Effects of Global Warming

It is our HSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) project.
This document describes how greatly our environment and social life is effected from Global Warming. It describes various perspectives also.

1. EFFECTS OF
GLOBAL WARMING

2. Members of Group 19

(Evening Batch)





UTKARSH KUMAR (16UEC116)
UTKARSH SINGH (16UEC117)
VAIBHAV AGRAWAL (16UEC118)
VAIBHAV MUNJAL (16UEC119)
VAIBHAV NEGI (16UEC120)
VAIBHAV TRIPATHI (16UEC121)




Submitted To:- Dr. Arpi Majumder

3. What is Global Warming?

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-
scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its
related effects. Multiple lines of scientific evidence show that the climate
system is warming. Many of the observed changes since the 1950s are
unprecedented in the instrumental temperature record which extends back to
the mid-19th century, and in pale climate proxy records covering thousands of
years.
In the period from 1880 to 2012, the global average (land and ocean) surface
temperature has increased by 0.85 [0.65 to 1.06] °C, multiple independently
produced datasets confirm. In the period from 1906 to 2005, Earth's average
surface temperature rose by 0.74±0.18 °C. The rate of warming almost
doubled in the last half of that period (0.13±0.03 °C per decade, against
0.07±0.02 °C per decade).
In the past, when the Earth experienced increases in temperature it was the
result of natural causes but today it is being caused by the accumulation of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere produced by human activities.
The natural greenhouse effect maintains the Earth's temperature at a safe
level making it possible for humans and many other lifeforms to exist.
However, since the Industrial Revolution human activities have significantly
enhanced the greenhouse effect causing the Earth's average temperature to
rise by almost 1°C. This is creating the global warming we see today. To put this
increase in perspective it is important to understand that during the last ice
age, a period of massive climate change, the average temperature change
around the globe was only about 5°C.
A long series of scientific research and international studies has shown, with
more than 90% certainty, that this increase in overall temperatures is due to
the greenhouse gases produced by humans. Activities such as deforestation
and the burning of fossil fuels are the main sources of these emissions. These
findings are recognized by the national science academies of all the major
industrialized countries.

4. Global warming is affecting many places around the world. It is accelerating
the melting of ice sheets, permafrost and glaciers which is causing average sea
levels to rise. It is also changing precipitation and weather patterns in various
places, making some places dryer, with more intense periods of drought and at
the same time making other places wetter, with stronger storms and increased
flooding. These changes have affected both nature as well as human society
and will continue to have increasingly worse effects if greenhouse gas
emissions continue to grow at the same pace as today.

5. EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON OCEANS

Global warming can affect sea levels, coastlines, ocean acidification, ocean
currents, seawater, sea surface temperatures, tides, the sea floor, weather,
and trigger several changes in ocean bio-geochemistry; these affect the
functioning of a society.
SEA LEVEL
 Coasts
There are a number of factors affecting rising sea levels, including the thermal
expansion of seawater, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets on land, and
possibly human changes to groundwater storage.
Coastal regions would be most affected by rising sea levels. The increase in sea
level along the coasts of continents, especially North America are much more
significant than the global average. According to 2007 estimates by the
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “global average sea level will rise
between 0.6 and 2 feet (0.18 to 0.59 meters) in the next century. Along the
U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, however, sea level rose in the last century 5
to 6 inches more than the global average. This is due to the subsiding of coastal
lands. The sea level along the U.S. Pacific coast has also increased more than
the global average but less than along the Atlantic coast. This can be explained
by the varying continental margins along both coasts; the Atlantic type
continental margin is characterized by a wide, gently sloping continental shelf,
while the Pacific type continental margin incorporates a narrow shelf and slope
descending into a deep trench. Since low-sloping coastal regions should retreat
faster than higher-sloping regions, the Atlantic coast is more vulnerable to sea
level rise than the Pacific coast.

 Society
The rise in sea level along coastal regions carries implications for a wide range
of habitats and inhabitants. Firstly, rising sea levels will have a serious impact
on beaches— a place which humans love to visit recreationally and a prime
location for real estate. It is ideal to live on the coast, due to a more moderate
climate and pleasant scenery, but beachfront property is at risk from eroding
land and rising sea levels. Since the threat posed by rising sea levels has
become more prominent, property owners and local government have taken
measures to prepare for the worst.

6. The seas now absorb much of human-generated carbon dioxide, which then
affects temperature change. The oceans store 93 percent of that energy which
helps keep the planet liveable by moderating temperatures.
A rise in sea level will have a negative impact not only on coastal property and
economy but on our supply of fresh water. According to the EPA, “Rising sea
level increases the salinity of both surface water and ground water through
salt water intrusion.”
 Global Issue
Since rising sea levels present a pressing problem not only to coastal
communities but to the whole global population as well, much scientific
research has been performed to analyse the causes and consequences of a rise
in sea level.
Many humanitarians and environmentalists believe that political policy needs
to have a bigger role in carbon dioxide reduction. Humans have a substantial
influence on the rise of sea level because we emit increasing levels of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere through automobile use and industry. A higher
amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to higher global
temperatures, which then results in thermal expansion of seawater and
melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

OCEAN CURRENTS
The currents in the world’s oceans are a result of varying temperatures
associated with the changing latitudes of our planet. As the atmosphere is
warmed nearest the equator, the hot air at the surface of our planet is heated,
causing it to rise and draw in cooler air to take its place, creating what is
known as circulation cells. This ultimately causes the air to be significantly
colder near the poles than at the equator.

It is important to note that ocean currents provide the necessary nutrients for
life to sustain itself in the lower latitudes. Should the currents slow down,
fewer nutrients would be brought to sustain ocean life resulting in a crumbling
of the food chain and irreparable damage to the marine ecosystem. Slower
currents would also mean less carbon fixation.

Naturally, the ocean is the largest sink within which carbon is stored. When
waters become saturated with carbon, excess carbon has nowhere to go,
because the currents are not bringing up enough fresh water to fix the excess.

7. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
Another effect of global warming on the carbon cycle is ocean
acidification. The ocean and the atmosphere constantly act to maintain a
state of equilibrium, so a rise in atmospheric carbon naturally leads to a
rise in oceanic carbon. When carbon is dissolved in water it forms
hydrogen and bicarbonate ions, which in turn breaks down to hydrogen
and carbonate ions. All these extra hydrogen ions increase the acidity of
the ocean and make survival harder for planktonic organisms that depend
on calcium carbonate to form their shells. A decrease in the base of the
food chain will, once again, be destructive to the ecosystems to which
they belong. With fewer of these photosynthetic organisms present at
the surface of the ocean, less carbon will be converted to oxygen, thereby
allowing the greenhouse gasses to go unchecked.
The effects of ocean acidification can already be seen and have been
happening since the start of the industrial revolution, with pH levels of
the ocean dropping by 0.1 since the pre-industrial revolution times. An
effect called coral bleaching can be seen on the Great Barrier Reef in
Australia, where ocean acidification’s effects are already taking place.
MARINE LIFE
Research indicates that increasing ocean temperatures are taking a toll
on the marine ecosystem. A study on the phytoplankton changes in the
Indian Ocean indicates a decline of up to 20% in the marine
phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean, during the past six decades. The tuna
catches rates have also declined abruptly during the past half century,
mostly due to increased industrial fisheries, with the ocean warming
adding further stress to the fish species.

8. CLIMATIC DISASTERS

 Five Pacific islands lost to rising seas as climate change hits
Five tiny Pacific islands have disappeared due to rising seas and erosion,
a discovery thought to be the first scientific confirmation of the impact
of climate change on coastlines in the Pacific, according to Australian
researchers.
The submerged islands were part of the Solomon Islands, an archipelago
that over the last two decades has seen annual sea levels rise as much as
10mm (0.4in), according to research published in the May issue of
the online journal Environmental Research Letters.
The missing islands, ranging in size from 1 to 5 hectares (2.5-12.4 acres)
were not inhabited by humans.



 Typhoon Saola hits the Philippines as climate change hits
Typhoon Haiyan is the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in
history. Fierce wind and heavy rain from typhoon Saola has battered the
Philippines, killing at least 10 people and over 700,000 people are
displaced and at least 11 million people are affected. The storm has
sustained winds of 120 kilometres (74 miles) per hour and gusts of 150
kph (93 mph).

9. A satellite image of Typhoon Haiyan over the Philippines.

 Pakistan Floods
In August 2013 floodwaters inundated up to one fifth of Pakistan and
affected an estimated 20 million people. Research has shown that
Pakistan is suffering from a global phenomenon of more frequent and
intense weather patterns that put many communities’ lives and
livelihoods at risk.


A man sits atop the remains of his house destroyed
in the Pakistan floods in August 2013.

10. Global Warming and Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are colourful underwater forests which teem with life and act as a
natural protective barrier for coastal regions. The fishes and plants which call
them home belong to some of the most diverse--and fragile--ecosystems on
the planet. In one year alone, 16 percent of the world's coral reefs were wiped
out. A sea temperature change of a mere one degree Celsius would yield
similar losses. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the water cause additional
damage to corals, leaving them defenceless against storm damage and erosion.
CORAL REEF HABITAT
The spectacular and delicate coral reefs of Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are
ecological gems and important economic resources. Often called "rainforests
of the sea" for their rich biodiversity, the coral on which these diverse
ecosystems are based are LIVING organisms themselves. They form when
polyps--the living portion of stony corals--extract calcium from seawater and
combine it with carbon dioxide to construct the elaborate limestone skeletons
that form the reef.
BENEFITS FOR HUMANS AND WILDLIFE
In coral reefs around the world thousands of marine species find food and
shelter, which in turn support economically valuable recreational and
commercial fishing. Coral reefs also form a breakwater for adjacent coasts,
providing natural protection from storm surges.
Coral reefs are hotspots for the tourism industry, which thrive on providing
visitors with unforgettable scuba diving and snorkelling experiences. The coral
reefs off the Florida Keys help generate more than $1.6 billion in revenues
annually.

11. THREATS FROM GLOBAL WARMING ON CORAL REEFS
Higher sea temperatures from global warming have already caused major coral
bleaching events. Bleaching occurs when corals respond to the stress of
warmer temperatures by expelling the colourful algae that live within them.
Some coral are able to recover, but too often the coral dies, and the entire
ecosystem for which it forms the base, virtually disappears.
Longer-lasting and more extensive bleaching events are already on the rise,
with further increases expected in the decades ahead as ocean temperatures
continue to rise. Warmer waters are also expected to increase the incidence of
other coral diseases such as black band disease, white band disease, white
plague, and white pox, all of which can lead to mass mortality of coral, and
subsequently the entire ecosystem it supports.
Ocean acidification--which occurs when oceans absorb carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere--is also a threat to coral. As the oceans become more acidic,
the corals' ability to form skeletons through calcification is inhibited, causing
their growth to slow. A doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide will reduce
calcification in some corals by as much as 50 percent.
Sea level rise caused by melting sea ice and thermal expansion of the oceans
could also cause problems for some reefs by making them too deep to receive
adequate sunlight, another factor important for survival.

12. What is Coral Bleaching?

Warmer water temperatures can result in coral bleaching. When
water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae)
living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white.
This is called coral bleaching. When coral bleaches, it is not dead.
Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more
stress and are subject to mortality.
In 2005, the U.S. lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one
year due to a massive bleaching event. The warm waters centered
around the northern Antilles near the Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico expanded southward. Comparison of satellite data from the
previous 20 years confirmed that thermal stress from the 2005
event was greater than the previous 20 years combined.
Not all bleaching events are due to warm water.
In January 2010, chilly water temperatures in the Florida Keys
caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral death.
Water temperatures dropped 12.06 degrees Fahrenheit lower
than the typical temperatures observed at this time of year.
Researchers will evaluate if this cold-stress event will make corals
more susceptible to disease in the same way that warmer waters
impact corals.

13. What causes coral bleaching?

The corals that form the great reef ecosystems of tropical seas depend upon a
symbiotic relationship with algae -like single-
celled flagellate protozoa called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues and
give the coral its coloration. The zooxanthellae provide the coral with nutrients
through photosynthesis, a crucial factor in the clear and nutrient-poor tropical
waters. In exchange, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with the carbon
dioxide and ammonium needed for photosynthesis. Negative environmental
conditions thwart the coral's ability to provide for the zooxanthellae's needs.
To ensure short-term survival, the coral-polyp then expels the zooxanthellae.
This leads to a lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term
"bleached".

As the zooxanthellae provide for up to 90% of the coral's energy
needs through photosynthesis, after expelling, the coral begins to starve.

14. The main cause of coral bleaching is heat stress resulting from high sea
temperatures. Temperature increases of only one degree Celsius for only four
weeks can trigger bleaching events.
If these temperatures persist for longer periods (eight weeks or more) corals
begin to die. High water temperatures can affect reefs at regional and global
scale.
Other stressors can also cause bleaching, including freshwater inundation (low
salinity) and poor water quality from sediment or pollutant run-off.

15. Ecological impacts of coral bleaching and
related mortality

Coral bleaching and associated mortality not only have negative impacts on
coral communities, but they also impact fish communities and the human
communities that depend on coral reefs and associated fisheries for livelihoods
and wellbeing.
Bleached corals are likely to have reduced growth rates, decreased
reproductive capacity, increased susceptibility to diseases and elevated
mortality rates.
Changes in coral community composition can occur when more susceptible
species are killed by bleaching events.
Changes in coral communities also affect the species that depend on them,
such as the fish and invertebrates that rely on live coral for food, shelter, or
recruitment habitat. Change in the abundance and composition of reef fish
assemblages may occur when corals die because of coral bleaching.
Declines in genetic and species diversity may occur when corals die because of
bleaching.

Socioeconomic impacts of coral bleaching and
related mortality

Degraded coral reefs are less able to provide the ecosystem services on which
local human communities depend. For example, degraded reefs are less
productive and may not be able to sustain accretion rates necessary to ensure
reefs continue to provide shoreline protection services.
Reefs damaged by coral bleaching can quickly lose many of the features that
underpin the aesthetic appeal that is fundamental to reef tourism. The
resultant loss of revenue from reduced tourist activity can threaten the
livelihoods of local communities.

16. Coral bleaching events that lead to significant coral mortality can drive large
shifts in fish communities. This can translate into reduced catches for fishers
targeting reef fish species, which in turn leads to impacts on food supply and
associated economic activities.
Cultural values of many tropical island communities (e.g., religious sites and
traditional uses of marine resources) depend upon healthy coral reef
ecosystems and can be adversely affected by coral bleaching.
Coral reefs are a valuable source of pharmaceutical compounds. Degraded and
dead reefs are less likely to serve as a source for important medicinal resources
(i.e., drugs to treat heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses).

17. GLOBAL WARMING AND El-Nino

El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (commonly called
ENSO) and is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the
central and east-central equatorial Pacific (between approximately
the International Date Line and 120°W), including off the Pacific coast of South
America. El Niño Southern Oscillation refers to the cycle of warm and cold
temperatures, as measured by sea surface temperature, SST, of the tropical
central and eastern Pacific Ocean. El Niño is accompanied by high air
pressure in the western Pacific and low air pressure in the eastern Pacific. The
cool phase of ENSO is called "La Niña" with SST in the eastern Pacific below
average and air pressures high in the eastern and low in western Pacific. The
ENSO cycle, both El Niño and La Niña, cause global changes of both
temperatures and rainfall.
Developing countries that are dependent upon agriculture and fishing,
particularly those bordering the Pacific Ocean, are usually most affected.
In American Spanish, the capitalized term "El Niño" refers to "the little boy", so
named because the pool of warm water in the Pacific near South America is
often at its warmest around Christmas. The original name, "El Niño de Navi
dad", traces its origin centuries back to Peruvian fishermen, who named the
weather phenomenon about the new-born Christ.

"La Niña", chosen as the 'opposite' of El Niño, literally
translates to "the little girl".
What is La Niña?
La Niña is a strengthening of the normal trade winds that typically occurs after
El Niño. Basically, the normal, non-El Niño wind cycle is reinforced, pushing the
warmest waters in the equatorial pacific further west than normal, and
increasing the pulling up of cold water to the surface in the east. La Niña has an
effect on global weather, as well, and this effect is typically the opposite of El
Niño, causing droughts in the eastern equatorial Pacific and floods in the
western equatorial pacific.

18. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of what is known as the El Niño-
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The ENSO cycle is a scientific term that
describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere
in the east-central Equatorial Pacific (approximately between the International
Date Line (180°) and 120° West longitude.

La Niña is sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the
warm phase of ENSO. These deviations from normal surface temperatures can
have large-scale impacts not only on ocean processes, but also on global
weather and climate.

El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some
prolonged events may last for years. They often begin to form between June
and August, reach peak strength between December and April, and then decay
between May and July of the following year. While their periodicity can be
quite irregular, El Niño and La Niña events occur about every three to five
years. Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.

19. Occurrences of El-Nino

El Niño events are thought to have been occurring for thousands of
years. For example, it is thought that El Niño affected the Inca Empire
in modern-day Peru, who sacrificed humans to try and prevent the
rains.
It is thought that there have been at least 30 El Niño events since
1900, with the 1982-83, 1997–98 and 2014–16 events among the
strongest on record. Since 2000, El Niño events have been observed
in 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2009–10 and 2014–16.
Major ENSO events were recorded in the years 1790–93, 1828, 1876–
78, 1891, 1925–26, 1972–73, 1982–83, 1997–98, and 2014–16.
Typically, this anomaly happens at irregular intervals of two to seven
years, and lasts nine months to two years. The average period length
is five years. When this warming occurs for seven to nine months, it is
classified as El Niño "conditions"; when its duration is longer, it is
classified as an El Niño "episode".
There is no consensus on whether climate change will have any
influence on the occurrence, strength or duration of El Niño events,
as research supports El Niño events becoming stronger, longer,
shorter and weaker.
During strong El Niño episodes, a secondary peak in sea surface
temperature across the far eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean
sometimes follows the initial peak.

20. What are The Effects of El Niño on the Weather?

The main impacts of El Niño occur in and around the Tropics. The
following are some of the effects El Niño has on the weather in this part
of the world:
 In South America, there is a drastic increase in the risk of
flooding on the western coast, while there is an increase in the
risk of droughts on parts of the eastern coast.
 In eastern countries, like India and Indonesia, there is an
increase in droughts.
 In general, El Niño causes vast amounts of rainfall in the
eastern parts of the Pacific (the western coast of South
America), and very dry weather on the western parts (India,
Indonesia).
 With all the extra heat at the surface of the Pacific Ocean,
energy is released into the atmosphere, causing an overall
warming of the global climate temporarily. Years in which El
Niño occurs tend to feature higher temperatures across the
globe.
 The effects of El Niño on the weather peak in December and
can last for several months after that.
 After El Niño, the trade and easterly winds often fall back into
their normal, self-perpetuating cycle. However, on some
occasions the effect is reversed in a process called La Niña.
During La Niña, the trade winds are strengthened, causing the
normal cycle to be more dramatic and having the reverse effect
of El Niño.

21. What are the Economic Effects of El Niño?

 In Asian countries, there is typically a decrease in rice
production. With an increase in droughts on the western side
of the equatorial Pacific, GDP in the countries in that area
tend to drop during the El Niño cycle. For countries in that
area that harvest rice, water is needed, and the lack of rain
can have a huge impact on their rice production. Because
rice production is of great importance in many of these Asian
countries, El Niño has a negative impact on these countries’
economies.
 In non-Asian countries that are impacted by these El Niño
related droughts, such as Australia, the droughts can cause a
decrease in the harvesting of other crops, like wheat. For
farmers and exporters of these crops, El Niño has a very
negative economic impact, similar to that of rice production
and exportation in the Asian countries.
 Meanwhile, the dramatic increase in rainfall on the eastern
side of the equatorial Pacific drastically increases the chances
of flooding in countries in that area. This flooding can cause
property damage to the point where people have to leave
their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. The flooding can
also cause damage to crops, leading to a similar impact
economically that occurs with the droughts on the western
part of the equatorial Pacific.
 Fishing in equatorial coastal countries like Ecuador and Peru
becomes difficult, as fish in the waters near these countries
tend to disappear in the months of December and January.

22.  Overall, the drastic change in weather that occurs due to El
Niño has a negative economic impact on many countries
near the equator. While normal years offer more stable
weather, thus leading to more predictable effects on certain
markets, El Niño years have a dramatic shift in the weather
pattern that leads to extreme weather on either side of the
equatorial Pacific. This extreme weather, whether it be
drought or flood, has a negative impact on the living
conditions and extraction of natural resources in Tropical
countries.
El Niño is a naturally occurring event, and there is nothing that can
be done to stop its effects on the weather or on people around the
world. However, because it can typically be noticed by
meteorologists, people in the countries affected by it can take
measures in order to curb some of the impact.
Whether it be preparing for floods or droughts, people in the
countries affected by El Niño must take the steps necessary to
protect themselves. This can include stocking up on water in the case
of a drought, or making sure their homes are able to handle flood
waters. Because of the effect on many important crops in these
countries, some steps for preparation might also include stocking up
on these crops in preparation for the droughts or for damage caused
by the flooding.

23. Effects of El-Nino in Indian Monsoon


Generally, El Nino and the Indian Monsoon rains are inversely related.
Trade winds coming from South America normally blow westward
towards Asia during Southwest Monsoon. Warming of the Pacific Ocean
results in weakening of these winds. Therefore, moisture and heat
content gets limited and results in reduction and uneven distribution of
rainfall across the Indian sub-continent. The most prominent droughts in
India, six of them, since 1871 have been El Nino triggered droughts,
including the recent ones that occurred in 2002 and 2009. Nevertheless,
it is important to note that all El Nino years do not lead to drought in
India. The year 1997-98 is a stark reminder as it was a strong El Nino year
but that did not cause drought in India, in fact, rainfall was in excess. On
the other hand, a moderate El Nino in 2002 resulted in one of the worst
droughts.
El Nino events are prompted by natural fluctuation in ocean
temperatures in the Pacific but have a global impact, leading to flooding,
droughts and heat waves. They also exacerbate the increased extreme
weather events occurring due to the continued heating of the world as a
result of human-caused climate change.
The impacts of El Niño events vary but often lead to hot, dry conditions in
south and eastern Australia, as well as in Indonesia, the Philippines and
south-eastern Africa. The Indian monsoon rainfall, upon which millions
depend, also tends to be lower than normal. Wetter than usual
conditions are typically seen along the Gulf coast of the US, and the west
coast of tropical South America.

24. Effects of Global Warming in India
Climate of India

India exhibits a wide diversity of temperatures. The Himalayas participate
in warming by preventing the cold winds from blowing in, and the Thar
desert attracts the summer monsoon winds, which are responsible for
making most of the monsoon season of India. However, most of the
regions can be considered climatically tropical.
The climate of India is dominated by the monsoon season, which is the
most important season of India, providing 80% of the annual rainfall. The
season extends from June to September with an average annual rainfall
between 750–1,500 mm across the region. The monsoon of India is
regarded as the most productive wet season on the earth.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes Monsoon as
a tropical and subtropical seasonal reversal in both the surface winds and
associated precipitation, caused by differential heating between a
continental-scale land mass and the adjacent ocean. As explained above,
the Himalayas and the Thar Desert are important forces controlling this
season. The monsoon severity has increased in the last few decades due
to the process of global warming, leading to the dreaded floods in India.

25. Impact of Global Warming

The effect of global warming on the climate of India has led to climate
disasters as per some experts. India is a disaster-prone area, with the
statistics of 27 out of 35 states being disaster prone, with foods being the
most frequent disasters. The process of global warming has led to an
increase in the frequency and intensity of these climatic disasters.
According to surveys, in the year 2007-2008, India ranked the third
highest in the world regarding the number of significant disasters, with 18
such events in one year, resulting in the death of 1103 people due to
these catastrophes.
The anticipated increase in precipitation, the melting of glaciers and
expanding seas have the power to influence the Indian climate negatively,
with an increase in incidence of floods, hurricanes, and storms.

With the increasing trends of global warming, predictions of severer
climatic events have been made for India. The anticipated increase in
precipitation, the melting of glaciers and expanding seas are projected to
influence the Indian climate particularly severely, with an increase in
incidence of floods, hurricanes, and storms. Global warming is also posing
as a mammoth threat to the foods security situation in India with
recurring and severe droughts and ravaging floods engulfing the arable
land. Rising Temperatures on the Tibetan Plateau are causing the melting
of the Himalayan glaciers, reducing the water flow in the rivers Ganges,
Brahmaputra, Yamuna, and other major rivers, on which the livelihoods
of hundreds of thousands of farmers depend.

26. Recent Climatic Disasters In India

Floods in India
India is the most flood distressed state in the world after Bangladesh,
accounting for 1/ 5th of the global deaths every year with 30 million people
displaced from their homes yearly. Approximately 40 million hectares of the
land is vulnerable to floods, with 8 million hectares affected by it.
Unprecedented floods take place every year at one place or the other, with the
most vulnerable states of India being Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West
Bengal, Gujarat, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

1. FLOODS IN BIHAR: Bihar is an over populated state in Northern India,
extremely prone to floods. The total area covered by the state of Bihar is 94,163
km2. Its average elevation above sea level is 173 feet.
Bihar faces the predicament of floods almost every year, with the link between
India and Nepal through the Koshi River being one of the main reasons for the
flood in Bihar. Excessive rainfall due to the recent global warming in Nepal
leads to an overloading of dams and leads to flash floods in the Bihar region.

a) 1987 Bihar Flood: The flood of 1987 in Bihar was so destructive that it left a
total of 1400 people and more than 5000 animal dead. A total of
67,881+680.86 lac INR was the damage to the state; affecting more than 29
million people. After this flood, the River Koshi has been named as” Sorrow of
Bihar” (Bihar ka shok).
b) 2008 Bihar floods: The 2008 Bihar floods are considered as one of the most
disastrous floods in the state’s history. The flood affected more than 2 million
people. The flooded and affected areas were Supaul, Araria, Madhepura,
Saharsa, Champaran and Purnea.

27. Climate Related Effect on Butterfly

Warming temperatures have been shown to have both positive
and negative effects on populations of British butterflies. Species
at the northern limit of their ranges have been able to expand
their ranges, moving northwards throughout the UK. Species such
as Orange-tip and Peacock have become common in Scotland as
the climate has become suitable. Silver-spotted Skipper has been
able to colonies new habitats on no rth facing slopes, having
previously been mainly restricted to south facing slopes. Similarly,
temperature rises have also been associated with increases in
Adonis Blue populations. Recent research has also shown that
warming temperatures have facilitated the spread of the Brown
Argus throughout England through increased use of host plants it
previously only rarely used.
Migrant species have also increased in number in response to
recent warming. Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow to a lesser
extent, now regularly over-winter in the UK to produce resident
populations due to increasingly favourable conditions.
The story is likely to be the reverse for those species at their
southern range limit in the UK with evidence to suggest that their
ranges are contracting at the southern edge and/or at lower
elevations, a result echoed in studies elsewhere in Europe.
Population responses of these species are mixed, however, as
numbers of Scotch Argus and Large Heath have both increased on
monitored sites, whilst Northern Brown Argus has declined.
In addition, most species have started to appear progressively
earlier in the year, and this has been strongly linked with
increased temperatures. Many species are now able to produce
more than one brood in warm years, and this is i ncreasingly
observed at monitored sites. For example, Wood White now
regularly produces a second brood at most sites where it is
monitored, whereas at the start of monitoring this was a much
rarer occurrence. Meta-analyses have shown that butterflies and
other primary consumers may be advancing at different rates to
both their hosts and their predators leading to concerns over
potential temporal mismatching in trophic interactions.

28. Habitat Related Effect on Butterfly

Habitat loss and changes in habitat management have been the
greatest drivers of change in UK butterfly populations. Numerous
studies on butterfly ecology have helped conservationists to
restore suitable habitat, and subsequent monitoring through the
UKBMS has enabled us to determine how suc cessful this has been.
In recent years some of our most threatened species, including
the Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Heath Fritillary have started to
show recovery across sites where habitat conservation has been
put in place. The Large Blue has been su ccessfully re-introduced
into England and has now spread naturally into other suitable
areas, whilst populations on monitored sites have significantly
increased. However, many species are still strongly affected by
management of habitats; biodiversity indicators using UKBMS data
show that both woodland and farmland butterflies are declining.
Colonisation of newly restored habitats has been shown to take
several years, and is related to a species’ mobility and diet, with
less mobile species and those with lo calised host plants taking
longest. Models have shown the potential importance of –
landscape- versus site-scale conservation. Habitat heterogeneity
has been shown to be important for enhancing and stabilising
butterfly populations. The habitat connecting butterfly populations
affects species’ ability to disperse to new sites and their ability to
recovery after population crashes (e.g. caused by extreme events
such as drought).
Many species have shown significant declines despite the predicted
positive effects of climate warming. Those that have increased
have generally done so because conservation management has
been put in place, for example the Adonis Blue and Silver-spotted
Skipper where grazing is essential. Research has also shown that
contrary to the expectation that more habitats will be used by
butterflies as they move northwards with climate warming, many
species’ habitat associations have reduced over time. The
expected cause of this is the deleterious effects of habitat
degradation.

29. Cold-weather or warm-weather

“Warm associated species are those that occur mainly in the
warmer locations of Europe and, conversely, cold-associated species
are likely to be restricted to more northerly countries and upland
areas.” Over time, studies have shown that the proportion of warm-
weather species within the UK’s bird and butterfly populations is
increasing, while the proportion of cold-weather species is decreasing.
Other scientists have interpreted this as bird and butterfly populations
keeping pace with climate change by favouring species that can best
tolerate warmer conditions. But the new study says this overall pattern
masks much more subtle changes going on. Using data from the UK
Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and the Commons Birds Census, the
researchers analysed 114 bird and 63 butterfly species at 613 sites over
the past 30 years. The authors found that both warm and cold-weather
bird species have declined in total abundance and species richness
over the past three decades. Cold-weather species have seen numbers
drop much faster in that time, however. In other words, the growing
proportion of warm-weather birds over the past 30 years is less to do
with an increase in those species per se and is more being driven by
the loss of cold-weather species, including extinctions in some sites.
This suggests a more pessimistic outlook for Britain’s birds in response
to climate change than previously thought. Butterflies appear to be
coping with climate change relatively better than birds, showing minor
change in cold-weather species at the same time as a small rise in
those that prefer warmth.

30. Relationship between increasingly high land-use intensity (left to right, x-axis) and decreasing
abundance (top to bottom, y-axis) for cold-weather birds (top left) and butterflies (bottom left) and
warm-weather birds (top right) and butterflies (bottom right) Source: Oliver et al., (2017)

31. Other major effects of Global Warming

Agriculture: Global warming can affect agriculture. As the global temperature
will increase, plants will find it harder to survive and will die. Plants are the
major source of food for human beings and as a result food shortage
may occur. The shortage of the food may lead to war and conflicts in some
countries.
Rise of Sea Levels: The melting of polar ice-caps and less water evaporating
into the atmosphere are causing increased sea levels. Quaint coastal towns
and cities near the U.S. east coast and Gulf of Mexico are just a few areas
where devastating flood damage is starting to make its mark in history.
Hurricanes Frequency: As the temperature of the oceans rises, hurricanes and
other storms are likely to become stronger. With the increase in the global
warming, the water in the ocean warms up and it heats up the surrounding air,
creating hurricanes.
Diseases: As the temperature becomes warmer, it can affect the health of
humans and the diseases they are exposed to. With the increase in the rainfall,
water borne diseases are likely to spread like malaria. The earth will become
warmer and as a result heat waves are likely to increase that can cause a major
blow to the people.
Fresh Water: Our fresh water supply will great diminish with global warming.
With the demise of coral reefs and the ecosystems therein, less fresh water
will flow into lakes and tributaries.
More heat wave deaths as temperatures rise across India: Rising summer
temperatures are leading to more heat-related deaths in India. As parts of
India reel under a heat wave, a study has said summer temperatures had gone
up by more than 0.5 degrees Celsius on an average over five decades, and that
this rise has increased the probability of deaths caused by heat by 146%.
The study by University of California, Irvine (UCI) with co-authors from the
Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay (IIT-B) and IIT-Delhi, analysed daily
temperatures from 395 weather stations between 1960 and 2009, and the
death rates during those years.

32. Global Warming and Its Implications for India

Global warming is an increase in the average temperature over a longer period
of the Earth’s atmosphere which causes changes in the global climate. Right
from the North Pole to the South Pole every place of the Earth is warming and
is actually up by more than 1-degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) which has
specially become sensitive in the Polar regions.
India and the other countries in South Eastern Asia are expected to tolerate
warming above the global mean throughout the 21st century. There will be a
huge seasonal variation of temperatures in India. The heat waves have
increased abnormally in India in recent years which continue for a longer
period with warmer temperatures at night and hotter days. Due to these heat
waves, there will be lot of changes in summer monsoon precipitation and will
affect the Indian agriculture sector drastically.
For the past 30 years the average number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes each
year has increased due to the global warming. Indian coastline is very much
susceptible to cyclones and it has been observed that the Bay of Bengal
experiences more cyclones than the Arabian Sea. The most susceptible cyclonic
States are West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu along the Bay
of Bengal which are mostly affected.

33. NASA Study Finds Indian, Pacific Oceans
Temporarily Hide Global Warming

 A new NASA study of ocean temperature measurements shows in recent
years extra heat from greenhouse gases has been trapped in the waters of
the Pacific and Indian oceans. Researchers say this shifting pattern of ocean
heat accounts for the slowdown in the global surface temperature trend
observed during the past decade.
 During the 20th century, as greenhouse gas concentrations increased and
trapped more heat energy on Earth, global surface temperatures also
increased. However, in the 21st century, this pattern seemed to change
temporarily.
 Greenhouse gases continued to trap extra heat, but for about 10 years
starting in the early 2000s, global average surface temperature stopped
climbing, and even cooled a bit.
 Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to
rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gases produced by
human activities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
which includes more than 1,300 scientists from the United States and other
countries, forecasts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit
over the next century.

34. HOW CAN WE STOP GLOBAL WARMING?
Nations around the world are upping their game in the fight against climate
change, even as President Trump recently announced the U.S.'s withdrawal
from the Paris Agreement. And despite this reckless move, American mayors,
state leaders, county officials, governors, major companies, and millions of
citizens across our country have pledged that they're "still in" when it comes to
the agreement, and supporting the goal of limiting future warming to well
below 2 degrees Celsius.
It’s important to remember the equally vital contributions that can be made by
private citizens—which is to say, by you. “Change only happens when
individuals take action,” Aliya Haq, deputy director of NRDC’s Clean Power
Plan initiative, says. “There’s no other way, if it doesn’t start with people.”
The goal is simple. Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. It’s released
when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use
to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb
our own contribution to climate change while also saving money. Here are a
dozen easy, effective ways each one of us can make a difference:
1. Speak up!
What’s the single biggest way you can make an impact on global climate change? “Talk
to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good
decisions,” Haq says. By voicing your concerns—via social media or, better yet, directly
to your elected officials—you send a message that you care about the warming world.
Encourage Congress to enact new laws that limit carbon emissions and require polluters
to pay for the emissions they produce. “The main reason elected officials do anything
difficult is because their constituents make them,” Haq says. You can help protect public
lands, stop offshore drilling.

35. 2. Power your home with renewable energy.
Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from wind or solar and
has been certified by Green-e Energy, an organization that vets renewable energy
options. If that isn’t possible for you, look at your electric bill; many utilities now list
other ways to support renewable sources on their monthly statements and websites.
3. Weatherize, weatherize, weatherize.
“Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy,” Haq says. Indeed,
heating and air-conditioning account for almost half of home energy use. You can make
your space more energy efficient by sealing drafts and ensuring it’s adequately
insulated. You can also claim federal tax credits for many energy-efficiency home
improvements.
4. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.
Since they were first implemented nationally in 1987, efficiency standards for dozens of
appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the air.
That’s about the same amount as the annual carbon pollution coughed up by nearly 440
million cars. “Energy efficiency is the lowest-cost way to reduce emissions,” Haq says.
When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, look for
the Energy Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient.
5. Reduce water waste.
Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of energy to
pump, heat, and treat your water. So, take shorter showers, turn off the tap while
brushing your teeth, and switch to Water Sense-labelled fixtures and appliances. The
EPA estimates that if just one out of every 100 American homes were retrofitted with
water-efficient fixtures, about 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would be
saved—avoiding 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.

36. 6. Eat the food you buy—and make less of it meat.
Approximately 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging,
and shipping food—about 40 percent of which just winds up in the landfill. “If you’re
wasting less food, you’re likely cutting down on energy consumption,” Haq says. And
since livestock products are among the most resource-intensive to produce, eating
meat-free meals can make a significant difference, too.
7. Buy better bulbs.
LED lightbulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent. They’re
also cheaper in the long run: A 10-watt LED that replaces your traditional 60-watt bulb
will save you $125 over the lightbulb’s life.
8. Pull the plug(s).
Taken together, the outlets in your home are likely powering about 65 different devices
– an average load for a home in the U.S. Audio and video devices, cordless vacuums and
power tools, and other electronics use energy even when they're not charging. This "idle
load" across all U.S. households adds up to the output of 50 large power plants in the
U.S. So, don't leave fully charged devices plugged into your home's outlets, unplug rarely
used devices or plug them into power strips and timers, and adjust your computers and
monitors to automatically power down to the lowest power mode when not in use.
9. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. And
once all cars and light trucks meet 2025’s clean car standards, which means averaging
54.5 miles per gallon, they’ll be a mainstay. For good reason: Relative to a national fleet
of vehicles that averaged only 28.3 miles per gallon in 2011, Americans will spend $80
billion less at the pump each year and cut their automotive emissions by half. Before you
buy a new set of wheels, compare fuel-economy performance here.

37. 10. Maintain your ride.
If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated, we could say 1.2 billion gallons of gas
each year. A simple tune-up can boost miles per gallon anywhere from 4 percent to 40
percent, and a new air filter can get you a 10 percent boost.
11. Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles.
Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public
transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the
air. Less frequent flying can make a significant difference, too. “Air transport is a major
source of climate pollution,” Haq says. “If you can take a train instead, do that.”
12. Shrink your carbon profile.
You can offset the carbon you produce by purchasing carbon offsets, which represent
clean power that you can add to the nation’s energy grid in place of power from fossil
fuels. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. Do your homework to find the best
supplier.

“It’s time to teach everyone to beat global
warming.”