Climate Change: A Global Concern

The world has reached a significant milestone, with temperatures rising to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the beginning of a new era of climate change. According to climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll, this transition is expected to continue until 2040, with temperatures potentially reaching 2°C by 2060 if current emissions trends continue.

The data, released by the European space program’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, shows that the global temperature between July 2023 and June 2024 was the highest on record, measuring 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the twelfth consecutive month where temperatures have exceeded the 1.5°C global average rise compared to pre-1850 levels.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted that 1.5°C of warming will lead to severe consequences, including food insecurity, loss of ecosystems, and increased frequency of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The report also warns of heat stress leading to deaths and the loss of low-lying island nations.

The next few years are expected to see a continuous rise in temperatures, with different regions warming at varying rates. The recent year has already seen record-breaking heat across all continents, with multiple countries experiencing extreme weather events, including floods and droughts.

In tropical regions like India, the warming temperatures and rising sea levels will have a disproportionate impact, leading to widespread floods and heatwaves. The Indian Ocean is warming rapidly, causing sea-surface temperatures to rise, which in turn increases evaporation and humidity in the atmosphere. This will lead to extreme rains, causing floods during the monsoon season, and rapid intensification of cyclones in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

The Indian subcontinent and Himalayan regions can expect prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, which will worsen human health due to pollution. The overlapping extremes, known as compound extremes, will be a major concern in the near future, and it is essential to scale up adaptation plans to build resilience against these future risks.

As the world transitions to a new era of climate change, it is crucial to understand the implications of this transition. The IPCC report highlights the need for immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future.

Key Points:

• The world has reached 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the beginning of a new era of climate change.
• Temperatures are expected to continue rising until 2040, potentially reaching 2°C by 2060.
• The IPCC predicts severe consequences, including food insecurity, loss of ecosystems, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• Tropical regions like India will experience widespread floods and heatwaves due to warming temperatures and rising sea levels.
• The Indian Ocean is warming rapidly, leading to extreme rains and rapid intensification of cyclones.
• The Indian subcontinent and Himalayan regions can expect prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires.
• Compound extremes, such as overlapping floods and droughts, will be a major concern in the near future.

Why it Matters:

• Climate change is a global concern that requires immediate attention and action.
• Understanding the implications of climate change is crucial for mitigating its effects and ensuring a sustainable future.
• Students preparing for competitive exams should be aware of the current state of climate change and its potential consequences.

Historical Context:

The concept of climate change has been around for decades, with the first warnings of its potential impacts dating back to the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the scientific community began to widely acknowledge the issue and its potential consequences. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 to assess the scientific, technical, and socio-economic aspects of climate change. Since then, numerous reports and studies have been published, highlighting the urgent need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by nearly 200 countries, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also emphasized the importance of adapting to the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Recent years have seen a significant increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, which have been linked to climate change. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published in 2018, warned that the world was running out of time to take action to limit global warming to 1.5°C and avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The world has reached 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the beginning of a new era of climate change. • Temperatures are expected to continue rising until 2040, potentially reaching 2°C by 2060. • The IPCC predicts severe consequences, including food insecurity, loss of ecosystems, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. • Tropical regions like India will experience widespread floods and heatwaves due to warming temperatures and rising sea levels. • The Indian Ocean is warming rapidly, leading to extreme rains and rapid intensification of cyclones. • The Indian subcontinent and Himalayan regions can expect prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires. • Compound extremes, such as overlapping floods and droughts, will be a major concern in the near future. • Climate change is a global concern that requires immediate attention and action. • Understanding the implications of climate change is crucial for mitigating its effects and ensuring a sustainable future.

Why it Matters:

• Climate change is a global concern that requires immediate attention and action. • Understanding the implications of climate change is crucial for mitigating its effects and ensuring a sustainable future. • Students preparing for competitive exams should be aware of the current state of climate change and its potential consequences. • The transition to a new era of climate change highlights the need for immediate action to mitigate its effects and ensure a sustainable future. • The IPCC report emphasizes the importance of adapting to the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development.