Climate Change

Model Answer

Introduction

Global warming is a critical environmental challenge characterized by the long-term rise in average temperatures due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This increase in temperature has profound effects on global climate patterns, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, melting glaciers and polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems.

Effects of Global Warming

1. Extreme Weather Events: The frequency and intensity of hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall are increasing, causing significant damage to infrastructure and ecosystems.
2. Melting Ice Caps: Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate, contributing to rising sea levels and threatening coastal communities.
3. Rising Sea Levels: Higher sea levels lead to increased flooding in coastal areas, displacing populations and affecting freshwater supplies.
4. Ecosystem Disruption: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns disrupt habitats, leading to species loss and altered biodiversity.

Control Measures: The Kyoto Protocol

To address the rising levels of GHGs and combat global warming, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997. This international treaty aimed to reduce emissions of six primary GHGs: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Key Features of the Kyoto Protocol

• Emission Reduction Targets: Binding targets were established for developed countries (Annex I countries) to reduce their GHG emissions to specified levels below their 1990 baseline.
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): This mechanism allowed Annex I countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries, earning carbon credits while promoting sustainable development.
• Joint Implementation (JI): JI enabled Annex I countries to collaborate on emission reduction projects and earn emission reduction units (ERUs) as credits.
• Emissions Trading: The protocol introduced a market-based approach, allowing countries to buy and sell emission allowances, providing flexibility in meeting targets.
• Technology Transfer and Financial Assistance: Emphasis was placed on transferring technology and providing financial support from developed to developing countries to aid in reducing GHG emissions.

While the Kyoto Protocol raised global awareness about climate change and established a framework for international cooperation, it faced challenges due to limited participation and lack of binding commitments from major emitters like the United States and China. Nonetheless, it laid the groundwork for subsequent agreements, such as the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Conclusion

The Kyoto Protocol was instrumental in addressing global warming by setting emission reduction targets for participating countries. Effective control measures to curb GHG emissions include adopting renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, and promoting sustainable practices. Continued international cooperation and adherence to such protocols are essential for mitigating the detrimental effects of global warming and achieving a sustainable future.

Model Answer

Introduction

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected a global sea level rise of approximately one metre by the year 2100, primarily due to climate change and its associated effects. This rise poses significant threats to coastal regions, particularly in India and other countries in the Indian Ocean region.

Reasons Behind the Predicted Sea Level Rise

1. Increased Carbon Emissions: Industrial activities, especially in countries like China and the USA, contribute to rising CO2 levels, accelerating global warming and ice melt.
2. Melting Polar Ice: Rapid ice melt in the Arctic and Antarctic, such as the break-off of the Larsen C ice shelf, contributes directly to rising sea levels.
3. Thermal Expansion: Warmer ocean temperatures cause water to expand, accounting for 40-50% of observed sea-level rise since 1900.
4. Glacial Retreat: Glaciers worldwide, including the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, are shrinking, affecting freshwater supply and contributing to sea-level rise.
5. Land Subsidence: Over-extraction of groundwater in cities like Jakarta leads to land sinking, exacerbating the effects of rising sea levels.

Impact on India

1. Coastal Erosion: Cities like Mumbai and Chennai are experiencing increased coastal erosion, threatening tourism and local ecosystems.
2. Agricultural Loss: The Sundarbans and lowland rice systems in Kerala face salinization, making them unsuitable for agriculture and impacting farmers’ livelihoods.
3. Displacement of Populations: Low-lying areas in West Bengal and Kerala may see large-scale migration due to flooding, creating “climate refugees.”
4. Impact on Fisheries: Changes in sea levels and temperatures could disrupt marine ecosystems, affecting fisheries in states like Kerala and Goa.
5. Infrastructure Threat: Key infrastructures, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, face operational challenges due to rising sea levels.

Impact on Other Countries in the Indian Ocean Region

1. Maldives: As the lowest-lying country, the Maldives risks becoming uninhabitable or disappearing entirely.
2. Bangladesh: Much of Bangladesh is less than 5 metres above sea level, making it highly susceptible to flooding and displacement of millions.
3. Sri Lanka: Coastal cities like Galle face threats to tourism, a major revenue source.
4. Indonesia: Changes in sea levels could disrupt critical maritime trade routes, leading to significant economic losses.
5. Thailand: Low-lying areas like Phuket may become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, endangering lives and the economy.

Conclusion

The IPCC’s prediction of a one-metre sea level rise by 2100 presents severe challenges for India and the Indian Ocean region. However, it also offers an opportunity for collaboration and innovation to mitigate these impacts through adaptive strategies and international cooperation.