Lecture Notes: Understanding Climate Change and Its Impacts

Introduction

• Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
• It involves long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
• Primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.

Causes of Climate Change

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide accumulation in the atmosphere.
  • Main sources include:
    • Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
    • Deforestation
    • Industrial processes
    • Agricultural practices
• Natural Factors: Volcanic eruptions, solar radiation variations, but these have a minor effect compared to human activities.

Evidence of Climate Change

• Rising global temperatures
• Melting ice caps and glaciers
• Rising sea levels
• Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (storms, heatwaves)
• Changes in precipitation patterns

Impacts of Climate Change

• Environmental Impacts:
  • Habitat destruction
  • Ocean acidification
  • Loss of biodiversity
• Economic Impacts:
  • Damage to infrastructure
  • Increased costs for disaster relief and recovery
  • Impacts on agriculture and food security
• Social Impacts:
  • Health risks (heat-related illnesses, spread of diseases)
  • Displacement of populations
  • Increased inequality and resource conflicts

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

• Mitigation: Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases.
  • Transition to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric)
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Reforestation and conservation efforts
  • Carbon capture and storage technologies
• Adaptation: Adjusting to actual or expected climate impacts.
  • Developing resilient infrastructure
  • Implementing sustainable agricultural practices
  • Disaster risk reduction plans

Global Efforts and Agreements

• Paris Agreement: A landmark international treaty to combat climate change.
  • Aim to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from countries to reduce emissions.
• IPCC Reports: Provide scientific assessments on climate change to guide policy decisions.

Conclusion

• Urgent and collective action is needed to address climate change.
• Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is essential.
• Emphasis on sustainable development and green technologies.

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These notes summarize the key points from the lecture on climate change, highlighting its causes, evidence, impacts, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation.