Class Notes – Understanding Climate Change: Causes,
Effects, and Solutions
1. What Is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term alterations in Earth’s climate patterns,
particularly increases in global average temperatures and shifts in weather
phenomena. While climate patterns have naturally fluctuated throughout
Earth’s history, the current trend of rapid warming—especially since the
Industrial Revolution—is largely attributed to human activities, most notably
the burning of fossil fuels.
2. Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
At the core of climate change is the greenhouse effect, a natural process
by which certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun,
keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life. However, excessive
emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)—especially carbon dioxide (CO₂),
methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O)—intensify this effect, leading to
global warming.
Major sources of greenhouse gases include:
• Burning of coal, oil, and gas for energy and transportation
• Deforestation, which reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb CO₂
• Agriculture, especially livestock farming, which emits methane
• Industrial processes and waste decomposition
3. Evidence of Climate Change
Scientific observations have provided strong evidence for climate change:
• Rising Temperatures: Earth’s average surface temperature has increased
by over 1.1°C (2°F) since the late 19th century.
• Melting Ice: Glaciers, polar ice caps, and permafrost are shrinking.
• Sea Level Rise: Sea levels have risen approximately 8–9 inches since 1880,
mainly due to melting ice and thermal expansion of water.
• Extreme Weather: Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes,
droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and floods.
• Ecosystem Shifts: Altered migration patterns, habitat loss, coral bleaching,
and species extinction.
4. Global Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change affects nearly every aspect of life on Earth. Major global
impacts include:
• Environmental: Disruption of ecosystems, reduced biodiversity,
desertification, ocean acidification.
• Economic: Damage to infrastructure, increased disaster recovery costs,
reduced agricultural yields, water scarcity.
• Health: Increased respiratory and cardiovascular issues, spread of vector-
borne diseases like malaria, heat-related illnesses.
• Social and Political: Migration due to uninhabitable areas, competition
over natural resources, increased geopolitical tensions.
5. Climate Change and the Developing World
Developing countries are often the most vulnerable to climate change
effects, despite contributing the least to global emissions. These nations may
face:
• More frequent natural disasters
• Lower adaptive capacity and infrastructure
• Food and water insecurity
• Economic setbacks and poverty exacerbation
6. Mitigation Strategies
Mitigation refers to efforts aimed at reducing or preventing greenhouse gas
emissions. Key strategies include:
• Transition to Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro
power.
• Energy Efficiency: Improvements in buildings, vehicles, appliances.
• Carbon Pricing: Carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems to penalize
emissions.
• Reforestation and Conservation: Protecting and restoring forests to act
as carbon sinks.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Reducing fertilizer use, improving soil health, and
limiting livestock emissions.
7. Adaptation Strategies
Adaptation involves adjusting practices and infrastructure to cope with the
effects of climate change:
• Climate-resilient Infrastructure: Flood defenses, elevated roads, storm-
resistant buildings.
• Water Management: Efficient irrigation, desalination, rainwater harvesting.
• Disaster Preparedness: Early warning systems, evacuation planning.
• Urban Planning: Designing cooler cities with green roofs and shade.
8. International Agreements and Efforts
The global nature of climate change requires international cooperation.
Notable efforts include:
• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) – Established the framework for global climate talks.
• The Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Set binding emissions reduction targets for
developed countries.
• The Paris Agreement (2015) – Aims to limit global temperature rise to
well below 2°C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5°C. Over 190 countries are
signatories.
9. The Role of Individuals
Although systemic changes are essential, individual actions can collectively
make a difference:
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Conserve energy and water
• Drive less, bike more, or use public transportation
• Support sustainable brands and products
• Eat more plant-based meals
• Educate others and advocate for climate policies
10. The Future of Climate Action
The next few decades are critical. If emissions continue at current rates, the
planet may exceed the 2°C threshold by 2100, leading to catastrophic
consequences. However, rapid decarbonization, innovation in clean
technology, and strong global cooperation could help avert the worst
impacts.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human issue that
affects every aspect of our world. It requires urgent, sustained action at
every level of society.
