Climate
change
Reasons and Impacts
--Nimalan Vignesh –8IG-A-
Greenhouse Impact:
Gas Emissions
Traps excess heat in the
Reason: atmosphere, causing global
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon warming.
dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and
nitrous oxide (N₂O) trap heat in the Leads to rising sea levels,
Earth's atmosphere. melting ice caps, and more
extreme weather events
This process is known as the (heatwaves, storms, droughts).
greenhouse effect, which naturally
keeps the planet warm. But human
activities have significantly increased Disrupts ecosystems and species
GHG concentrations, intensifying this migration patterns.
effect and warming the planet.
Burning Fossil Impact:
Fuels
Major source of CO₂
emissions, accelerating
global warming.
Reason:
Causes air pollution,
Coal, oil, and natural gas are the leading to health problems
primary sources of energy for electricity, like asthma and heart
heating, and transportation. disease.
When burned, these fuels release large
amounts of CO₂, a key greenhouse gas. Increases acid rain, which
Power plants, factories, cars, and damages forests, soils, and
airplanes are the main contributors. water bodies.
Deforestation Impact:
Forests absorb CO₂ through Reduces the Earth's ability to
photosynthesis, acting as carbon absorb CO₂, worsening the
greenhouse effect.
sinks.
When trees are cut down (for
agriculture, urban expansion, or Leads to loss of
biodiversity—many species
logging), not only is this carbon
lose their habitats.
absorption lost, but the carbon
stored in trees is released back
Disrupts local and global
into the atmosphere.
rainfall patterns, possibly
Deforestation is a major issue in contributing to
tropical areas like the Amazon. desertification.
Industrial
Activities Impact:
Increases Emission of
urban heat GHGs and
islands in toxic
cities due to pollutants
Reason: waste heat
and
harms air
and water
pollutants. quality.
.
•Many industrial processes (e.g., cement and steel Contributes
to
production) emit GHGs directly through chemical acidificatio
n of
reactions and energy use. oceans,
which
•Manufacturing also often relies on fossil fuels and damages
coral reefs
contributes to pollution through toxic waste and heat and marine
life.
emissions.
Agriculture Impact:
Reason: Methane and nitrous oxide
emissions speed up climate
Livestock, especially cows and change more than CO₂ in the
sheep, produce methane during short term.
digestion (enteric fermentation).
Intensive farming depletes soil,
Rice paddies and overuse of leading to soil erosion and
nitrogen-rich fertilizers also emit nutrient loss.
methane and nitrous oxide.
These gases are much more potent Over-fertilization can cause
than CO₂ in trapping heat, even dead zones in rivers and
though they are less abundant. oceans due to runoff.
Waste
Management Impact:
Reason:
Methane emissions from landfills
contribute to rapid short-term
Organic waste in landfills breaks down
warming.
anaerobically (without oxygen), producing
Poor waste systems pollute soil
methane.
and water, affecting both people
Poorly managed waste systems, including and wildlife.
sewage, contribute to emissions and local
environmental damage. Open burning of waste adds toxic
gases to the atmosphere.
Incineration also releases pollutants and
CO₂ if not properly controlled.
Land Use Impact:
Changes
Urban sprawl and conversion
of natural land increase
surface temperatures.
Reason:
•Forests and wetlands are replaced
by cities and farms. Reduces carbon storage
•This changes how the land reflects capacity of ecosystems.
and absorbs heat.
•Less vegetation means less CO₂ is
absorbed. Affects local climates,
•Carbon stored in soil and plants leading to hotter cities and
altered precipitation.
gets released.
Transportation Impact:
Significant source of CO₂
emissions, especially in
developed nations.
•Reason Contributes to urban air
•Cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships mostly run on pollution, smog, and health
gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel—all fossil fuels. issues.
•Transportation is one of the fastest-growing
sources of CO₂ emissions globally. Expands road networks and
•Traffic congestion and inefficient fuel use make
this even worse in many cities.
infrastructure, often at the cost
of natural habitats.
