Global climate change refers to the increase in average global temperatures due to both natural events and human activities like burning fossil fuels. The document summarizes evidence of climate change like rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events. Effects include issues with food, health, and migration. The summary concludes that over the past 25 years, almost everywhere has warmed, sea levels have risen 20cm, and greenhouse gas levels are higher than in the past millions of years, showing that climate change is occurring.

1. Global Environmental Change
“Global Climate Change”
Payai Manyok John
15100MC
MSc. Climate Science and Policy
Teri University

2. Introduction
Global Environment change: can be define In term of
changes in land, Ocean and atmosphere.
Climate is the average weather at a given point and time of
year, over a long period (typically 30 years).
Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in
average global temperatures. Natural events and human
activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in
average global temperatures.
35.7 Billion tonnes (Gt) CO2 in 2014

3. Facts about Global Climate Change
February 2016 recorded the warmest Month since 1880-2015 by
1.21 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average (NASA and
NOAA
2015 was the warmest year (1880–2015) with the average
temperature across global land and ocean surfaces at 0.90 C
(NOAA).
6,500 climate-related disasters recorded since 1980 (Oxfam
International, 2015)
More than 4600 disasters happened between 1991 and 2002 in
141 countries

4. Continued…
Global warming causes 300,000 deaths a year.
Extreme weather has doubled in 30 years and is expected to
reach 375 million a year by 2015
If emissions are not brought under control, within 25 years:
310m more people will suffer adverse health consequences
related to temperature increases
20m more people will fall into poverty
75m extra people will be displaced by climate change

6. Global surface temperature 1855-2010

7. Rise in global ocean heat content 1955-2005
Some ups and downs, but clear overall increase
Levitus et al., 2005, GRL

8. Energy Food
Water
Biodiversity
Sustainability

9. Cause of Climate Change
Anthropogenic factor
Burning of fossil fuels
in cars, industry and
homes
Deforestation
Burning of forests
Natural Factors physicsworld.com (2012)

10. Other Pollutants
Greenhouse gas concentrations increasing
Increased concentration of CO2
Atmospheric Aerosols tend to cool the atmosphere
Both human and natural sources
Tiny particles that remain in troposphere for
weeks or months
Contain many chemicals, but often contain
sulfur

11. Climate Change is happening
Extremes of
temperature are
changing!
Observed trends
(days) per decade
for 1951 to 2003
From Alexander et al.
(2006)

12. Evidence of Global climate Change
Increases in global average air and
ocean temperatures by 0.6oC since
1990
Rising global average sea level
Widespread melting of snow and
ice
More frequent droughts, floods and
other forms of extreme weather

13. Evidence
Changes in animal behavior, breeding cycles
Storm frequency and intensity are increasing
Ocean acidification
Hurricane intensity
 Drought
Decrease in Snow in the artic
Carbon Dioxide increased

14. Effect of Global Climate Change
Food supplies (Food Insecurity)
Human Health
Water Scarcity
Loss of Biodiversity (plants and animals)
Migration and Displacement: sea levels rise will force hundreds
of thousands of people in coastal zones to migrate

15. Dealing with Global Climate Change
To avoid the worst of climate change, CO2 levels must be
stabilized at 550ppm
Two ways to attempt to manage climate change
Mitigation
Focuses on limiting greenhouse gas emissions to
moderate global climate change
Adaptation
Focuses on learning to live with to the environmental
changes and societal consequences brought about by
global climate change

16. Mitigation
Invent alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels
Increase efficiency of cars and trucks
Sequestering carbon before it is emitted
Plant and Maintain trees to naturally sequester carbon
conversion of energy supply to a more low-carbon system
and use of renewable energy options.

17. Continued….
Encourage citizens and businesses to save energy and to
improve energy efficiency,
Avoid waste, 3Rs (Reduce reuse and recycle)
 Changing consumption patterns, and create urban structures
suited for low-carbon mobility,
 Reduce motorized individual transportation
promote public transport services.
Improve cycling infrastructure (walking, cycling)

18. Adaptation
Rising sea levels and coastal populations
Move inland
Construct dikes and levees
Adapt to shifting agricultural zones
improving education and health systems
Improving preparedness and information systems

19. Questions
CO2 is already in the atmosphere naturally, so why
are emissions from human activity significant?
If emissions of greenhouse gases were stopped,
would the climate return to the conditions of 200
years ago?

20. Summary Conclusion
Over the last 25 years, almost everywhere has
warmed up apart from very few places that have
cooled
Sea level has risen by about 20 cm,
Ocean heat content has increased
Almost all mountain glaciers have retreated
levels of CO2 and other ‘greenhouse’ gases have
dramatically increased, to levels higher than those
experienced for maybe millions of years.

21. Reference
 Gotelind Abel (2011):Global Report on Human Settlements;
Gender, Cities and Climate Change
Leith Dunn& Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (2013): Gender, Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Management
Oxfam International (2015) Impact of Climate Change
UNDP (2010): Gender, Climate Change and community-based
adaptation

22. Reference
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) (www.ipcc.ch)
Authoritative reports supported by >95% of climate
scientists
Fourth assessment report (AR4) published 2007
Royal Society (2010). Climate Change: Evidence & Causes
WHO (2010): Gender, Climate Change and Health