Syllabus: Environment
Source: WMO
Context: The WMO State of the Climate 2024 Update once again issues a Red Alert at the sheer pace of climate change in a single generation, turbo-charged by ever-increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
Summary of State of the Climate 2024 Report:
- Temperature and Greenhouse Gases:
- 2024 is on track to be the warmest year, with global temperatures 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Greenhouse gas levels (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) hit record highs in 2023, continuing to rise in 2024.
- Ocean and Sea Level Rise:
- Ocean heat content reached record levels in 2023, absorbing 3.1 million TWh of heat.
- Global sea level rise accelerated to 4.77 mm/year (2014-2023), doubling the rate of 1993-2002.
- Cryosphere (Polar Ice and Glaciers):
- Arctic and Antarctic Sea ice extent in 2024 remained below historical averages.
- Glaciers lost an unprecedented volume of ice equivalent to five times the water in the Dead Sea in 2023.
- Precipitation and Water Resources:
- 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in over 30 years.
- Extreme precipitation events caused significant flooding, but overall water availability declined globally.
- Extreme weather events:
- Devastating floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires affected millions globally in 2024, with extensive socio-economic impacts.
- Early Warning Systems and Climate Services:
- Progress made in implementing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), with 108 countries adopting them.
- Significant gaps persist, especially in vulnerable regions like Africa and small island nations.
- Renewable Energy and Climate Finance:
- Renewable energy capacity increased globally, with improvements in wind and solar generation.
- Climate finance and integrated policies emphasized to meet adaptation and mitigation targets.
Anthropological factors:
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Rising concentrations of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O from fossil fuels, agriculture, and industrial activities. |
| Land Use Changes | Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion altering natural carbon and water cycles. |
| Industrial Activities | Energy-intensive processes releasing heat-trapping gases and pollutants. |
| Transportation | Emissions from vehicles and aviation contributing to CO₂ and particulate matter levels. |
| Waste Management | Methane emissions from unmanaged landfills and improper waste handling. |
Natural factors:
| El Niño and La Niña | Cyclical warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of ocean waters driving global temperature and weather changes. |
| Volcanic Activity | Periodic eruptions releasing aerosols that temporarily cool or warm the atmosphere. |
| Solar Variability | Changes in solar radiation influencing Earth’s energy balance. |
| Ocean Circulation | Variations in currents like the Gulf Stream affecting heat distribution. |
| Natural Carbon Sinks | Forests, oceans, and soil absorbing less CO₂ due to degradation or warming-induced changes. |
Recommendations from the State of the Climate 2024 Report
- Mitigation of Climate Change:
- Accelerate efforts to limit global warming below 1.5°C through stronger commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate adaptation:
- Scale up climate adaptation strategies, including investments in resilient infrastructure and integrated water management.
- Expand Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) globally, with a focus on vulnerable regions like Africa and small island nations.
- Renewable energy:
- Triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 to meet climate mitigation targets.
- Strengthen climate services:
- Enhance National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) to improve data collection, modelling, and forecasting for effective decision-making.
- Cryosphere protection:
- Implement policies to mitigate glacial loss and ensure sustainable management of polar and high-altitude ecosystems.
About State of the Global Climate Report:
- Purpose: Provides an annual summary of key climate indicators and updates.
- History: Published annually by the WMO since 1993 to complement IPCC’s less frequent Assessment Reports.
- Updates for COP: Since 2016, the report includes preliminary findings presented before the UNFCCC COP each year.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
· Overview: An intergovernmental organization with 192 member states and territories.
· Origin: Evolved from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), established in 1873.
· Establishment: Officially formed on 23rd March 1950 through the WMO Convention.
· Role and Affiliation: A specialized United Nations agency focusing on meteorology, climate, operational hydrology, and geophysical sciences.
· Headquarters: Based in Geneva, Switzerland.
· India’s Membership: India is an active member of WMO.
· Purpose: Promotes international cooperation, data exchange, and research in weather, climate, and water sciences.
Insta Links:
PYQ:
- In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (UPSC-2021)
- The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
- The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d)
- Describe the major outcomes of the 26thsession of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC-2021)
