Introduction

Climate change means a significant change in the measures of climate, such as temperature, rainfall or wind lasting for
an extended period -decades or longer. It is a term that describes a long-term change in the Earth's climate. The Earth's
climate has changed many times during the planet's history, with events ranging from ice ages to long periods of
warmth.
Evidences of Climate Change
Since 1900, Earth's average surface air temperature has increased by about 0.8°C, with much of this increase taking
place since the mid-1970s the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of extremes are likely
to be the result of human activity since the mid-20 century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades
to millennia.
Earth-orbiting satellites and other advances in technologies have enabled scientists to collect different types of
information about our planet and its climate on a global scale. The data collected over many years reveals the signals
of a changing climate. Evidences reveal that current warming is occurring roughly ten times faster than the average
rate of ice-age-recovery warming.
A wide range of other observations such as reduced Arctic Sea ice extent, increased ocean heat content and indications
from the natural world such as pole ward shifts of temperature- sensitive species of fish, mammals, insects, etc
together provide incontrovertible evidences of climate change.
Evidences can be classified into:
Atmospheric Evidences
1. Global Temperature Rise
2. Increased Weather Extremities ( More frequent and intense heatwaves, such as the 2021 heatwave in North
America)
3. Torrential Downpours (unprecedented floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021)
4. Acid Rain (Industrial pollution contributes to acid rain, as seen in the northeastern US, damaging forests and
aquatic ecosystems)
5. Air Quality
Hydro spheric Evidences
6. Warming of Oceans
7. Rising Sea Levels (Coastal areas like the Maldives and Kiribati face the threat of submersion due to rising sea
levels driven by melting ice and thermal expansion)
8. Ocean Salinity and Acidification
9. Changes to the Ocean's Major Current Systems (The slowing down of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning
Circulation (AMOC) could lead to significant changes in climate patterns, impacting Europe and North
America.)
Cryospheric Evidences
10. Shrinking Ice Sheets (Both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass, with the Greenland Ice
Sheet losing about 279 billion tons of ice per year between 2002 and 2020)
11. Decreased Snow Cover
12. Decreasing Glaciers (Himalayas and the Alps)

Causes of Climate Change

Forces that contribute to climate change includes both natural as well as anthropogenic factors.
Natural Causes: There are a number of natural factors responsible to climate change.
Continental Drift: This drift had an impact on the climate because it changed the physical features of landmass, their
position and the position of water bodies The separation of the landmasses changed the low ocean currents and winds,
which affected the climate. This drift of the continents continues even today. Example: The Himalayan range is rising
by about 1 mm metre) every year because the Indian land mass is moving towards the Asian land mass, slowly but
steadily
Volcanoes: when a volcano erupts, it throws out large volumes of Sulphur dioxide (SO), water vapour, dust, and ash
into the atmosphere Although the volcanic activity may last only few days, yet the large volumes of gases and ash can
influence climatic patterns for years. It releases large amounts of sulphur dioxide into the upper atmosphere, where it
forms sulfuric acid droplets that reflect sunlight and, carried by stratospheric winds, cause temporary global cooling
for several years.
Earth's Tilt: Generally, it is believed that the earth's axis as being fixed but it is not quite constant, the axis does move,
at the rate of a little more than a half-degree each century. This gradual change in the direction of the earth's axis,
called precession is responsible for changes in the climate
Ocean Currents: Ocean currents transport heat across the planet, influenced by winds and landmasses, with some
regions more affected than others. These currents can change direction or slow down, releasing water vapor, a key
greenhouse gas. Water vapor also forms clouds, which cool the surface, affecting climate, as seen at the last Ice Age's
end.
Human Causes:
The Industrial Revolution led to heavy fossil fuel use, increasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxide from energy sectors powering vehicles, industries, and homes. Additionally, nitrogen oxides and carbon
monoxide, though not greenhouse gases, influence atmospheric chemical cycles.
Apart from industrial activities, several anthropogenic factors contribute to climate change. Agriculture, especially
livestock farming, generates methane emissions. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture also contribute to
nitrous oxide emissions. Deforestation reduces carbon sequestration, intensifying atmospheric CO₂ levels. Land-use
changes, like urbanization, increase heat islands and disrupt natural ecosystems. Transportation, including vehicles
and aviation, produces greenhouse gases. Waste management, particularly landfills, releases methane. Furthermore,
overexploitation of natural resources, unsustainable water usage, and energy consumption from non-renewable
sources exacerbate environmental degradation, leading to increased global warming. All these human activities
compound the effects of climate change.
Warming and cooling effects of aerosol: Aerosols are tiny particles from both human activities and natural processes
that remain in the atmosphere for a few weeks. Most aerosols cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight, while some, like
dust and soot, absorb solar energy and cause warming. Aerosols also make clouds brighter, enhancing cooling. They
differ from greenhouse gases by having a shorter atmospheric lifespan.
Climate Forcings
A climate forcing or climate driver is any influence on climate that originates from outside the climate system. It has a
lot to do with the amount of energy we receive from the sun and the amount of energy we radiate back into space.
Variances in climate forcing are determined by physical influences on the atmosphere such as axial and orbital
changes as well as the amount of greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. Examples of external forcings include
 Surface reflectivity (albedo)
 Human induced changes in greenhouse gases
 Atmospheric aerosols (volcanic sulphates, industrial output)
Surface albedo changes due to shifts in vegetation, snow, ice cover, and ocean color, influenced by natural cycles and
human activities. Human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, primarily carbon dioxide from
fossil fuel burning, causing warming. Aerosols and ozone also affect atmospheric chemistry, modifying the Earth's
energy balance. Additionally, climate variability, such as El Niño, can drive changes independent of external forces
like solar output.
Green House Effect
The solar insolation (Short Wave Radiation) reaching the earth is transparent to the earth's atmosphere and it is
absorbed by the earth's surface, which increases its temperature. The rest of the heat is radiated back by the earth
surface to the atmosphere (Long Wave Radiation). Some of the heat is trapped by Greenhouse gases such as Carbon
dioxide, Methane, Ozone, Nitrous Oxide, Chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs) and Water Vapor in the atmosphere.
Thus, they add to the heating which is known as greenhouse effect of the atmosphere. This causes global warming.
However, life on earth could not exist without the presence of some naturally occurring greenhouse gases as without
them no heat will be trapped in the atmosphere leading to an extreme cold or even permafrost conditions. Atmospheric
gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), water vapour, and chlorofluorocarbons are capable of
trapping the out-going infrared radiation from the earth's surface thereby causing greenhouse effect. Hence these gases
are known as greenhouse gases and the heating effect is known as greenhouse effect.
IPCC Report:
The Synthesis Report (SYR) of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) highlights the significant human-caused
global warming and its consequences. It emphasizes that human activities, primarily through greenhouse gas
emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above the pre-
industrial level.
 Warming trends: Warming has accelerated since 1970, and 2011-2020 was significantly warmer than the late
19th century. Greenhouse gases have driven most of this increase, while aerosols have had a cooling effect.
 Rising emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, driven by fossil fuel combustion, industrial
processes, and land-use changes. This increase has been uneven across regions and social groups.
 Disparities in emissions: Richer households and countries have contributed disproportionately to emissions,
while poorer regions and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have much lower emissions.
It emphasizes the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the undeniable evidence of climate change and its profound effects on the environment, society, and
global ecosystems call for immediate, concerted action. While natural factors contribute to climate variability, the
overwhelming influence of human activities is accelerating these changes at an unprecedented rate. As the challenges
mount, from rising temperatures and sea levels to more extreme weather events, our collective response will determine
the future of life on Earth. Now is the time for bold, transformative action—because the longer we delay, the steeper
the costs and the more irreversible the damage becomes.