Climate change is real and uncertain. It plays a great impact on the environment and our lives. Most of the people aren’t aware of what climate change is due to unreliable sources or lack of misinformation. But we do know what global warming is all about. Global warming is one of the key factors which leads to climate change.
First, we need to understand the difference between climate change and global warming.
Climate change refers to changes of weather pattern in the long term. Whereas global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of earth’s surface for a decade or longer.
Paris agreement(2015) won’t help us to curb climate change. We can’t always rely on the government to solve this issue. We as the society, community and organization must step up to develop a healthy and safe environment for the upcoming generations.
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperature, weather pattern, precipitation and other measures of climate that occur over several decades or longer.
For eg: Landslide, Earthquake, Drought Heatwaves, Floods, Tsnaumi etc
CAUSES
Water vapor: It is the most abundant greenhouse gas. Water vapor increases as Earth’s atmosphere warms, so does the possibility of clouds and precipitation.
Carbon-di-oxide(CO2): Carbon-di-oxide is a minor component which releases through respiration, volcano eruptions, burning of fossil fuels, deforestations, and land-use changes.
Methane(CH4): It is more potent and also a less abundant gas in the atmosphere. It enters through the decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture land, and cattle.
Nitrous Oxide(N2O): A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.
Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs): Chlorofluorocarbons are synthetic compounds which are used in industrial applications and home appliances such as refrigerators, microwave oven, vacuum cleaner, etc. They are now heavily regulated due to their severe impact on the atmosphere which includes ozone depletion as well as trapping in the lower atmosphere.
EFFECTS
CHANGE IN WEATHER PATTERNS
Changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of weather. Weather or climate variable is above or below threshold value of the variable.
For eg: Weather patterns included in the number of warm days and nights. Some of the extreme weather events include floods, droughts, tornado, hurricane, heatwaves etc.
RISE OF SEA LEVEL
The rise of sea level is caused by ice sheets and glaciers and the water expands as it warms. The rise in sea levels has adverse impacts on people who live in coastal areas which could lead to floods and storms. Average sea level have swelled over 8 inches in 1880. Every year the sea rises in another 13 inches. By 2100, the rate of sea level will rise by 4-6 feet.
OCEAN WARMING
The ocean absorbs 90% of the excess heat from the air making it warmer. Warming of the ocean can lead to the bleaching of coral reef and it reaches the deep water.
DEFORESTATION
Indiscrimination cutting down of trees can lead to the release of carbon dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere.
BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS
Fossil fuel consists of hydrocarbons, coal, oil, extinct species of dead animals and birds. It is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide(CO2) and also contributes to climate change.
DROUGHT AND HEATWAVES
A substantial amount of greenhouse gases is released from vehicles, industries and agricultural activities which increases the amount of carbon dioxide(CO2) and heats the atmosphere. Droughts and heatwaves make it difficult for all living beings to survive.
FOREST FIRE
Wildfires are blazes that are uncontrolled and fueled by different types of weather, dry underbrush, and wind, which burn land by the acres and take over everything in their paths, in just a few minutes. Due to hot and dry condition, lightning strikes, volcanic eruption, arson, burning debris and human activities leads to wildfire.
RISE OF TEMPERATURE
The continuous release of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causes the temperature to rise which is called a greenhouse effect. These gases are harmful to us and the environment.
The earth’s average temperature was 0.8 °C (1.5 °F) during the last century. The current earth’s average temperature is 15.5 °C (59.9 °F).
MELTING OF SNOW, GLACIERS AND ICE-CAPS
Increase in temperature directly impacts the snow, glacier and snowcaps. The rising temperature is leading to decline in ice mass. Glaciers are retreating almost everywhere around the world including the Alps, Rockies, Andies, Alaska and Himalayas.
SOLUTIONS
Upgrade from Non-renewable energy to Renewable energy: Non-renewable sources include coal, oil and fossil fuels. They are one of the major contributors of climate change. Renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and bio-energy are eco-friendly, clean source of energy and it also helps to curb pollution.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Buying the products with minimal packaging helps to reduce waste. Reusing the materials helps to reduce pollution. Recycling household waste helps to reduce greenhouse gas.
Replace your household lightbulbs: Replacing the regular bulbs in CFL or LED bulb helps to consume less electricity. It also helps to save electricity and eliminate greenhouse gases.
Save electricity: Consume electricity power as much as you need. Switch off the lights television, stereo, computer when you’re not using them.
Use of public transport and electric/hybrid vehicles: Public transport like trains, metros, trams, buses can relieve traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. The use of public transport must be encouraged if a sustainable transport policy is to be developed. The electric/hybrid vehicles are growing in popularity and certainly in mind space. They are eco-friendly, promote a clean and safe environment, reduce pollution, produces zero-emission and more efficient. Electric/hybrid vehicles are the future.
Plant more trees: Planting of more trees helps to remove carbon dioxide(CO2) and release oxygen(O2). It helps to provide a clean source of air, healthier climate and overcome climate change.
Buy energy-efficient products: While purchasing home appliances, electronic devices like refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave oven, computer, light bulbs you must look for the device and appliances that consume a substantial amount of energy.
Ensuring sustainable development: All the countries must make the transition to low-carbon development and help to overcome climate change.
Spread a word: All the countries, communities and organizations should conduct some programs, spread awareness about this issue and make people learn about how we could collectively unite together to prevent catastrophic climate change.
“Climate change is the biggest threat that we are facing today. That’s the reality. If we don’t unite and work together collectively to overcome it, one day our planet will completely get decimated.”
-Krishna Chaitanya
To read my previous blog about the current scenario of Indian education system click right here
This blog is open for your critics and opinions to improve upon.
Nice write up KC. The need of the hour.
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Thank you so much Vatsala Aunty 😊
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Hi Krishna,
I must appreciate you for such a wonderful write up. You have covered almost, all important issues.
Great post!!!
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Shukriya Rekha ma’am 😊
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Informative blog 😀😀😀
Nice one 👌👌👌
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Thanks for the feedback Anisha ma’am!!!
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Welcome 😃😃
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This is truly an informative article!😊 And you have mentioned all the issues very clearly. There are so many things like global warming and pollution for which humans are responsible
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Thanks for visiting my blog page Natasha ma’am. I firmly agree with your opinion. It’s time for us to step up and solve these issues as soon as possible!!!
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I completely agree with you😊
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This is a very informative post! Thank you for spreading awareness about climate.
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Yes, climate change is for real.
Good write-up Krishna. Keep it up.
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Thank you so much Rajesh Uncle 😊
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Thank you so much Winnie ma’am. Hope that I write many more blogs in the upcoming days!!!
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A timely and a wonderful sharing. If we do not care the CLIMATE CHANGE issues in mind then the MOTHER NATURE will have retribution of highest proportion. She never forgets for fiddling with Nature.
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Thank you so much for taking your time and read my blog Harbans. Yes I do agree with your point. It’s time for us to revive the nature. Let’s do this 💪💪💪
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It is my pleasure. We all should help revive the Nature otherwise we shall have to repent since it never forgets our misdeeds.
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“Man has become wild. Exploiting natural resources at exponential pace without having sincere concern of its consequences is the main reason for this imbalance in eco-system.” We need to take the responsibility in order to curb this climate change or else we and our coming generations have to suffer.
“An eye-opening post” which is the need of the hour…. Well written… 🙂
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Yes you’re right Ashish. It’s time for us to step up and take the initiative to curb this issue. Thanks for visiting my blog once again!!!
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Good Krishna Chaitanya nice thinking
And presentation
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Thank you so much Daivik 😊
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Great article! It is time that we need to do our part proactively. I will share this post to my relatives & friends also.
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Thank you so much Megala ma’am. Yes we really need to step up to save our planet. Sure 👍👍👍. Thanks once again!!!
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Great article – it is scary to know where the humans are taking this planet to
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Thanks for visiting my blog page Shantanu sir 😊. Yes you’re right sir 😔
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My pleasure
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Wonderful KC. This talk is the pressing need of the hour.
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Thank you so much Saleena ma’am 😊
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This is a very informative article!! Great work..
Check out my take on the relationship between climate change and global inequality. Feedback is appreciated 🙂
https://climatechangeconversation.home.blog/2019/07/24/64/
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Thanks for visiting my blog page. I will surely check out your blog and get back to you. Good luck 👍👍👍
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Very informative and relevent post! I loved it,Krishna! Thank you for sharing it!
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Thanks for the feedback Ravi sir. You’re most welcome!!!
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Nice well written article.
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Thank you so much Sunith sir 🙏🙏🙏
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Reblogged this on ALGMARTUN.
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Thanks for the reblog Farol 😊
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Great article on climate change!!!! By the way, I have nominated you for the ‘Quote Me’ challenge and was thinking if you would like to participate in it. Please copy the link into your laptop for more information on the challenge.
https://wordpress.com/view/tarushispeaks.wordpress.com
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Thank you so much Tarushi. Sure, I would be exhilarated to take part in “Quote Me” challenge!!!
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Yours is a rare blog with a pedagogic style, I prefer and used in mine too.
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Thanks for the feedback!!!
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And yes, CC is a threat as if credit cards from Nature and humanity is paying loans regularly !
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I do agree with your view!!!
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Wonderful post that brings awareness to this subject.. We all need to be so mindful of our environment and the impact each of us have upon it..
Some very good tips you have suggested among your solutions Krishna.. 🙂
We all need to change our consumer habits in not buying plastic goods too.. Very difficult when we see the amount of manufactured goods now made in plastic..
Sending well wishes your way..
Sue 🙂
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Thanks for your feedback ma’am. It really means a lot to me. Sue ma’am pls do check out my recent blog!!!
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Good summary. I think most people don’t realize how serious it is when ice melts. That’s just one perceptual issue people have with climate change. But imagine instead that our earth had ice cold water at the north pole. If that were the case, the “extra heat” that has been trapped would raise that ice cold water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit! Hot enough to kill any fish or mammal that touched it. https://petersironwood.com/2019/09/04/essays-on-america-ice/
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https://kia723.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/are-technology-firms-ready-to-battle-the-climate-change/
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Sure Sir I’ll check out your blog soon!!!
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I think we are living in to many luxuries and need to return to nature a little more and basics to save this planet. This is our home and we must look after our home
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Yes, that’s true Mick. Let’s hope for the best!!!
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Excellent items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff
previous to and you are just too excellent. I actually like what you’ve bought right here, certainly like
what you’re saying and the way during which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific website.
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Thank you so much Shannon ma’am. It really means a lot to me. Pls, do check out my recent blog and give feedback for it. Thanks once again!!!
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A really nice blog KC! I think the transition from non-renewable to renewable is not as easy as it seems as oil and coal are still the cheapest sources of energy while solar and wind are infact quite expensive.
I think synthetic fuels produced by purchasing of plastic can be a really good solution! As these fuels give less than half the emissions compared to diesel or petroleum, meanwhile we stop oceans from getting choked. Would like to see more of your blogs. 😊
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Thanks for your feedback Nihal. Glad that you liked it!!!
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