Global Climate Change: The Present Scenario

Abstract

The term climate change is growing in preferred use to ‘Global warming’ because it helps to convey that there are other changes in addition to rising temperature. Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change may result from: a) Natural factors, such as changes in the sun’s intensity or slow changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun. b) Natural process within the climate system (such as changes in ocean circulation) c) Human activities that change the atmosphere’s condition (such as burning fossil fuels) and deforestation, urbanization and industrialization. Climate change is primarily attributable to rise in the atmospheric temperature of the earth. Our atmosphere traps solar radiation and raises the temperature due to the major greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, CFCs, nitrous oxide and methane. In some regions of Asia and Africa, the frequency and intensity of droughts have been observed to increase in recent decades. Episodes of EL Nino which creates great storms, have been more frequent persistent and intense since the mid-1970s compared with the previous 100 years. All these are signs that the Earth is ailing. Its climate is changing making it more difficult for mankind to survive. The Earth is losing its equilibrium due to the imbalances created by human activities. Climate change related impacts on human health could lead to displacement of a large number of people creating environment refugees and lead to further health issues. Climate change is an intricate problem which although environmental in nature has consequences for all spheres of existence on planet. It either impacts on or is impacted by global issues including poverty economic development population growth sustainable development and resource management.