Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Climate change, referring to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, is no longer a future threat but a present reality. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for assessing climate change, concluded in its Sixth Assessment Report (2021) that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land. This warming is driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions from activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The consequences are increasingly visible worldwide, impacting natural systems and human societies alike, demanding urgent attention and mitigation strategies.
Manifestations of Climate Change: A Global Perspective
Climate change manifests itself in numerous ways, each providing compelling evidence of its reality. These can be broadly categorized into changes in temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, and impacts on ecosystems.
1. Rising Global Temperatures
Global average temperatures have risen significantly since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). According to NASA, 2023 was the warmest year on record, with an average global temperature 1.18°C (2.12°F) above the late 19th-century average. This warming is not uniform; the Arctic is warming at a rate nearly four times faster than the global average, leading to significant ice melt.
2. Altered Precipitation Patterns
Climate change is disrupting precipitation patterns globally. Some regions are experiencing increased rainfall and flooding, while others are facing prolonged droughts.
- Increased Rainfall & Flooding: The Indian subcontinent has witnessed an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in recent decades, leading to devastating floods, as seen in the Kerala floods of 2018 and the Chennai floods of 2015.
- Prolonged Droughts: The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing its worst drought in 40 years (as of 2023), leading to widespread famine and displacement. California, USA, has also faced severe droughts in the 21st century, impacting agriculture and water resources.
3. Extreme Weather Events
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing due to climate change.
- Heatwaves: Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves in 2022 and 2023, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many countries, leading to thousands of heat-related deaths.
- Hurricanes/Cyclones: The Atlantic hurricane season has become more active, with stronger and more frequent hurricanes. Hurricane Dorian (2019) caused catastrophic damage in the Bahamas. Similarly, Cyclone Amphan (2020) devastated parts of India and Bangladesh.
- Wildfires: Australia experienced unprecedented wildfires in 2019-2020 (the "Black Summer"), burning millions of hectares of land and releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Canada also experienced record-breaking wildfires in 2023.
4. Impacts on Ecosystems
Climate change is profoundly impacting ecosystems worldwide.
- Coral Bleaching: Rising ocean temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching, threatening coral reefs globally. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced multiple mass bleaching events in recent years.
- Glacier Retreat: Glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, contributing to sea-level rise and impacting water resources. The Himalayan glaciers are particularly vulnerable, threatening the water supply for millions of people in South Asia.
- Sea Level Rise: Thermal expansion of water and melting glaciers and ice sheets are causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. Low-lying island nations like the Maldives and Kiribati are particularly vulnerable.
- Species Extinction: Changes in habitat and climate are driving species extinction rates. The Arctic is experiencing significant biodiversity loss as sea ice disappears.
5. Evidence from Ice Cores and Paleoclimate Data
Beyond recent observations, paleoclimate data from ice cores, tree rings, and sediment layers provide evidence of past climate changes and demonstrate the unprecedented rate of warming occurring today. Ice cores reveal that current atmospheric CO2 concentrations are higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years.
Conclusion
The evidence for climate change is overwhelming and multifaceted, ranging from rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns to more frequent extreme weather events and profound impacts on ecosystems. These changes are not merely theoretical projections but observable realities impacting communities and environments across the globe. Addressing this challenge requires a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change, and build a more sustainable future. Ignoring the reality of climate change is no longer an option; proactive and decisive action is essential.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.