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GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.
TOPIC 1: GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is a phenomenon of climate change characterized by a general

increase in average temperatures of the Earth, which modifies the weather balances and
ecosystems for a long time. It is directly linked to the increase of greenhouse gases in
our atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse effect.
There has been numerous global attempt to agree on limits to greenhouse gas
emissions, but thus far, nothing on the global scale has succeeded; the Kyoto Protocol
was rejected by USA, withdrawn from by Canada, and had not imposed binding targets
on the developing world anyway. The closest thing to a serious inter-country accord was
the European Union’s cap-and-trade scheme, but that was largely disastrous, with limits
set too high to be effective. This debate represents a radical departure from existing
practice, to impose internationally binding obligations that require immediate action.
In fact, the average temperature of the planet has increased by 0.8º Celsius (33.4° Fahrenheit)
compared to the end of the 19th century. Each of the last three decades has been warmer than all
previous decades since the beginning of the statistical surveys in 1850.
At the pace of current CO2 emissions, scientists expect an increase of between 1.5° and 5.3°C
(34.7° to 41.5°F) in average temperature by 2100. If no action is taken, it would have harmful
consequences to humanity and the biosphere.
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. However, the increase in greenhouse gases is
linked to human activities.
GENERAL PAPER {MRS RAMGOOLAM} Page 1

The world's leading climate scientists believe that human activities are very likely
the main cause of global warming since the mid-twentieth century , mostly because
of:
 FOSSIL FUELS
The massive use of fossil fuels is obviously the first source of global warming, as burning coal,
oil and gas produces carbon dioxide - the most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere - as
well as nitrous oxide.

 DEFORESTATION
The exploitation of forests has a major role in climate change. Trees help regulate the climate by
absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this positive effect is lost and the
carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere.

 INTENSIVE FARMING
Another cause of global warming is intensive farming, not only with the ever-increasing
livestock, but also with plant protection products and fertilizers. In fact, cattle and sheep produce
large amounts of methane when digesting their food, while fertilizers produce nitrous oxide
emissions.
 WASTE DISPOSAL
Waste management methods like landfills and incineration emit greenhouse and toxic gases -
including methane - that are released into the atmosphere, soil and waterways, contributing to the
increase of the greenhouse effect.

 MINING
Modern life is highly dependent on the mining and metallurgical industry. Metals and minerals
are the raw materials used in the construction, transportation and manufacturing of goods. From
extraction to delivery, this market accounts for 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
 OVERCONSUMPTION
Finally, overconsumption also plays a major role in climate change. In fact, it is responsible for
the overexploitation of natural resources and emissions from international freight transport,
which both contributes to global warming.

Global warming effects:
Here are some consequences that are documented in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change Special Report on Global Warming:
1. On biodiversity
The increase of temperatures and the climate upheavals disturb the ecosystems; modify the
conditions and cycles of plant reproduction. The scarcity of resources and climate change are
changing life habits and migratory cycles of animals. We are already witnessing the
disappearance of many species - including endemic species - or, conversely, the intrusion of
invasive species that threaten crops and other animals.
Global warming therefore impacts biodiversity. It is the balance of biodiversity that is modified
and threatened. According to the IPCC, a 1.5°C (34.7°F) average rise might put 20-30% of
species at risk of extinction. If the planet warms by more than 2°C, most ecosystems will
struggle.

2. On oceans
Because of global warming, permafrost and ice are melting massively at the poles, increasing the
sea level at a rate never known before. In a century, the increase reaches 18 cm (including 6 cm
in the last 20 years). The worst case scenario is a rise of up to 1m by 2100.
The acidification of the oceans is also of great concern. In fact, the large amount of CO2
captured by the oceans makes them more acidic, arousing serious questions about the
adaptability of seashells or coral reefs.
3. On humans
Human beings are not spared by these upheavals. Climate change is affecting the global
economy. It is already shaking up social, health and geopolitical balances in many parts
of the world. The scarcity of resources like food and energy gives rise to new conflicts.
Rising sea levels and floods are causing population migration. Small island states are in
the front line. The estimated number of climate refugees by 2050 is 250 million people.
4. On the weather
For decades now, meteorologists and climatologists around the world have been
watching the effects of global warming on the weather phenomena. And the impact is
huge: more droughts and heat waves, more precipitations, more natural disasters like
floods, hurricanes, storms and wildfires, frost-free season, etc.

PROS:
1. The pollution we have pumped into our atmosphere since the industrial revolution
threatens to cause long-term climate change. In particular, CO2 from the burning of
fossil fuel is thought to build up in the upper atmosphere and act like a greenhouse-letting
sunlight in, but preventing heat from escaping. Projections show global temperature
rising by 3° Celsius in the next century, sufficient to melt the polar ice caps and cause
wide-spread flooding. The four hottest years in recorded history have been in the last
decade. Extreme weather phenomena have become more common, from droughts and
floods in sub-Saharan Africa to water shortage in South-East England. Countries such as
Bangladesh and some of the pacific island such as Kiribati states are in danger of being
totally submerged in the near future id current levels of global warming continue.
Binding targets are necessary to solve this problem.
2. Tighter controls on emissions must be introduced, but this need not sacrifice economic
growth. Western countries should be allowed to ‘buy’ the emission of developing
countries such that to bring their levels down. This will reduce total global emissions
while also providing investment in, and financial incentives for, ‘green’ forms o industrial
development in developing countries.
3. When the potential harm is so great, we cannot sit around waiting for ‘certainty’. Putting
economics ahead of the environment will mean that some countries cease to exist
-presumably the worst economic scenario for any nation. The environment is
fundamentally to the flourishing of life from the most basic to the most prosperous and
must be our number one priority. Also, pollution controls have many beneficial side-
effects – improving the quality of life for people choking in polluted cities and
encouraging energy conservation rather than consumption.

CONS:
1. The environmental lobbyists have been prophesying doom for decades, but the world still
seems to continue with relative stability. There have always been natural climatic cycle-
ever since the last Ice Age, the world have been getting warmer. There is no conclusive
evidence that man is responsible for the current change- in fact, the earth’s temperature
fell between 1940 and 1970 despite a rapid injection of CO2 into the atmosphere, and
there has been no warming in the Arctic despite ‘computer prediction’. So binding targets
are simply unnecessary.
2. The west has built its prosperity upon industrial growth. Pollution controls will have the
effect of preventing such growth in the developing world - such controls amount to
environmental imperialism. It is inevitable hat at this economic stage, emissions will be
greater and it is hypocritical of the west to insist that developing countries do not what
they themselves have done for centuries, In the absence of hand evidence for the causes
of global warming, emissions limits should not be further reduced.
3. Environmentalists wish to destroy jobs and reduce our nation’s wealth on the basts of an
unproven theory. Their scaremongering and indoctrination (particularly of children)
threatens our very way of life. Energy conservation and pollution controls should be
encouraged up to a point (as they already are), but economic productivity and improved
standards of living must remain our number one priority.
But enough of the problems. Let’s come up with solutions now!

s4 Global warming solutions
Good news - there are ways to reduce global warming. But how can climate
change be reversed? What solutions to consider?
1. Renewable energies
The first way to prevent climate change is to move away from fossil fuels. What are
the alternatives? Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.

2. Energy & water efficiency
Producing clean energy is essential, but reducing our consumption of energy and
water by using more efficient devices (e.g. LED light bulbs, innovative shower
system) is less costly and equally important.
3. Sustainable transportation
Promoting public transportation, carpooling, but also electric and hydrogen mobility,
can definitely help reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight global warming.
4. Sustainable infrastructure
In order to reduce the CO2 emissions from buildings - caused by heating, air
conditioning, hot water or lighting - it is necessary both to build new low energy
buildings, and to renovate the existing constructions.

5. Sustainable agriculture & forest management
Encouraging better use of natural resources, stopping massive deforestation as well as

making agriculture greener and more efficient should also be a priority.
6. Responsible consumption & recycling
Adopting responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it regarding food (particularly

meat), clothing, and cosmetics or cleaning products. Last but not least, recycling is an
absolute necessity for dealing with waste.
In order to protect the environment, the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions,
established by the Solar Impulse Foundation, is selecting 1000 innovative solutions that
help control and prevent global warming.

TOPIC 2: CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate experts are formal: the earth is warming up at a steady pace. The reason for
this is the increase in human-caused greenhouse gases, which has led to health,
ecological and humanitarian crises.
Despite this, the fight against climate change is a real opportunity to transition to a low
carbon society and creating jobs.
 What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate.
The global climate is the connected system of sun, earth and oceans, wind, rain and snow,
forests, deserts and savannas, and everything people do, too. The climate of a place, says New
York, can be described as its rainfall, changing temperatures during the year and so on. But the
global climate is more than the “average” of the climates of specific places.
A description of the global climate includes how, for example, the rising temperature of the
Pacific feeds typhoons which blow harder, drop more rain and cause more damage, but also
shifts global ocean currents that melt Antarctica ice which slowly makes sea level rise until New
York will be under water. It is this systemic connectedness that makes global climate change so
important and so complicated.
Life is a definite flow of events. Mistimed events are not welcome in human lives. Mistimed
events occurring in a very high frequency are immensely dangerous. Climate is the regular
behavior of temperature, precipitation, humidity, atmospheric pressure and other related
environmental factors. Climate change is a stark reality. A study in states that ice loss in arctic
region between 1979 and 2003 is larger than the area of the states Texas, California and
Maryland combined. For long, climate change was a prediction but a series of natural disasters

like Tsunami, floods and wildfires point directly to climate change. Let us examine some damage
caused by climate change.
Climate change has been associated with historical collapses of heritage sites like Harappa,
Ancient Egypt and Maya civilization. Source watch reports that Bombay, an Indian city, received
37 inches rain due to global warming. Global warming was attributed as the reason for the
hurricane Katrina in 2005. Recent inconclusive reports have surfaced that global warming might
be the culprit behind Leh cloudburst this August. It is a well-known fact that the lack of
mangrove forests in the coastline in south-Asia has increased the effect of Tsunami in December
2004. Source watch also reports deaths caused by heat wave in Arizona in 2005, two-foot
snowfall in Los Angeles in November 2004, 124 mph winds in Scandinavia leading to electricity
loss and disruption, drought in Midwest in August 2005 and attributes global warming as the
reason for these incidents. Significant awareness drive has begun following such events with
political commentators and activists at the helm. A report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change headed by RK Pachauri predicted a 7-23 inch increase in sea levels in 2010 due to
climate change . Another report at University of Washington by Climate Impacts Group reports
1.5° F increase in temperature in Pacific Northwest in 20th century.
Moscow in Russia has just witnessed its hottest day in its history this January. Climate change is
evident given a series of recent environmental disruptor events all over the world. Researchers
across the world have begun to raise their concerns over much occurring climatic changes.
Several instances of climate change have been recorded worldwide and have been mentioned in
our study. We look at different causes of climate change and present a detailed study of climate
change, issues connected with it, impact of climate change and possible solutions. Climate
change effects energy, water, environment and ecosystem on the whole. Solutions to climate
change include collective effort and individual effort in using renewable forms of energy sources
such as wind energy, solar energy instead of non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels.

 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Nature has, in its own way, contributed to the cause of climate change by regular adaptations. A
natural disaster like volcano releases toxic gases such as sulphur-dioxide apart from water vapor,
dust and ash. The released sulphur-dioxide gets accumulated in the topmost layer of atmosphere.
The released substances also obstruct sunlight from entering earth’s surface leading to earth
cooling. The formed water combines with the toxic gas to result in sulphuric acid that hangs
around the topmost layer of atmosphere. These have the capability to block sunlight and disrupt
regular processes leading to eco-imbalance. Part of the climate change is attributed to continental
drift as it changes the physical features of the land area, their location and location of water,
eventually tidal currents.
If nature changes the climate unintentionally, humans have multiplied the climate change effect
by several notches. Industrial revolution, over-usage of resources, inefficient resource handling
can be attributed to human -influential causes of climate change. This also includes greenhouse
emission gases and burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal, natural gas. Excessive emission from
industries has polluted the atmosphere to great levels. It is not surprising to note that developed
countries contribute the maximum to atmospheric pollution through carbon emissions. Ten of the
top countries in the world contribute 67% of carbon emissions. However, it is the poor of the
world who bear the maximum brunt due to this.
A report by mongabay reveals that more than one million square kilometers of forest land was
lost between 2000 and 2005. It is a well-known fact that trees absorb carbon-dioxide emitted by
vehicles and industries. Hence, we should intro-spect the findings of the report to estimate the
amount of unabsorbed carbon-dioxide and other toxic gases.

 How does Global Warming drive Climate Change?
Heat is energy and when you add energy to any system changes occur. Because all systems in the
global climate system are connected, adding heat energy causes the global climate as a whole to
change. Much of the world is covered with ocean which heats up. When the ocean heats up,
more water evaporates into clouds. Where storms like hurricanes and typhoons are forming, the
result is more energy-intensive storms. A warmer atmosphere makes glaciers and mountain snow
packs, the Polar ice cap, and the great ice shield jutting off of Antarctica melt raising sea levels.
(Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)
Changes in temperature change the great patterns of wind that bring the monsoons in Asia and
rain and snow around the world, making drought and unpredictable weather more common.
This is why scientists have stopped focusing just on global warming and now focus on the larger
topic of climate change.

 What evidence do we have of climate change?
The most compelling climate change evidence scientists have of climate change is long term data
relating atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperature, sea level, the expanse of ice, the fossil
record and the distribution of species.
This data, which goes back millions of years, shows a strong correlation between CO2 levels and
temperature. Recent data shows a trend of increasing temperature and rising CO2 levels
beginning in the early 19th century.
Because all parts of the global climate are connected, scientists have been able to create models
of how changes caused by heating should work their way through the entire system and appear in
different areas, for example, sea level, intemperate weather, the movement of fish species in the
ocean. Testing whether or not predicted changes have occurred is an important way to verify
underlying theory.
This can be done in two ways.
First, it is possible to load a model with historical data and ask: how well does this model predict
what we know happened?
NASA and other scientific agencies have done this and found that the models work well.
A second way to test is to use the model to predict upcoming changes and then to see if emerging
reality fits. It is possible to track the rapid retreat of glaciers and observe the summer melting of
the Polar Ice Cap. Sea levels are rising measurably, the temperature of the world’s oceans is
demonstrably rising and consequently many fish species are moving to follow waters that are the
right temperature for them.
Correlating these changes to the timing of rises in CO2 levels and temperature suggests
relationship. NASA provides a good visual tool for viewing these relational models “in action”.
In specific instances, for example, CO2 levels, temperature and ocean pH, the chemical
processes are traceable proving direct causal connection.

 Visual Impacts of Climate Change Evidence
1. Melting Glaciers
2. Flooding
3. Super cell Storms

4. Rising Sea Levels
5. Worsening Droughts
6. Increasing Tornados

Climate change impact:
Because the global climate is a connected system climate change impacts are felt everywhere.
Among the most important climate change impacts are:
 Rising sea level
Climate change impacts rising sea levels. Average sea level around the world rose about 8 inches
(20 cm) in the past 100 years; climate scientists expect it to rise more and more rapidly in the
next 100 years as part of climate change impacts
Coastal cities such as New York are already seeing an increased number of flooding events and
by 2050 many such cities may require seawalls to survive. Estimates vary, but conservatively sea
levels are expected to rise 1 to 4 feet (30 to 100 cm), enough to flood many small Pacific island
states (Vanuatu), famous beach resorts (Hilton Head) and coastal cities (Bangkok, Boston).
If the Greenland ice cap and/or the Antarctic ice shelf collapses, sea levels could rise by as much
as 20 ft (6 m), inundating, for example, large parts of Florida, the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and
Houston.
(Source: National Climate Assessment)

 Melting Ice
Projections suggest climate change impacts within the next 100 years, if not sooner, the world’s
glaciers will have disappeared, as will the Polar ice cap, and the huge Antarctic ice shelf,
Greenland may be green again, and snow will have become a rare phenomenon at what are now
the world’s most popular ski resorts.
(Source: National Climate Assessment)To view an interactive map of changing polar ice
coverage, 1979 to 2015
 Torrential downpours and more powerful storms
While the specific conditions that produce rainfall will not change, climate change impacts the
amount of water in the atmosphere and will increase producing violent downpours instead of
steady showers when it does rain.
Hurricanes and typhoons will increase in power, and flooding will become more common.
Anyone in the United States who has tried to buy storm and flood insurance in the past few years
knows that the insurance industry is completely convinced that climate change is raising sea
levels and increasing the number of major storms and floods. (To understand the insurance
industry’s thinking on the subject, consider the chart below compiled by Munich Re-Insurance.)

(Source: Environmental Change @ Western)
(Source: Munich RE)
 Heat waves and droughts
Despite downpours in some places, droughts and prolonged heat waves will become common.
Rising temperatures are hardly surprising, although they do not mean that some parts of the
world will not “enjoy” record cold temperatures and terrible winter storms. (Heating disturbs the

entire global weather system and can shift cold upper air currents as well as hot dry ones. Single
snowballs and snowstorms do not make climate change refutations.)
Increasingly, however, hot, dry places will get hotter and drier, and places that were once
temperate and had regular rainfall will become much hotter and much drier.
The string of record high temperature years and the record number of global droughts of the past
decade will become the norm, not the surprise that they have seemed.
(Source: EPA adopted from Dai, Drought Under Global Warming)
 Changing ecosystems
As the world warms, entire ecosystems will move.
Already rising temperatures at the equator have pushed such staple crops as rice north into once
cooler areas, many fish species have migrated long distances to stay in waters that are the proper
temperature for them.

In once colder waters, this may increase fishermen’s catches; in warmer waters, it may eliminate
fishing; in many places, such as on the East Coast of the US, it will require fishermen to go
further to reach fishing grounds.
Farmers in temperate zones are finding drier conditions difficult for crops such as corn and
wheat, and once prime growing zones are now threatened.
Some areas may see complete ecological change.
In California and on the East Coast, for example, climate change impacts and warming will soon
fundamentally change the forests; in Europe, hundreds of plants species will disappear and
hundreds more will move thousands of miles.
 Changing Fisheries
(Source: NOAA Fisheries)

 Shift in Forest Types
(Source: Slide Share)
 California Tree Species Changes
(Source: National Climate Assessment)

 European Species Changes
(Source: European Environment Agency)
 Reduced food security
One of the most striking impacts of rising temperatures is felt in global agriculture, although
these impacts are felt very differently in the largely temperate developed world and in the more
tropical developing world.
Different crops grow best at quite specific temperatures and when those temperatures change,
their productivity changes significantly.
In North America, for example, rising temperatures may reduce corn and wheat productivity in
the US mid-west, but expand production and productivity north of the border in Canada.
The productivity of rice, the staple food of more than one third of the world’s population,
declines 10% with every 1⁰ C increase in temperature.

Past climate induced problems have been offset by major advances in rice technology and ever
larger applications of fertilizer; expectations are that in Thailand, the world’s largest exporter of
rice, however, future increases in temperatures may reduce production 25% by 2050.
At the same time, global population models suggest that developing world will add 3 billion
people by 2050 and that developing world food producer must double staple food crop
production by then simply to maintain current levels of food consumption.
Climate Change and Food Security
(Source: Slides hare)
Climate Change Impacts on Production
(Source: Climate Impacts)

Temperatures and Food Production
(Source: Slide share)
 Pests and Disease
Rising temperatures favor agricultural pests, diseases and disease vectors.
Pest populations are on the rise and illnesses once found only in limited, tropical areas are now
becoming endemic in much wider zones.
In Southeast Asia, for example, where malaria had been reduced to a wet season only disease in
most areas, it is again endemic almost everywhere year around.
Likewise, dengue fever, once largely confined to tropical areas, has become endemic to the entire
region.
Increased temperatures also increase the reproduction rates of microbes and insects, speeding up
the rate at which they develop resistance to control measures and drugs (a problem already
observed with malaria in Southeast Asia).

Pest Generations present to 2050
West Nile virus risk

Projected change in risk of Malaria
(Source: Global Warming – So what?)

(Source: Environmental Defense Fund)
Dengue distribution by 2050

 IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Let us consider the case of highly developed and industrialized country, the United States to
estimate the impact of climate change in near future.
1. Water Availability
Water cycle is affected to the extent of influencing the availability of water as a resource. As a
result, floods and droughts become more frequent. Varying climate is bound to change surface
water quality and groundwater quality. All this can be contributed to increasing water
temperatures, decrease in ice per area, fluctuations in precipitation occurrence, transformations in
soil moisture and high concentration of water vapor in atmosphere.
2. Energy
Energy availability and energy production is inextricable from available water resources.
Increasing water temperatures and inadequate water resources restrict energy production. As the
population shifts to southwest, increased use of air conditioning systems drain energy resources
contributing to climate change. 87% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States origin
from energy production.
3. Transportation
Increased irregular floods will impact the transportation sector given the disruption caused to
infrastructure. Evacuation and rehabilitation of people, infrastructure damage are the evident
results of disruption by floods.
4. Agriculture
Agriculture in the United States contributes 8.6% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Gases like
carbon-dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide directly affect agriculture. Recent wildfires in Russia
resulted in crop loss given a high increase in atmospheric temperature. Many have pointed this to
observable global warming [4]. Another report reveals that South Africa is bound to lose 30% of
its maize crop by 2030 [5].

5. Environment
It cannot be ignored that many living species depend on climate for their survival. We are
witnessing reports predicting extinction of polar bears if current ice melting continues in the
Arctic region and extinction of variety of other species due to changing temperatures and climate
as a whole. Heavy investment in Drylands reveals the importance to turn these lands into fertile
lands The effect of Tsunami that occurred in south-Asia in 2005 increased multifold due to
deforestation of mangrove forests along the coastline. Mangrove trees have the capability to
absorb tsunami waves but were uprooted to promote aquaculture.
6. Health
Heat-related deaths in Chicago
Increasing temperatures already cause many heat-related deaths in India. Each summer in India
many die due to high temperatures and each year are getting hotter with time. Irregular
temperature changes lead to health imbalance, across any age group. Infections caused due to air
pollutants are bound to leave their mark on humans.

 SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Every individual living on this planet is responsible for global warming in one way or another
and must amend ways to stop this phenomenon in his/her own way. United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a common framework in which Kyoto protocol is
proposed to fight global warming. 187 countries signed the protocol till November 2009. Kyoto
protocol was introduced in 1997 but was enforced from February 2005. The main objective of
the protocol is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% by 2012 from 1990 levels. Another
solution for climate aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2020. Solutions include
1. Energy efficiency
Efficient usage of energy includes proficient car usage, energy reduction power sources,
innovated industrial strategies and developing technological solutions. Low noise refrigerators,
energy efficient washing machines save significant amount of energy. Hand drying of clothes
after machine washing saves considerable energy. Reducing temperatures of air conditioning
system also saves huge amounts of energy over the year.
2. Solar energy
Renewable forms of energy sources must be worked up on instead of using non-renewable

energy sources such as oil, gas, nuclear energy and coal. Coal is no longer being generated to be
used extensively. The fate of oil is similar to that of coal. According to the latest status report of
renewable energy, out of total energy consumed only 19% is renewable, a meager 2.8% is
nuclear energy and the rest if fossil fuels. Of the renewable energy sources, biomass forms 13%,
hydropower forms 3.2%, solar energy forms about 1.4% and the rest sources are wind energy,
geothermal and hydropower.
Electricity can be generated from sunlight which can be substituted for non-renewable forms of
energy. Photovoltaic cells can be used to convert light to electricity and can be used to charge
devices such as calculators or power entire house. Solar thermal power plants are another source

of energy where electricity is generated by highly pressurized steam from sunlight using power
turbines.
3. Wind energy
Using wind energy reduces carbon emissions drastically, given our major objective is to reduce
carbon emissions, and maintains eco-balance. Construction of infrastructure required for
generating wind energy is not tedious as generally believed. Greenpeace states the prediction of
wind energy usage at 12% of world’s energy by 2020.
4. Individual contribution
Reducing water usage in daily activities saves good amount of energy. Using public
transportation such as trains and buses preserves energy. Suggest rural renewable energy
strategies like using hydropower or biogas for lighting and energy purposes instead of candles or
kerosene. Similarly, hydropower or biogas can be used for communications instead of batteries.
Solar cookers can be developed and used instead of burning wood for cooking to achieve over
25% efficiency. Solar PV pumps or mechanical wind pumps can be used to pump water instead
of diesel pumps and generators.
Another recommendable solution is saving energy on computers by turning on the save screen
mode which reduces power consumption and emissions. It might sound trivial but small amounts
of saved energy add up to huge amounts at the end of the year.
 CONCLUSION
A greater resolve is needed on behalf of all world countries to stand by the promises made to
reduce carbon emissions to achieve our objectives by the target, 2020. Countries must work
towards the common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and must also abide by
frameworks such as Kyoto protocol aimed at reducing global warming. Also, reducing global
warming and addressing climate change is the responsibility of not only governments but also its
citizens, of each and every individual’s. We should collectively work to save energy by reducing

unnecessary water usage, saving electricity, using public transport, recycling plastic, bottles,
paper and waste.
TOPIC 3: ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
A serious threat to human beings and their environment is the continuous and accelerating
overuse and destruction of natural resources. Bearing this in mind, it is unfortunate that efforts to
permanently change people’s environmentally destructive behavior through interventions have
typically not been met with success. A necessary condition may be an increase in environmental
concern and knowledge about the effects and consequences of the ongoing environmental
deterioration for future generations. Studies are reviewed that have attempted to show (1)
correlations between determinants, such as socio-demographic and/or psychological factors, and
environmental concern, and (2) an impact of environmental concern on environmentally
responsible behavior. In general, correlations with background factors are weak. Factors
affecting behavior appear to be knowledge, internal locus of control (positive control beliefs),
personal responsibility, and perceived threats to personal health. The need for further research
that attempts to specify the process leading to environmentally responsible behavior is
highlighted.
Environmental responsibility, developed world should take more:
The debate about how to tackle global warming presents a paradox. On the other hand, most of
the damage done to the environment historically was done by western nations, which
industrialized first, and reaped the economic benefits. On the other hand, many of the world’s
most significant producers of CO2 today are developing countries, which are only just
industrializing, and their role in CO2 emissions is only growing. China is the largest single
polluter (though it pollutes less per person than the USA), with 16.4 per cent of the global
emissions total in 2011, with America a close second with 15.7 per cent, Brazil, Indonesia,
Russia and India (all developing as middle income nation) occupy places three to six in the
league table of carbon producers (though if the EU is counted as one entity rather than 27

separate countries, it rises to third place). This paradox therefore presents a difficult question:
should developed countries bear more of the burden for reducing emissions and preventing
global warming?
PROS
1. Most of the CO2, the atmosphere as a result of man-made action today was put there by the
developed world; thus they are the ones primarily responsible for the damage. Moreover, they
are also the one who have benefited from it historically getting rich by industrializing before the
developing world could catch-up, and so are more able to absorb the substantial economic costs
of reducing emissions.
2. The developed world still produces a significant, if not the most significant, share of global
emissions. As much, it would be perfectly viable and successful for these countries to prevent
climate change by reducing their own emissions. For instance, the G8 club of rich nations
produces one-third of emissions on their own; they could make substantial inroads into the
problem of carbon emissions simply by cutting that number.
3. Who is affected by emissions is not the question; what is important is who causes them. If we
accept that it is possible for countries to owe obligations to those out-side their borders, and then
surely the obligation not to create brutal environmental destruction is one of them? Moreover, if
we were to deny that obligation, then treating the ‘developing world ‘ as a whole would make no
sense; it is not a coherent collective that shares any kind of identify, so could not be expected to
act in collective interests.
CONS
1. The developed world did emit a lot of co2 in the past, but it did not know that what it was
doing was damaging; at the time that industrialization began, we did not realized that global
warming was occurring, and certainly not that it was a man-made phenomenon. By contrast, the

developing world’s current refusal means that it is willfully and with foresight destroying the
environments.
2. It is simply not possible to create the kind of change we need without involving the developing
world. Not only do less developed countries now represent the bulk of the world’s emissions, but
their emissions are rising; as much, even if developed countries were to cut their emissions, the
emissions would simply be replaced. Moreover, a global political consensus is required to attain
change, which cannot be done if the developing world shirks responsibility.
3. The developing world should take the lead in preventing emissions; because it is these
countries that will be most affected if they rise. For insurance, the flooding, one of the primary
environmental consequences of global warming threatens to largely wipe out Bangladesh and
create a refugee crisis in that region. That is a burden that the developing world must deal with.
Our Mother Earth is currently facing lot of environmental concerns. The environmental
problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer
depletion, water pollution, climate change and many more affect every human, animal and nation
on this planet. Over the last few decades, the exploitation of our planet and degradation of our
environment have gone up at an alarming rate. As our actions have been not in favor of
protecting this planet, we have seen natural disasters striking us more often in the form of flash
floods, tsunamis and cyclones.
Different environmental groups around the world play their role in educating people as to how
their small actions when combined together can play a big role in protecting this planet. If you
look at the environment around us, you can see that there are a number of issues that come to our
attention. Here are the most important environmental concerns to keep an eye on today.

1. Air Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil take a huge number of years to recover. Industry
and engine vehicle fumes are the most obvious toxins. Substantial metals, nitrates and plastic are
poisons in charge of pollution. While water contamination is brought about by oil slicks, acid
rain, and urban sprawl; air contamination is created by different gasses and poisons discharged
by businesses and manufacturing plants and burning of fossil fills; soil contamination is majorly
created by mechanical waste that takes supplements out of the soil.
2. Water Pollution: Clean drinking water is turning into an uncommon thing. Water is turning
into a monetary and political concern as the human populace battles for this need. Waste from
industrial and agricultural activities pollutes the water that is used by humans, animals and
plants.

3: Soil and Land Pollution: Land pollution simply means degradation of earth’s surface as a
result of human activities like mining, littering, deforestation, industrial, construction and
agricultural activities. Land pollution can have huge environmental impact in the form of air
pollution and soil pollution which in turn can have adverse effect on human health.
4. Climate Change: Climate change is yet another environmental concern that has surfaced in
last couple of decades. Environmental change has different destructive impacts that include, but
are not limited to, the melting of polar ice, change in seasons, new sicknesses, and change in
general climate situation.
5. Global Warming: Environmental asset abuse is also an important environmental concern.

Fossil fuel utilization brings about discharge of greenhouse gasses, which causes environmental
change. However, individuals are taking endeavors to move to renewable energy sources.
6. Deforestation: Our woodlands create new oxygen and additionally help in managing
temperature and precipitation. At present, timberlands cover 30% of the area, but wooded areas
are being lost on a regular basis because people are looking for homes, food, and
materials. Deforestation is a huge problem and will just continue to get worse.
7. Increased Carbon Footprint: Temperature increases, like climate change, are the
consequence of human practices, including the use of greenhouse gasses. When the atmosphere
changes and the heat increases, it can cause a number of problems and start to destroy the world
we live in.
8. Genetic Modification: Genetic modification utilizing biotechnology is called genetic

engineering. Genetic engineering of food brings about expanded poisons and sicknesses as
qualities from a hypersensitive plant can exchange to target plant. Some of these crops can even
be a threat to the world around us, as animals start to ingest the unnatural chemicals and such.

9. Effect on Marine Life: The amount of carbon in the water and the atmosphere is continuing
to be a problem in the world around us. The primary effect is on shellfish and microscopic fish,
and it has similar effects to osteoporosis in humans.
10. Public Health Issues: The current environmental concerns represent a considerable measure
of danger to well-being of people, and creatures. Dirty water is the greatest well-being danger of
the world and poses a risk to the health and lifespan of people and animals.
11. Overpopulation: The number of inhabitants in the planet is arriving at unsustainable levels
as it confronts deficiency of assets like water, fuel and food. Overpopulation is one of the most
important environmental concerns.
12: Loss of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is yet another casualty due to the impact of human beings
on the environment. It is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution. Habitat destruction is a major
cause for biodiversity loss. Habitat loss is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution and
global warming.

13. Household and Industrial Waste: The over utilization of assets and formation of plastics
are making a worldwide emergency of waste transfer. Developed nations are infamous for
creating an unreasonable measure of waste or junk and dumping their waste in the seas and, less
created nations.
14. Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer is an undetectable layer of protection around the
planet that secures us from the sun’s unsafe beams. Depletion of the critical Ozone layer of the
air is credited to contamination brought about by Bromide and Chlorine found in Chlorofloro
carbons (CFC’s). When these poisonous gasses each the upper parts of the atmosphere, they
cause a gap in the ozone layer, the greatest of which is over the Antarctic.
15. Mining: Mining results in extraction of minerals from earth’s core. These minerals also bring
out harmful chemicals from deep inside the earth to the earth’s surface. The toxic emissions from
mining can cause air, water and soil pollution.
16: Natural Resource Depletion: Non-renewable resources are limited and will get expired one
day. Consumption of fossil fuels at an alarming rate can lead to global warming which can
further result in melting of polar ice caps and increase in sea levels.
17: Natural Disasters: Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic
eruption can be unpredictable, devastating and can cause irreparable damage. They can cause
huge loss of life and property.
18: Nuclear Issues: Radioactive waste is a nuclear fuel that contains radioactive substance and
is a by-product of nuclear power generation. The radioactive waste is an environmental concern
that is extremely toxic and can have devastating effect on the lives of the people living nearby, if
not disposed properly. Radioactive waste is considered to be harmful for humans, plants, animals
and surrounding environment.

19. Loss of Endangered Species: Human overpopulation is prompting the elimination of

species and environmental surroundings and the loss of various biomes. Environmental
frameworks, which took a huge number of years to come into being, are in risk when any species
populace is huge.
20. Acid Rain: Acid rain happens because of the vicinity of specific poisons in the climate.
Corrosive downpour might be brought about because of use of fossil fuels or volcanoes or
spoiling vegetation which discharge sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air.
21: Agricultural Pollution: Modern day agriculture practices make use of chemical products
like pesticides and fertilizers to deal with local pests. Some of the chemicals when sprayed do
not disappear and in fact seeps into the ground and thereby harms plants and crops. Also,
contaminated water is used for irrigation by farmers due to disposal of industrial and agricultural
waste in local water bodies.
22: Light and Noise Pollution: Noise pollution is another common form of pollution that causes
temporary disruption when there is excessive amount of unpleasant noise. Construction
activities, industrialization, increase in vehicular traffic, lack of urban planning are few of the
causes of noise pollution.
23. Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl alludes to relocation of populace from high thickness urban
ranges to low density provincial zones which bring about spreading of city over more rustic area.
Urban sprawl brings about expanded movement, environmental concerns and well-being
concerns.
24: Medical Waste: Medical waste is any kind of waste that is produced in large quantity by
healthcare centers like hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and is considered to be of a bio-
hazardous nature. The waste can include needles, syringes, gloves, tubes, blades, blood, body
parts and many more.

25: Littering and Landfills: Littering simply means disposal of piece of garbage or debris
improperly or at wrong location usually on the ground instead of disposing them at trash
container or recycling bin. Littering can cause huge environmental and economic impact in the
form of spending millions of dollars to clean the garbage of road that pollute the clean air.
Landfills on the other hand are nothing but huge garbage dumps that make the city look ugly and
produce toxic gases that could prove fatal for humans and animals. Landfills are generated due to
large amount of waste that is generated by households, industries and healthcare centers every
day.
 Effects of Environmental Pollution
 The polluting gases mentioned above have an interesting effect on climate.

Essentially, these gases form a veil around the planet which holds heat in, increasing
the overall temperature of the planet. The rise in planetary temperature, or global
warming, is not immediately noticeable. However, even a rise of a few degrees
Centigrade causes catastrophic changes in weather. This is happening now.
 Pollen has increased. It is ironic, but even with fewer trees in the world; the increase
of carbon dioxide emissions induces plants such as ragweed and many trees to

produce more pollen than ever before. This has resulted in rampant allergies across
the world, affecting the health of billions of people.
 One of the solutions to tamp out carbon monoxide emissions from coal burning
power plants was and still is to use radioactive power plants. While this does cut
down on gas emissions significantly, there is radioactive waste which causes various
cancers to bloom in major cities and small towns all around while destroying
ecosystems entirely.
 Global temperature has risen significantly over the years. The protective
atmosphere is further being polluted by methane gas released from melting icecaps.
This is causing rampant weather issues around the planet.
This all seems like a fairly bleak outlook for the planet and all the creatures on it. It is, in fact, a
load of dark and very real truth. For much of it, there is little turning back. Being realistic,
though solutions are in the works to combat global warming, the hope is dim. Radiation does not
go away quickly either, especially in a technological age requiring more power, more gas, and
intensified depletion of protective gases around the planet. We are on a significant downhill
snowball ride to hell. There are things we can do. Let us take a look at some of the solutions
which are currently being implemented to reduce pollution.
Solutions to Environmental Pollution
 Gas emission pollution is being mitigated in a variety of ways with car emission
control, electric and hybrid vehicles and public transportation systems. Not all
major cities have successful implementation and decent public transportation in
place, but the world is working on this issue constantly and we have managed to
reduce emissions profoundly over the last decade. There is much catching up to do.
 The cost of radioactive power plants is becoming apparent and the days of coal
power plants are nearly dead. The radiation is a serious issue. Radioactive leakage
from power plants and nuclear testing have already contaminated oceanic life to such

a degree that it will take hundreds of years to return to normal. More radiation
solutions are in the works with various ecologically friendly power technologies
being built every day.
 Solar power is a fantastic solution. Now that solar radiation is at a climactic peak,
we can reap power from the sun using solar panel systems. These range from home
systems to larger scale systems powering entire communities and cities.
 Wind power is coming into play. This may not seem like much at first, but when
you get about 100 feet off the ground, there is a great deal of wind up there. By
building wind turbines to harvest natural wind energy, electricity is produced. Wind
turbine power and solar power are both powerful forces against fossil fuel power and
radioactive power. The one problem here is power companies. They want to stay with
radioactive power plants because they actually can’t be removed. It has become the
crusades of many individuals and small corporations to make the switch and there are
plenty of people following this as populations cry out for help.
 Electromagnetic radiation (ER) reduction. Once major manufacturers of

computers and electronic devices realized the blatant potential for huge ER emissions
directly into the eyes and brains of users, they started to implement hardware
protocols to minimize risks and reduce ER production significantly. Newer devices
are in the lead to knock this problem out and, fortunately, this is working.
Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is well aware of all leaks and tricks industries
are using to dump wastes. This agency now has extremely strict protocols and testing procedures
implemented against such facilities so populations are not affected. Additionally, the EPA is
measuring air pollution and implementing regulatory procedures for vehicle emissions. They also
monitor pollen issues and, with the help of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they
implement solutions to reduce pollen in the air.

Dropping pollen counts is a major focus for EPA and CDC activities. Asthma and other allergic
conditions are flooding medical care facilities and pharmaceutical companies with serious public
health problems. The response has been swift and various methods to control emissions and
reduce pollen counts are in the works. Children and elderly people are at the highest risk for
environmental pollution related health problems. The good news is we are directly on the horizon
to cut down the causes and risks while providing practical health solutions for the general public
throughout the world.


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GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.

TOPIC 1: GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is a phenomenon of climate change characterized by a general

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Global warming effects:

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But enough of the problems. Let’s come up with solutions now!

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s4 Global warming solutions

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2. Energy & water efficiency

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5. Sustainable agriculture & forest management

Encouraging better use of natural resources, stopping massive deforestation as well as

6. Responsible consumption & recycling

Adopting responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it regarding food (particularly

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TOPIC 2: CLIMATE CHANGE

 What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate.

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 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

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 How does Global Warming drive Climate Change?

(Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

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 What evidence do we have of climate change?

This can be done in two ways.

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 Visual Impacts of Climate Change Evidence

3. Super cell Storms

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4. Rising Sea Levels

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Climate change impact:

Among the most important climate change impacts are:

 Rising sea level

(Source: National Climate Assessment)

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 Torrential downpours and more powerful storms

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(Source: Environmental Change @ Western)

(Source: Munich RE)

 Heat waves and droughts

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(Source: EPA adopted from Dai, Drought Under Global Warming)

As the world warms, entire ecosystems will move.

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Some areas may see complete ecological change.

(Source: NOAA Fisheries)

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 Shift in Forest Types

(Source: Slide Share)

 California Tree Species Changes

(Source: National Climate Assessment)

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