"In the present scenario, Global Warming and Climate Change are amongst the greatest threats for human society." Justify the statement with examples.

Environmental Impacts

The most direct impacts are observed in the environment. Rising global temperatures lead to:

• Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets: Contributing to sea-level rise, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass at an accelerating rate.
• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms. The 2023 floods in Himachal Pradesh, India, and the prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa are stark examples.
• Biodiversity Loss: Changes in habitats and ecosystems leading to species extinction. Coral bleaching, driven by warming ocean temperatures, is decimating coral reefs worldwide.
• Ocean Acidification: Absorption of excess CO2 by oceans, harming marine life, particularly shellfish and coral.

Economic Impacts

Climate change significantly disrupts economic activities:

• Agriculture and Food Security: Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperatures reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages and price increases. The decline in wheat production in India during the 2022 heatwave exemplifies this.
• Infrastructure Damage: Extreme weather events damage infrastructure (roads, bridges, power grids), requiring costly repairs and hindering economic growth.
• Tourism: Degradation of natural attractions (coral reefs, glaciers) impacts tourism revenue.
• Increased Insurance Costs: Rising frequency of extreme weather events leads to higher insurance premiums and potential uninsurability of certain regions.

Social Impacts

The social consequences of climate change are far-reaching and often exacerbate existing inequalities:

• Climate Refugees: Displacement of populations due to sea-level rise, droughts, and other climate-related disasters. The displacement of communities in the Sundarbans due to rising sea levels is a prime example.
• Health Impacts: Increased incidence of heatstroke, respiratory illnesses, and vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue fever).
• Water Scarcity: Reduced access to clean water, leading to conflicts and health problems.
• Exacerbation of Poverty: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, pushing them further into poverty.

Security Impacts

Climate change acts as a ‘threat multiplier’, exacerbating existing security risks:

• Resource Conflicts: Competition for scarce resources (water, land) can lead to conflicts within and between countries.
• Political Instability: Climate-induced migration and resource scarcity can contribute to political instability and social unrest.
• Increased Terrorism: Climate change can create conditions conducive to the rise of extremist groups by exacerbating grievances and creating ungoverned spaces.
• National Security Threats: The US Department of Defense recognizes climate change as a national security threat, impacting military readiness and operations.

Global Cooperation and Mitigation Efforts

Despite international agreements like the Paris Agreement (2015), progress on mitigating climate change has been slow. Key challenges include:

• Lack of Political Will: Insufficient commitment from some countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Economic Interests: Resistance from industries reliant on fossil fuels.
• Financing Gaps: Insufficient funding for adaptation and mitigation measures in developing countries.

However, initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure demonstrate growing global cooperation.