What is the Greenhouse Effect?

When energy (read heat) from the sun reaches the Earth, greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere form a sort of blanket over the earth and absorb some of the energy coming from the sun. Some of the energy trapped by the greenhouse gases escape back into space while some are reflected back to the earth. When the sun’s energy reaches earth, some of it is absorbed by the surface to warm the planet. The earth then releases this heat back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This process of greenhouse gases forming a blanket over the atmosphere to trap heat is what is known as the greenhouse effect.

This trapped heat keeps the earth’s average temperature around 15°C, instead of about -18°C — which would be too cold for most life. The greater the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the greater the amount of heat the earth can retain. The natural greenhouse effect is both good and necessary for the preservation of life on earth. However, as more greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere, more heat is trapped, causing the earth to warm faster than naturally intended. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect. The enhanced greenhouse effect leads to global warming, which drives the major effects of climate change like rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms, more frequent droughts, heat waves and floods etc. Click here to read more about the greenhouse effect.

What is net-zero emissions?

Net zero emissions is a state where the amount of greenhouse gases that is released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount that is removed. It is primarily achieved by significantly reducing emissions through actions like transitioning to clean energy sources and phasing out fossil fuels. Any emissions that cannot be eliminated can be offset by removing an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as through reforestation or carbon capture technologies.The primary goal of net zero is to stop the continuous rise in global temperatures.
What are the effects of Climate Change?

Climate change has tremendous effects on the human environment, the people and the society at large. Climate change causes rises in sea levels, Insecurity, Drought, Desertification, Extreme Weather Events, Water Scarcity and human health issues. Climate change also negatively affects agriculture, energy etc. Click here to read more.

Is Climate Change the same thing as Global Warming?

No. They are two interrelated but different concepts. Global warming is just one aspect of climate change. It refers to the long term rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. On the other hand, climate change refers to the change in the patterns of temperature, precipitation, wind, and other elements of the Earth’s climate system over a long period of time. It includes global warming and the side effects of warming like melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms, or more frequent drought as well as shifts in flower/plant blooming; and extreme weather events.

Can Climate Change be stopped?

Climate change cannot be stopped. However, we can, where possible, mitigate, and, where not possible, adapt to its impacts through climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Climate change mitigation basically involves taking action to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere through human activities. It covers actions that are aimed at reducing further emissions of greenhouse gases or capturing the greenhouse gases already released into the atmosphere. Climate change adaptation on the other hand refers to those actions that are aimed at minimising the negative effects of climate change. This is because even if substantial progress is made in a bid to mitigate climate change by reducing further emissions of greenhouse gases or capturing the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere today, some degree of climate change will still occur. Click here to read more about climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.