Sansad TV Perspective: State of the Global Climate

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: ‘State of the Global Climate’.

Anchor: Teena Jha

Participants:

• Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department, Government of India
• C.K. Mishra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India

Context – The State of the Global Climate 2022 report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) makes some worrying revelations about record-high temperatures, melting glaciers and rising pollution. It says that the global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15 degrees Celsius above the 1850 – 1900 average. 2022 was the 5th or 6th warmest year on record. This was despite the three consecutive years of cooling due to La Nina – such a ‘triple dip’ La Nina has happened only three times in the past 50 years. 

State of the Global Climate 2022 – Annual Report from WMO

• The World Meteorological Organisation‘s State of Global Climate Report brings together all climate indicators and events reported by the member countries and partner agencies during 2022 (greenhouse gases, temperatures, droughts, precipitation rates, glacier melt, etc.) in one assessment. The report also focuses on the impacts and consequences of climate events.
•  The WMO report also addresses population displacement caused by dangerous weather and climate events and the effects on ecosystems and the environment vital to humans.

Climate Change –

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate, including temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns. The Earth’s climate has always been changing, but the current rate of change is unprecedented, and it’s largely due to human activities.

Effects of Climate Change –

The effects of climate change are far-reaching and varied. The WMO Report 2022, reiterates the fact that the climate is changing at a faster rate in recent times, especially since 1970. This changing climate has huge repercussions on our social life, economic life and also on our environment.

• As the temperature increases, its impact comes in terms of the heat waves. The frequency and intensity of heat waves increase due to climate change. Most climate change experts agree that greenhouse gases ― which trap heat and prevent it from leaving the Earth’s atmosphere ― are mostly responsible for the temperature spike.
• As the temperature increases, the moisture content of the atmosphere also increases. With the rise in temperature by 1℃, the moisture content in the atmosphere increases by 7%. The atmosphere has more holding capacity, which results in heavy rainfall. It has been seen that the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events have increased in tropical countries.
• India being a tropical country, the frequency of heavy rainfall has increased especially over central and south India, and the frequency of light and moderate rainfall has decreased. The heavy rainfall results in soil erosion, more runoff, less percolation, floods in plains and landslides in hilly regions. 
• Thunderstorms are also getting affected by climate change. The frequency and intensity of thunderstorms have increased and also the lightning frequency has increased in many parts of the world. Also, India witnesses increased thunderstorms particularly over eastern India, where it is locally called ‘kalbaisakhi’.
• Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more regions. Global warming exacerbates water shortages in already water-stressed regions and is leading to an increased risk of agricultural droughts affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the vulnerability of ecosystems.
• Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks increase as temperatures climb. Due to climate change, the world is losing species at a rate 1,000 times greater than at any other time in recorded human history. One million species are at risk of becoming extinct within the next few decades. Forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests and diseases are among many threats related to climate change. Some species will be able to relocate and survive, but others will not.

IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report for the Sixth Assessment Cycle on March 20 in Interlaken, Switzerland. 

• This Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) summarises the state of knowledge of climate change, its widespread impacts and risks, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 
• The report highlights the urgency of drastically reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and thereby limiting rising global temperatures by 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels, set by the Paris Agreement.
• The report again confirms that human activities are responsible for global warming and the resulting climate change, which has massive repercussions on all planetary systems. Climate change affects the atmosphere, the cryosphere, the world’s oceans, its biosphere, and human societies in a multitude of complex and interconnected ways. The resulting losses and damages are not equally distributed and disproportionally affect vulnerable communities that have emitted the least greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Climate Agreements –

Countries have debated how to combat climate change since the early 90s. Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite these efforts, the world is already facing the consequences of climate change. Some of the most important agreements on climate change are-

• UNFCCC
• Kyoto Protocol
• Paris Agreement

Major action plans by the GoI in combating climate change-

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The Action plan covers eight major missions on Solar, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change.
• State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC): State governments have drafted climate strategies aligned with the eight National Missions under the NAPCC. 
• FAME Scheme for E-mobility: GoI in 2015 launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles or Fame India Scheme with an aim to boost sales of eco-friendly vehicles in the country. It is a part of the National Mission for Electric Mobility.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• Ujala Scheme.

Also read – International Solar Alliance

Way Forward – 

• To combat climate change, it’s essential to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. This can be achieved by transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and increasing energy efficiency. 
• Restoring forests and other natural ecosystems can help to absorb carbon and mitigate the impacts of climate change. It’s important to adopt sustainable agriculture practices and reduce food waste to improve food security and reduce emissions from agriculture.
• Climate change is a complex problem and requires global action to solve. International collaboration and emphasis on countries vulnerable to climate calamities along with the required investment of financial resources is crucial. Institutional mechanisms for an equitable and favourable transition towards green and clean technologies are the need of the hour.
• Developed countries should take the lead in mobilising climate finance from a wide variety of sources taking into account the needs and priorities of the developing nations. It is important for all governments and stakeholders to understand and assess the financial needs of developing countries, as well as to understand how these financial resources can be mobilised. The provision of resources should also aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation.

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