These gases, which are all
naturally occurring, act as a blanket or a greenhouse,
and trap in the heat, preventing it from being reflected
too far from the earth. They keep the earth's average
temperature at about 15°C: warm enough to sustain
life for humans, plants and animals. Without these
gases, the average temperature would be about minus
18°C, which is too cold for life. This natural
warming effect is called the greenhouse effect.
Q.
How is climate change related to Greenhouse effect?
The most crucial factor in
Greenhouse effect is Greenhouse gases. Their concentration
regulates earth’s temperatures. Since the Industrial
Revolution, massive development activities have resulted
in the release of large amount of these gases. Greenhouse
Gas emissions have risen and are now at their highest
levels in over 4,00,000 years and this increase is
attributed to human activities. This is leading to
a change in the climate of the globe. Consumption
of Fossil Energy is driving this trend, accounting
for about 80% of human-caused CO2 emissions. Land
disturbance – burning, loss and degradation
of forests and soils – accounts approximately
for the remaining 20%.
Q.
Why Climate Change is a global concern?
The Issue of Climate Change
is no longer just an issue of Academic Interest. It
has firmly arrived on to the International Negotiating
tables, is a primary concern for many Countries' Governments
(Developed as well as Developing), and even the long
time detractors are taking it seriously. According
to the 4th Assessment Report of IPCC which was released
in May 2007, there are substantial evidences and high
agreement on the fact that the global greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions have grown since pre-industrial times,
with an increase of 70% between 1970 and 2004. It
projects that in SRES (non-mitigation) scenario, the
GHG emissions will continue to increase of the baseline
by a range of 25-90% between 2000 and 2030.
It is now impossible to avoid Global Warming, because
of the Inertia of Oceans the Climate System creates
a delay of atleast 50 years between any reduction
in Emissions and a subsequent Climate Stabilization.
Q.
What can be the potential impacts of Climate Change?
Over the last two centuries
since Industrial Revolution was ushered in, there
have been severe impacts recorded on human health
and increased air pollution levels. In the future
floods, drought and the spread of infectious diseases,
like malaria, into new areas will put food and water
resources under severe stress. Global warming could
spark regional conflicts as large numbers of environmental
refugees are driven from their homes.
Climate change impacts on biodiversity
are already visible - shifting migration ranges of
insects and animals, modified flowering and fruiting
cycles and species extinction. Global warming is melting
Glaciers in every region of the world, putting millions
of people at risk from floods, droughts and lack of
drinking water. Low lying coastal areas as well as
Islands are at an increased risk of flooding, submerging
and cyclones.
Scientists predict that on the Sunderbans Delta (shared
between India and Bangladesh ) more than 2 million
people will be loosing the land they live on. As a
sea level rise will make it inhabitable and render
them homeless. Further the increase in average temperature
due to Global Warming, (assuming a uniform rise of
about 1°C) on the high altitude Himalayan Mountains
is already found responsible for heavy melting in
the glaciers. This is creating a potential future
threat to the continued freshwater supply in the rivers
in the entire South Asian region which supports over
1/6th of Humanity. Under such conditions the food
security situation in the entire region will be severely
affected.
The IIIrd Assessment Report
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (
www.ipcc.ch ) ( IPCC) has predicted with a definite
probability that the Impact of Climate Change will
be more pronounced on the developing world where the
community is highly dependent on weather and natural
surroundings. The lack of adequate knowledge, technological
and financial resources will make it difficult for
them to adapt easily to these climatic changes. Hence
there is a definite and urgent need for a comprehensive
Regional and/or National development plan to promote
adaptation and mitigation measures, by mainstreaming
them into it.
Q.
What are the main sources of global warming and what
can be done to reduce and mitigate the Greenhouse
Gas emissions?
Primarily Fossil Fuel consumption
is one of the major sources of GHG Emissions globally.
At the more regional and local levels deforestation
has led to a major reduction in the absorptive capacity
of Nature. Besides this Industrial activities add
a lot of affluents, toxins and harmful elements into
the atmosphere.
To reduce these emissions we must stress on reforestation
and afforestation activities, besides a rigorous approach
towards promoting a sustainable usage pattern for
Natural Resources. Another important aspect is the
use of Renewables for meeting the burgeoning energy
demand for various purposes. Further a Global commitment
to promote a less Carbon Intensive economic growth
and an Incentive scheme to encourage cleaner and environmentally
friendly technologies through various channels across
the planet can potentially reduce the GHG emissions.
Though commitments to reduce
GHG emissions are required at a global level, the
actual implementation requires a local perspective.
Measures which can conserve energy and enhance its
efficiency are required in all the sectors-domestic
as well as commercial.
Q.
More about WWF- India’s Climate Change Program
The Climate Change and Energy
Programme has evolved following an in-depth assessment
of the country situation, regional and global positioning.
The vision of the programme compliments the broader
mission of the WWF- India. The programme, through
various activities strives to achieve a sustainable
developmental path for the country, with minimum environmental
footprints and thus help secure the future of its
people and biodiversity.
Key Objectives:
• To Promote Sustainable
Energy Practices (SEP) within selected sectors and
regions.
• To demonstrate an approach
for process modeling and developing Adaptation Strategies
for vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
• To ensure India's effective
participation and leadership in promoting Southern
interests in International Climate Change negotiations
.
For More Information Visit : www.wwfindia.org/climate
],
methane [CH
],
nitrous oxide [NO
],
PerFluoroCarbons [PFCs], HydroFluoroCarbons [HFCs] and
Sulphur HexaFlouride [SF
]
absorb a part of this heat and retain it over a period
of time. These gases are known as Greenhouse Gases (GHG).