GLOBAL WARMING

                         GLOBAL WARMING

GLOBAL WARMING

• This refers to an increase in average global temperature.  Natural events and human activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperature.

• This is caused primarily by an increase in ‘greenhouse gases' such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane nitrous oxide etc.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

• The term ‘greenhouse’ is used in conjunction with the phenomenon known as the Greenhouse Effect.

• Six main greenhouse gases are Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Methane (CH4) (which is 20 times as potent a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O), plus three fluorinated industrial gases: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons(PFCs) and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6).

IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING

EXTREME WEATHER PATTERNS  Most scientists believe that the warming of the climate will lead to more extreme weather patterns.  Such as, more hurricanes and drought, longer spells of dry heat or intense rain (depending on where you are in the world).

RISING SEA LEVELS  Water expands when heated and sea levels are expected to rise due to climate change.  Rising sea levels will also result as the polar caps begin to melt.  Rising sea levels are already affecting many small Islands.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION  Oceans are able to absorb some of the excess CO2 released by human activity.  This has helped to keep the planet cooler.  But, due to its pH level of water becoming low, which affects marine life especially to coral and animals having calcium shell.

GLOBAL DIMMING  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).  This is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.  It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1988 to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE (NAPCC)

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is a comprehensive action plan which outlines measures on climate change related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development.  The eight missions form the core of the plan, representing multi-pronged, long termed and integrated strategies for achieving goals in the context of climate change.  The eight missions are as follow: 

1. National Solar Mission  The NAPCC aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other uses, with the ultimate objective of making solar competitive with fossil-based energy options.

2. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency The NAPCC recommends mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-consuming industries, with a system for companies to trade energy-saving certificates, financing for public-private partnerships to reduce energy consumption.

3. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat The NAPCC also aims at promoting energy efficiency as a core component of urban planning by extending the existing Energy Conservation Building Code, strengthening the enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards, and using pricing measures to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles and incentive for the use of public transportation.

4. NATIONAL WATER MISSION The NAPCC sets a goal of a 20%improvement in water use efficiency through pricing and other measures to deal with water scarcity as a result of climate change.

5. NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINING THE HIMALAYAN ECOSYSTEM  This particular mission sets the goal to prevent melting of the Himalayan glaciers and to protect  biodiversity in the Himalayan region.

6. GREEN INDIA MISSION NAPCC also aims at afforestation of 6 million hectares of degraded forest lands and expanding forest cover from 23 to 33% of India’s territory.

7. NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE  The NAPCC aims to support climate adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-resilient crops, expansion of weather insurance mechanisms and agricultural practices.

8. NATIONAL MISSION ON STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE  To gain a better understanding of climate science, impacts, and challenges, the plan envisions a new Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modelling, and increased international collaboration.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

• It is an organising principle for human life on a finite planet.  It puts forward a desirable future state for human societies, in which living conditions and resource use meet human needs without undermining the sustainability of natural systems and environment.

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