Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Summary Notes
1. Introduction to Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric
conditions on Earth. Environmental sustainability seeks to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing environmental
health, economic stability, and social equity.
2. Causes of Climate Change
a. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Trend: Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas),
release large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Impact: These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and
shifts in climate patterns.
Example: The use of fossil fuels in transportation, electricity generation, and industry is
the largest source of CO2 emissions.
b. Deforestation and Land Use Changes
Trend: Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization reduce the Earth’s
capacity to absorb CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Impact: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Deforestation
releases stored carbon, contributing to higher atmospheric CO2 levels.
Example: The Amazon Rainforest has seen significant deforestation, primarily due to
logging, agriculture, and cattle ranching.
c. Industrial and Agricultural Activities
Trend: Industrial processes and agricultural activities release potent greenhouse gases
such as methane (from livestock) and nitrous oxide (from fertilizer use).
Impact: Methane, a byproduct of livestock digestion and rice cultivation, is much more
effective at trapping heat than CO2, making it a critical driver of climate change.
Example: Large-scale livestock farming in countries like Brazil and the U.S. contributes
significantly to methane emissions.
3. Effects of Climate Change
, a. Rising Global Temperatures
Impact: Average global temperatures have risen, with the past decade being the warmest
on record. This leads to heatwaves, changing weather patterns, and increased energy
consumption.
Example: The summer of 2023 saw unprecedented heatwaves across Europe and North
America, resulting in wildfires, health crises, and economic disruption.
b. Melting Polar Ice and Rising Sea Levels
Impact: The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to higher temperatures leads to
rising sea levels, which threaten coastal cities and island nations.
Example: Island nations like the Maldives are at risk of submersion due to rising sea
levels, while cities like Miami and Jakarta face frequent flooding.
c. Extreme Weather Events
Impact: Climate change is linked to more frequent and severe extreme weather events
such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Example: Hurricanes are becoming more intense due to warming ocean waters, as seen
in Hurricane Ida in 2021, which caused widespread destruction in the U.S.
d. Ocean Acidification
Impact: The ocean absorbs a significant amount of CO2, leading to acidification, which
harms marine life, particularly coral reefs and shellfish.
Example: Coral reefs, such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, are experiencing coral
bleaching and degradation due to rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
e. Disruption of Ecosystems
Impact: Species are forced to migrate or face extinction due to changing climates,
altering ecosystems and food chains.
Example: Polar bears in the Arctic are losing their habitats as sea ice melts, threatening
their survival.
4. Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change
a. Transition to Renewable Energy
Trend: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydropower is key to reducing carbon emissions.
Impact: Renewable energy reduces reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources,
lowering GHG emissions and promoting energy sustainability.
1. Introduction to Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric
conditions on Earth. Environmental sustainability seeks to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing environmental
health, economic stability, and social equity.
2. Causes of Climate Change
a. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Trend: Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas),
release large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Impact: These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and
shifts in climate patterns.
Example: The use of fossil fuels in transportation, electricity generation, and industry is
the largest source of CO2 emissions.
b. Deforestation and Land Use Changes
Trend: Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization reduce the Earth’s
capacity to absorb CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Impact: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Deforestation
releases stored carbon, contributing to higher atmospheric CO2 levels.
Example: The Amazon Rainforest has seen significant deforestation, primarily due to
logging, agriculture, and cattle ranching.
c. Industrial and Agricultural Activities
Trend: Industrial processes and agricultural activities release potent greenhouse gases
such as methane (from livestock) and nitrous oxide (from fertilizer use).
Impact: Methane, a byproduct of livestock digestion and rice cultivation, is much more
effective at trapping heat than CO2, making it a critical driver of climate change.
Example: Large-scale livestock farming in countries like Brazil and the U.S. contributes
significantly to methane emissions.
3. Effects of Climate Change
, a. Rising Global Temperatures
Impact: Average global temperatures have risen, with the past decade being the warmest
on record. This leads to heatwaves, changing weather patterns, and increased energy
consumption.
Example: The summer of 2023 saw unprecedented heatwaves across Europe and North
America, resulting in wildfires, health crises, and economic disruption.
b. Melting Polar Ice and Rising Sea Levels
Impact: The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to higher temperatures leads to
rising sea levels, which threaten coastal cities and island nations.
Example: Island nations like the Maldives are at risk of submersion due to rising sea
levels, while cities like Miami and Jakarta face frequent flooding.
c. Extreme Weather Events
Impact: Climate change is linked to more frequent and severe extreme weather events
such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Example: Hurricanes are becoming more intense due to warming ocean waters, as seen
in Hurricane Ida in 2021, which caused widespread destruction in the U.S.
d. Ocean Acidification
Impact: The ocean absorbs a significant amount of CO2, leading to acidification, which
harms marine life, particularly coral reefs and shellfish.
Example: Coral reefs, such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, are experiencing coral
bleaching and degradation due to rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
e. Disruption of Ecosystems
Impact: Species are forced to migrate or face extinction due to changing climates,
altering ecosystems and food chains.
Example: Polar bears in the Arctic are losing their habitats as sea ice melts, threatening
their survival.
4. Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change
a. Transition to Renewable Energy
Trend: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydropower is key to reducing carbon emissions.
Impact: Renewable energy reduces reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources,
lowering GHG emissions and promoting energy sustainability.
