Climate change is a serious global issue that affects all of us, in one way or the other.

First we try to understand the climate change phenomenon in simple terms:

Climate change is the gradual increase in Earth's average surface Temperature –commonly called global warming”. This increase is caused by the greenhouse effect, which occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping into space. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide etc. One of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect is human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, and this increase is directly linked to the Rise in global temperatures we're seeing today.

To understand the severity of increasing greenhouse gases emissions and the resultant increase in world temperature, lets consider the following two charts

The first graph shows that Monthly atmospheric CO2 Concentration has increased from 370 ppm to 420 ppm since 2000 – a 14% increase in 22 years

Second graph presents the mean surface temperature change during the period 1961-2021, using temperatures between 1951 and 1980 as a baseline. The data shows an increase of temperature more than 1.5 C  during recent years--- in fact  a rise of 1.7 c in 2020 ----and not surprisingly much of this happened in last 20 years. The trend is dangerously approaching to 2C rise after 2015. In fact, there are many rich industrial countries like USA, Germany, France, Russia that already faced a 2C rise in recent years.

Now let’s understand how this global warming phenomenon is impacting our world!

Rise in Sea Levels

High temperature is leading to melting of ice and expansion of sea water as it gets warm. This results into sea level rising. Global sea level has risen about 0.2 meters since 1880. Scientist project that by 2100 it will rise to another 0.3 meters in a normal scenario. In worst case scenario it may rise to 2.4 meters due to increased carbon emissions. Sea level rise is posing a real threat to coastal areas especially in countries like China, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands such as Tonga and Fiji.

Melting Ice and Glaciers

According to NASA, a third of global sea level rise is due to melting ice from Antarctica and Greenland since 1993.Antarctica is losing about 150 billion tons of ice a year, while Greenland is losing about 270 billion tons a year. Global warming is shrinking the summer Arctic sea ice extent by 12.6% per decade.

The graph shows that annual Arctic Sea Ice minimum area has reduced from 7 million sq Km in 1980 to a staggering 4 million sq km in 2020.

Rising temperature is not sparing the glaciers in mountains like in Himalayas, which are melting and shrinking fast resulting into glacial lake outburst and flooding as well.

This photograph shows Imja Glacier in Himalaya, showing pronounced melting of ice and formation of lake.

Increasing Extreme Events like Heat waves, droughts and flooding

Climate change has been recognized as a significant cause of natural disasters, including hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires. Warmer temperatures can cause more evaporation, leading to droughts in some regions, while others experience heavy rainfall and flooding. Climate change can also intensify hurricanes and typhoons, making them more destructive. Additionally, rising sea levels can cause more severe storm surges, leading to flooding in coastal areas. Climate change has also increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires, as higher temperatures and drier conditions make it easier for fires to start and spread.

Climate change has increase the frequency extreme events of heat waves, droughts, wild fires, floods and storms etc.  From raging wild fires of United States and Australia to heat waves of Europe and to worst flooding in Asia, we have recently observed many such extreme events in various parts of the world. These events often cause irreversible damage to life, property and environment. The most alarming fact is that these extreme events are becoming more and more frequent.

This graph depicts that the frequency of climate-related disasters which was around 100 in 1980s has reached to around 400 in recent years- a rise of 300% in 40 years. The proportion of floods and storms is the biggest contributor in it.

The Role of Human Activities in Climate Change

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation are major contributors to climate change. In fact, the burning of fossil fuels alone is responsible for more than 70% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. It's clear that we need to make significant changes to our energy and transportation systems to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

There are many strategies that can be implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change. One of the most effective strategies is transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but it also helps to create new jobs and boost the economy.

Other strategies include implementing sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, improving public transportation systems, and increasing the use of electric vehicles. These changes may seem small, but they can have a significant impact in reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The Importance of Individual Actions

Did you know that the average American emits around 20 tons of CO2 each year? That's a lot! But the good news is, there are many small changes you can make in your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint. For example, you could switch to a more fuel-efficient car or take public transportation instead. You could also reduce your energy consumption at home by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when they're not in use. By making these small changes, you can help reduce your impact on the environment. If each of us takes responsibility for our own carbon footprint, we can make a significant impact in mitigating the effects of climate change.

So, it is clear that climate change is a serious issue that affects us all, but there are small actions we can take to make a difference. By reducing our carbon footprint, we can help mitigate the effects of climate change and create a better future for ourselves and our planet. But we can't do it alone. We need everyone to take action and make a difference in their own communities. So, I encourage you to share this article with your friends and family, and to take action in your own life. Together, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations.

 Let's work together to combat climate change and create a better future for all of us.