1. Define global warming and state the reasons.

Describe the major impacts and responses to global

1. Definition of Global Warming

Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature, primarily
due to human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These gases trap the sun’s heat in the
atmosphere, creating an enhanced greenhouse effect. Unlike natural climate variations, global
warming is largely driven by industrialization, deforestation, and the overuse of fossil fuels, leading
to long-term climate shifts.

2. Reasons for Global Warming

Several human and natural activities contribute to global warming:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, transportation, and industry releases
large amounts of CO₂ and other GHGs.

Energy production remains the largest single source of emissions worldwide.

Deforestation

Trees absorb CO₂ and act as “carbon sinks.” Large-scale cutting of forests for agriculture,
urbanization, and logging reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon.

Industrial Emissions

Factories and manufacturing plants emit CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxides.

Cement production alone accounts for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions.

Agricultural Practices

Livestock farming releases methane (CH₄), a gas with much higher warming potential than CO₂.

Overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers increases nitrous oxide emissions.

Waste Mismanagement

Decomposing waste in landfills produces methane.

Poor recycling and burning of plastics worsen pollution levels.

Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth

Rising population leads to higher energy demands, more vehicles, and increased industrial activity.

Urban heat island effects further intensify warming in cities.

3. Major Impacts of Global Warming

Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Increased global temperatures intensify the water cycle, leading to stronger storms, hurricanes,
prolonged droughts, and flash floods.
Heatwaves have become more frequent and severe.

Melting of Glaciers and Polar Ice Caps

Accelerated melting in the Arctic and Antarctic contributes to rising sea levels.

This threatens low-lying countries, island nations, and coastal cities.

Rising Sea Levels

Expansion of seawater due to heating and melting ice sheets leads to coastal erosion and
displacement of communities.

Cities like Dhaka, Jakarta, and Miami are at major risk.

Loss of Biodiversity

Many plant and animal species face extinction due to changing habitats.

Coral reefs are bleaching as oceans warm and acidify.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

Unpredictable rainfall patterns and desertification reduce crop yields.

Staple crops like wheat, maize, and rice are affected, threatening global food security.

Human Health Risks

Spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue) as warmer climates allow mosquitoes to
expand into new regions.

Increased cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory illnesses due to air pollution.

Economic Consequences

Damages from floods, storms, and droughts reduce GDP growth.

Billions of dollars are lost annually due to crop failure, healthcare costs, and infrastructure damage.

4. Responses to Global Warming

A. Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation focuses on reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases.

Transition to Renewable Energy: Use of solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power.

Energy Efficiency: Adopting green buildings, efficient appliances, and reduced energy wastage.

Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees to increase carbon absorption.

Sustainable Transportation: Promoting electric vehicles, public transport, and cycling.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Technologies that trap CO₂ from power plants and store it
underground.

B. Adaptation Strategies
Adaptation deals with adjusting to the unavoidable effects of global warming.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Constructing flood barriers, elevated buildings, and storm-resistant

Agricultural Adaptation: Developing drought-resistant crop varieties and efficient irrigation systems.

Water Management: Conserving freshwater resources and building desalination plants.

Disaster Preparedness: Early warning systems for floods, cyclones, and heatwaves.

C. International Agreements and Cooperation

Paris Agreement (2015): A global treaty to limit warming below 2°C and pursue efforts to keep it
under 1.5°C.

Kyoto Protocol (1997): Earlier international effort to reduce emissions.

UN Climate Summits (COP meetings): Annual gatherings to review progress and commitments.

D. Public Awareness and Lifestyle Changes

Encouraging recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable diets (e.g., reducing meat consumption).

Promoting awareness campaigns about the dangers of global warming.

Involving youth movements like Fridays for Future to push governments for stronger action.

E. Technological Innovations

Development of green hydrogen, biofuels, and smart grids.

Research into geoengineering solutions, such as reflecting solar radiation.

5. Conclusion

Global warming is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. It threatens ecosystems,
economies, and human survival. While the causes are rooted in human activities, solutions also lie in
collective human action. Mitigation through renewable energy, adaptation through climate-resilient
planning, and international cooperation are all essential. Addressing global warming urgently will
secure a sustainable and safer future for generations to come.

2. Explain the formation of Brundtland commission and the terms and references for the
commission.

The Brundtland Commission, formally known as the World Commission on Environment and
Development (WCED), was established by the United Nations in 1983 at a time when the world was
grappling with major environmental crises and widening social inequalities. During the 1970s and
early 1980s, issues such as deforestation, desertification, ozone depletion, climate change, and
pollution were becoming increasingly serious, while at the same time poverty and
underdevelopment persisted across many parts of the world. The United Nations recognized that
these issues were deeply interconnected and could not be solved in isolation. Thus, there arose a
pressing need for a comprehensive and unified global strategy that would integrate economic
development with environmental protection. To address this, the UN General Assembly passed a
resolution creating the World Commission on Environment and Development, with the aim of
examining these challenges and proposing long-term strategies.
The Commission was chaired by Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, then Prime Minister of Norway, whose
leadership gave the body both credibility and vision. She was a physician, politician, and strong
advocate for sustainable development. Under her leadership, the Commission brought together 22
distinguished members drawn from both developed and developing nations, ensuring a diversity of
perspectives and approaches. This balance was crucial, as it allowed the Commission to consider the
global divide between industrialized countries with high energy consumption and developing
countries striving to overcome poverty and achieve economic progress.

The terms of reference for the Commission were broad and ambitious. It was tasked with re-
examining critical environmental and developmental issues of concern to the international
community and proposing new approaches to resolve them. The Commission was asked to
strengthen international cooperation by encouraging governments, institutions, and individuals to
adopt policies that integrated environmental protection into development planning. It was also
mandated to raise awareness among global populations about the inseparable link between human
well-being and the health of the planet. Furthermore, the Commission was expected to propose
strategies for sustainable development extending into the twenty-first century, ensuring that
development not only met the needs of the present but also safeguarded the ability of future
generations to meet their needs. Another important responsibility was to recommend long-term
environmental action plans, especially for dealing with global issues such as pollution, biodiversity
loss, and climate change, while simultaneously addressing poverty, hunger, and inequality.

The most important outcome of the Commission’s work was the publication of its report in 1987,
titled Our Common Future. This landmark report introduced and popularized the concept of
“sustainable development,” defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This definition remains the
foundation of sustainable development policies to this day. The report emphasized that economic
growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, interdependent. It
called for an integrated approach in which environmental sustainability, economic progress, and
social equity are pursued together. The report also highlighted the principle of intergenerational
equity, arguing that humanity has an obligation to preserve resources and ecosystems for future
generations. Moreover, it stressed the importance of international cooperation, noting that
environmental challenges such as climate change and deforestation do not respect national
boundaries and require global solutions.

The legacy of the Brundtland Commission is far-reaching. Its report paved the way for major
international conferences and agreements, most notably the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro,
which further developed the principles of sustainable development and led to conventions on
climate change and biodiversity. The Commission’s ideas continue to influence global policy-making,
especially in the form of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in
2015, which reflect the same integrated vision of development and environmental responsibility.

In conclusion, the Brundtland Commission was a milestone in the history of global environmental
governance. Formed by the United Nations in 1983 under the leadership of Gro Harlem Brundtland,
it brought together diverse perspectives to tackle pressing global challenges. Its terms of reference
emphasized innovation, awareness, and international cooperation, while its most enduring
contribution, the concept of sustainable development, remains central to global discourse. By linking
economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability, the Commission fundamentally
reshaped how the world approaches development, leaving behind a legacy that continues to guide
policies for a more balanced and sustainable future.