Global Warming
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environment
Source: IE
Context: The year 2024 marked a grim milestone as global temperatures breached the 1.5°C threshold for the first time.
Definition:
Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Mechanism of Global Warming:
• Solar Radiation Absorption: Sunlight reaches Earth, and the surface absorbs solar energy, heating up the planet.
• Infrared Radiation Emission: Earth radiates the absorbed energy back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation (heat).
• Greenhouse Gas Trapping: GHGs like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O trap this heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Increased GHG concentrations amplify the natural greenhouse effect, causing more heat retention and warming.
• Feedback Loops: Melting ice reduces albedo (reflectivity), absorbing more heat, while warming oceans release stored CO₂, further accelerating warming.
2024 Data on Global Warming:
• Average Global Temperature: 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels; the warmest year on record.
• Days Breaching 1.5°C: 173 days in 2023; projections for 2024 indicate over 200 days exceeding the threshold.
• Sea Level Rise: Accelerated melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributing to higher sea levels.
• Emissions Gap: IPCC data shows only a 2% reduction in global emissions by 2024, far below the required 43% cut by 2030.
Government Schemes to Tackle Global Warming:
• Global Initiatives:
• Paris Agreement (2015): Limit warming below 2°C with updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Green Climate Fund: Provides financial resources to developing nations for climate-resilient projects. UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol: Frameworks for global cooperation in emissions reduction.
• Paris Agreement (2015): Limit warming below 2°C with updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Green Climate Fund: Provides financial resources to developing nations for climate-resilient projects.
• UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol: Frameworks for global cooperation in emissions reduction.
• Indian Schemes:
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Includes missions on renewable energy, water conservation, and energy efficiency. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME): Promotes e-mobility to reduce fossil fuel dependence. National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aims to develop clean energy solutions. State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Tailored state-level initiatives under the NAPCC. Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Enhances energy efficiency in industries and power plants.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Includes missions on renewable energy, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME): Promotes e-mobility to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aims to develop clean energy solutions.
• State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Tailored state-level initiatives under the NAPCC.
• Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Enhances energy efficiency in industries and power plants.
Consequences of Global Warming:
• Human Impact:
• Health Risks: Heat stress, asthma, and vector-borne diseases are on the rise. Food Security: Crop failures and reduced yields due to droughts and floods. Migration: Displacement from coastal and drought-affected regions. Economic Losses: Damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods from extreme events. Social Inequalities: Marginalized communities bear disproportionate impacts.
• Health Risks: Heat stress, asthma, and vector-borne diseases are on the rise.
• Food Security: Crop failures and reduced yields due to droughts and floods.
• Migration: Displacement from coastal and drought-affected regions.
• Economic Losses: Damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods from extreme events.
• Social Inequalities: Marginalized communities bear disproportionate impacts.
• Environmental Impact:
• Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction leading to species extinction. Polar Melting: Accelerated ice melt increases sea levels and alters ecosystems. Ocean Acidification: Absorption of CO₂ harms marine life and ecosystems. Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and severity of cyclones, heatwaves, and droughts. Deforestation and Desertification: Degraded landscapes reduce Earth’s carbon-absorbing capacity.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction leading to species extinction.
• Polar Melting: Accelerated ice melt increases sea levels and alters ecosystems.
• Ocean Acidification: Absorption of CO₂ harms marine life and ecosystems.
• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and severity of cyclones, heatwaves, and droughts.
• Deforestation and Desertification: Degraded landscapes reduce Earth’s carbon-absorbing capacity.
Way Ahead:
• Accelerate Emissions Reductions: Shift to renewables and phase out fossil fuels globally.
• Climate Adaptation: Invest in infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, such as early warning systems.
• Technological Innovations: Focus on AI, quantum systems, and carbon capture technologies for clean energy.
• Global Cooperation: Fulfill commitments under the Paris Agreement and provide financial aid to vulnerable nations.
• Local Action: Promote sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and reforestation projects.
Conclusion:
The year 2024 highlights the urgency to act against global warming. While the 1.5°C target seems unattainable, accelerating adaptation and mitigation efforts can minimize its adverse impacts and secure a sustainable future.
Insta Links:
• 5 C-goal-climate-crisis
Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (UPSC-2019)
• Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
• Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
• Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d)
• ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC-2017)