The India Climate Observatory

Commentary, action and research on climate and development in India

GLOSSARY

by 1 Comment

GLOSSARY: UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Assigned amount unit (AAU)

A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric ton of CO2 equivalent.  Each Annex I Party issues AAUs up to the level of its assigned amount, established pursuant to Article 3, paragraphs 7 and 8, of the Kyoto Protocol. Assigned amount units may be exchanged through emissions trading.

Adaptation

Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to a new or changing environment1. Adaptation to climate change involves changes in policies and practices designed to deal with climate threats and risks4.

Adaptation Fund

The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programs in developing countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.  The Fund is to be financed with a share of proceeds from clean development mechanism (CDM) project activities and receive funds from other sources. 

Afforestation1

Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

An ad hoc coalition of low-lying and island countries. These nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and share common positions on climate change. The 43 members and observers are American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives,  Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, US Virgin Islands, and Vanuatu.

Annex Countries4

Groups of countries with different obligations under international climate agreements. Annex 1 countries include industrialized countries and economies in transition4, which were committed to return their greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels collectively. They have also accepted emissions targets for the period 2008-12. Annex 2 countries are industrialized countries that committed to help developing countries by providing them with technology, financial assistance and other resources. Annex B countries have fixed/assigned emission reduction targets. Non-annex 1 are countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Anthropogenic emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activities. These include burning of fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, land-use changes and emissions of other GHGs3.

Atmosphere3

The envelope of gases surrounding the earth and bound to it by the Earth’s gravitational attraction. The atmosphere is divided into layers: the troposphere (from ground level to 8-17km); the stratosphere (up to 50 km); the mesosphere (50 – 90km); and the thermosphere which forms the transition zone to outer space.

Baseline3

A level of emissions against which future greenhouse gas emission levels are measured, particularly in the context of emissions reductions4.

Benchmarking3

A process to assess relative performance among a group of peers. Benchmarking has been proposed as one means to establish allocations of emissions allowances.

Biomass fuels or biofuels4

A fuel produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. These fuels are considered renewable as long as the vegetation producing them is maintained or replanted, such as firewood, alcohol fermented from sugar, and combustible oils extracted from soy beans. Their use in place of fossil fuels cuts greenhouse gas emissions because the plants that are the fuel sources also capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Cap and trade4

An approach to limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The system sets a maximum emission level (a cap) for a region or nation that requires participating emitters to obtain permits to pollute. Companies or governmental jurisdictions with extra pollution permits can sell or trade them to parties whose permits are insufficient to cover their full emissions.

Capacity Building3

A process of constructive interaction between developed and developing countries to help developing countries build the capability and skills needed to achieve environmentally sound forms of economic development. Under current negotiations, capacity building should assist developing countries to build, develop, strengthen, enhance and improve their capabilities to facilitate their participation in the Kyoto Protocol process.

Carbon Capture and Storage(CCS)4

A process by which carbon dioxide emitted from large point sources is separated, compressed, captured and stored (often by pumping it underground) rather than released into the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle4

Surface carbon flows from the atmosphere to the land and oceans, and back, in solid, liquid and gaseous form. The Earth’s land mass holds most of the carbon, in the form of organic matter, living vegetation and coal and carbon deposits. Large-scale changes on land such as use of fossil fuels or deforestation drastically alters this flow of carbon,

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)3

Carbon dioxide a naturally occurring gas and the most common greenhouse gas. It is released into the atmosphere through natural (respiration, decay of vegetation or forest fires) and human activities (fossil fuel and biomass burning, industrial processes, changes to land use). It is the principal anthropogenic gas that affects the earth’s temperature. It is the reference gas against which other GHGs are indexed and therefore has a ‘Global Warming Potential’.

Carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2eq4

A unit of measurement used to compare the climate effects of all greenhouse gases to each other. CO2eq is calculated by multiplying the quantity of a greenhouse gas by its global warming potential (GWP). The term comes from the fact that carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas and other gases are measured in units called “carbon-dioxide equivalents.”

Carbon market4

A popular term for a trading system through which countries may buy or sell units of greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to meet their national limits on emissions, either under the Kyoto Protocol or under other agreements, such as the EU Trading System.

Carbon Sinks3

Natural or man-made systems that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store them Trees, plants and the oceans are all carbon sinks.

Carbon Tax4

A tax placed on carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon tax aims to reduce the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by setting a price on carbon and levying a tax. The tax generates revenue that can be used to move towards a low carbon economy by developing technology, mitigation and underwriting further emissions.

Certified emission reductions (CER) 3

A CER represents one ton of CO2eq greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved through a CDM project.

CFCs1

Chlorofluorocarbons.

CH4

Methane.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)4

A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries can meet their Kyoto targets by investing in low-emission projects in developing nations1. The developing countries in turn are able to move towards low-carbon economies without curbing development1. Under the CDM, industrial countries can earn Certified Emission Reduction units (CERs) for projects in developing countries4. These can be applied toward national reduction targets of industrialized countries4.

Climate3

The average and statistical variations of weather in a geographical region. The averaging period is typically several decades.

Climate Change2

Refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. The UNFCCC defines climate change climate change as a ‘change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods’.

Climate Models3

Large and complex mathematical computer programmes used to simulate global climate, models are based on mathematical equations that seek to represent the physical processes that govern the earth-atmosphere system.

Climate Sensitivity3

The change in the Earth’s average equilibrium surface air temperature following a doubling of CO2 concentration (e.g., from 275 parts per million4 to 550 parts per million). This is estimated by the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report as likely to be in the range 2 to 4.5 ˚C with a best estimate of about 3 ˚C.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

Governments that have signed the UNFCCC meet regularly to discuss its status, possible revision and possibilities in the future4. The first COP was held in 1995 (Berlin) and sessions have been held annually since then1. The fifteenth COP will be held in Copenhagen, between 7th and 18th December4.

Declaration1

A non-binding political statement made by ministers attending a major meeting (e.g. the Geneva Ministerial Declaration of COP-2).

Deforestation1

Conversion of forest to non-forest.

Desertification2

Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and activities.

Designated National Authority (DNA)1

An office, ministry, or other official entity appointed by a country that is party to the Kyoto Protocol, to review and give national approval to projects proposed under the Kyoto Protocol (such as CDMs and JIs).

Emission reduction unit (ERU)4

A Kyoto Protocol unit of one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. ERUs are generated for emission reductions or emission removals from joint implementation project.

Emissions trading

A market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can occur at the domestic, national and intra-company levels1. Trading allows parties that emit less than their allowed emissions to trade the excess reductions4. Emissions trading is also one of the three Kyoto mechanisms by which an Annex I Party may transfer Kyoto Protocol units to or acquire units from another Annex I Party1. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) is a mandatory emission trading scheme currently in place; the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is a voluntary trading program4.

Forcing4

Changes to the climate system that are caused by natural (volcanic eruptions for example) or human-caused (greenhouse gas emissions) factors. Scientifically, radiative forcing measures changes to the natural energy balance of the Earth’s atmosphere that affect surface temperature. So named because it measures incoming solar radiation against outgoing thermal radiation, radiative forcing is expressed as a rate of energy change in watts per square meter. Human-caused forcing factors like greenhouse gases have a positive radiative forcing and cause surface temperatures to increase. Other such factors, including some aerosols, have a negative radiative forcing and cause surface temperature to cool.

Global Environmental Facility (GEF)3

A jointly funded programme established by developed countries in 1992, to meet their obligations under various international environmental treaties.

Global Warming3

The increase in the Earth’s temperature, in part due to emissions of greenhouse gases associated with human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Global warming potential (GWP)4

A measurement of the relative strength and potency of a greenhouse gas as well as its projected lifespan in the atmosphere. GWP is based on carbon dioxide, and allows comparisons among different greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse effect3

The trapping of heat by naturally occurring (water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone) and synthetic (CFC’s etc) atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation. The greenhouse effect keeps the earth 30 ˚C warmer than if these gases did not exist in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)1

Atmospheric gases that cause climate change by trapping heat from the sun4. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). Less prevalent –but very powerful — greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

HFC1

Hydrofluorocarbons.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)4

The international scientific body established by the World Meteorological Organization and the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) in 19881. It was established to provide an objective and neutral source of information on climate change4. The IPCC releases periodic assessments of scientific and technical literature on climate change from around the world, and is widely recognized as the most credible existing source of information on climate change1.

International Climate Change Partnership3

Global coalition of companies and trade associations committed to constructive participation in international policy making on climate change.

IUCN1

International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Joint Implementation (JI)4

Jointly implemented projects that allow industrialized countries to earn emission reduction credits by investing in projects in other industrialized countries4. Many JI projects are located in Eastern Europe.

Kyoto Protocol4

An international binding agreement that sets binding targets for the reduction of human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions by 37 industrialized countries. It requires an emission reduction of five percent collectively from 1990 levels in the period 2008-12. Adopted in 1997 under the UNFCCC, and entered into force on 16th February 2005, it has been signed by over 180 countries.

Kyoto mechanisms4

Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocol to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts; Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Emissions Trading (ETS) and Joint Implementation(JI).

Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) 4

Land use is the set of activities that occur on any given parcel of land, such as grazing, forestry, or urban living4. Changes to land use such as converting forest land to agriculture can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases4. These activities are considered during climate negotiations, and covers emissions and removal of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities (LULUCF)3.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)3

The world’s poorest countries. The criteria currently used by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for designating a country as an LDC includes low income, human resource weakness and economic vulnerability. Currently 50 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.

Lock-in technologies and Practices3

Technologies and practices that have market advantages arising from existing institutions, services, infrastructures and available resources; they are very difficult to change because of their widespread use and the presence of associated infrastructure and socio-cultural patterns.

Market Barriers3

Conditions that impede or prevent the diffusion of cost-effective technologies or practices that would mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Market Potential3

The portion of the economic potential for GHG emissions reduction or energy-efficiency improvements that could be achieved under forecast market conditions, assuming no new policies and measures.

Mitigation

In the context of climate change, policies and behaviours designed to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases4. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial processes, switching to solar energy or wind power, improving the insulation of buildings, and expanding forests and other “sinks” to remove greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere3.

Models, predictions and pathways4

Scientists use climate and atmospheric modeling to understand how the climate works and how greenhouse gas concentrations and other triggers can lead to climate change. These models help scientists understand the Earth’s climate system, make predictions about possible changes in climate resulting from changes in biological, physical and chemical variables. These in turn help predict the effects of climate change, develop emission pathway scenarios and understand what limits are needed to meet climate stabilization points.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

The Prime Minister of India released the NAPCC on 30th June. It outlines the Government of India’s strategy to meet the challenges of climate change. It focuses on eight areas – the so-called ‘missions’ – intended to deliver maximum benefits to development while addressing climate change: solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, green India, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable knowledge for climate change.

N20

Nitrous oxide – one of the six GHG’s, generated by burning fossil fuels and the manufacture of fertilizers3.

Observers3

Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Governments not Parties to the Convention which are permitted to attend, but not vote, at meetings of the COP and its subsidiary bodies. Observers may include the United Nations and its specialized agencies; other intergovernmental organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency; and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Parts per million (ppm)4

A ratio-based measure of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is usually measured in parts per million; in 2007 the atmospheric concentration of CO2 had passed 384 ppm – an increase of more than 100 ppm since 1750.

Ratification1

Formal approval, often by a Parliament or other national legislature, of a convention, protocol, or treaty, enabling a country to become a Party. Ratification is a separate process that occurs after a country has signed an agreement. The instrument of ratification must be deposited with a “depositary” (in the case of the Climate Change Convention, the UN Secretary-General) to start the countdown to becoming a Party (in the case of the Convention, the countdown is 90 days).

Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) 4

A policy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from deforestation and forest degradation. In principle, REDD provides financial incentives for countries to maintain and preserve forestlands as carbon sinks and biodiversity reserves, rather than cutting them down for economic reasons. In December 2007, climate negotiators agreed to consider including REDD as part of a new climate change agreement.

Sink4

Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Forests and other vegetation, oceans and soils, are considered sinks because they remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)3

The SCCF was established to finance projects relating to adaptation – in the developing world; technology transfer and capacity building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic diversification.

Stabilisation4

The point at which the climate is stable and not undergoing additional systemic changes. This will typically occur when greenhouse gas concentrations have leveled out. Stabilization is often measured as concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Stern Review3

A 2007 study commissioned by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer led by economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, to examine the economics of climate change.

Surface temperatures (global)4

An estimate of the average surface air temperature across the globe. When estimating climate change over time, only abnormal changes to the mean surface temperature – not daily, seasonal or local variations – are measured. Global surface temperature is most commonly expressed as a combination of land and sea temperature.

Sustainable development4

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Technology transfer4

A broad set of processes covering the flow of knowledge, expertise, equipment and resources among stake-holders, that helps them adapt to or mitigate climate change.

Third Assessment Report (TAR)2

The third extensive review of global scientific research on climate change, published by the IPCC in 2001. Among other things, the report stated that “The Earth’s climate system has demonstrably changed on both global and regional scales since the pre-industrial era, with some of these changes attributable to human activities. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.” The TAR also focused on the regional effects of climate change.

UNFCCC4

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adopted on 9 May 1992 and signed at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, the Convention established general principles to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations and prevent dangerous human-caused interference with the climate system. The treaty includes requirements such as preparing national inventories of GHG emissions and a commitment to reduce emissions to 1990 levels. The convention now has nearly universal membership, with more than 190 signatory countries.

Vulnerability4

The degree to which an ecosystem or society faces survival risks due to adverse climate changes, and includes susceptibility as well as ability to adapt to climate variability and extremes. The level of vulnerability determines whether an ecosystem or society can be resilient in the face of climate change. Adapted from: UNFCCC1 , IPCC2, IPIECA3 (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association), State of the World Report 20094.

 

Adapted from: UNFCCC1 , IPCC2, IPIECA3 (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association), State of the World Report 20094.

Support science-based and equitable measures that will reduce will reduce national and international greenhouse gas emissions

by Leave a Comment

Support science-based and equitable measures that will reduce will reduce national and international greenhouse gas emissions

Efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions must be based on the best-available science using the precautionary principle. They must also be fair to ensure that the burden of adjustment to climate change does not fall disproportionately on the weakest sections of our society

Promote India’s transition to a low-carbon society

by Leave a Comment

Promote India’s transition to a low-carbon society

  • Each one of us can do practical things to help our country move to a more sustainable, low-carbon society. For example, we can

    • Switch from conventional bulbs to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs;

    • Buy certified low-energy appliances instead of resource-intensive ones

    • Promote public transport, walking and cycling as alternatives to the private car

    • Demand more renewable energy from safe, green sources such as wind and solar, instead of coal-fired power plants

    • Ask our city and town leaders to plan our cities with climate change in mind – and ensure that the public participates in such processes

    • Ask our political leaders to set clear targets and timetables for India’s transition to a low-carbon society

    • Reduce use of plastics

    • Buy local products as far as possible

    • Reduce, recycle, reuse

    • Switch off electrical appliances when not in use

    • Switch from paper transactions to e-transactions wherever possible

    • Conserve water

    • Print only if you must

    • Climate Challenge India will help you be a ‘part of the change’!

    • Also check out our Cool Carbon Product Watch for the latest in low-carbon products.

 

 

Help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change in whatever way I can

by Leave a Comment

Help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change in whatever way I can

India as a whole is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Within India, however, some communities will be more affected than others. For example, poor people dependent on resources such as forests, fisheries and agriculture for their livelihoods will be disproportionately affected. We must ensure that the weakest sections of our society are protected through the development of mechanisms such as crop-insurance schemes and coastal defences

Determine my carbon footprint and reduce it

by Leave a Comment

Determine my carbon footprint and reduce it 

Every day, we use electricity, run the car, heat water and cook food. When we do these things, we inevitably release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

We can measure the amount of greenhouse gases each of us releases into the atmosphere, by using a carbon calculator. A carbon footprint is a measure of how much greenhouse gases each of us (or each company/organisation/nation) produces. It is measured in tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Go carbon neutral: when you do something to remove or cancel the greenhouse gases you added into the atmopshere, you have a net zero carbon footprint, or are ‘carbon neutral’. This is also called ‘carbon offsetting’.

You can also be carbon positive: by emitting less greenhouse gases than you offset, you can go carbon positive, and take out more greenhouse gases than you contribute.

Use CSM’s carbon foorprint calculator to measure your impact on the climate.

How do I reduce my carbon footprint? Small changes in our daily lives can collectively make big differences. Act today to make a difference. Check CCI’s Climate Saving Tips to start making a difference today!

Remember: every individual’s action counts!

Climate Change Primer

by Leave a Comment

Here is a primer on climate change – basic reading if you will. Once you have understood the basics, you will be able to explore climate change in greater depth. India Climate Portal will be glad to help you learn about climate change, take action, and reduce your impact.

EARTH’S CHANGING CLIMATE

Throughout Earth’s history, the climate has changed over long periods of time (thousands or millions of years). In the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat. These changes have been gradual, and attributed to small changes in the amount of energy the earth received from the sun1.

About seven thousand years ago, the last ice age ended, marking the beginning of the modern climate era and of human civilization1. Earlier in our history, humans hunted and gathered food, roaming over vast areas of the planet. Gradually, we learned to grow our food in one location or other, and started to settle down. With the progress of agriculture, use of advanced tools and assured food supply, our population grew. Soon we started producing cloth, machinery, and living together in villages, towns and cities. The Industrial Revolution got underway and coal (a fossil fuel) was burned to generate energy. Prosperity started to increase.

As prosperity increased, lifestyles changed, and we started using more and more machinery to do our work. We soon discovered petroleum (or crude oil), invented many ways of processing it and producing several products from it (petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, LPG and most of our primary energy sources). We started to use petroleum and coal for a sizeable proportion of our work; from running industrial machines, to transporting ourselves, paving roads, packaging goods and generating electricity. Today, our modern civilization depends on industrial activities, which use large quantities of energy; and our biggest source of energy is fossil fuels.

Over the years, we have been burning fossil fuels at faster and faster rates. When we do this, different kinds of gases and particles are released into the atmosphere. These are called emissions, and are gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These gases allow sunlight to enter, but block the heat from escaping: much like a greenhouse, causing a natural greenhouse effect.

However, here’s the catch!

Since 1751, roughly 351 billion tons of carbon dioxide (and other ‘greenhouse gases’), have been released into the atmosphere. Half of these emissions have occurred since the mid 1970s2, and the primary source of these emissions has been fossil fuels.

Global Fossil Fuel Carbon Emissions

Source: Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre

Today, there are more of these gases in the atmosphere than ever before, and emissions of carbon dioxide are accelerating. Since these gases trap heat, the Earth’s atmosphere is getting overloaded with these gases. We are also cutting and burning the earth’s natural sinks of carbon – the world’s tropical forests – at an estimated rate of 13 million hectares per year (deforestation). This is causing the Earth to warm in response1.

HOW DO WE KNOW?

We know that there is an overload of emissions in the Earth’s system from measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide: CO2 levels are higher today than at anytime in the past 650,000 years1!

Source: NOAA; NASA

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

A result of so much carbon dioxide is a heating of the earth, or ‘global warming’. In effect, our climate is changing.

Scientists have found many serious changes in Earth’s environment. There is also little doubt that human beings are the cause of this current warming trend.

Global average surface temperatures: 1880 to 2005

Source: State of the World report 2009

  
Since the 1800s, which marked the beginning of Industrialization (see graph), temperatures have risen steadily. This rise correlates directly to the increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.

Average global atmospheric temperatures have increased by 0.74 degrees Celsius in the past 100 years.

Depending on how much and how soon emissions are reduced, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts an additional 1.8- 4.0 degrees Celsius rise in temperature.

Massive ice sheets cover both Greenland and the Antarctic.

Source: NASA

In a study undertaken by NASA, scientists confirm that these ice sheets are losing much more ice to the sea than they are gaining from snow fall. This changes how much water will stay locked in ice and snow, and increases the sea level. Greenland lost 150 to 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year between 2002 and 2006, while Antarctica (image below) lost about 152 cubic kilometers (36 cubic miles) of ice between 2002 and 2005.

The major store-houses of water – the ice caps and glaciers are receding. Snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere, permafrost extent, and Northern sea ice are decreasing4. There is also enlargement and increased number of glacial lakes and instability in permafrost regions4, owing to which buildings are collapsing.

Below is an image of meltwater from Greenland’s ice sheets

Source: www.redorbit.com

Global sea levels rose about 17 cm in the last 100 years. In the last ten years, the rate of increase per year has nearly doubled, from a rate of change of 2 mm per year, to 3.4 mm per year.

The graphs below show the rate of change of sea level.

Source: NASA

The rate at which land ice is being lost is shown in the illustration to the left. Areas where melt occurred for longer periods of time is shown in red. Each year, ice extent has decreased by 36-60 cubic miles in Greenland.

The extent of arctic sea ice has decreased by 38% as compared to 1979 to 2000 levels, as shown by the illustration on the right.

Source: NASA

Precipitation and evaporation patterns over the oceans have changed. We know this from increased salinity near the equator, and decreased salinity at higher latitudes4.

Biological systems are strongly affected by climate change3. In the terrestrial systems, there is evidence of earlier timing of spring events, leaf unfolding, bird migration and egg-laying; and a poleward and upward shift in ranges in plant and animal species. In marine and freshwater systems, the ranges and abundance of algae, plankton and fish are changing, and increasing evidence of impacts on coral reefs4

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

Scientists have identified the kinds of human activities that are contributing to climate change.

The major sectors that emit greenhouse gases are energy supply, industry, deforestation, agriculture, transport, and waste incineration.

Adapted from: IPCC report 2007

These activities release three major greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor to climate change, as you can see from the chart below.

Adapted from: IPCC report 2007

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

The expected impacts of an unstable climate and rising sea levels are increased droughts, decreased availability of drinking water, displaced populations, salinisation of soil and freshwater, massive extinctions of wildlife, decreased forest cover, coral bleaching, reduced crop yields, increased epidemics and increased intensity of tropical storms.

People living below the poverty line and dependent on land-based (agriculture) and marine occupations (fisheries) are likely to be the most seriously affected.

As you can see, these consequences don’t affect just others. It affects ALL of us in some way or other.

WHO IS TO IMPROVE THINGS?

We! That’s who.

YOU can be a very important part of the efforts to reduce climate change. You can become a leader of efforts at different levels. Here are some links that will help you learn more about climate change.

References: 1. California Institute of Technology, NASA: http://climate.jpl.nasa.gov/; 2. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/; 3. State of the World report 2009; 4. IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, Summary

Privacy Policy

by Leave a Comment

Privacy Policy

CSM upholds your right to privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

Our Privacy Policy relates to our use of any personal information you provide us through our website. This can consist of information such as your name, e-mail address, postal address, telephone or mobile number or date of birth. We will never sell, rent, or loan email addresses or telephone numbers or any identifiable information contained in our mailing list to any third party. Any information that you have given us is securely held.

Should you have any queries regarding the same please e-mail us at cci@csmworld.org.

Thank you.

Useful Website

by Leave a Comment

Useful Websites

The World Watch Institute

The Sierra Club

Indian Youth for Climate Network

World Wildlife Fund India

The Climate Project India

The Climate Project

Carbon Neutral

Carbon Zero

One World South Asia

What’s with the climate

Ministry of Environment and Forests

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Natcom India

Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Centre for Science and Environment

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited

Greenpeace

Global Environmental System Group

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

World Resources Institute

The Pew Centre on Global Climate Change

India water portal

climate change

by Leave a Comment

Climate Change

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Have you noticed too?
The climate is changing, our seasons are more irregular, and somehow, floods, droughts and hurricanes are becoming all the more common.

Our climate is changing, and the main reason is human activities that result in heat-trapping gases being pumped into the atmosphere.

As we burn more and more fossil fuels, which we do when we drive cars, use concrete to construct towering buildings, use thermal powered electricity or fly in planes, we emit more and more of these heat-trapping gases. Another major cause for our changing climate is land use change such as deforestation, most severe in Indonesia and Brazil, countries with some of the largest remaining stands of tropical rainforest. More…

An overwhelming body of scientific evidence (1), which is difficult to ignore any more, indicates that the Earth’s climate is changing, that our planet is getting hotter, and that the situation is more serious than previously assessed. More…

Never before has the world at large confronted such a complex and far-reaching crisis – therefore, global collective action is of utmost importance. More…

Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you think the problem is so huge that your contribution as an individual will make little difference?

Is there a problem?
Yes. Compelling scientific evidence tells us that there is.

Since the industrial period (mid 1800’s), the concentration of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping or ‘greenhouse’ gases in the atmosphere has increased. Carbon dioxide levels have risen by almost 35% and methane levels have nearly doubled (from 1). From a fairly constant 280 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 1750 to 430 ppm CO2e in 2005 and still rising, we have reached a stage where we have far exceeded the natural range of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the last 65,000 years (2).

These seemingly small increases have a dramatic effect on climate and weather, ecosystems and river flow.

Parallel to the increase in greenhouse gas levels, global temperatures over the past 30 years have steadily increased by 0.2 degrees C each decade. In effect, there has already been a near 1 degree C rise in global average temperatures since around 1900 (2).

Experts believe that a 2 degrees C of warming represents a tipping point – beyond which far more serious impacts than damage to coral reefs and agricultural systems can be expected.

Measurements from 1850 show:

  • The global average air and ocean temperatures have increased
  • There is widespread melting of snow and ice
  • Rising global average sea level


Source: IPCC report 2007

Heating effects are strongly visible in the melting of snow, ice, glaciers and permafrost, rising global mean sea levels and extreme weather.

These images, taken by NASA satellites in 1979 and in 2005, show the minimum concentration of Arctic sea ice in both these years. In 2005, the extent of sea ice dropped to the lowest extent in recorded satellite history – 2.05 million sq. miles (5).


Source: NASA

‘The warming of the climate system is unequivocal’ – IPCC report 2007

All scientific evidence gathered indicates a strong likelihood that unabated and continued emissions will only mean that the world will experience a radical transformation of its climate (Stern Review). If we continue to emit greenhouse gases at the current rate, average global temperatures could rise by 2 to 3 degrees C within the next fifty years.

What will climate change do?
Irrespective of CO2 being released in India or Siberia, the effects are felt all over the world. In effect, climate change is a global problem that will affect every one of us. Changes in our climate system threatens the basic requirements of people around the world – access to food, water, use of land and issues of health and environment (1).

  • Melting glaciers: including India’s ‘water towers’ – the Himalayan glaciers – pose the very serious threat of our perennial rivers – the Sapta Sindhu – drying up.
  • Ocean acidification – affecting marine ecosystems and fish stocks
  • Declining crop yields in the face of rising populations
  • Rising sea levels – millions of ‘environmental refugees’, salt water invasion of fertile agricultural soil.

Risks and impacts
Even if all emissions stopped today, the time lag necessary for climate stabilization would mean global temperatures would continue to rise for the next 30 to 50 years. Hence, over the next few decades, we face unavoidable economic costs. We also face several economic and climatic impacts, as well as risks.

Where does India stand?
India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, growing at an almost breakneck pace, guzzling coal, gas and oil in large quantities (4) while doing so. We are also the fifth largest emitter of GHG’s in the world. With nearly a quarter of our billion plus population below the poverty line, the government is pursuing an ambitious development agenda modeled on the West.

Apart from being a major contributor to the problem in the future, India as a developing country, cannot afford to take as many risks and economic backlashes as industrialized nations can.

We would face:

  • Erratic monsoon patterns – a serious threat to rainfed agriculture, peninsular rivers and power supply
  • Rising sea levels – along one of the longest and densely populated coastlines in the world, a 1-metre rise in sea levels could displace millions
  • More floods and drought – exacerbating water shortages and declines in crop yield
  • Receding Himalayan glaciers

How can we solve climate change?
Immediate action is of essence. To prevent the planet from warming by more than 2 degrees C, concentrations of GHG’s must not exceed 450 ppm of CO2 equivalent.

This might seem a huge task, but the good news is that solutions that will take us towards a low carbon future already exist (3).

  • Global collective action that emphasizes necessary and urgent action
  • International agreements, legally binding and time-bound targets to regulate and stabilize emissions
  • Policy reform that can catalyse action for climate change
  • Emission reduction in every economic and political sector.

Action is essential. But action now is more desirable, and more cost effective than action in the future (2).

References

  1. IPCC
  2. Stern Review
  3. Design to Win
  4. Imagining India
  5. http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/arcticice_decline.html
  6. Earth Policy Insitute
  7. International Energy Agency