2. What is climate change?
The planet’s climate has constantly been
changing over geological time.
The global average temperature today is
about 15C.
Current period of warming is occurring
more rapidly.
Anthropogenic factors.
3. What is greenhouse effect?
the greenhouse effect refers to the way the
earth’s atmosphere traps some of the energy from
the sun.
heats both the lower atmosphere and the surface.
Without greenhouse effect, the earth would be
30C colder, making our planet hostile to life.
CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapouretc.
Scientists believe we are adding to the natural
greenhouse effect with gases released from
industy and agriculture.
4. Most man-made emissions of co2 are
through the burning of fossil fuels, as well
as through cutting down carbon
absorbing forests.
Since the industrial revolution began in
1750, co2 levels have risen b ore than
30pc.
5. Evidence for warming:
Temperature records going back to the late 19th
century show that the average temperature of
the earth’s surface has increased by about 0.8C in
the last 100 years.
About 0.6C of this warming occurred in the last
three decades.
Satellite data shows an average increase in global
sea levels of some 3mm per year in recent
decades.(thermal expansion plus melting of
mountain glaciers and retreat of polar ice sheets).
6. Satellite records show a dramatic decline in
Arctic sea-ice extent, at an annual rate of 4%
per decade.
Greenland ice sheet has experienced record
melting in recent years.
Antarctic is also losing mass.
The effects of a changing climate can also
be seen in vegetation and land animals.
7. How much will temperature rise in
Future?
In its 2013 assessment, the IPCC forecasted that by
the end of 21st century, global surface temperature is
likely to exceed 1.5C relative to 1850.
A threshold of 2C had long been regarded as the
gateway to dangerous warming.
But more recently, scientists have argued that keeping
temperature rise to within 1.5C is a safer limit for the
world.
Keeping to 1.5C target would require rapid, far-
reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects
of society.
8. How will climate change affect us?
1. Freshwater shortages
2. Changes in food production conditions
3. Floods
4. Storms
5. Heat waves
6. Droughts
7. Poor countries to suffer most.
8. Plant and animal extinctions
9. Increase in malaria, waterborne diseases and incidents of
malnutrition.
10. Acidification of oceans due to uptake of co2 by oceans.
9. What can be done to counter this?
1. Mitigation:
mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent the
emission of greenhouse gases, or to enhance the
absorption of gases already emitted, thus limiting
the magnitude of future warming.
The use of new technologies, clean energy
sources, reduced deforestation, improved
sustainable agricultural methods, and changes in
individual and collective behavior.
Substantial co-benefits of air quality, biodiversity
and sustainable development.
10. 2. carbon dioxide removal (CDR):
CDR aims to reduce concentrations
already in the atmosphere.
Technologies mostly in infancy.
Natural CDR includes reforestation and
ecosystem restoration.
11. 3. adaptation:
Actions taken to manage the impacts of
climate change.
The aim is to reduce the vulnerability and
exposure to harmful effects of climate
change.
Reducing disaster-risks, flood and drought
early warning systems, improving water
storage and use, making people and
institutions more resilient.
12. Climate governance:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:
In 1992, the United Nation’s “earth summit” procuded
(UNFCCC) as a first step in addressing the climate change
problem.
Aim was to prevent dangerous human interference with
the climate system.
Near universal membership(197)
recognized that there was a problem.
Set a lofty but specific goal.
Put onus on developed countries to lead the way.
13. Directs new funds to climate change
activities in developing countries.
Keeps tabs on the problem and what’s
being done about it.(regular reports about
climate change policies, emissions levels.
Accepts that share of green house has
emissions produced by developing
countries will increase in coming years.
14. Kyoto protocol:
An international treaty, adopted in 1997
Aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute
to global warming.
6 gases: co2, methane, nitrous oxid, perfluorobarbons,
hydrofluorocarbons and sulfur hexalouoride.
41plus EU countries.
Below 5.2 pc below 1990 levels.
Commitment period 2008-2012, second 2013 to 2020.
China and US were not bound by it.
15. Copenhagen accord
Reached between US, China, India, Brazil and
South Africa in 2009
No legally binding agreement.
Recognized the need to limit global temperatures
rising no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.
Sets no real targets to achieve emissions
reduction.
Promise to deliver aid for developing countries.
16. Paris agreement
Adopted by nearly every nation on 2015.
Aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in an
effort to limit global temp rise in this century to 2C,
while pursuing means to limit increase to 1.5C.
Intended nationally determined contributions(INDC)
Developed nations to assist developing nations in their
climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Only Russia, turkey and iran to join the agreement.
Trump announced to withdraw from it.
17. Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate
change threats:
Increase in frequency and intensity of extreme
weather events.
Projected recession of kush-karakoram-Himalayan
glaciers.
Reduced agricultural productivity.
Intrusion of saline water in the indus delta
Threat to coastal areas due to sea level rise.
Water disputes
Health risks and climate change induced
migration
18. What can Pakistan do? adaptation
Integrated water management: storage,
conservation, allocation, groundwater
regulation, recycling, sea-water intrusion.
Agriculture management: research,
development of resistant variety of crops and
breeds of livestock, productivity, irrigation
technology.
Health management: vulnerability
assessment, training, education, availability
of medicines and vaccines, monitoring.
19. Forest management: preservation,
reforestation, etc
Biodiversity management: research, seed
and gene banks, conservatories,
ecosystem preservation and restoration.
Disaster management: preparedness,
finances, institutional capacity building,
warning systems
20. What can Pakistan do? mitigation
Energy systems: energy is the biggest source
of GHG emissions in Pakistan (51%) followed
by agriculture(39%), industry (6%)
Priority to renewables, nuclear, efficiency,
conservation
Transport system: regulation, public transport
Town planning: waste water treatment
plants, solid waste management, low carbon
footprint design, vertical expansion
21. Industries: economic incentrives for
emission reduction, efficiency, monitoring
and research,
Support global climate efforts with
UNFCCC, UNEP, IPCC, WMO, and others
Use of SAARC
22. Past questions:
2016: discuss the adverse impact of climate
change on the world and the measures recently
adopted by the paris conference to address this
issue?
2012: Evaluate the ignificance of water conflict
between India and Pakistan in global perspective
of climate change.
2011:What is climate change impact? What are its
implications on Pakistan? How to manage climate
change in policy and practice?
