CLIMATE CHANGE

Introduction :

Climate change may refer to a change in average weather

conditions.
Climate change is caused by factors such as biotic processes, variations
in solar radiation received by Earth, plate tectonics, and volcanic
eruptions.
Certain human activities have also been identified as significant causes of
recent climate change, often referred to as global warming.
Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in
average surface temperatures on Earth.

Some Causes Of Climate Change :

Burning Of Fossil Fuels :
The primary cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and
coal, which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphereprimarily carbon
dioxide. Other human activities, such as agriculture and deforestation, also
contribute to the proliferation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

Natural Causes :
The Earth's climate can be affected by natural factors that are external
to the climate system, such as changes in volcanic activity, solar
radiations, and the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Volcanoes :
When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of
sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, dust, and ash into the
atmosphere..etc..
The Green House Effect :
When sunlight reaches Earth's surface some is absorbed and warms the
earth and most of the rest is radiated back to the atmosphere at a longer
wavelength than the sun light. Some of these longer wavelengths are
absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere before they are lost to
space. The absorption of this long wave radiant energy warms the
atmosphere. These greenhouse gases act like a mirror and reflect back to
the Earth some of the heat energy which would otherwise be lost to space.

The reflecting back of heat energy by the atmosphere is called the

"greenhouse effect".

Some Effects Of Climate Change :

Ongoing effects includes, rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and
melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and warming of the ocean surface, leading to
increased temperature stratification.

More heat waves

Expansion of desert area
Natural fires in forest lands
Rise in sea level
Flooding
Impact on plants, animals and humans

Control And Remedial Measures :

Some of the remedial and control measures of global warming are listed below :
1. Reduction in consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum
2. Use of bio-gas plants
3. Use of nuclear power plants
4. Use of un-leaded petrol in automobiles
5. Installation of pollution controlling devices in automobiles
Some Notable Points :

Climate change presents a grave threat to the security

and prosperity of almost all countries across the globe.
In case of Pakistan, the climate change has turned into one of the biggest
national security issues, and failure to acknowledge its impacts today will pose
serious challenges for the country in the near future.
Being one of the most climate change vulnerable countries in the world, Pakistans
economy is already under severe strain from prevailing and likely future threats of
climate change.

There are two main causes of climate changes : natural and manmade. The
Earths climate is affected by natural factors such as changes in volcanic activity,
solar output, and the Earths orbit. Human activities that most affect the climate
include the burning of fossil fuels and the conversion of land for forestry and
agriculture.
Glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding will affect water resources within the
next two to three decades.

Similarly, Balochistan, Fata and Gilgit-Baltistan experienced terrible floods

during 2010 and 2015. The Chitral district was also hit by repeated flash
floods during the monsoon seasons of 2015 and 2016. The associated
landslides further added to the misery of inhabitants blocking roads and
destroying other infrastructure.

Some Basic Questions About The Climate change :

How does the greenhouse gases contribute to global warming ?
Greenhouse gases such as water vapour, methane and carbon dioxide stop heat escaping from
the Earth into space. An increased greenhouse effect can lead to global warming and climate
change.
What climate change is all about ?
Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures
on Earth.
What are the causes of climate change and global warming ?
Human-driven emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases,

How does global warming affect the environment ?

The potential future effects of global climate change include more frequent wildfires, longer
periods of drought in some regions and an increase in the number, duration and intensity of
tropical storms. Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment.
What factors are responsible for significant changes in the climate ?
Key Points :

Both natural and human factors change Earth's climate.

Before humans, changes in climate resulted entirely from natural causes such as changes
in Earth's orbit, changes in solar activity, or volcanic eruptions.