As our planet crumbles, we are running out of time. Climate change is no longer a philosophical concern; actually, it is an awful reality that is destroying our surroundings at a rate never seen before. The globe is on the edge of crumbling caused by human consumerism, habitat destruction, and addiction to fossil fuels, all drivers of climate change. Everything from the scorching wildfires in Australia to the sinking street in Venice reflects these trends. However, this is a solution; we still have an option. A chance exists for us to rethink our relationship with our planet, develop, adapt, and prosper in a transformed world full of chaos caused by climate change. Now, let’s handle the catastrophic facts of climate change head-on, inspect the affordable alternatives that can assist us to lessen its worst impacts, and create a future that is more moderate and sustainable for all individuals in the face of climate change. Our aim is to explore the complicated impacts of climate change on the environment, the economy, and human well-being.
The roots of climate change
Climate change has its roots in a combination of natural and human-caused circumstances.
 Natural factors of climate change
A volcanic eruption can have a number of effects on climate change and its sustainability. Short-term cooling volcanic eruptions release huge quantities of ash and SO2 into the atmosphere, which form sulphate aerosol, which reflects ultraviolet rays and temporarily refreshes the earth’s surface. For example, the explosion of Mount Tambora in 1815 triggered a year without summer in 1816.
Long-term effects are usually temporary and brought about by CO2 and methane. Ash particles in the stratosphere absorb and scatter solar radiation. It also causes ozone layer depletion. Examples of long-term volcanic eruptions are:
- Mount Yasu (Vanuatu) erupting continually since 1813 2. Kilauea (Hawaii) 1983-2018
- Mount Agung (Indonesia) 1963-1964 again in 2017-2019 It impacts air quality, soil fertility, climate pattern, and water resources.
Changes in Earth’s Orbit
The Earth’s orbit around the sun is constantly shifting and dynamic, influencing the climate of our planet. The amount of solar energy we received is affected by these shifts, which increase the unpredictability of the climate periodically. Climate change is the result of human behaviour magnifying this natural instability. Like the spinning top, Earth’s equator wobbles and tilts at an angle of about 23.5°, altering the way sunlight affects our planet. This affects global temperature and climate patterns along with planetary modifications.
Gyre Rotation
Climate change is greatly affected by the oceans. They have an array of cycles that transport nutrients, water, and heat around our planet.
Cycles that cause climate change
- thermohaline movement: it affects the surrounding climate and transfer’s heat.
- El Nio-southern Oscillation: it changes the pattern of world weather.
- The Pacific Decadal Oscillation:
This result from long-term temperature, which causes global warming.
- Tidal and wave patterns: They affect marine life and coastal erosion.
Human causes of climate change
Greenhouse gases
CO2 :
One of the primary factors of climate change and a serious danger to the sustainability of our natural world is CO2. It’s made accessible when we burn fossil fuels for energy, warmth, and transportation, such as coal, oil, and gas, enhancing global warming. Cut down trees affect the delicate balance of our ecology because they collect CO2 but release it when they are completely destroyed.
Supervise the way we utilise land: converting forest to farmland results in habitat degradation and deforestation, which causes climate change. About 65% of greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming are CO2. It’s survival in the atmosphere makes it an important factor in climate change, threatening the sustainability of our planet.
Fluorinated gases (F-gases)
are highly powerful greenhouse gases referred to as F-gases? Originate from manufacturing processes for items like computer chips and aluminium. Use applications like an air conditioner and refrigerator. What’s really scary is that F-gases can absorb heat up to 23,900 times more than CO2. They are an important factor contributing to climate change because of their severely large quantity. We must be attentive while handling these gases and work to strive to reduce their emissions if we are striving to save the environment. We may reduce the effects of climate change and set up a more sustainable future for all when we do so.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
Strong greenhouse gas Nitrous oxide is released from farming techniques like soil management and fertiliser use. Industrial procedures like the synthesis of acids and chemicals. The fact that N2O has the potential to cause 265-298 times more climate change than CO2 is extremely concerning. This means that it has the ability of insulation in the environment, which makes it an important contributor to climate change and a serious threat to sustainability. We must act to reduce N2O emissions and switch to more environmentally friendly actions if we are to lessen the most severe consequences of climate change and create a more sustainable future.
Methane (CH4)
CH4 is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas that is mainly generated from agriculture like animal dung and rice fields. Natural gas production and transportation leaks and are released while doing piping and extraction in landfills; garbage that is organic decomposes. The fact that methane has the potential to cause 28 times greater warming than CO2 during a 100-year time frame is very concerning. This indicates that methane is a big driver of climate change and a severe danger to sustainability since it has the power to snare. large amounts of heat in the atmosphere. We have to swiftly cut back methane emissions and shift to more environmentally friendly tasks.
- Sustainable agriculture techniques
- Leak detection and renewal in natural gas infrastructure
- Waste reduction and recycling methodologies
 Industrial agriculture
Industrial agriculture poses an imminent threat to sustainability and is a major contributor to climate change. The monoculture agricultural rehearsals cause soil erosion. An increase in use of synthetic fertilisers and a decline in biodiversity. In addition to harming the ecosystem, this contributes to making climate change worse.
Industrial agriculture’s strong dependence on machinery leads to higher consumption of energy use and emissions, which exacerbates climate change. While synthetic fertilisers also contribute to greenhouse gases released from machinery. We have to turn away from industrial agriculture and towards environmentally friendly techniques, like agroecology, organic cultivation, and agricultural regenerative practices, if we dream of securing a sustainable future.
- Sustainable farming methods are
- Enhance soil health and conserve biodiversity.
- Ensure future generations availability of food.
Deforestation And Land Use
Land-use changes and deforestation are a dangerous combination that endanger sustainability. And accelerate climate change. By cutting trees for agriculture and urbanisation, we are losing an essential weapon that struggles against climate change. Forests are like essential carbon sinks. Indonesian palm oil plantations are causing substantial forest loss and the destruction of Sumerian tigers and orangutan’s habitat.
In Africa, savannization refers to the act of turning forest into grasslands for cultivation and cattle, as well as releasing stored carbon and reducing biodiversity. We have to act quickly to stop the harmful effects of deforestation, which worsen climate change and threaten First, if we want to support biodiversity and natural resilience, we must regenerate and replant our forest. If we want to sustain the long-term health of our forest, we must use sustainable forest methods that maintain a balance between environmental preservation and human need.
Natural ecosystems like wetlands and forests, which offer vital ecosystem services and assist in decreasing climate change, must be preserved. By incorporating trees into farmland, promoting sustainable farming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An agroforestry technique can help in reducing the volume of deforestation. Sustainable forest management is supported by a certification program as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
UrbanizationÂ
Urbanization is a dual-edged dagger. On one hand, it promotes advancement in the economy, encourages creativity, and unites people. However, it also plays an important role in the problem related to sustainability and climate change. Cities carbon footprints increase with the number of inhabitants. The environment is harmed by increasing energy use, emissions from transportation, and the generation of waste. Cities look like furnaces because of the urban heat island effect, which results in higher energy use and pollution.
Illustrations of urbanisation include Tokyo’s megacity development, Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, and Mumbai slum growth. Not only that, urbanisation also affects the climate in the area, leading to less green space, modified precipitation patterns, and extreme weather situations. This destructive cycle jeopardises the sustainability of this planet. We must need to reconsider urbanisation if we are hoping to break this cycle. Low carbon transport investment, green infrastructure, and renewable energy are essential. Effective waste management and climate-resilient planning of cities are vital. By doing this, we can build cities of prosperity without endangering the health of our planet.
Intensifying Climate Crisis
Temperature Surge
It’s a domino effect of climate change. A series of events occur when Earth’s temperature rises. It’s due to enhanced uptake of greenhouse gases. Climate change has caused polar ice to melt and the ocean level to increase. Increased frequency of droughts and floods due to rare weather patterns brought on by climate change. Heat waves cause climate change and affect the lives of both plants and animals. The world warms, which causes climate change, which warms our planet even more. It’s like a giant looping process. We must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in order to break this cycle.
Adverse Health Effects
We are becoming sicker because of climate change. It’s creating respiratory problems, exacerbating heat waves, and spreading diseases. Furthermore, it’s tainting our water and food. Raising the number of illnesses. The senior citizens, children, and individuals with existing medical conditions are among the most vulnerable groups, and they face the greatest challenges.
As a result of, increasing heat waves and dryness in the Great Polar Region, resulting in respiratory problems and the spread of fungal spores, climate change was a critical component in the Dust Bowl and Valley Fever of the 1930s, which are believed to have taken 7,000–10,000 lives. In a similar vein, poor land management exacerbated the Locust invasion in West Africa in 2004–2005. This had been exacerbated by climate change.
Negative Impacts on Food Security and Economic Development
Climate change is messing with our food and economic systems. It is making it harder to get wholesome food, grow crops, and catch fish. Lack of food, financial losses, and even forced eviction are caused by this. Because of catastrophic failures, water scarcity, lower yields, and animal deaths in 2023, the European heat became worse by climate change and caused losses of up to $13 billion in economic damages. The impact on woodland, agriculture, and livelihood were devastating.
The drought and famine in Horn of Africa in 2011-2012 and the nutrition crisis and drought in Kenya in 2007-2008 were two more instances of climate-related disasters.
It’s important since both food and economic stability are vital for human survival and well-being. In order to make sure that everyone has a chance, go get enough food and secure a future. We must take actions to halt climate change.
Sustainable Development Solution
- Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
- Utilise renewable energy.
- Deploy carbon capture technologies.
Adopt Sustainable Technologies
- Eco-friendly cultivation of organic crops
- Manage natural resources (reduce, reuse, recycle).
Developing Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Urban Planning
- Green buildings
- Flood protection steps Sustainable transportation system
How can individuals assist with climate change and sustainability?
Each of us may contribute to climate protection by making careful choices in our day-to-day activities. We can start by saving water, using public transportation, and consuming less energy. We can also use a plant-based diet and encourage environmental activities. In order to encourage climate laws. We may also educate ourselves and others about climate change, support eco-friendly firms, and get involved in our communities. When we participate in efforts with others, every modest action we perform may add up to make a great distinction.
What role does the government play in climate change and adaptation?
 Governments are essential to fighting against climate change and advancing the goal of sustainability. They can accomplish this by promoting sustainable habits, investing in renewable energy resources, and implementing laws that lower carbon emissions. They may also collaborate with other nations to address concern about climate change and inform the public about eco-friendly technologies.
Here are some examples of climate change that have spanned throughout history. Irrigation system in ancient Mesopotamia in 4000 BCE Reforestation in Japan in the 1600s Windmills in mediaeval Europe, 1200 CE Water harvesting in Ancient Rome in 100 BCE As seen in examples above, the government may also set an example by reducing their own carbon footprint by developing infrastructure that is resilient to climate change. The government can contribute to constructing a more sustainable future for all by implementing different strategies.
Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz, Post Doc & Ph.D
Asma Noreen, Educationist, Research scholar
Dr. Ghulam Abbas, Ph.D
