CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING
Climate Change:
Climate Change refers to long-term changes in temperature, weather patterns, and other aspects of Earth’s climate system, largely driven by human activities.
Climate change includes both global warming (the long-term rise in Earth's average temperature) and the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet due to increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
Main Causes:
Burning Fossil Fuels
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Coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, heat, and transportation.
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Deforestation
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Fewer trees = less CO₂ absorbed from the atmosphere.
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Agriculture & Livestock
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Methane from cows and nitrous oxide from fertilized fields.
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Industrial Processes
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Emissions from manufacturing and chemical processes.
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Impacts:
Rising Temperatures – Hotter global averages and more heatwaves.
Melting Ice – Shrinking glaciers and Arctic sea ice; sea level rise.
Extreme Weather – Stronger hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Ocean Changes – Warming oceans, coral bleaching, and acidification.
Ecosystem Disruption – Habitat loss, species extinction, and food insecurity.
Climate Changes in India:
1. Rising Temperatures
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Average temperature in India has increased by 0.7°C from 1901 to 2018, and is expected to rise further by 2.4–4.4°C by 2100.
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More frequent and intense heatwaves, especially in northern and central India (e.g., Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar).
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Increased heat-related illnesses and deaths, especially in urban poor populations.
2. Changing Monsoon Patterns
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Southwest monsoon (June–September) is becoming more erratic.
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Fewer rainy days, but more extreme rainfall events leading to floods (e.g., in Assam, Kerala, Mumbai).
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Impacts on agriculture: Unpredictable rainfall reduces crop yields and increases farmer distress.
3. Glacial Melting in the Himalayas
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Glaciers in the Himalayan region (e.g., Gangotri) are retreating rapidly.
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Threatens long-term water security for rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.
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Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
4. Sea Level Rise and Coastal Impact
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India's 7,500 km coastline is at risk from sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion.
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Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam face flooding and infrastructure damage.
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Saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater in Sundarbans, Goa, and Kerala.
5. Extreme Weather Events
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Increasing number and intensity of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea (e.g., Cyclone Amphan, Tauktae).
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Floods in Assam, droughts in Maharashtra, and landslides in Uttarakhand have become more frequent.
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Urban flooding due to poor drainage and heavy rainfall (e.g., Bengaluru, Hyderabad).
Global Warming:
Global Warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).Causes of Global Warming:
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Burning Fossil Fuels
– Coal, oil, and gas are burned for electricity, heat, and transportation, releasing large amounts of CO₂. -
Deforestation
– Trees absorb CO₂. Cutting them down reduces this absorption and releases stored carbon. -
Industrial Processes
– Factories release various greenhouse gases during manufacturing and production. -
Agriculture
– Livestock (especially cows) emit methane, and fertilizers release nitrous oxide.
Effects of Global Warming:
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Rising Temperatures
– More frequent and intense heatwaves. -
Melting Ice Caps & Glaciers
– Causes sea levels to rise and alters ecosystems. -
Extreme Weather Events
– Increased storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. -
Ocean Changes
– Ocean warming and acidification threaten marine life. -
Biodiversity Loss
– Many species cannot adapt to rapid changes in climate.
Solutions to Combat Global Warming:
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Switch to Renewable Energy (solar, wind, hydro)
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Increase Energy Efficiency
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Reforestation & Afforestation
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Sustainable Agriculture
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Carbon Pricing & Climate Policies
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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Public Awareness and Education
Different between climate change and global warming:
Global Warming
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Definition: The increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
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Focus: Temperature rise only.
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Cause: Mainly human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
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Example: A 1.1°C rise in global temperature since the late 19th century.
Climate Change
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Definition: Long-term changes in climate patterns, including temperature, rainfall, wind, and weather events.
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Focus: Includes global warming, but also covers other changes like:
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Changes in precipitation
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More intense droughts or storms
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Shifts in seasons
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Cause: Both natural factors (like volcanic eruptions, solar cycles) and human activities.
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Example: Increasing droughts in Africa, stronger hurricanes, or shifting monsoon patterns.
Aspect | Global Warming | Climate Change |
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Focus | Rising temperatures | Changes in overall climate |
Scope | Narrow (just temperature) | Broad (temperature, rain, storms, etc.) |
Cause | Human-induced greenhouse gases | Human + natural factors |
Time Frame | Recent decades (since industrial era) | Long-term, includes past and future changes |
Example | Arctic ice melting | Rising sea levels and more extreme weather |
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