongest storms are becoming more intense.
○ Wildfires: Hotter and drier conditions are leading to more frequent and severe
wildfires.
○ Floods: Heavier rainfall events and rising sea levels are increasing the risk of
flooding.
● Significance:
○ Extreme weather events cause significant damage to infrastructure, property, and
human lives, and they can have long-lasting economic and social consequences.

❖ Global warming-causes & effect

Definition :
It's the gradual increase in average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans caused by
greenhouse gases that trap heat from the sun.
Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth's climate system caused by human activities, primarily
fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.

Causes of Global Warming

○ Greenhouse gas emissions: The main cause of global warming is the emission of greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat from the sun in the Earth's
atmosphere, causing it to warm over time.
○ Deforestation: Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cut down,
this carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
○ Industrial processes: Industrial processes, such as the production of cement, steel, and chemicals,
also release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
○ Agricultural practices: Certain agricultural practices, such as the use of fertilizers and the burning
of crop residue, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
○ Fossil fuel burning: The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is the largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Effects of Global Warming

●Rising sea levels: As the Earth warms, the ice caps and glaciers melt, causing sea levels to rise.
This can inundate coastal areas, displacing people and destroying property.
●More extreme weather events: Global warming is causing more extreme weather events, such
as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events can cause widespread damage and
loss of life.
●Changes in plant and animal life: Global warming is disrupting the habitats of plants and
animals. This can lead to species extinctions and changes in ecosystems.
●Melting glaciers and polar ice caps: The Earth's glaciers and polar ice caps are melting at an
alarming rate. This is contributing to sea level rise and disrupting weather patterns.
●Ocean acidification: As the Earth's atmosphere absorbs more carbon dioxide, the oceans become
more acidic. This is harming marine life, such as coral reefs and shellfish.

4.3 Impacts of Climate Change: Biodiversity loss, Ocean acidification,Desertification,

Social and economic impacts
1. Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity includes all living organisms like plants, animals, and microorganisms. Climate change
is causing species extinction and ecosystem disruption.
Causes:
● Rising temperatures make some regions too hot for plants and animals.
● Deforestation and habitat destruction reduce shelter and food sources.
● Extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and wildfires kill many species.
● Changes in rainfall patterns make some areas too dry or too wet for survival.

Effects:
● Many species are forced to migrate or face extinction.
● Coral reefs are dying due to ocean warming and acidification.
● Loss of pollinators like bees affects food production.
● Food chains are disrupted, leading to imbalance in ecosystems.

2. Ocean Acidification
Oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, making seawater more acidic.
This process harms marine life and affects the global ecosystem.
Causes:
● Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of CO₂, which gets absorbed by oceans.
● CO₂ reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.
● Acidic water reduces carbonate ions, which marine creatures need to build shells and
skeletons.

Effects:
● Corals weaken and die, leading to the destruction of coral reefs.
● Shell-forming species like oysters, clams, and plankton struggle to survive.
● Fish populations decline, affecting seafood industries.
Marine food chains are disrupted, impacting biodiversity and livelihoods.
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3. Desertification
Desertification is the process where fertile land turns into desert due to climate change and
human activities.
Causes:
● Higher temperatures increase evaporation, drying out the soil.
● Deforestation removes trees, which help retain soil moisture.
● Overgrazing and unsustainable farming damage land quality.
● Reduced rainfall and droughts make land unusable for agriculture.

Effects:
● Loss of fertile land, reducing crop production.
● Water shortages, making it harder for people and animals to survive.
● Hunger and malnutrition increase due to food scarcity.
● Mass migration occurs as people leave uninhabitable areas.

4. Social and Economic Impacts

Climate change affects economies, jobs, human health, and global stability.
Economic Impacts:
● Agriculture suffers due to unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and storms.
● Floods and hurricanes damage homes, cities, and farmlands, leading to high repair costs.
● Fisheries decline due to ocean warming and pollution.
● Industries like tourism suffer due to wildfires, heatwaves, and loss of natural attractions.
Social Impacts:
● Health problems increase (heatstroke, asthma, waterborne diseases).
● Millions become climate refugees, forced to migrate due to rising sea levels or droughts.
● Conflicts over resources (water and land) increase political instability.
● Natural disasters become more frequent, making recovery difficult.

Factors affecting climate change

●Human activities:
■ Greenhouse gas emissions:
■ Deforestation:
■ Industrial processes:
■ Agricultural practices:
●Natural factors:
■ Solar activity: While the sun's influence on climate change is a subject of ongoing research,
natural variations in solar activity can cause slight temperature fluctuations.
■ Volcanic eruptions: Large volcanic eruptions can release greenhouse gases and aerosols (tiny
particles) that temporarily affect the Earth's energy balance.
■ Ocean circulation: Ocean currents play a role in transporting heat around the globe, influencing
regional climates. Changes in these currents can impact global climate patterns.

Climate change management aims to address through two main approaches:

●Mitigation & Adaptation (પપપ પપપ પપપપપપપ)
●Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming.
●Adaptation: Building resilience to the inevitable impacts of climate change.
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4.4 Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions like
Energy efficiency and conservation, Transition to renewable energy sources,
Carbon capture and storage (CCS), Sustainable land use and forestry

Climate Change Mitigation

Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
To slow down climate change, we need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through
various strategies
1. Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Using energy wisely reduces fossil fuel consumption and lowers emissions.
● Energy-efficient appliances (LED bulbs, efficient refrigerators).
● Improved building insulation to reduce heating/cooling needs.
● Smart grids and energy-saving technologies in industries.
● Public transport and electric vehicles to reduce fuel use.

2. Transition to Renewable Energy Sources

Moving from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) to clean energy helps reduce emissions.
Types of Renewable Energy:
● Solar power – Uses sunlight to generate electricity.
● Wind energy – Uses wind turbines for clean power.
● Hydropower – Uses flowing water for energy.
● Geothermal energy – Uses Earth’s heat for power.
● Bioenergy – Uses organic waste (plants, wood) for fuel.

Benefits:
● No harmful emissions.
● Sustainable and inexhaustible.
● Reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

3. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

CCS technology captures CO₂ emissions before they enter the atmosphere and stores them
underground.
1. Capture: CO₂ is collected from power plants and factories.
2. Transport: CO₂ is moved via pipelines.
3. Storage: CO₂ is injected into deep underground reservoirs.

Importantce
● Reduces industrial CO₂ emissions.
● Helps make fossil fuel use cleaner during the energy transition.

4. Sustainable Land Use and Forestry

Forests and land absorb CO₂ naturally, making them crucial for climate protection.
Strategies:
● Afforestation & Reforestation – Planting more trees to absorb CO₂.
● Sustainable agriculture – Using eco-friendly farming methods.
● Protecting forests – Stopping deforestation and illegal logging.
● Restoring degraded land – Improving soil health for better carbon storage.
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Benefits:
● More trees absorb more CO₂.
● Healthy soils store more carbon.
● Protects biodiversity and prevents land degradation.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
from large sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities. It involves capturing CO2, transporting
it to a suitable storage site, and permanently isolating it from the atmosphere.
● Capture:
○ It grabs the CO2 from the smoke coming from factories or power plants.
○ There are different ways to do this, depending on how the fuel is burned.
● Transport:
○ The CO2 is squeezed and moved to a safe place, usually through pipes.
● Storage:
○ The CO2 is pumped deep underground into places that can hold it, like old oil fields or
salty rock layers.
○ The rock above traps the CO2, and sometimes it turns into rock itself.

Benefits of CCS:
● It reduces CO2 pollution.
● It can be added to existing power plants.
● It could allow us to use fossil fuels with less pollution.

Challenges of CCS:
● It's expensive.
● It uses extra energy, so power plants become less efficient.
● Some people are worried about it being safe.