What is Global warming?

Global warming , the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries.

Climate scientists have since the mid-20th century gathered detailed observations of various weather phenomena (such as temperatures, precipitation , and storms) and of related influences on climate (such as ocean currents and the atmosphere’s chemical composition).

Difference between Global Warming and climate change

GLOBAL WARMING

is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

CLIMATE CHANGE

is a broader term that refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.

Global Warming Effect

One of the most immediate and obvious effects of global warming is the increase in temperatures around the world.

The average global temperature has increased by about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) over the past 100 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Simple Things To Do

Turn off your computer or the TV

when you’re not using it.

Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.

Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or

curtains.

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Use compact fluorescent bulbs.

Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up

the air conditioning. Or use a fan.

Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning

up the heat.

Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on

your AC and furnace clean.

Walk short distances instead of asking for a

ride in the car.

Plant a tree.

Greenhouse Gases

A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG ) is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range.

Greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect on planets.

The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor ( H2O ), carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH4)

Green House Gases & Global Warming Potential

GHG

GWP

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) -1

Methane (CH4)-21

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)-310

Hydroflourocarbons (HFCs)-2000 - 4000

Perflourocarbons (PFCs)-5000 - 8000

Sulphur Hexaflouride (SF6)-Above 10000

Kyoto Protocol

•The Kyoto protocol was the first agreement between nations to mandate country-by-country reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.

• Kyoto emerged from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was signed by nearly all nations at the 1992 mega-meeting popularly known as the Earth Summit.

• The framework pledges to stabilize greenhouse-gas concentrations "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system"

Kyoto Protocol – General Obligations

Enhancement of energy efficiency.

Protections and enhancement of sinks & reservoirs of GHGs.

Promotion of sustainable forest management practices, Afforestation & reforestation.

Promotion of sustainable forms of agriculture.

Research/ Promotion/ Development/ increased use of new and renewable forms of energy.

CO2 sequestration technologies & innovative environmentally sound technologies.

Progressive reduction/ phasing out of fiscal incentives, tax/ duty subsidies/ exemptions in all GHG emitting sectors.

Promoting policies/ measures to limit or reduce GHG emissions in transport sector.

Limitation and/ or reduction of methane emissions through recovery/ use in waste management and production, transport & distribution of energy.

Limitation/ reduction of GHG emissions from Aviation & Marine Bunker fuels.

Co-operate with other parties of the protocol.

Kyoto Protocol – Specific Obligations

Industrilised countries (annex. I) shall reduce GHG emissions.

Reduction of CO2 equivalent GHG (Annex. A) emissions by 5.2 %.

Reduction below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012.

By 2005 country should make demonstrable progress in achieving its commitments.

Flexibility for countries undergoing the process of transition to a market economy.

Kyoto Protocol – Mechanisms

Joint Implementation

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Carbon Trading

Acid Rain

This image illustrates the pathway for acid rain in our environment:

(1)Emissions of SO and NO are released into the air, where

(2)the pollutants are transformed into acid particles that may be transported long distances.

(3)These acid particles then fall to the earth as wet and dry deposition (dust, rain, snow, etc.) and

(4)may cause harmful effects on soil, forests, streams, and lakes.

Deforestation

The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause

climate change,

desertification,

soil erosion,

fewer crops,

flooding,

increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,

and a host of problems for indigenous people.

Deforestation affects the people and animals where trees are cut, as well as the wider world.

Loss of Biodiversity- Biodiversity loss, also called loss of biodiversity, a decrease in biodiversity within a species, an ecosystem, a given geographic area, or Earth as a whole.

Ozone Depletion

Ozone depleting substances are chemicals that destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer.

They include:

•chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
halon
carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )
methyl chloroform (CH CCl3 )
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
methyl bromide (CH3Br)
bromochloromethane (CH2BrCl)

Coastal Zone Regulations

In India, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules govern human and industrial activity close to the coastline, in order to protect the fragile ecosystems near the sea.

After the passing of the Environment Protection Act in 1986, CRZ Rules were first framed in 1991.

In all Rules, the regulation zone has been defined as the area up to 500 m from the high-tide line.

The latest Rules have a no-development zone of 20 m for all islands close to the mainland coast, and for all backwater islands in the mainland.