<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/climate/”>Climate Change
It is the long term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time
Though it has been happening naturally for millions of years, in recent years it has accelerated due to anthropogenic causes and has been causing Global Warming.
UNFCCC defines Climate Change as – “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activitythat alters the composition of the global Atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”
Alternative Energy sources
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Nuclear Power
Reduce the carbon intensity of fossil fuels
Energy Efficiency and conservation
Transport and urban planning
Building design
Reforestation and avoid deforestation
Eliminating waste methane
Geoengineering
Greenhouse gas remediation
Biomass/”>Biomass
Carbon air capture
Carbon capture and storage
Societal control
Population
Sustainable life-style
Global Warming
An increase in the Average temperature of Earth’s near surface air and Oceans since the mid-20thcentury
4thassessment report of IPCC: global temperature increased 74+18 degree C during the 20thcentury.
Caused by greenhouse gases
Water vapour, Co2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone, CFCs (in order of abundance)
Since the Industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has increased the levels of Co2 in the atmosphere from 280 ppm to 390 ppm.
IPCC
1988 by World Meteorological Organisation and UNEP
tasked with reviewing and assessing the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change
Nobel Prize in 2007
The IPCC does not carry out its own original research, nor does it do the work of monitoring climate or related phenomena itself.
A main activity of the IPCC is publishing special reports on topics relevant to the implementation of the (UNFCCC)
Till now, it has released four assessment reports (1990, 1995, 2001, 2007)
Fifth assessment report is due in 2014
UNFCCC
1992 at the Rio Summit.
194 members.Secretariat at Bonn.
Parties to UNFCCC are classified as:
Annex I countries – industrialized countries and economies in transition
Annex II countries – developed countries which pay for costs of developing countries
Developing countries.
Conference Place Outcome
1995 COP1 Berlin The Berlin Mandate
1996 COP2 Geneva
1997 COP3 Kyoto Kyoto Protocol
1998 COP4 Buenos Aires
1999 COP5 Bonn
2000 COP6 /2001 COP6 The Hague/Bonn CDM and Joint Implementation adopted at Bonn
2001 COP7 Marrakesh
2002 COP8 New Delhi Delhi Declaration: Calls for efforts by developed countries to transfer technology and minimize the Impact Of Climate Change on developing countries
2003 COP9 Milan
2004 COP10 Buenos Aires
2005 COP11/MOP1 Montreal
2006 COP12/MOP2 Nairobi
2007 COP13/MOP3 Bali Bali Action Plan
2008 COP14/MOP4 Poznan, Poland
2009 COP15/MOP5 Copenhagen
2010 COP16/MOP6 Cancun
2011 COP17/MOP7 Durban, South Africa
2012: COP 18/CMP 8 Doha, Qatar
2013: COP 19/CMP 9 Warsaw, Poland
2014: COP 20/CMP 10 Lima, Peru
2015: COP 21/CMP 11 Paris, France
2016: COP 22/CMP 12/CMA 1 Marrakech, Morocco
2017: COP 23/CMP 13/CMA 2 Bonn, Germany
Tarawa Climate Change Conference
In the lead up to COP16, the leaders of the world’s most climate-change vulnerable countries met in Kiribati in November 2010
Ambo Declarationwas adopted
It calls for more and immediate action to be undertaken to address the causes and adverse impacts of climate change.
CoP-16/CMP-6, Cancun
COP-16 President: Patricia Espinosa, Mexico’s foreign secretary
COP-17 will be held in Durban
Issues
Forestry issues and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (Redd) plus
The developed countries are pushing for transparency from countries where they will fund climate change mitigation.
The assessment of Carbon Emission mitigation for developing countries is right now through domestic Communication but is subject to international consultation and analysis. This push for transparency is a major contentious issue.
Fast-track finance: $ 30 bn had been committed at CoP-15. A large part of this funding is yet to come through.
Goals
Agreements Reached
The outcome of the summit was an agreement, not a binding treaty, which calls on rich countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as pledged in the Copenhagen Accord, and for developing countries to plan to reduce their emissions, to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.
There should be no gap between the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in December 2012, and the second phase.
The agreement calls on the developed countries to “raise the level of ambition of the emission reductions to be achieved by them individually or jointly, with a view to reducing their aggregate level of emission of Green House Gases”
Allows flexibility in choosing the Base Year for setting emission reduction targets
Emissions trading and the project based mechanism under the KP shall continue to be available to Annex 1 parties as a means to meet their quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives.
The agreements recognize that in all climate change related action,Human Rights must be respected. They also recognise the need to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including youth and persons with disability, and call for Equality/”>Gender Equality and effective participation of Women and indigenous people in effective action on all aspects of climate change.
The BASIC group softened the three demands it had before the talks began
Necessity of a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol
Need to accelerate disbursement under the fast start finance in the form of new and additional Resources through a multilaterally supervised mechanism
Continued dialogue on IPRs as part of the technology development and transfer issues.
REDDis a part of the package and proposed mitigation actions include conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests.
REDD is a set of steps designed to use market/financial incentives in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation. Its original objective is to reduce GHGs but it can deliver ‘co-benefits’ such as Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity conservation and POVERTY alleviation
REDD+ calls for activities with serious implication directed towards the local communities, indigenous people and forests which relate to reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation. It goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks
ACancun Adaptation Framework has been proposed to strengthen and address implementation of action, and various kinds of assessments, apart from R&D and host of other issues.
Green Climate FundThe fund will be designed by a transitional committee, with 15 members from the developed countries and 25 from the developing nations.
Pledge by the developed countries to provide $100 bn annually till 2020.
Conclusion
UNFCCC secretary-generalChristian Figueres emphasised that the main achievement of the Cancun meet has been to restore some degree of faith in the multilateral process.
The agreements don’t mention any reduction targets.
Though the agreements recognize the need to reduce the GHG emissions and curb the increase in global average temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in the absence of any firm target, this could be an inadequate and vague provision
Bolivia has rejected the agreement, saying that it won’t support agreement without binding emission cuts.
In a sense, the summit was both a major step forward as well as a failure
It was a step forward because in recent years climate change negotiations had stumbled and this meeting helped overcome that
It was a failure because it failed to reach an agreement for binding restrictions that are required to avert global warming.
There was no agreement on how to extend the Kyoto Protocol, or how the $100 billion a year for the Green Climate Fund will be raised or whether developing countries should have binding emissions reductions.,
Global environmental issues are problems that affect the entire planet, and they are becoming increasingly urgent as the world’s population grows and consumes more resources. Some of the most pressing global environmental issues include climate change, sea level rise, extreme weather events, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and Food Security.
Climate change is one of the most serious global environmental issues. It is caused by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the planet to warm. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changes in plant and animal life.
Sea level rise is another major global environmental issue. It is caused by the melting of Glaciers and ice sheets, as well as by the expansion of the oceans as they warm. Sea level rise is already inundating coastal areas and displacing millions of people.
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, are becoming more common and severe due to climate change. These events can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. It is a major contributor to climate change, as it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Deforestation also destroys habitats for Plants and animals, and can lead to Soil erosion and Water Pollution.
Biodiversity loss is the decline in the variety of life on Earth. It is caused by a number of factors, including habitat loss, overexploitation, and pollution. Biodiversity loss is a serious threat to the planet, as it can disrupt Ecosystems and lead to the extinction of species.
Food security is the ability of a population to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It is a major concern in many parts of the world, as climate change, population Growth, and economic inequality are putting pressure on food systems.
Human Health is also at risk from global environmental issues. Climate change can lead to an increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths, as well as an increase in the spread of diseases. Air Pollution can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
The economic impacts of global environmental issues are also significant. Climate change can damage Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, disrupt agriculture, and lead to the loss of jobs. Deforestation can lead to soil erosion and water pollution, which can damage crops and make water supplies unsafe.
There are a number of things that can be done to mitigate and adapt to global environmental issues. Mitigation refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other causes of environmental problems. Adaptation refers to adjusting to the effects of climate change and other environmental changes.
Sustainable Development is a way of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is based on the principles of Equity, efficiency, and sustainability.
International cooperation is essential to addressing global environmental issues. Countries need to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and manage Natural Resources sustainably.
Global environmental issues are complex and challenging, but they are also solvable. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for the planet.
In addition to the subtopics listed above, here are some other global environmental issues that are worth mentioning:
- Air pollution: Air pollution is a major health hazard, causing respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. It is also a major contributor to climate change.
- Water pollution: Water pollution can cause a variety of health problems, including gastrointestinal illnesses, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. It can also damage ecosystems and make water supplies unsafe.
- Land degradation: Land degradation is the loss of soil productivity due to a variety of factors, including deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture. It can lead to Desertification, which can make it difficult for people to grow crops or raise Livestock.
- Overpopulation: Overpopulation is a major problem in many parts of the world. It can lead to environmental problems, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. It can also put a strain on resources, such as food, water, and energy.
- Poverty: Poverty is a major cause of environmental problems. People who are poor often have no choice but to exploit natural resources in unsustainable ways in order to survive. They may also be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and other environmental problems.
These are just some of the many global environmental issues that we face today. It is important to be aware of these issues and to take action to address them. We can all make a difference by making small changes in our own lives and by supporting organizations that are working to protect the Environment.
What is climate change?
Climate change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
What causes climate change?
The main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm. Human activities are the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.
What are the effects of climate change?
Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing a number of changes, including:
- Rising sea levels: As the Earth’s temperature warms, the oceans expand and sea levels rise. This is causing flooding in coastal areas and erosion of shorelines.
- More extreme weather events: Climate change is making extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts, more frequent and severe. These events can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
- Changes in plant and animal life: Climate change is causing changes in the distribution of plant and animal life. Some species are moving to new areas in search of cooler temperatures. Others are facing extinction.
What can we do to address climate change?
There are a number of things that we can do to address climate change. These include:
- Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels: We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. We can also improve energy efficiency by making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient.
- Protecting forests: Forests play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We can protect forests by reducing deforestation and planting trees.
- Changing our lifestyles: We can make changes to our lifestyles to reduce our impact on the environment. These changes include driving less, eating less meat and recycling more.
What is the future of climate change?
The future of climate change depends on the actions that we take to address it. If we do not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the planet will continue to warm. This will have a devastating impact on the planet and its inhabitants. However, if we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can limit the impact of climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
Sure, here are some multiple choice questions about global environmental issues:
Which of the following is not a major global environmental issue?
(A) Climate change
(B) Deforestation
(C) Pollution
(D) Global warmingWhich of the following is the most common type of pollution?
(A) Air pollution
(B) Water pollution
(C) Land pollution
(D) Noise PollutionWhat is the main cause of climate change?
(A) Human activity
(B) Natural causes
(C) Both human activity and natural causes
(D) None of the aboveWhat are some of the effects of climate change?
(A) Rising sea levels
(B) More extreme weather events
(C) Changes in plant and animal life
(D) All of the aboveWhat can we do to reduce climate change?
(A) Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels
(B) Increase energy efficiency
(C) Plant trees
(D) All of the aboveWhat is deforestation?
(A) The clearing of forests
(B) The planting of trees
(C) The protection of forests
(D) The management of forestsWhat are some of the effects of deforestation?
(A) Loss of biodiversity
(B) Soil erosion
(C) Climate change
(D) All of the aboveWhat can we do to reduce deforestation?
(A) Plant trees
(B) Reduce our consumption of wood products
(C) Support sustainable forestry practices
(D) All of the aboveWhat is pollution?
(A) The contamination of the environment
(B) The protection of the environment
(C) The management of the environment
(D) The restoration of the environmentWhat are some of the sources of pollution?
(A) Factories
(B) Cars
(C) Farms
(D) All of the aboveWhat are some of the effects of pollution?
(A) Air pollution
(B) Water pollution
(C) Land pollution
(D) All of the aboveWhat can we do to reduce pollution?
(A) Reduce our consumption of goods and Services
(B) Recycle and compost
(C) Use energy-efficient appliances
(D) All of the above
I hope these questions were helpful!