Q. Climate Change and Global Warming - Present Scenario

The present scenario of climate change and global warming is a matter of great concern. Here are some key aspects of the current situation:

1. Rising Temperatures: Global temperatures have been steadily increasing over the past century due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This is primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The consequences of rising temperatures include more frequent and intense heatwaves, changing weather patterns, and shifts in ecosystems.

2. Extreme Weather Events: The impact of global warming is evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These include heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Such events have devastating consequences for communities, infrastructure, agriculture, and biodiversity.

3. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels: Global warming has led to the melting of glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost in polar regions and mountainous areas. This has contributed to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and low-lying regions. The loss of ice also disrupts ecosystems and affects the availability of freshwater resources.

4. Loss of Biodiversity: Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns can disrupt ecosystems, alter habitats, and affect the distribution and behavior of plant and animal species. This can lead to the loss of biodiversity, reduced crop yields, and negative impacts on food security and human livelihoods.

5. Ocean Acidification: Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are being absorbed by the oceans, leading to ocean acidification. This has harmful effects on marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate for their structures and shells.

6. Climate Refugees and Social Impacts: Climate change is causing displacement and migration of populations as people are forced to leave their homes due to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and the loss of agricultural land. This creates social, economic, and political challenges, as communities and countries have to cope with the influx of climate refugees.

Addressing the challenges of climate change requires collective action, global cooperation, and sustainable practices. Efforts to mitigate climate change include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, adopting energy-efficient technologies, conserving forests and biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing resilience to climate impacts.

International agreements such as the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It emphasizes the need for countries to work together to reduce emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and provide support to developing nations in their climate actions.

The present scenario underscores the urgency to take swift and decisive action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It requires a comprehensive approach involving governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for our planet.