Question

2. Climate Change and Global Warming                                   Chapter 9

• What are the causes of global warming?
• What are the consequences of global warming?
• What are the mitigation and adaptation policies?

Questions are from the Textbook "The Environment and You"

Answer 1

Ans. - Global warming -

The phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries called Global warming.

Causes of Global warming-

The largest human influence has been the emission of greenhouse gases, with over 90% of the impact from carbon dioxide and methane.

Fossil fuel burning is the principal source of these gases, with agricultural emissions and deforestation also playing significant roles

Consequences of Global warming-

Global warming is real and happening today. While we may not live long enough to see catastrophic disasters occur, we will definitely see changes in our environment.

The effects of global warming or include far-reaching and long-lasting changes to the natural environment, to ecosystems and human societies caused directly or indirectly by human emissions of greenhouse gases.

It includes the economic and social changes which stem from living in a warmer world.

Mitigation and Adaptation policies-

Mitigation – reducing climate change.

Involves reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, either by reducing sources of these gases for example, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat or transport.

The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human interference with the climate system, and stabilize greenhouse gas levels in a timeframe sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

Adaptation – adapting to life in a changing climate

Involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate. The goal is to reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change like sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events or food insecurity. It encompasses making the most of any potential beneficial opportunities associated with climate change for example, longer growing seasons or increased yields in some regions.