Carbon 'burp' from ocean started global warming

Scientists have claimed that a huge carbon "burp" from deep ocean kick-started global warming at end of the last Ice Age some 18,000 years ago.

According to the scientists, the carbon dioxide was actually locked away in the deep ocean "repository" and as the Earth warmed, it was released into the atmosphere causing the global warming and ending the last Ice Age.

It is believed that carbon dioxide was dissolved in the waters of the deep ocean during ice ages, and that pulses or "burps" of carbon dioxide from the deep Southern Ocean helped trigger a global thaw every 100,000 years or so, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

The size of these pulses was roughly equivalent to the change in carbon dioxide experienced since the start of the industrial revolution.

Throughout the past two million years, the Earth has alternated between ice ages and warmer climates. These changes are mainly driven by alterations in the Earth's orbit around the sun, but they have been accelerated by changes on the planet's surface, say the scientists.

One of those is thought to be the huge storage and then release of carbon dioxide by the oceans.

"If enough of the deep ocean behaved in the same way, this could help to explain how ocean mixing processes lock up more carbon dioxide during glacial periods," Dr Luke Skinner of the University of Cambridge was quoted as saying.

The findings have been published in the latest edition of the 'Science' journal.

Carbon emissions lead to dangerous changes in oceans

The rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is driving fundamental and dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world's oceans, warn international marine scientists. More than 30% of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels, cement production, deforestation and other human activities goes straight into the oceans, turning them gradually more acidic. "Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced by marine organisms and ecosystems for millions of years," the researchers said. "This emphasises the urgent need to adopt policies that drastically reduce CO2 emissions." Ocean acidification, which the researchers call the "evil twin of global warming", is caused when the CO2 emitted by human activity, mainly burning fossil fuels, dissolves into the oceans.

It is happening independently of, but in combination with, global warming. "Evidence gathered by scientists around the world... suggests that ocean acidification could represent an equal - or perhaps even greater threat - to the biology of our planet than global warming," says study co-author, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg. "The resulting acidification will impact many forms of sea life, especially organisms whose shells or skeletons are made from calcium carbonate, like corals and shellfish," adds Hoegh-Guldberg, professor at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. "These changes are taking place at rates as much as 100 times faster than they ever have over the last tens of millions of years," Hoegh-Guldberg says.

The scientists say there is now persuasive evidence that mass extinctions in past Earth history, like the "Great Dying" of 251 million years ago and another wipeout 55 million years ago, were accompanied by ocean acidification, which may have delivered the deathblow to many species. "These past periods can serve as great lessons of what we can expect in the future, if we continue to push the acidity the ocean even further," said lead author, Carles Pelejero, from the Marine Science Institute of CSIC in Barcelona, Spain, according to a release of the ARC Centre. "This will create conditions not seen on Earth for at least 40 million years," he said.

These findings were published in the latest issue of Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize to combat manmade climate change??

President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts to combat manmade climate change. The citation in part says, “Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting.” However, like much of the rest of the citation, the Nobel Committee seems to pin the statement on potential rather than action on the part of the United States to combat climate change.

Today at the U.N. climate talks in Bangkok, Thailand the United States and other developed nations were roundly criticized for their lack of action as little progress was made. Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said, "The developing nations are justifiably angry at the lack of progress, about the lack of credible offers by the United States, by the European Union and by Japan." Underlining the frustration, the statement issued by the union used the headline, “U.S. Stance Hinders Progress at Bangkok Climate Talks.”

The president after taking office has initiated actions on climate change and anthropogenic global warming but actual progress to combat climate change has not been substantial. The House of Representatives has passed cap and trade legislation and the Senate is deliberating its own version. However,USA role on legal cut of emissions is needed as USA is big polluter and it is highly unlikely Obama will have a bill to sign before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

In a statement given in the Rose Garden, President Obama acknowledged the challenges ahead to enact climate change legislation. “We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities. And that's why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.”

Greenpeace said “If allowed to go unchecked, climate change will wreak havoc on our societies - spurring mass migration, mass starvation and mass extinction. It will spark conflicts worldwide.” The group urged the president to be a “true Nobel Peace Laureate.”

Friends of the Earth said in statement that. “We have concerns though, that the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded President Obama this award on the basis of expectations that have not yet been met,”

Climate change and your role

Every country is blaming other country for emission reduction. Developed countries which are much polluter are asking developed countries to reduce pollution of their country. Controlling of emissions has become a political issue among nations. But environment has no boundaries and environment is apolitical. India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are expected to nearly triple in the next two decades, but will still remain below the current global average.

The current per capita rate at around 1.2 tonnes per year, compared to the global average of 4.22 tonnes. Five different studies released by independent institutions concluded that India's per capita emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent would reach 2.1 tonnes in 2020 and 3.5 tonnes in 2030. India's per capita output is one of the lowest globally, but given its massive population it is one of the top polluters in the world.

Scientists say carbon dioxide and other industrial gases are trapping the sun's heat in the atmosphere, causing changes in weather that could lead to crop damage, the spread of deserts and flooding in low-lying countries.The Copenhagen meeting is meant to create a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which bound 37 industrial countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

Kyoto placed no obligations on developing countries. In this round, wealthier nations want developing countries, especially China and India, to share the burden and agree to slow their explosive emissions growth.Offers of emissions cuts from wealthy countries so far total 15 percent to 21 percent below 1990 levels, according to de Boer's agency. The United States has yet to make a formal offer.

A 13-year-old girl from Lucknow, speaking on behalf of the world's three billion children, addressed over a 100 world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama during a summit on the climate change here..

"We received a very nice planet from our ancestors. It was green, now we have damaged it, polluted it, and we're going to give a bad planet to our successors and this is not right," Ms. Srivastava.

In the name of development we are cutting prime forests and pumping tons of pollutants into atmosphere. It is estimated that in 2007 Amazon lost 46 square kilometer of forest cover per day. Total deforested area reached 640000 square kilometers

Every individual has a role to play to save environment. It is individuals social responsibility to make every one to live in clean and green environment. For this your role is important and essential.

What is your role as individual?

• Consume less electricity, switch off lights when not in use, use as much as natural light, switch off computer monitors when not in use

• Practice the three mantras Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Use environment friendly technologies like installing solar water heaters, solar lights, eco friendly products for constructing houses like The fly ash bricks, High performance glass, Wall & Roof insulation, Low VOC paints, adhesives & sealants, CRI certified carpets, FSC Certified wood, high albedo roofing material, Fly ash blocks, Eco-friendly chemicals waterless urinals, high COP chillers, CO2 sensors, root zone treatment plants, wind towers and eco friendly paints are some of the eco friendly materials

• Change your life style. Use less motor cars, walk near by places instead of using motor vehicles and travel in shared vehicles to office. This will reduce use of petrol.

• Plant more trees, plants absorb carbon dioxide and control pollution. Plant trees in your colonies in your compound wall and protect them. Plant tree on the occasion your birth day, wedding anniversary so that you can attach sentimental value so that you can protect it.

• Educate your neighbours and friends and children’s the importance of environment

Climate biggest issue in US's ties with India, China: Obama

President Barack Obama warned time is running out to fight global warming but said the US was determined to act and that climate was the biggest issue in its ties with countries like India and China often blamed for the stalled talks. Addressing a gathering of 100 world leaders at the UN climate change summit, Obama also pressed rapidly growing developing nations to "do their part as well", a veiled reference to emerging economies like India and China. He said no country alone can meet the challenges on climate change.

Obama however offered no new proposals that could serve as a catalyst to push the stalled talks on a UN climate pact. "We have put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda when it comes to our relationships with countries as varied as China and Brazil, India and Mexico from the corner of Africa to the corner of Europe," he said.

His comments came shortly after the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said talks were moving too slowly and admonished the countries ahead of the Copenhagen summit of 190 countries in December aimed at sealing a deal to slow climate change. "Failure to reach broad agreement in Copenhagen would be morally inexcusable, economically short-sighted and politically unwise," Ban said.

Continuing, Obama said, "We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act and we will meet our responsibility to future generations." He also warned there would be tough talking ahead of the Copenhagen climate change conference. "There should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us."

"But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part as well," Obama said.

If not here then where, if not us then who?

A 13-year-old Indian girl, speaking on behalf of the world’s three billion children, asked world leaders here, including the Presidents of United States and China, for urgent action on climate change.

“I am so much concerned about climate change because I don’t want our future generations to question us just as I am questioning the need of more concrete action on climate change today,” Yugratna Srivastava from Lucknow said at the Summit on Climate Change in the United Nations.

“The Himalayas are melting, polar bears are dying, 2 of every 5 people don’t have access to clean drinking water, earth’s temperature is increasing, we are losing the untapped information and potential of plant species, Pacific’s water level has risen, Is this what we are going to hand over to our future generations? Please......no!”

The ninth grader from St Fidelis College spoke at the high-level summit convened by the U.N. Chief Ban Ki-moon. India was represented by Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

The summit is being held to mobilise political will ahead of the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, which is expected to yield a climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol.

“We need to call for an action now. We have to protect the earth not just for us but for our future generations,” Ms. Srivastava told an audience consisting of U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

“If not here then where, if not now then when and if not us then who?” she asked.

The student from Lucknow is also on the youth advisory board of United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) youth organisation called ‘Tunza ‘(to nurture).

Noting that climate change knew no political or geographical boundaries she said, “When you all make policies sitting in air conditioned rooms, please think of a child suffering in greenhouse heat and think of the species craving to survive.”

“Mahatma Gandhi said Earth has enough to satisfy everyone’s need but no one’s greed,” she added.

Birth control could help combat climate change

Giving contraceptives to people in developing countries could help fight climate change by slowing population growth, experts said More than 200 million women worldwide want contraceptives, but don't have access to them, according to an editorial published in the British medical journal, Lancet. That results in 76 million unintended pregnancies every year.

If those women had access to free condoms or other birth control methods, that could slow rates of population growth, possibly easing the pressure on the environment, the editors say. "There is now an emerging debate and interest about the links between population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate change," the commentary says.

In countries with access to condoms and other contraceptives, average family sizes tend to fall significantly within a generation. Until recently, many US-funded health programs did not pay for or encourage condom use in poor countries, even to fight diseases such as AIDS. The world's population is projected to jump to 9 billion by 2050, with more than 90% of that growth coming from developing countries.

It's not the first time lifestyle issues have been tied to the battle against global warming. Climate change experts have previously recommended that people cut their meat intake to slow global warming by reducing the numbers of animals using the world's resources.

The Lancet editorial cited a British report which says family planning is five times cheaper than usual technologies used to fight climate change. According to the report, each $7 spent on basic family planning would slash global carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 ton.

Experts believe that while normal population growth is unlikely to significantly increase global warming that overpopulation in developing countries could lead to increased demand for food and shelter, which could jeopardize the environment as it struggles with global warming.

Green Buildings : To Save Environment.....

Environment has no boundaries and environment is apolitical. India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are expected to nearly triple in the next two decades, but will still remain below the current global average.

The current per capita rate at around 1.2 tonnes per year, compared to the global average of 4.22 tonnes. Five different studies released by independent institutions concluded that India's per capita emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent would reach 2.1 tonnes in 2020 and 3.5 tonnes in 2030. India's per capita output is one of the lowest globally, but given its massive population it is one of the top polluters in the world.

What individual has to do to live clean and green?

The green building concepts we can see in ancient civilisation. Many old monuments if you see are constructed based on the green concepts. The panchaboothas air, light, agni, water, earth are balancing the forces in the house for healthy living. Many modern buildings are not environment friendly. To protect environment the Green house concepts were revived, many new buildings are constructed based on the concepts of eco friendly.

The benefits of green buildings are

• · Energy savings by 30-40% using much of natural light by orienting the building at right direction. More doors and ventilators for natural lights. This will save lot of energy used for lighting and heating. Using of renewable energy like solar heaters, solar lights etc. Usingof energy efficient bulbs and appliances.

• · Water saving nearly 20-30%, modern water saving devices used in kitchen and bathrooms and waste water treatment and rain water harvesting system will help reducing water usage

• · Indoor air quality will be increased because of cross ventilation which will cool the building

• · Planting trees surrounding areas of the building and landscaping will create microclimate and the building will have cooling effect. Plants also will lessen the carbon foot prints because plants are sink to Co2.

• · The three mantras reduce, reuse, recycle are commonly practiced in green building concepts.

• · The long term recurring expenditure on electricity bill will be decreased.
• · The fly ash bricks, High performance glass, Wall & Roof insulation, Low VOC paints, adhesives & sealants, CRI certified carpets, FSC Certified wood, high albedo roofing material, Fly ash blocks, Eco-friendly chemicals waterless urinals, high COP chillers, CO2 sensors, root zone treatment plants, wind towers and eco friendly paints are some of the eco friendly material available in the market.
• · The aesthetic value of green bulding will be increased, inmates of the house live serene life and increase productivity.

According to study Green building will reduces 12000-15000 tons of Co2 per million square feet. Indian Green Buiding Council desires to register two billion square feet of areas under green building concepts by 2012.

Until and unless the present buildings are also brought under green building concepts(by altering the building or using energy efficient techniques and educating the inmates of the buildings) the desirable emission can not be achieved. For this there should be awareness programmes all over the country and every individual should be responsible for reducing carbon foot prints or reaching zero foot prints level.

Green building concepts should not be restricted to elite society, green concepts should go down to the bottom of the society , common man.

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India carbon emissions to triple by 2030

India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are expected to nearly triple in the next two decades, but will still remain below the current global average, a government backed report said.

The data released late on Wednesday showed the current per capita rate at around 1.2 tonnes per year, compared to the global average of 4.22 tonnes.

Five different studies released by independent institutions concluded that India's per capita emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent would reach 2.1 tonnes in 2020 and 3.5 tonnes in 2030. India's per capita output is one of the lowest globally, but given its massive population it is one of the top polluters in the world.

Speaking at the launch, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the data would help to inform debate at global climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. "India should be seen to be part of the solution," he said. But Ramesh cautioned that the numbers were "open to peer review" and that the government did not agree with all of them.

The studies found that India's total emissions are estimated to reach between four billion and 7.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2031.

India has long rejected binding carbon emission targets on the grounds that they would hinder economic growth and development.

More than 180 nations are due to negotiate an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol climate treaty in Copenhagen in December. Ramesh reiterated a promise by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that India's per capita emissions would never exceed those of developed nations, but credited energy efficiency options rather than mitigation strategies for the projections.

Climate change killing corals, costing billions

Climate change is killing valuabl cora reef systems, a UnitedNations-backed report published warned. The reportentitled "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity" -- unveiled in Berlin, concluded: "We face the imminent loss of coral reefs due to climate change, with all the serious ecological, social and economic consequences this will entail."

It said coral reef systems were worth up to 172 billion dollars per year in terms of economic activity. The research, hosted by the UN's Environment Programme and sponsored by the European Commission, Germany and Britain, is intended to inform policymakers' thinking ahead of a crunch climate change summit in Copenhagen in December. Presenting the report, the project's head, Pavan Sukhdev, stressed the importance of coral reefs to the global environment, saying: "The existence of half a billion people depends on them." "Over a quarter of all fish species are also dependent on the coral reefs," he added.

To secure the survival of the coral reefs, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels need to be "significantly below 350 parts per million (ppm)" but current levels are 387 ppm. The report recommended increased investment in "ecological infrastructure" -- conservation of forests, mangroves, river basins and wetlands -- as a means of adapting to climate change. The report is a draft version of a fuller document that will be presented to world leaders in November ahead of the Copenhagen conference in December that aims to agree a new global climate pact to succeed the expiring Kyoto Protocol.

A second study published earlier in Sydney found that Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in serious jeopardy as global warming and chemical runoff threatened to kill marine species and cause serious outbreaks of disease. The inspiration for the report is the landmark 2006 assessment by British economist Sir Nicholas Stern that sparked awareness about the economic cost of global warming. Stern said that climate change could shrink the global economy by as much as 20 Return to list of posts percent, but if action were taken immediately, the bill would be only one percent of global gross domestic product (GDP)

Climate change hits millions in Nepal

Millions of people in Nepal face severe food shortage as changing weather patterns hit crop production in the country, an international aid agency warned.Climate changes have dramatically affected crop yields in Nepal, leaving farmers unable to properly feed themselves, and pushing them deeper into debts, Oxfam International said in a report released here.

According to the report, "Even the Himalayas Have Stopped Smiling: Climate Change, Poverty and Adaptation in Nepal", more than 3.4 million people in Nepal are estimated to require food assistance, due to a combination of natural disasters, including last year's winter drought -- one of the worst in the country's history. Calling the situation "deeply worrying", the report says the crop production is nearly half that of previous years. "Poor farmers rely on rainfall. They farm small areas of land which, at the best of times, can barely produce enough food for the family," said Oxfam's Nepal country director, Wayne Gum. Higher food prices have also reduced people's ability to purchase food, adds the report. Among recent changes in weather patterns in Nepal are an increase in temperature extremes, more intense rainfall and increased unpredictability in weather patterns, including drier winters and delays in the summer monsoons.
Link PTI

Environmental stress might be shrinking polar bears.

A new research has indicated that environmental stress could be causing physical changes in the bears, making them shrink over the last century.

According to a report by BBC News, the conclusion was arrived at by scientists after comparing bear skulls from the early 20th Century with those from the latter half of the century.

Their study describes changes in size and shape that could be linked an increase in pollution and the reduction in sea ice.

Physical "stress" caused by pollutants in the bears' bodies, and the increased effort needed to find food, could limit the animals' growth, according to the team.

The researchers used skulls as indicators of body size. The skulls from the later period were between two and 9 percent smaller. "Because the ice is melting, the bears have to use much more energy to hunt their prey," explained Cino Pertoldi, professor of biology from Aarhus University and the Polish Academy of Science, and lead scientist in this study. "Imagine you have two twins, one is well fed during its growth and one is starving. (The starving) one will be much smaller, because it will not have enough energy to allocate to growth," he said.

The team, which included colleagues from Aarhus University's Department of Arctic Environment, also found shape differences between the skulls from the different periods. "This development was slightly more mysterious," said Dr Pertoldi.

He explained that it was not possible to determine the cause, but that the changes could be linked to the environment - more specifically to pollutants that have built up in the Arctic, and in the polar bears' bodies.

The aim of the study was to compare two groups of animals that lived during periods when sea ice extent and pollution levels were very different. The pollutants that the scientists focused on were compounds containing carbon and halogens - fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Some of these compounds have already been phased out, but many still have important uses in industry. These include solvents, pesticides, refrigerants, adhesives and coatings. The changes, according to the team, could also be related to a reduction in the genetic diversity of the species.

Hunting over the last century could have depleted the gene pool, leaving polar bears to suffer the effects of inbreeding, according to Dr Pertoldi.

"We also know from previous studies that some chlorinated chemical pollutants have affected the fertility of the females," he said.

A global rainfall atlas!

A page from the ANU Atlas of the Global Water Cycle.
Scientists have created the first comprehensive visual atlas of global rainfall, which they claim shows the projections of downpour around the world over the next century. An international team, led by the Australian National University, has created the Atlas of the Global Water Cycle based on all of the models used by India's RK Pauchuri-headed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its report. According to the scientists, the atlas contains 300 pages of global maps and tables showing current and projected measures of rainfall, evaporation and runoff.

The atlas illustrates the projections of each of the 20 computer models used by different countries to forecast future water cycles -- data drawn upon by the IPCC in its reporting on climate change. Lead scientist Dr Michael Roderick said: "We know that as the world warms there is likely to be more rainfall on a global average basis. But where is this increased rainfall going to occur, and which areas might get drier? "These are simple questions to ask, but it is surprisingly hard for an individual to get an answer, whether they're a farmer, civil engineer, teacher or citizen. "As researchers active in the field we couldn't answer the question with certainty. In fact, until now we have never seen a compilation of the individual rainfall predictions made by all the differentclimate models."

The Atlas of the Global Water Cycle was launched in Canberra last week and is available for sale in hard copy or free download from ANU at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/global_water_cycle/pdf_instructions.html

Link Country News

CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOUR ROLE

Nature is already responding to the climate change that has already occurred. At local level we are experiencing uneven rain fall, we never heard of floods in Rajasthan and with increase in temperatures will rise the sea levels where low lying nations like Bangladesh will be facing problem of sea rise.

In the Arctic we are seeing threshold changes in physical nature (ice to water) with major consequences for species with ice related natural histories, e.g. polar bears and Arctic cod. Further, melting ice in the Arctic is already affecting climate in those high latitudes and there are possible consequences for global ocean circulation. Drying trends have already begun in some parts of the world and the changing hydrology has implications for water supplies and agriculture. Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana's Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later. An upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heat waves, and strong tropical storms, is also attributed in part to climate change by some experts.

Many heavily populated areas, including Florida in the U.S., are looking to their coastlines with increasing concern as sea levels rise. But perhaps none have taken it so seriously as Male. With a maximum elevation of only 8 feet (2.4 meters), any rise in sea level is likely to engulf currently inhabited ground. In response to this impending threat, the city has built a seawall around the capital. More disturbingly, it has triggered some first threshold changes in ecosystems: e.g. coral bleaching and massive coniferous tree mortality from native pine bark beetles that have an additional generation because of longer summers.

The Earth is already 0.8 Degrees C warmer than in pre-industrial times and current CO2 concentrations are close to 390 ppm compared to pre-industrial 280 ppm. The lag between an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and the consequent trapping of additional heat means the Earth is already destined to warm by another 0.5 degrees C even if the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations ceased today. That 2.0 degrees C increase (merely 0.7 degrees beyond where the Earth is pretty much committed) is higher than what would avoid major disruption of ecosystems. If we are already seeing threshold changes in ecosystems and system change like acidification of the oceans, the picture at 2.0 should be grave. At 2.5 degrees C increase the IPCC(Inter Government Panel on Climate Change) predicts dieback of the Amazon forest. At 2.75 degrees C the IPCC projects loss of 20 to 30% of all species.

Land degradation is major concern, with development much of the world forest areas are destroyed. As deforestation accounts for 20% of the global emissions. The productivity of green plants that is at the base of so many food chains on earth is measured as Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and is essentially plant growth net of plant respiration (the metabolic activity of existence).It also can be used as a first approximation of the overall state of the planet’s ecosystems and the health (or degradation) of the land. A major fraction of NPP has been appropriated for human use and it is a cause for concern, especially in a world concerned about sufficient food, both now and for growing population, that NPP on land has declined by 12%.

Burning of the Fossil fuels is another reason for climate change. We have exploited the non renewable energy resources indiscriminately. Rapid industralisation has contributed to emissions. China accounts for 16% of the total global emissions annually and 3 tonnes per capita. USA is comparable with China on an absolute level but its per capita emissions are 20 tonnes. India's contribution stands at a mere 1.1 tonnes per capita and a meager 4% in absolute terms on an annual basis. Even though our per capita emissions are less, India is much populated country we are contributing more emissions to planet.

Life style changes contributed for climate change. With increase of consumerism, people are indiscriminately using the modern gadgets and vehicles and contributing to emissions. For examples in olden day people go for walk to keep fit, because of busy scheduled people are using treadmill for exercise which consumes electricity leading to emissions. Even one hour power cuts we are unable to survive.

What is your role as individual???

• Change your life style, go back to nature, and practice age old practices eco-friendly practices.
• Plant more trees, trees are sink to lot of pollutants especially Carbon dioxide.
• Reduce individual carbon foot prints
• Use Car pool to go to office instead of every one driving individual cars.
• Use renewable energy like solar heaters, solar power for lighting your home.
• Think globally, act locally.
• Educate people

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed”.....................................Mahatma Gandhi