Climate Change and Global Warming

Greenhouse Effect

• A natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat, warming Earth for life.
• Human activities intensify this effect, causing global warming.

Climate Change

• Long-term shifts in Earth's temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, etc.
• Primarily driven by human activity.

Global Warming

• The observed increase in Earth's average surface temperature.
• Caused by amplified greenhouse gas concentrations.

Carbon Sequestration

• Capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂ to reduce its concentration.

Climate Mitigation

• Actions reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit future climate change.

Carbon Footprint

• Total greenhouse gas emissions from an individual, organization, product, etc.

Causes of Climate Change

Human Activities

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas).
• Deforestation, reducing carbon absorption.
• Industrial processes emitting greenhouse gases.

Natural Factors

• Volcanic eruptions releasing CO₂.
• Variations in solar radiation.

Consequences of Climate Change

Environmental Impacts

• Rising global temperatures.
• Melting glaciers and polar ice caps.
• Sea-level rise and coastal flooding.

Social Impacts

• Increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• Threats to food and water security.
• Displacement of populations.

Economic Impacts

• Damage to infrastructure.
• Loss of agricultural productivity.
• Increased disaster response/recovery costs.

Measures to Mitigate the Effects

• Transition to renewable energy.
• Enhance energy efficiency in buildings/industries.
• Promote reforestation/afforestation.
• Develop carbon capture & storage.
• Implement sustainable agricultural practices.
• Encourage global cooperation.

Climate Change Protocols, Agreements, and Conferences

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): International treaty reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with binding targets for developed nations.
• United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP): Annual meetings to assess climate change progress.
• Paris Agreement (2015): Global pact limiting global warming to well below 2°C (with efforts to cap at 1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels.

Methane (CH₄)

• Chemical Formula: CH₄
• Natural Occurrence: Major component of natural gas; produced by anaerobic decomposition (wetlands, ruminants, landfills).
• Greenhouse Gas: Potent greenhouse gas, trapping more heat than CO₂ (though shorter atmospheric lifespan).
• Sources: Natural (wetlands, termites, oceans); Human (fossil fuel, agriculture, landfills, biomass burning).
• Uses: Fuel, feedstock for chemicals (hydrogen, methanol).
• Global Warming Potential: 25-30 times greater than CO₂ over 100 years.

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

• Chemical Formula: N₂O
• Natural Occurrence: Produced naturally by microbial activity in soils/oceans during organic matter decomposition.
• Properties: Sweet-smelling, non-flammable; mild anesthetic effects ("laughing gas").
• Uses: Medical (anesthesia); Industrial (propellant, automotive enhancement); Scientific (research, tracer).
• Environmental Impact: Potent greenhouse gas (298 times greater than CO₂ over 100 years); depletes ozone layer.
• Sources: Natural (soil microbial processes); Human (fertilizers, fossil fuels, wastewater).
• Role in Climate Change: Accounts for ~6% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

• Composition: Carbon, chlorine, and fluorine.
• Uses (prior): Refrigerants (air conditioners, refrigerators); propellants (aerosols); solvents; foam production.
• Properties: Stable, inert, long atmospheric lifetimes.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Ozone Depletion: Break down in stratosphere, release chlorine atoms destroying ozone (O₃).
  • Greenhouse Effect: Potent greenhouse gas.
• Regulation: Banned/restricted under Montreal Protocol (1987) to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
• Safer Alternatives: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) with ongoing environmental concerns.
• Legacy: Continuous environmental impact due to lingering CFCs and long atmospheric lifespans.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

• Pre-Industrial Level: Stable at 280 ppm.
• Current Level: 410 ppm.
• Increase Cause: Human activities (fossil fuel burning, deforestation) since the Industrial Revolution.
• Significance: Most significant greenhouse gas due to increased levels.