It will help the law student.

1. Assignment
On
‘Assignment on Global Climate Change’
Course Code: LL. M-904
Course Title: International Environmental Law
Submitted To
Mrs. Nusrat Hasina
Assistant Professor
Department of Law
Leading University, Sylhet
Submitted By
Md. Mazharul Islam
2124057002
2nd
Semester
Department of Law
Leading University, Sylhet
Date of Submission
1st
of January, 2021

2. Acknowledgement
In preparation of my assignment, I had to take the help and guidance of some respected persons,
who deserve my deepest gratitude. As the completion of this assignment gave me much pleasure,
I would like to show my gratitude to Mrs. Nusrat Hasina, Assistant Professor, Department of
Law, Leading University for giving me a good guideline for assignment throughout numerous
consultations. I would also like to expand my gratitude to all those who have directly and indirectly
guided me in writing this assignment. His expert guidance, affectionate encouragement and critical
suggestions provided me necessary insight into this assignment and paved the way for meaningful
ending of this assignment in an efficient manner. He has constantly challenged us with his
questioning and he has provided prompt and constructive feedback on our work at all stages. I get
this opportunity to express my feelings about him. I recall his elegant and lucid lectures with in
depth knowledge on International Environmental Law without which I feel, it might be almost
impossible to sketch the map of this assignment.
Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my parents and to my friends for providing
me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement during this pandemic COVID19
situation. Their relentless supports helped me researching and writing this Assignment.

3. Declaration
I hereby declare that this assignment is entirely our own work and also composed by me. I also
declare that where works from other sources have been used; it has been properly acknowledged
and referred. It has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification in any
institution, or for any other project.

4. Table of Content
Serial
No
Title Page no
1 Introduction 06
2 What Is Climate Change? 06
3 Causes of Climate Change 07-08
4 Effects of Climate Changes? 09-10
5 Impact of Climate Change 10-11
6 How Do Humans Contribute to Climate Change? 11-12
7 Why Is Climate Change a Human Rights Issue? 12-14
8 What Are the Solutions to Climate Change? 14-16
9 Legal Instrument on Climate Change 16-17
10 Conclusion 17
11 References 18

5. Abstract
In each and every country, climate is changing continuously and this change is affecting
every region. Basically, there are many reasons for the climate change. One of the key reasons of
climate change is human actions i.e. agricultural clearance, flaming of fuel oils and coal and natural
gases land etc. The result of these actions are raising global sea level, melting ice and snow on
mountains and high temperature in the environment. Climate change is one of the key problems
faced by each country (Palin, 2017). Climate change can be defined as changes in the environment
of the earth over the time. Some of the researchers have defined the climate change as the results
of natural processes of the earth and on the other hand, some of them have defined it as the
consequences of human activities. In the climate changes, extreme rainfall, changes in the
temperature and extreme weather conditions are included. This Climate change assignment
focuses on the impact of climate change on the home city. The Climate change assignment includes
social impacts in the city on food supplies, water supplies and refugee movements.

6. 1. Introduction
Climate Change is alarming time in modern days .Due to environmental pollution climate
whole world to alarming change. poor and developing country are now blaming industrially
developed. Increase the burning fussil fuel has been responsible the rise of temperature. Ice caps
melting. Hence a coastal area going through under water. The planet’s climate has constantly been
changing over geological time, with significant fluctuations of global average temperatures.
However, this current period of warming is occurring more rapidly than any past events. It has
become clear that humanity has caused most of the last century’s warming by releasing heat-
trapping gases—commonly referred to as greenhouse gases—to power our modern lives. We are
doing this through burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land-use and other activities that drive
climate change. Greenhouse gases are at the highest levels they have ever been over the last
800,000 years. This rapid rise is a problem because it’s changing our climate at a rate that is too
fast for living things to adapt to. Climate change involves not only rising temperatures, but also
extreme weather events, rising sea levels, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, and a range
of other impacts.
2. What Is Climate Change?
Climate change is a variation or change in the climate (temperature, wind, precipitation
patterns) in a specific location, region, or of the entire planet. This change in weather patterns
persists for a long period of time ranging from decades to millions of years. Climate change may
be caused by a variety of factors including natural processes; however, scientific evidence shows
that the current period of climate change is caused by human activities.

7. 3. Causes of Climate Change
Recent climate changes, however, cannot be explained by natural causes alone. Research
indicates that natural causes do not explain most observed warming, especially warming since the
mid-20th century. Rather, it is extremely likely that human activities have been the dominant cause
of that warming.
Natural Factors:
Volcanic Eruptions: A volcano releases large amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour,
dust, and ash into the atmosphere, when it erupts. These large volumes of gases and ash can trigger
climate change by increasing planetary reflectivity causing atmospheric cooling. Aerosols are tiny
particles that are are produced by volcanoes. Aerosols remain in the atmosphere for only a few
days and reflect solar energy back into space they have a cooling effect on the world.
Ocean Currents: Variations in ocean currents can also influence climate change for short periods
of time. Ocean currents move vast amounts of heat across the planet. Movement of cold water
deep under the oceans towards the regions near the equator and movement of warm water near the
equator back towards the pole play an important role in determining the atmospheric concentration
of CO2.
Solar Radiations: The sun is the ultimate source of supply of energy for earth’s climate system.
A small change in the output of sun’s energy can influence the climate change. These changes
include changes within the sun and changes in Earth’s orbit. Changes occurring in the sun can
cause climate to become warmer during periods of stronger solar intensity and cool during periods
of weaker solar intensity. Studies suggests that solar variations have played a role in past climate
change.

8. Earth Orbital Changes: A slight change in the tilt of the earth can lead to climatic changes. While
less tilt means cooler summers and milder winters; more tilt means warmer summers and colder
winters. These small and slow changes can lead to important changes in the strength of the seasons
over tens of thousands of years.
Man-Made Factors –
The Greenhouse Effect: When sunlight reaches Earth’s surface, it can either be reflected back
into space or absorbed by Earth. Once absorbed, the planet releases some of the energy back into
the atmosphere as heat (also called infrared radiation). Greenhouse gases like water vapor (H2O),
carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) absorb energy, slowing or preventing the loss of heat
to space. In this way, GHGs act like a blanket, making Earth warmer than it would otherwise be.
This process is commonly known as the “greenhouse effect.”
Gases that Play a Part in Climate Change: Carbon dioxide also plays an important role, even
though it is one of the more minor components in our atmosphere. It can be found through a variety
of different processes, including respiration, volcanic activity, deforestation, fossil fuel burning,
and others. The carbon dioxide that is found in our atmosphere continues to increase, making the
climate change much more prominent these days than before. CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, which
are basically synthetic compounds that are created in the industrial setting, also play a part. They
are usually what plays a part in the depletion of the ozone layer. The more the ozone layer is
depleted, the hotter our earth will get. Nitrous oxide is another type of gas that is often times
formulated from the soil when it is cultivated. It is one of the other gases that has an impact on our
climate change.

9. 4. Effects of Climate Changes?
Climate change can really have a lot of negative consequences. It is important to do
something about it to help decrease the amount of change that occurs and make it not happen so
fast.
High Temperatures and Heat Waves: The continuous increases of greenhouses gases in the
atmosphere has caused temperature to rise which is called as greenhouse effect. Though
greenhouse effect is necessary for survival of all of us on this planet but increase of these gases
beyond a limit will only create harmful effects for us and this environment. During last century,
earth’s average temperature rose by 1 degree Fahrenheit which in itself is a cause of concern. The
large amount of greenhouse gases released from industries, vehicles, agricultural activities
increases the concentration of CO2 and heats up the atmosphere. The increased temperature then
cause heat waves and makes it difficult for people to survive.
Change in Rainfall Patterns: In last couple of decades, excess rainfall, droughts, hurricanes and
floods have become quite frequent. While few areas experience plenty of rainfall, then there are
areas that face droughts throughout the year.
Rise in Sea Level and Depletion of Arctic Ice: Some parts of the earth are going to naturally be
warmer than others, but as the climate changes that means that so will these areas. Warmer
conditions may also lead to other areas not getting enough precipitation, and even some areas that
may get more than they should. It will also cause parts of glaciers to melt, which could lead to
flooding in certain areas and could make the sea levels rise.

10. Though greenhouse effect is necessary for all of us to survive on this planet but an increase in
greenhouse gases causes temperature to rise which can result in harmful effects to the ecology and
environment. The increase in temperature of atmosphere has resulted in shrinking of arctic ice.
Loss of Wildlife Species: Wildfires, deforestation, shifting habitat have caused several species to
become extinct, pushed few of them towards extinction and rest of them have migrated to some
other place. If experts are to be believed, one-fourth of Earth’s species could extinct by 2050. In
year 2008, polar bear was added to the list of animals that could become extinct due to rise in sea
level.
Climate change can really be a negative force on our planet earth. It is time for us to take a look at
the things that can be done to help improve the environment and help to slow down the process of
climate change. If we can do that, then the world will be able to be sustainable for much longer.
That doesn’t mean that climate change is completely avoidable though.
5. Impact of Climate Change
Human System
 Increased risk to human health (higher health care costs: increased heat stroke, allergens,
respiratory complications, and disease)
 Higher demand for public cooling centers
 Potential for displaced people and injuries due to flooding
 Residents may be isolated and without power due to extreme weather events

11. Built System
 Increased temperatures could lead to higher demand for cooling units; increased utility bills and
brown/black-outs.
 Increased water use could lead to increased cost in water bills and increased cost to deliver and
repair water systems
 Storm damage may cause building damage and increased cleanup costs
 Frequent weather events may increase costs to maintain buildings, roads, bridges and other public
structures.
Natural System
 Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns may cause: loss and/or shift in plant and animal
species
 Increase erosion, flooding
 Reduced lake levels and river levels,
 Increased damage and mortality to trees
 Increased loss of agriculturally productive land leading to loss of food production
 Increased abundance of invasive species and pest infestations.
6. How Do Humans Contribute to Climate Change?
Humans contribute to climate change by artificially increasing the levels of greenhouse gas
occurring in our atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, gasoline and coal release a
large amount of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere where it collects.

12. This activity thickens the insulating blanket around the earth and traps a higher percentage of the
thermal infrared radiation reflecting off the earth’s surface, increasing average global
temperatures.
Humans have released so much carbon into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation that the atmosphere contains 32 percent more carbon dioxide today than at
the beginning of the 20th century! Burning fossil fuels for transportation is the most common
source of greenhouse gas release by humans. Other forms of greenhouse gases including methane
and nitrous oxide which is often produced by humans through waste disposal and industrial
practices. The release of any of these gases is known as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Most
activities that humans do at home, school and work need power. That means each time you turn
on a light, use an appliance or ride in a car you are directly adding to the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
7. Why Is Climate Change a Human Rights Issue?
Human rights are intimately linked with climate change because of its devastating effect
on not just the environment but our own wellbeing. In addition to threatening our very
existence, climate change is having harmful impacts on our rights to life, health, food, water,
housing and livelihoods. The longer governments wait to take meaningful action, the harder the
problem becomes to solve, and the greater the risk that emissions will be reduced through means
that increase inequality rather than reduce it. These are some of the ways climate change is
impacting and will impact our human rights:
Right to life – We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety. But climate change
threatens the safety of billions of people on this planet. The most obvious example is through

13. extreme weather-related events, such as storms, floods and wildfires. Typhoon Yolanda in the
Philippines claimed the lives of nearly 10,000 people in 2013. Heat stress is among the most deadly
impacts. The summer heatwave in Europe in 2003 resulted in the deaths of 35,000 people.
However, there are many other less visible ways that climate change threatens lives. The World
Health Organization predicts that climate change will cause 250,000 deaths per year between 2030
and 2050, due to malaria, malnutrition, diarrhoea and heat stress.
Right to health – We all have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and
mental health. According to the IPCC, the major health impacts of climate change will include
greater risk of injury, disease and death due to more intense heatwaves and fires; increased risk
of under-nutrition as a result of diminished food production in poor regions; and increased risks
of food- and water-borne diseases, and vector-borne diseases. Children exposed to traumatic
events such as natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change, can suffer from post-traumatic
stress disorders. The health impacts of climate change demand an urgent response, with
unmitigated warming threatening to undermine health systems and core global health objectives.
Right to housing – We all have a right to an adequate standard of living for ourselves
and our families, including adequate housing. However, climate change threatens our right to
housing in a variety of ways. Extreme weather events like floods and wildfires are already
destroying people’s homes, leaving them displaced. Drought, erosion and flooding can also over
time change the environment whilst sea-level rises threaten the homes of millions of people around
the world in low-lying territories.
Rights to water and to sanitation – We all have the right to safe water for personal and domestic
use and to sanitation that ensures we stay healthy. But a combination of factors such as melting
snow and ice, reduced rainfall, higher temperatures and rising sea levels show that climate change

14. is affecting and will continue to affect the quality and quantity of water resources. Already more
than one billion people do not have access to clean water, and climate change will make
this worse. Extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods affect water and sanitation
infrastructure, leaving behind contaminated water and thus contributing to the spread of water-
borne diseases. Sewage systems, especially in urban areas, will also be affected.
8. What Are the Solutions to Climate Change?
The main ways to stop climate change are to pressure government and business to:
Keep fossil fuels in the ground: Fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas – and the more that are
extracted and burned, the worse climate change will get. All countries need to move their
economies away from fossil fuels as soon as possible.
Invest in renewable energy: Changing our main energy sources to clean and renewable energy
is the best way to stop using fossil fuels. These include technologies like solar, wind, wave, tidal
and geothermal power.
Switch to sustainable transport: Petrol and diesel vehicles, planes and ships use fossil fuels.
Reducing car use, switching to electric vehicles and minimising plane travel will not only help
stop climate change, it will reduce air pollution too.
Help us keep our homes cosy: Homes shouldn’t be draughty and cold – it’s a waste of money,
and miserable in the winter. The government can help households heat our homes in a green way
– such as by insulating walls and roofs and switching away from oil or gas boilers to heat pumps.
Improve farming and encourage vegan diets: One of the best ways for individuals to help stop
climate change is by reducing their meat and dairy consumption, or by going fully vegan.

15. Businesses and food retailers can improve farming practices and provide more plant-based
products to help people make the shift.
Restore nature to absorb more carbon: The natural world is very good at cleaning up our
emissions, but we need to look after it. Planting trees in the right places or giving land back to
nature through ‘rewilding’ schemes is a good place to start. This is because photosynthesizing
plants draw down carbon dioxide as they grow, locking it away in soils.
Protect forests like the Amazon: Forests are crucial in the fight against climate change, and
protecting them is an important climate solution. Cutting down forests on an industrial scale
destroys giant trees which could be sucking up huge amounts of carbon. Yet companies destroy
forests to make way for animal farming, soya or palm oil plantations. Governments can stop them
by making better laws.
Protect the oceans: Oceans also absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
which helps to keep our climate stable. But many are overfished, used for oil and gas drilling or
threatened by deep sea mining. Protecting oceans and the life in them is ultimately a way to protect
ourselves from climate change.
Reduce how much people consume: Our transport, fashion, food and other lifestyle choices all
have different impacts on the climate. This is often by design – fashion and technology companies,
for example, will release far more products than are realistically needed. But while reducing
consumption of these products might be hard, it’s most certainly worth it. Reducing overall
consumption in more wealthy countries can help put less strain on the planet.
Reduce plastic: Plastic is made from oil, and the process of extracting, refining and turning oil
into plastic (or even polyester, for clothing) is surprisingly carbon-intense. It doesn’t break down

16. quickly in nature so a lot of plastic is burned, which contributes to emissions. Demand for plastic
is rising so quickly that creating and disposing of plastics will account for 17% of the global carbon
budget by 2050 (this is the emissions count we need to stay within according to the Paris
agreement).
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and to feel that climate change is too big to solve. But we
already have the answers, now it’s a question of making them happen. To work, all of these
solutions need strong international cooperation between governments and businesses, including
the most polluting sectors.
Individuals can also play a part by making better choices about where they get their energy,
how they travel, and what food they eat. But the best way for anyone to help stop climate change
is to take collective action. This means pressuring governments and corporations to change their
policies and business practices.
9. Legal Instrument on Climate Change
The important legal instruments relating to climatic changes are as follows:
The United Nations Legal Instruments
 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic Change (UNFCC) / UN Climate
Convention
 Paris Agreement
 Kyoto Protocol
 Other International Fora
Inter-Governmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC)

17.  G8 and G20
 Forum of Major Economies on Climate and Energy (MEF)
 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
 International Energy Agency (IEA)
10. Conclusion
Based on the overall discussion in this Climate change assignment, it is observed that one
of the key reasons of climate change is human actions i.e. agricultural clearance, flaming of fuel
oils and coal and natural gases land etc. Some of the researchers have defined the climate change
as the results of natural processes of the earth and on the other hand, some of them have defined it
as the consequences of human activities. In this Climate change assignment high level of heat in
the environment and the level of rain fall is continuously decreasing since last few years. Climate
change has an adverse impact on the health of human beings such as Health effects due to food
security, vector-borne diseases, other health effects, health effects of rising sea-levels, health
effects of retracting glaciers, health effects of extreme weather events, extreme temperatures.
Climate change will seriously affect their crops, forests, coastal regions, etc. This, in effect, will
affect the achievement of its significant national growth objectives.

18. References
1. climate change - Evidence for climate change. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica.
Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-
change/Evidence-for-climate-change
2. Definition, Causes and Effects of Climate Change - Assignment Point. (n.d.).
ASSIGNMENT POINT. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from
https://www.assignmentpoint.com/science/geography/definition-causes-and-effects-
of-climate-change.html
3. Greenpeace UK. (2021, July 2). What are the solutions to climate change? Retrieved
December 31, 2021, from https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/climate-
change/solutions-climate-change/
4. Sehgal, D. R. (2020, August 16). Climate change: new laws are the need of the hour.
IPleaders. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://blog.ipleaders.in/climate-
change-new-laws-need-hour/