Climate Change

Climate Change

Climate change is a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet's climate (weather patterns and temperatures). The overall effect of climate change is termed as global warming.

Global warming refers to increase of the earth's average surface temperature due to effects of the greenhouse gases.

The greenhouse gases include:

1. Water vapor (H₂O)
2. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
3. Methane (CH₄)
4. Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
5. Ozone (O₃)
6. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Causes of global warming

Global warming is mostly caused by the following greenhouse gases, which are the main contributors to the greenhouse effect:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

   • Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, contributing over 50% of the greenhouse effect.

   • Man-made sources of carbon dioxide include:

     • Deforestation
     • Combustion of fuel

2. Methane (CH₄)

   • The main source of methane is from agricultural activities.
   • It is released from wetlands (e.g., rice fields) and from animals, particularly cud-chewing animals like cattle.
   • The emission of methane increases with increase in agricultural activities.

3. Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

   • Nitrous oxide is produced from both man-made and natural processes.

   • Human activities that produce nitrous oxide include:

     • Combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles and power stations
     • Use of nitrogenous fertilizers
     • Burning of vegetation and animal waste

4. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

   • The sources of CFCs in the atmosphere include:

     • Refrigerators
     • Air conditioners
     • Aerosols

   • CFCs are extremely effective greenhouse gases.

Effects of global warming

1. Increase in average temperatures: One of the most immediate and obvious impacts of global warming is the increase in temperatures on the world. The average global temperature has increased by about 0.8°C over the past 100 years. Scientists predict that the earth's average temperature will increase by between 1.4 and 5.8°C by the year 2100.

2. Extreme weather events: Extreme weather events include record-breaking high or low temperatures, floods or intense storms, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes and tornadoes, etc.

3. Change in world's climate patterns: Climate change resulting from increasing temperatures will likely include changes in wind patterns, annual precipitation and seasonal temperature variations.

4. Rise in sea levels: Continued increase in the global temperature will cause the melting of ice caps in the poles and mountain glaciers. Melting polar ice and glaciers are expected to raise sea levels significantly.

5. Ocean acidification: The acid water is likely to dissolve the carbonaceous shells, thus endangering the lives of these sea creatures. Change in ocean acidity will also affect fish and other aquatic animals and plants.

Effects on plants and animals

The effects of global warming on the earth's ecosystems are expected to be profound and widespread. Many species of plants and animals are already moving their range northward or to higher altitudes because of warming temperatures.

Effects on humans

1. Impacts of drought
2. Lack of snowmelt
3. Greater number and diversity of pests
4. Lower groundwater tables and a loss of arable land could cause severe crop failures and livestock shortages worldwide.

Ways of solving climatic problems

There are possible solutions to climatic problems such as:

1. Education
2. Avoidance of bad methods of farming
3. Application of good farming methods
4. Application of appropriate technologies
5. Land reforms
6. Deforestation control
7. Laws and rules
8. Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from industries