A PRESENTATION ON “IMPACT OF HUMAN

ACTIVITIES ON WEATHER AND CLIMATE”

BY THE STUDENTS OF S.D. PUBLIC SCHOOLEAST PATEL NAGAR

MADE BY:

VASU MALHOTRAXINEW DELHI, INDIA

OUR AIM:“TO ANALYZE CHANGE IN

WEATHER AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF NEAR BY AREAS AND FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.”

“TO SUGGEST METHODS TO DEAL WITH THIS CONDITIONS CREATED BY US.”

WHY WE ARE ANALYSING ALL THIS?

IT IS A WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT HUMANS HAVE BEEN LIVING AND MODIFYING THE EARTH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

WE CONSCIOUSLY AND SUBCONSCIOUSLY DESTROY OUR PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENT WITH THE INTENT OF MAKING LIFE EASIER AND ALSO GENERATING ECONOMICAL BENEFITS.

 THE FUTURE OF THE EARTH REMAIN UNCERTAIN DUE TO THE DAMAGING IMPACT THAT ARISE FROM INDIVIDUALS QUEST FOR FULFILLMENT, ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT AND A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONME.

DESPITE THE SEASON,OZONE DEPLEITON ,EXTICTION OF MANY SPECIES AND MANY MORE .WE HUMAN’S STILL ENJOY OUR DOMINATION OVER THE PLANET AND EXPLOIT THINGS ACCORDING TO OUR NEED

IF THIS CONTINUES ITS EXPECTED ,WE WILL BE PACKING UP WITH OUR NATURAL NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY ,NO SUFFICIENT LAND EVEN TO GENRATE RENEWABLE ENERGIES ,TEMPRATURE OF THE EARTH WILL RISE TO 5 TO 8 DEGREES,ONLY THE SPECIES LEFT WOULD BE INSECTS AND HUMANS ,GLACIERS WOULD MELT COVERING HALF THE PRESENT LAND WITH WATER

Change is normal for earth, the problem is that humans haven’t been here long, and we are only just beginning to understand our existence depends on an a static environment that is not real.

So the problem with climate change is…

We are making the change happen faster than it has ever happened before.

Note * (it has happened this fast, its just that not much else has survived when it did – think dinosaurs)

WHY SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT CHANGING CLIMATE?

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN SURVIVAL.

THE QUALITY OF HUMAN LIFE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

YOU’LL BE SHOCKED TO HEAR: POLLUTION IS THE CAUSE OF 40%OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE.

NOW YOU’LL ASK WHAT ARE THE HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CAUSING CLIMATE CHANGE?

ALMOST EVERY HUMAN ACTIVITY HAS SOME EFFECT ON THE CLIMATE

1. CHANGED LIFESTYLEWe are consuming resources at

a rate which is way more than the rate at which earth can replenish those resources.

Urbanization, Rapid Industrialization and improvement in standard of living has increased the carbon footprint of an individual.

2. RELEASE OF GREENHOUSE GASES The release of greenhouse gases ( CO2,

chlorofluoromethanes, nitrous oxide, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide etc.) Increases the atmospheric absorption and emission of terrestrial infrared radiation (greenhouse effect), resulting in warming of lower atmosphere and cooling of the stratosphere.

This extra warming caused by these gases is the primary and the most dangerous cause of unpredictable weather and climate conditions.

3. DEFORESTATION Deforestation is an important factor in global climate

change. Climate change is because of a build up of carbon dioxide in outer atmosphere and if we carry on cutting down the main tool we have to diminish this CO2 build up, we can expect the climate of our planet to change dramatically over the next decades.

Forests play a huge role in the carbon cycle on our planet. When forests are cut down, not only does carbon absorption cease, but also the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere as CO2 if the wood is burned or even if it is left to rot after the deforestation process.

It is estimated that more than 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released to the atmosphere due to deforestation, mainly the cutting and burning of forests, every year.

4.AGRICULTUREThe activities of humans are all at the expense of forest lands and other ecosystems.

Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, soil salinity, ground water contamination,

methane generation NOx generation etc. every practice of agriculture impacted weather and climate in one way or the other.

5. ANIMAL HUSBANDRYDemand for meat,

diary products, manure, draught animals and easy

transport led to animal rearing in large scale resulting in soil compaction, over grazing

energy wastage, methane generation, deforestation and water depletion.

6. COMMUNICATION

The communication revolution in the 20th century

increased the demand for paper and other resources in a tremendous proportion. This led to

changes in land use pattern, energy utilization, depletion of water and deforestation.

7. ENERGY PRODUCTIONThe progress of modernization resulted in

more energy input in all the realms of development. Energy from hydel,

thermal and nuclear sources led to greater ecological imbalance on land, water and atmosphere directly or indirectly impacting on

weather and climate. Increase in GHG, deforestation, mining generating heat, increased

water consumption, dumping of fly ash etc had direct impact. Even certain sectors of

renewable sources of energy like wind and solar ha d its impact on ecosystems.

8. WASTE GENERATIONThe life style changes and throw away culture led to generation of huge

quantity of municipal, biomedical, industrial and agricultural waste which is cumbersome for

nature to take care in its course. The GHG, open burning , dumping yards and burning of

rubber, plastic etc added more problems.

OUR REQUIREMENTS THEN AND NOW

THE IMPACTS

SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT

ACCELERATING SEA LEVEL RISE AND INCREASED COASTAL FLOODINGAverage global sea level has increased eight inches since 1880. Global warming is now accelerating the rate of sea level rise, increasing flooding risks to low-lying communities and high-risk coastal properties whose development has been encouraged by today's flood insurance system.

MORE FREQUENT AND INTENSE HEAT WAVES

Dangerously hot weather is already occurring more frequently than it did 60 years ago—and scientists expect heat waves to become more frequent and severe as global warming intensifies. This increase in heat waves creates serious health risks, and can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and aggravate existing medical conditions.

COSTLY AND GROWING HEALTH IMPACTSClimate change has significant

implications for our health. Rising temperatures will likely lead to increased air pollution, a longer and more intense allergy season, the spread of insect-borne diseases, more frequent and dangerous heat waves, and heavier rainstorms and flooding. All of these changes pose serious, and costly, risks to public health.

MORE SEVERE DROUGHTS

Climate change affects a variety of factors associated with drought and is likely to increase drought risk in certain regions. As temperatures have warmed, the prevalence and duration of drought has increased in the world and climate models unanimously project increased number of droughts in the world.

CHANGING SEASONS

Spring arrives much earlier than it used to — 10 days earlier on average in the northern hemisphere. Snow melts earlier. Reservoirs fill too early and water needs to be released for flood control. Vegetation and soils dry out earlier, setting the stage for longer and more damaging wildfire seasons.

MELTING ICETemperatures are rising in the planet’s polar regions, especially in the Arctic, and the vast majority of the world's glaciers are melting faster than new snow and ice can replenish them. Scientists expect the rate of melting to accelerate, with serious implications for future sea level rise.

EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT THE WEATHER

AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ARE

CHANGING IN REAL THE IMPACTS OF A WARMING WORLD ARE SCARY ENOUGH WHEN CONSIDERED ONE BY

ONE. THE VIEW BECOMES MUCH WORSE WHEN ONE LOOKS AT THEM TOGETHER

Hurricanes in the Caribbean and the United States. Extensive droughts in eastern Africa, Australia, southern Europe and parts of China and India. Uncontrollable floods in many parts of the world, sometimes preceded by a long drought.

Extreme droughts have become regular features. Prolonged drought in Australia has continued for years with very few interruptions, and recent droughts in the Amazon, the United States and southern and western Africa have made life extremely hard for people and wildlife.

Major floods that used to happen only once in 100 years now take place every 10 or 20 years. Flooding can be disastrous. Houses can be destroyed, lives can be ruined, and wildlife threatened. Major flooding in the Philippines, and Turkey demonstrate the toll that such events can have on people's lives.

Rising sea levels means that tropical cyclones and other extreme storms could result in much greater storm surges that will destroy coastal communities and ecosystems.

El Niño events have in recent years increased in frequency and are often not interrupted by La Niña events (the opposite of this particular climatic seesaw).

A number of scientists say that these changes cannot be explained by natural causes. While scientific consensus is still out, Climate Witnesses in Fiji or in the Sunderbans are already reporting changes in their daily lives.

FUTURE PLANNING

ACT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

WHAT THE SOCIETY CAN

DO

PRESERVING FORESTSOur forests are in crisis. The world has lost

half its forests, and only a tenth of what remains is protected. Each year we lose another 130,000 square kilometres - an area the size of England.

Reducing emissions from burning fossil fuels is just one part of the picture. Another vital step is to stop rampant deforestation, especially of the world’s tropical rainforests, which accounts for up to 20% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. We should work with local communities to protect forests from the large-scale expansion of cash-crop monocultures such as soy or oil palm.

RENEWABLE ENERGY We should have a vision for a 100%

renewable future by 2050. We should work to ensure a transition to an efficient energy system focused on clean renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar power.

Most of the energy we use comes from burning fossil fuels, which is responsible for two thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. And that, as we all know, is causing climate change.

If we can wean ourselves off fossil fuels we’ll solve a major portion of our problems.  

GETTING A GLOBAL CLIMATE DEAL

Climate change is a global problem – that’s why we need international agreement on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve forests and help poorer countries adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. Major economies such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, the US and the EU should take hard decisions at home. 

CHANGING THE WAY WE LIVE

We should promote positive changes in the way we all live, to help us live within the capacity of our one, small planet. It’s more than just switching to low-energy light bulbs, although that’s a positive first step – it’s about pushing forward new technologies, climate-smart legislation and greener lifestyles. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO?

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Making your home more energy efficient can help reduce high energy bills, improve comfort and protect the environment. When shopping for appliances or other household products, opt for those that have been independently certified to save energy and help prevent climate change.

Set your refrigerator temperature at 3 to 5 degrees Celsius (38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit)

Set your freezer between -18 and -15 degrees Celsius (0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Wash only full loads in your dish and clothes washers, and air dry when possible. Unplug the appliances when you’re not using them.

WASTE LESS FOODRoughly one-third of the food produced in the

world for human consumption every year gets lost or wasted. And once that half-sandwich or week-old lasagna is in the trash can, it’s easy to forget about the environmental impacts.

But wasted food contributes billions of tons of greenhouse gases. By the time you step into a grocery store, nearly 3.3 billion tons of emissions are already on their way to the atmosphere due to the production, processing and transportation of food that is eventually wasted. Then, in the landfill, decomposing organic waste generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps 23 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. More than 20% of all methane emissions come from landfills.

Wasted food also means wasted water — about 25% of all fresh water consumed annually in the United States is associated with discarded food. Water losses through food waste occur at home, but they also happen through inefficient food harvesting, transport, distribution, processing and storage methods. In the U.S. alone, we throw away or waste about 30% of our food — or about 11 trillion gallons of irrigation water. 

TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY

The next time you go on vacation or take a business trip, consider ways you can cut down on carbon emissions.

Fly direct when possible (takeoff is the most fuel-intensive segment of any flight) or take a train.

Use local and public transport whenever possible.

SPREAD THE WORDTell the world that the fate of the only planet

we’ve ever called home is in our hands.

THERE ARE STILL A NUMBER OF THOUSAND SMALL WAYS

IN WHICH YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN

SAVING THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE.

TAKE THE PLEDGE I RECOGNIZE THAT I NEED NATURE.

I RECOGNIZE THAT NATURE GIVES ME THE AIR I BREATHE, THE FOOD I EAT, THE WATER

I DRINK AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.  

I PLEDGE TO PROTECT THE PLANET THAT PROVIDES. 

AND I PLEDGE TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE TO MY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURS — SO THEY, TOO, CAN UNDERSTAND AND

APPRECIATE NATURE’S VALUE.