CLIMATE
Climate is long term weather pattern in a region, typically averaged over 30 years. More
rigourously, it is the mean and variability of metrological variables over a time spanning from
months to million of years.
Some of the metrological variables that are commonly measured are
temperature,humidity,atmospheric pressure,wind and precepitation
Climate is the state of the components of the climate system, including atmosphere, hydrosphere,
cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere and the interaction between them
Climate change is the variation in global or regional climates over time. It reflects changes in the
variablity or average state of the atmosphere over time scales ranging from decades to million of
years
UNITED NATIONS
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. Such shifts can be
natural, due to changes in the Sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.
But since 1800s, Human activities have been main driver of climate change, primarily due to
burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emession that act like a blanket wrapped around the
Earth, trapping the Sun’s heat and raising temperatures
The main GHGs that are causing climate change include Carbo Dioxide and Methane. These come
from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building
Clearing land and cutting forests can also release carbon dioxide
Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, Industry.
Transport, Buildings, Agriculture are among main sectors causing GHGS
Humans are Responsible for Global Warming
Climate scientists showed humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200
years
According to IPCC INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The averaged weather over several decades is climate and when this averaged
conditions start to change and its causes can be either be natural or manmade
In 1990, The first report by IPCC concluded that human caused climate change
would soon become apparent but could not yet conform that it was already
happening. Now some 30 years later, the evidence is overwhelming that human
activities have changed the climates
Hundreds of scientists from all over the world come together to produce IPCC
reports. They observe past data over thousands of years like tree rings, rocks or ice
cores → They use computer models to look at past,current and future changes→ they
understand how climate work (Physical,chemical and biological process)
Climate change not only simply mean getting hotter , we are experiencing
widespread changes across the atmosphere, land, ocean and ice regions.
• Atmosphere:
• The average temperature of the Earths surface between 2011 and 2020 was 1.1
c(2F) warmer than the average temerature in the late 19th century (before the
industrial revolution) and warmer than at any time in the last 10000 years
• Each of last four decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850.
The world is warming faster than at any time in at least last 2000 years
• GHG in air continue to rise because of our emissions. Carbon dioxide
concentration are at their highest in at least last 2 million years. Methane and
nitrous oxide concentrations are highest in at least 800000 years
ICE & SEA
Many of the frozen parts of the earth are rapidly melting overall snowfall is
decreasing the widspread retreat of glaciers since 1950 havent been seen in at least
2000 years
The area of arctic ocean covered by sea ice in the summer is now 40% smaller than
in the 1980s is the smalles it has been for at least one thousand years
snow cover in northern hemsiphere has decreased since late 1970s and the ground
usually frozen have warmed thawed
The Greenland Antarctic ice sheets are shrinking, as the vast majority of glaciers
worldwide adding huge quantities of water to the ocean
90% of the extra heat asspciated with global warming has been taken by ocean. The
ocean is ow warming faster than any time in at least 11000 years
sea level has rise globally by about 20 centimeters since 1900 rising faster than any
point in last 3000 years which is accelerating
by absorbing c02 from atmosphere, the ocean is becoming more acidic. The surface
water of the ocean is now usually acidic compared with the last 2 million years
UN ctd….
The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is now between 1.34°C and 1.41°C warmer than it
was in the late 1800s-prior to the industrial revolution-and warmer than at any time in the last
100,000 years. The last decade (2015-2024) was the warmest on record, and each of the last four
decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850.
Climate change is not only temperature rise rather it is just the beginning, where on earth all
systems are connected
The climate change may cause Intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels,
flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity
Climate change can affect Health, ability to grow food Housing, safety and work.
People living in small island nations and other developing countries suffer more due to conditions
like sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion causing relocation of entire communities, while
protracted droughts are putting people at risk of famine. In the future the number of people
displaced by weather- related events is expected to rise
In a series of UN reports, thousands of scientists and government reviewers agreed that limiting
global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C would help us avoid the worst climate impacts and
maintain a liveable climate. Yet policies currently in place point to up to 3.1°C of warming by the
end of the century.
The six biggest emitters China,USA,India,European Union, Russia and Brazil accounted for
more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2023
By contrast 45 of the least developed countries accounted for only 3% of global greenhouse gas
emissions
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
UNITED NATIONS
Generating power:
A large chunk of global emissions come from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and heat.
Most electricity is still generated by burning coal,oil or gas producing c02 and nitrous oxide
powerful ghg gases that blanket the earth and trap the sun’s heat
Manufacturing Goods
Manufacturing and industry produce eissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels to generate the
energy need to make things like cement, iron. Steel, electronics, plastics, clothes and other goods.
Mining and other industrial process also release gases, as does the construction industry. Machine
run on coal, oil or gas , things like plastic manufacturred from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels.
This is one of the largest contributors to ghg emission
Cutting down forests
Cutting down forest for commercial or agricultur purposes Trees when they are cut release co2 they
had been storing. Each year approximately 10 mn hectares of forest are destroyed. Since forest
absorb co2 destroying them also means limiting natures ability to keep emission out of atmosphere.
Deforestation, together with agriculture and other land use changes, is responsible for roughly A
third of Global greenhouse gas emission.
Using Transportation
Most cars, trucks, ships, and planes run on fossil fuels. This makes transportation a major
contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-dioxide emissions. Road vehicles produce the
largest part, due to the combustion of petroleum-based products, like gasoline, in internal
combustion engines. But emissions from ships and planes continue to grow. Transport accounts for
nearly one quarter of global energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions. And trends point to a
significant increase in energy use for transport over the coming years.
Producing Food
Producing food causes emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases. This is
due, for instance, to deforestation and clearing of land for agriculture and grazing, digestion by
cows and sheep, the production and use of fertilizers and manure for growing crops, and the use of
fossil fuels to run farm equipment or fishing boats. All this makes food production a major
contributor to climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions also come from packaging and
distributing food.
Powering Buildings
Globally, residential and commercial buildings consume nearly 60 per cent of all electricity. As
they continue to draw on coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and cooling, they emit significant
quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. Growing energy demand for heating and cooling, with
rising air-conditioner ownership, as well as increased electricity consumption for lighting,
appliances, and connected devices, has contributed to a rise in carbon-dioxide emissions from
buildings in recent years.
Consuming too much
Our lifestyles can have a profound impact on our planet. Our use of power at home, how we move
around, what weeat and how much we throw away all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. So
does the consumption of goods such as clothing, electronics, and plastics. The wealthiest bear the
greatest responsibility: the 20 largest economies are responsible for almost 80 per cent of global
emissions.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
EFFECTS ACCORDING TO UNITED NATIONS
Hotter Temperatures
Rise in GHG concentration rises the global surface temperature. The last decade 2015-2024 is the
warmest on record. Since 1980s each decade is warmer than the previous one nealrly all land areas
are seeing more hot days and heat waves . Higher temperature increases heat related illness and
make working outdoor more difficult. Wildfires start more easily and spread more rapidly when
conditions are hotter. Temperature in arctic have warmed at least twice as fast as the global average
More Severe Storms
Destructive storms have become more intense and more frequent in many regions. As temperatures
rise, more moisture evaporates. This exacerbates extreme rainfall and flooding, causing more
destructive storms. The frequency and extent of tropical storms is also affected by ocean warming.
Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons feed on warm waters at the ocean surface. Such storms often
destroy homes and communities, causing deaths and huge economic losses.
INCREASED DROUGHT
Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more regions. Global warming
exacerbates shortages in water-stressed regions. It also leads to ahigher risk of agricultural droughts
affecting crops and ecological droughts making ecosystems more vulnerable. Droughts can also stir
destructive sand and dust storms that can move billions of tons of sand across continents. Deserts
are expanding, reducing land for growing food. Many people now face the threat of not having
enough water on a regular basis.
A WARMING, RISING OCEAN
The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming. The rate at which the ocean is warming
strongly increased over the past two decades, across all depths of the ocean. As the ocean warms,
its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice sheets also cause sea
levels to rise, threatening coastal and island communities. In addition, the ocean absorbs carbon
dioxide, making it more acidic and endangering marine life and coral reefs.
LOSS OF SPECIES
Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks increase
as temperatures climb. Exacerbated by climate change, the world is losing species at a rate 1,000
times greater than at any other time in recorded human history. One million species are at risk of
becoming extinct within the next few decades. Forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests
and diseases are among many threats related to climate change. Some species will be able to
relocate and survive, but others will not.
NOT ENOUGH FOOD
Changes in the climate and increases in extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a
global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock may be destroyed or
become less productive. With the ocean becoming more acidic, marine resources that feed billions
of people are at risk. Changes in snow and ice cover in many Arctic regions have disrupted food
supplies from herding, hunting, and fishing. Heat stress can diminish water and grasslands for
grazing, causing declining crop yields and affecting livestock.
MORE HEALTH RISKS
Climate change is a major threat to people’s health. Climate impacts are already harming health,
through air pollution, disease, extreme weather events, forced displacement, pressures on mental
health, and increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people cannot grow or find
sufficient food. Every year, environmental factors take the lives of around 13 million people.
Changing weather patterns are expanding diseases, and extreme weather events increase deaths and
make it difficult for health care systems to keep up.
POVERTY AND DISPLACEMENT
Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep away
urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in outdoor jobs.
Water scarcity may affect crops. In 2024, 45.8 million people were displaced due to weather-related
disasters. Most displacements happen in countries that are most vulnerable and least ready to adapt
to the impacts of climate change.
EFFECTS ACCORDING TO WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Climate change directly contributing to hmanitarian emergencies from heatwaves, wildfires,
floods. Tropical storms and hurricanes → increasing in scale and intensity
Research shows that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly suspectible to climate change.
Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250000 additional
deaths per year, from under nutrition, malaria, diorrhoea and heat stress
direct damage costs to health (excluding cost in health determining sectors such as agriculture and
water and sanitation) is estimated to be between US$ 2-4 BILLION Per year by 2030
Areas with weak health infrastructure- mostly in developing countries will be the least able to cope
without assistance to prepare and respond
Reducing emissions of Greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy use choices can
result in very large gains for health, particularly through reduce air pollution
Climate change Impacts on Health
[Link]
The IPCC sixth Assesment report concluded that → climate risks are appearing faster will become
more severe sooner than expected in future → harder to adapt with increased global heating
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, low-income countries and small island
developing states (SIDS) endure the harshest health impacts. In vulnerable regions, the death rate
from extreme weather events in the last decade was 15 times higher than in less vulnerable ones.
Climate change affect health in several ways→ leading to death and illness from increasingly
frequent extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms and flood
→ The distruption of food systems, increases in zoonoses and food – water- and vector born
diseases, and mental health issues.
→ undermine many determinants of good health→ livelihood, equality and access to health care
and social support structure
Climate related hazards = Extreme weather events, Heat, Sea level rise, Air pollution, Vector
distribution and ecology, water scarcity, reduced food production
Health outcomes of these hazards = Injury and mortality from extreme weather events, Heat related
illness, Respiratory illness, Wter- borne disease and water related health impacts, Zoonoses( animal
to man infection), Vector- borne diseases (Mosquito), Malnutrition and food borne disease, Non
communicable disease (NCDs), Mental and psychological health
WHO data indicates 2 billion people lack safe drinking water and 600 million suffer from
foodborne illness annually, with children under 5 bearing 30% of foodborne fatalities. In 2020, 770
million faced hunger, predominantly in Africa and Asia. Climate change affects food availability,
quality and diversity, exacerbating food and nutrition crisis
Temperature and precepitation changes enhance the spread of vector – borne diseases. Without
preventive actions, deaths from such diseases, currently over 700000 annualy , may rise. Climate
change cc may also cause → mental health issue, anxiety post traumatic stress
Recent research attributes 37% of heat related deaths to human- induced climate change
Heat-related deaths among those over 65 have risen by 70% in two decades. In 2020, 98 million
more experienced food insecurity compared to the 1981–2010 average.
The WHO conservatively projects 250000 additional yearly deaths by the 2030’s due to climate
change impacts on diseases like Malaria and coastal flooding
The climate crisis threatens to undo last 50 years of progress in development, global health and
poverty reduction, and to further widen existing health inequalities
REMEDIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE:
WHO
Promote action that both reduce carbon emission and improve health -> rapid and equitable
transition to clean energy economy
Building better more climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems: Ensuring
core services, environmental sustainability and climate resilience as centeral component of UHC
and Primary health care PHC, Decarbonizing high emitting health systems
Protect Health from the wide range of Impacts of climate change: Assessing health vulnerabilities
and developing health plans -> integrating climate risk and implementing climate informed
surveillance
Leadership and Raising Awareness: WHO, with its network of globeal experts provide assistance to
nations in their assesments and monitoring progress
PAKISTAN ECONOMIC SURVEY
CC
Recharge Pakistan project launched with US $ 77 mn funding
First ever Carbon market policy launched at COP29
Climate Budget Tagging: 5000+ Federal cost centers tagged
First Green Sukuk RS 30 billion Issued
Around US $ 1.4 BILLION under the IMF RSF secured
Climate Budget adopted as Governance system
2024: 9th warmest year in 64 years -> with 23.52c average temperature and 31% above average
rainfall