Climate change and

Sustainability
BT- OE-III
Difference between Climate and Weather?
Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get
Weather
• describes the current or short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place. These
conditions change rapidly—sometimes from hour to hour or day to day. Weather includes
elements like temperature, humidity, wind, air pressure, precipitation, and visibility.
When you check the forecast for tomorrow, you are looking at weather information.
•
Temperature variations throughout the day
• Rainfall, snow, or sunshine on a specific date
• Wind speeds and storm warnings
• Weather is measured using tools like thermometers, barometers, rain gauges, and
satellites. The study of weather is called meteorology. Accurate weather predictions help
with farming, travel, public safety, and even daily choices like clothing.
•
What is Climate?
Climate describes the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular region. It is
determined by studying data collected over decades, usually 30 years or more. This
includes not just averages, but also trends and expected variations over time. For example,
India's climate is generally warm and humid, with monsoon patterns that define rainfall for
months.

Average temperatures over decades

• Rainfall patterns across years
• Typical humidity, sunshine, or storm frequency
• The study of climate is called climatology. Understanding climate is crucial for
agriculture, city planning, and dealing with Effect of climate change like droughts or
floods.
• Climate data helps predict long-term environmental impacts and supports sustainability
efforts across the globe.
 5 Main Differences Between Weather and
Climate
• Timescale: Weather describes changes for hours, days, or weeks, while climate
covers decades or centuries.
• Variability: Weather changes rapidly and is unpredictable, climate is more
consistent and stable.
• Measurement: Weather is observed in real time; climate is determined by
compiling and analysing years of weather data.
• Predictability: Weather forecasts are short-term and less accurate. Climate
predictions give reliable trends based on averages.
• Effect on Living Beings: Weather impacts day-to-day decisions, but climate affects
agriculture, industry, and ecosystems over time.
Difference Between Weather, Climate, and
Season
• Weather changes daily or even within hours.
• Climate represents the average weather across a long period.
• Season refers to specific yearly periods (such as winter or summer)
caused by Earth's tilt and orbit, showing typical weather features for
a few months.
• Weather: Will it rain today?
• Climate: Is this region generally hot and dry?
• Season: Is it monsoon or winter now?
Examples to Understand the Difference Between
Weather and Climate
• Example 1: A thunderstorm disrupts your picnic—that is weather.
• Example 2: India’s hot summers every year are part of its climate.
• Example 3: Weather forecast says it will be sunny tomorrow; climate is why
Chennai always feels humid.
• Example 4: Farmers choose crops based on the region’s climate, but harvest on
days with good weather.
Key Takeaways: Difference Between Weather and
Climate

• The difference between climate and weather lies mainly in duration

and predictability.
• Weather is about short-term changes; climate is the average over
decades.
• Knowing this helps with farming, environmental care, and disaster
preparedness.
• These concepts are used throughout science, geography, health, and
everyday life.
Formation of Earth's Atmosphere

• Earth had no atmosphere when it was formed billions of years ago.

• The Earth’s atmosphere developed gradually after that. Thus, the
formation of the atmosphere is the evolution of the Earth's
atmosphere over geological time. The mechanism by which the
current atmosphere evolved from former circumstances is
complicated.
Earth’s Atmosphere
• Earth had essentially no atmosphere when it was created 4.6 billion years
ago from a heated mix of gases and minerals.
• The ground was molten. As the Earth cooled, an atmosphere evolved,
primarily from gases emitted by volcanoes.
• It included hydrogen sulphide, methane, and 10 to 200 times the amount
of carbon dioxide found in today's atmosphere.
• After approximately half a billion years, the Earth's surface cooled and
consolidated sufficiently for water to settle on it.
• The primordial atmosphere of Earth was high in methane, ammonia, water
vapour, and the noble gas neon, but it was deficient in free oxygen.
• The initial biological generation of oxygen by unicellular organisms and its
final buildup in the atmosphere are likely separated by hundreds of millions
of years.
• The atmosphere's composition contains a wealth of information about its
origin.
• Furthermore, the diversity and character of the minor components suggest
substantial interactions between the atmosphere, terrestrial environment,
and biota.
• During its genesis period, the earth was largely in a volatile state.
• The temperature within has risen due to the progressive increase in
density. As a result, the materials within began to segregate based on their
densities. This is known as differentiation.
• This caused heavy elements (such as iron) to sink to the earth's core and
lighter materials to rise to the top.
• Because of this, the earth has been separated into layers such as the crust
(outermost), mantle, outer core, and inner core (innermost).
• The density of the substance increases from the crust to the core.
Origin of Atmosphere
• The Earth is said to have formed some 5 billion years ago. By the first 500 million years, a
thick atmosphere formed from the vapour and gases ejected during the planet's internal
degassing.
• Gases and water vapour were released from the inner solid earth during cooling. This
triggered the current climate's development. This is known as degassing.
• These gases might have been hydrogen (H2), water vapour, methane (CH4), or carbon
oxides.
• Before 3.5 billion years ago, the atmosphere was most likely composed of carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), water (H2O), nitrogen (N2), and hydrogen.
• The scarcity of free oxygen was the most significant element of the prehistoric
environment.
• Evidence of such an anaerobic reducing environment may be found in early rock
formations that include various elements in reduced forms, such as iron and uranium.
• Elements in this form are not present in mid-Precambrian and younger
rocks, which are less than 3 billion years old.
• Early aquatic organisms known as blue-green algae began harnessing Sun
energy one billion years ago to divide molecules of H2O and CO2 and
recombine them into chemical compounds and molecular oxygen (O2).
• Photosynthesis is the process through which solar energy is converted.
• Some of the oxygen produced by photosynthetic processes mixed with
organic carbon to form CO2 molecules.
• Some oxygen (O2) molecules in the upper atmosphere received energy
from the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and split to generate single
oxygen atoms.
• These atoms combine with the remaining oxygen (O2) to generate ozone
(O3) molecules, which absorb UV radiation very effectively.
• The tiny layer of ozone that surrounds Earth works as a shield, shielding the
globe from UV light irradiation.
• The quantity of ozone necessary to protect Earth from physiologically
fatal UV radiation with wavelengths ranging from 200 to 300
nanometers (nm) is thought to have existed 600 million years ago.
• At the time, the oxygen content in the atmosphere was around
10% of what it is now. Prior to this time, life was limited to the sea.
• The presence of ozone allowed creatures to grow and exist on land.
Ozone has played an important part in the evolution of life on Earth,
allowing life as we know it to exist.
Three Phases of Formation
• The Beginning
• Young Phase
• Current Earth
The Beginning
• Since Hydrogen (H2) and Helium (He) were
the principal gases in the dusty, gassy disk
surrounding the Sun from which the planets
originated, Earth's primordial atmosphere
was most likely merely hydrogen and helium.
• The Earth and its atmosphere were both
extremely heated.
• Hydrogen and helium molecules move
extremely quickly, especially when heated.
• They were moving so quickly that they
eventually escaped Earth's gravity and sailed
off into space.
Young Phase
• Earth's "second atmosphere" was created
by the planet itself.
• Because the Earth's crust was still
forming, there were many more
volcanoes than there are today.
• The volcanoes emitted:
• Steam (H2O) - consisting of two hydrogen
atoms and one oxygen atom
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) - consisting of one
carbon atom and two oxygen atoms
• Ammonia (NH3) - consisting of one
nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms
Current Earth
• The oceans absorbed a large portion of the CO2.
• Eventually, a primitive kind of bacterium evolved that
could live on the Sun's energy and the carbon dioxide in the
water, creating oxygen as a waste product.
• As a result, oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere,
while carbon dioxide levels continued to fall.
• Meanwhile, sunlight broke apart ammonia molecules in
the atmosphere, resulting in nitrogen and hydrogen.
• Because hydrogen is the lightest element, it climbed to the
top of the atmosphere and drifted off into space.
• Now we have Earth's "third atmosphere," the one we all
know and love—an atmosphere rich in oxygen that allows
species, including humans, to evolve.
• So plants and some bacteria use carbon dioxide to produce
oxygen, while animals use oxygen to produce carbon
dioxide.
Composition of Atmosphere
Gases
• The atmosphere is a gaseous composition. It also comprises a large number of solid and liquid particles known as aerosols.
• Nearly 99 percent of the pure, dry air is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The other gases are essentially inert and account
for around 1% of the atmosphere.
• Despite accounting for only 21% of the total volume of the atmosphere, oxygen is the most significant component among
gases.
• All living things breathe in oxygen. Also, oxygen may react with other elements to generate significant chemicals like oxides.
• Furthermore, combustion is impossible in the absence of oxygen.
• Nitrogen makes up around 78% of total atmospheric volume. It is a relatively inert gas that is an essential component of all
organic molecules.
• Nitrogen's primary purpose is to regulate combustion by diluting oxygen. It also indirectly aids in certain types of oxidation.
• Argon, the third most significant gas, accounts for just around 0.93 percent of the total.
• Ozone (O3) is another major gas in the atmosphere that is really a form of oxygen molecule with three atoms rather than two.
It makes up less than 0.00006 percent of the atmosphere's volume and is unevenly distributed.
• The highest quantities of ozone are found between 20 and 25 kilometers above sea level. It forms at higher altitudes and
travels downhill.
• Ozone is critical in shielding from the sun's damaging UV rays.
• Other gases present in trace amounts in the atmosphere include neon, helium, hydrogen, xenon, krypton, methane, and
others.
 Water Vapour
• The atmospheric vapour concentration ranges from 0 to 5% by volume.
• The atmospheric vapour is formed through the evaporation of moisture and water
from bodies of water (such as seas and oceans, lakes, tanks and ponds, rivers, and
so on), plants, and soil cover.
• Vapour is temperature-dependent, hence it decreases from the equator poleward
as the temperature lowers towards the poles.
• The vapour content drops as the temperature rises.
• Clouds, fog, dew, rainfall, frost, hailstorms, ice, snowfall, and other kinds of
condensation and precipitation are caused by the moisture content of the
atmosphere.
• Vapour is almost transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation, allowing
electromagnetic radiation waves to reach the earth's surface with few obstacles.
• However, vapour is less transparent to outgoing longwave terrestrial
radiation, which aids in heating the earth's surface and lower atmosphere by
absorbing terrestrial radiation.
 Dust Particles
• The solid particles in the atmosphere include sand particles (from weathered
rocks and volcanic ash), pollen grains, tiny creatures, soot, and ocean salts.
• The highest layers of the atmosphere may also contain bits of meteorites that
burn up in the atmosphere.
• These particles aid in the absorption, reflection, and scattering of solar light,
which contributes to the variegated and appealing colour of red and orange
during dawn and sunset.
• The selective scattering of solar light by dust particles causes the sky to look
blue.
• Salt particles transform into hygroscopic nuclei, assisting in the creation of
water droplets, clouds, and different kinds of condensation and precipitation.
Structure of Atmosphere
• The atmosphere can be split into strata based on changes in
composition, density, pressure, and temperature.
• The current atmosphere of the Earth, which was generated as a result
of the degassing of the Earth's surface, is a gas mixture that
surrounds the globe.
• The atmosphere, on the other hand, is divided into five layers based
on temperature: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere, and exosphere.
• Although the air composition is the same in all three areas, the
concentration of air reduces dramatically as height increases.
• Using air composition to partition the atmosphere, two main zones
may be identified:
• Homosphere
• Heterosphere
• The troposphere is the weather layer of the Earth. It is the lowest
layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. The temperature drops as height
increases.
• The Stratosphere is the Homosphere's middle section.
• The Mesosphere is the Homosphere's upper stratum.
• The thermosphere includes the exosphere and the ionosphere.
Koeppen’s Climatic Classification
• Koeppen's Climate Classification: Meaning, Symbols, Types & More
Difference between climate change and
climate variability
Climatic Variability: Temperature, Rainfall,
Wind Speed & Direction
• Understanding climate elements and their variability
• Relevance to environment and sustainability
Introduction to Climatic Variability
• Natural fluctuations in climate variables
• Occurs over daily to decadal scales
• Different from climate change
Climate vs Weather
• Weather: short-term conditions
• Climate: long-term average
• Variability connects both
Major Elements of Climatic Variability
• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Wind Speed
• Wind Direction
• Temperature is the measure of heat in the atmosphere and acts as the
primary driver of climatic processes. Variations in temperature control
evaporation rates, air pressure differences, and the capacity of air to hold
moisture. Higher temperatures generally increase evaporation and
atmospheric instability.
• Rainfall (precipitation) represents the moisture component of the climate
system. It depends heavily on temperature and wind conditions. Warm air
can hold more water vapor, leading to increased rainfall when
condensation occurs. Rainfall patterns determine water availability,
agriculture productivity, and ecosystem health.
• Wind speed refers to how fast air moves from high-pressure to
low-pressure areas. Wind speed affects weather intensity, evaporation
rates, cloud movement, and the distribution of heat and moisture across
regions.
• Wind direction indicates the direction from which the wind originates. It
plays a critical role in determining regional climate by transporting warm or
cold air masses and moisture from oceans or land areas, thereby
influencing temperature and rainfall patterns.
Temperature – Definition & Importance
• Measure of atmospheric heat
• Controls weather patterns
• Affects ecosystems
Factors Affecting Temperature Variability
• Latitude & altitude
• Ocean currents
• Cloud cover & land use
Types of Temperature Variability
• Diurnal variation
• Seasonal variation
• Interannual variation
Impacts of Temperature Variability
• Heat waves & cold spells
• Agriculture impact
• Human health issues
Rainfall – Definition & Characteristics
• Form of precipitation
• Measured in mm
• Highly variable
Types of Rainfall
• Convectional
• Orographic
• Cyclonic
Rainfall Variability Patterns
• Seasonal monsoon
• Annual variation
• Spatial differences
Causes of Rainfall Variability
• Monsoon dynamics
• Sea surface temperature
• Topography
Impacts of Rainfall Variability
• Floods
• Droughts
• Water resource stress
Wind – Definition & Measurement
• Horizontal air movement
• Pressure differences
• Measured by anemometer
Wind Speed – Significance
• Controls weather systems
• Energy transfer
• Wind power
Wind Direction – Importance
• Source direction of wind
• Pollution dispersion
• Rainfall patterns
Factors Affecting Wind Variability
• Pressure gradient
• Coriolis force
• Surface friction
Seasonal Wind Systems
• Trade winds
• Westerlies
• Monsoon winds
Extreme Wind Events
• Cyclones
• Tornadoes
• Dust storms
Interconnection of Climate Elements
• Temperature affects rainfall
• Wind redistributes heat
Climatic Variability & Agriculture
• Crop yield dependence
• Monsoon timing
• Soil erosion
Climatic Variability & Water Resources
• River flow variation
• Evaporation changes
Climatic Variability & Human Activities
• Health impacts
• Infrastructure damage
Monitoring Climatic Variability
• Weather stations
• Satellites
• Forecasting models