Name: PRIYANSHI ; Class: B.Sc.C.S.-II yr.(4th sem.

) ; College: HINDU GIRLS COLLEGE, SONIPAT ;

CLIMATE CHANGE
“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
What is climate change?

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, climate change refers to changes in the earth’s
weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall. It is the increase in the temperature of
the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide.

These changes have taken place over a period, ranging from decades to millions of years. A recent report
from the United Nations predicted that the average global temperature could increase by 6˚ Celsius at the end of
the century. Climate change harms the environment and ecosystem.

As we read the context of ‘Climate Change’, the thoughts that immediately follow are melting Polar
Regions, forest fires, floods, and all sorts of extreme weather that could affect our livelihood. There is always
more to it. It isn't simply the occurrence of extreme weather but also a slow gradual irreversible change in the
earth’s regular natural processes.

Causes of climate change

“Climate change isn’t something people get to choose to believe or not; it’s happening.”

The Earth’s climate has always changed and evolved. Some of these changes have been due to natural
causes such as volcanic eruptions, floods, forest fires, etc., but quite a few of them are due to human activities.
 Natural causes
Climate change existed well before humanity was born. However, the natural processes were much more
balanced and helped nature to maintain a systematic balance in the atmosphere. Some of the natural
processes that cause climate change are volcanoes, forest fires, melting of glaciers - also called
permafrost melting, and forest fires. When volcanoes erupt, they throw out enormous amounts of ash
and gasses in the air along with molten lava. The ashes result in an increase in dust in the air, and
poisonous gasses like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide affect the supply of pure oxygen in the air.

Forest fires cause the destruction of entire forests including wildlife and thus, degrade biodiversity. They
also cause the build-up of ash and hazardous gasses in the air.

The melting of ancient ice in the Polar Regions releases a huge amount of carbon monoxide which is a
major threat to global warming. It also releases viruses from the ancient era that were dormant and
trapped in the ice through melting.

 Human-made causes

“We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to.”

Human activities such as deforestation, burning fossil fuels, farming livestock, etc., generate an
enormous amount of greenhouse gases. This results in the greenhouse effect and global warming which
are the major causes of climate change.
 Undoubtedly, human beings are becoming the main reason for the climate change scenario. The
population burst is to blame as the primary cause. The rapidly increasing population causes a great strain
on the resources being used and thus resulting in more and more use of natural resources.

Effects of Climate Change

“We have a single mission: to protect and hand on the planet to the next generation.”

If the current situation of climate change continues similarly then it will impact all forms of life on the
earth. The earth’s temperature will rise, the monsoon patterns will change, sea levels will rise, and storms,
volcanic eruptions, and natural disasters will occur frequently. The biological and ecological balance of the
earth will get disturbed. The environment will get polluted and humans will not be able to get fresh air to
breathe and fresh water to drink. Life on earth will come to an end.

Climate change is expected to worsen the frequency, intensity, and impacts of some types of extreme
weather events. For example, sea level rise increases the impacts of coastal storms and warming can place more
stress on water supplies during droughts.

Steps to be taken to reduce climate change

“There are no passengers on spaceship Earth; we are all crew.”

To preserve a livable climate, greenhouse-gas emissions must be reduced by half by 2030 and to net zero
by 2050. Bold, fast, and wide-ranging action needs to be taken by governments and businesses. But the
transition to a low-carbon world also requires the participation of citizens – especially in advanced economies.
Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By making choices that have less
harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and influence change.

The control measures are well-researched by global scientists and adequate steps are also suggested for
every nation. The steps are needed to be followed promptly and the goals if met in time will result in a better
future. However, if not met it is possible to expect extinction levels and catastrophic changes on our planet.

“We still do not know one-thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us.”

 Green energy
“Because green energy does not cost the earth.”
Traditionally, we have relied on materials such as coal, oil, and even kerosene to provide us with the
energy we need. However, these fuels are non-renewable and eject pollution into our environment and
atmosphere. Green energy replaces the negative effects of fossil fuels with more environmentally-friendly
alternatives. Derived from natural resources, they emit no or few greenhouse gases and are often readily
available. Green sources also often avoid mining or drilling operations that can be damaging to ecosystems.

 Solar energy
“Use energy from the sun, It’s a lot of fun.”
If money fell from the sky, would you catch it? The sunlight that falls on the roof of your facility is exactly
that. Every second our sun produces enough energy to sustain Earth’s needs for 500,000 years. Solar
technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that
concentrate solar radiation. Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed
in cloudy weather. If we don’t want to melt the polar, we should use solar.

Closure
 “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.”

Simple measures are required to limit the impacts of climate change. These include switching to renewable
sources of energy and eliminating the use of fossil fuels. Limiting the consumption of red meat and thus
reducing the climate change impact caused by animal husbandry. Making use of hydrogen fuel cell-charged
vehicles and eliminating the pollution caused by the exhausts of automobiles. Frankly, the simplest of them all
is the measure of planting more and more trees and purifying the air.

“Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, It’s the only home we’ve ever known.”