HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
MODULE 5
Part 1
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
Module 5: Global Warming and EIA
Global warming: concept, indicators, factors and effects. Global climate change-indicators, health
impacts, effect on biodiversity. Introduction to global efforts in conservation of biodiversity. (part
1)
EIA: Regulations in India, status of EIA in India, list of projects needing environmental clearance
under EIA notifications. Case study of hydro power/ thermal power projects.
[Part 1]
Global warming
Global warming begins when sunlight reaches the Earth. The clouds, atmospheric particles,
reflective ground surfaces and surface of oceans then sends back about 30 % of sunlight back into
the space, whilst the remaining is absorbed by oceans, air and land. This consequently heats up the
surface of the planet and atmosphere, making life feasible. As the Earth warms up, this solar energy
is radiated by thermal radiation and infrared rays, propagating directly out to space thereby cooling
the Earth. However, some of the outgoing radiation is re-absorbed by carbon dioxide, water
vapours, ozone, methane and other gases in the atmosphere and is radiated back to the surface of
Earth. These gases are commonly known as greenhouse gases due to their heat- trapping capacity.
It must be noted that this re-absorption process is actually good as the Earth’s average surface
temperature would be very cold if there was no existence of greenhouse gases. The dilemma began
when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere was artificially increased by
humankind at an alarming rate since the past two centuries. As of 2004, over 8 billion tons of
carbon dioxide was pumped thermal radiation is further hindered by increased levels of greenhouse
gases resulting in a phenomenon known as human enhanced global warming effect. Recent
observations regarding global warming have substantiated the theory that it is indeed a human
enhanced greenhouse effect that is causing the planet to heat up. The planet has experienced the
largest increase in surface temperature over the last 100 years.
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
Indicators of Global Warming
The following can be stated as the indicators of Global Warming:
1. Air Surface Temperature
2. Specific humidity
3. Glaciers
4. Snow Cover
5. Temperature over land
6. Sea surface temperature
7. Sea ice
8. Sea level
9. Ocean heat content
10. Temperature over oceans
[explain these points]
Factors effecting Global Warming
Causes of global warming are emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide etc into the atmosphere. The major source is carbon dioxide (80%) 20% bymethane
and nitrous oxide.
1. Carbon dioxide: The major source of carbon dioxide is the power plants. Burning of fossil
fuels for the purpose of electricity generation. About twenty percent of carbon
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
dioxide emitted in the atmosphere comes from burning of gasoline in the engines of the
vehicles.
2. Methane: Methane is more than 20 times as effectual as CO 2 at entrapping heat in the
atmosphere Methane is obtained from resources such as rice paddies, bovine flatulence,
bacteria in bogs and fossil fuel manufacture.
3. Nitrous Oxide: The main sources of nitrous oxide include nylon and nitric acid production,
cars with catalytic converters, the use of fertilizers in agriculture and the burning of organic
matter
4. Deforestation: Cutting and burning of forests for the purpose of residence and
industrialization
Effects of Global Warming
1. Frequent temperature extremes (killer heat waves)
2. Changing rainfall patterns
3. Rise in sea levels
4. Frequent storms and coastal flooding
5. Changes in regional climate could alter forests, crop yields and waters supplies
6. Drought
7. Food shortages due to shift in agricultural food production
8. Greater warming near the poles
9. Air pollution made worse by warming
10. Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema complications
11. Expansion of deserts into existing rangelands
12. Unable to contain spread of infectious diseases.
13. Bleaching of coral reefs due to acidification
Global Climate Change
Climate change is potentially one of the greatest threats to the environment, to the biodiversity
and ultimately to the quality of human life.
Indicators of Climate Change
The indicators of Global Climate change can be listed as follows:
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
1. Global Warming.
2. Changes in Polar and Glacial Ice
3. Ocean Acidity
4. Climate and health
5. Changing Wind patterns
6. Changing precipitation patterns
7. Strom intensity and frequency
8. Changing biomes
1. Global Warming: the increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere and ocean
that has been measured over the past 100 years. It is the he largest single indicator of
climate change. Some scientists believe the rate of increase has accelerated since the 1960s
2. Changes in Polar and Glacial Ice:
Large volumes of Earth’s ice have been shrinking in recent years.
Impacts of melting of ice can be as follows:
a. Rising sea levels
b. Habitats of animals - polar bears depend on large areas of sea ice over which they hunt
their prey. Warmer temperatures melt the ice making it difficult for them to find their
traditional foods.
c. Culture and lifestyle of the Inuit population is closely tied to the environment and
wildlife- Traditional lifestyle involves traveling and hunting on sea ice. (The thinning
& disappearing sea ice has made this more difficult and unpredictable.)
3. Ocean Acidity:
Oceans have absorbed about half of all carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuel emissions
over the past 200 years. Some of the gas forms carbonic acid which lowers the pH of the
water. (Making it more acidic).
Effects of Ocean acidity threatens the ability of corals & other organisms to build shells
& hard skeletons and fish and plankton to reproduce.
4. Climate and Health Climate is closely connected with health:
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
a. Risk of disease and infection - Outbreaks of some of the most serious diseases seem to
increase during periods of higher temperatures. (i.e. malaria, plague)
b. Increased presence of allergens - Increasing temperatures affect the amount of dust in the
air, the growth of mould, and release of pollen.
c. Risk of injury or death due to extreme weather
5. Changing Wind Patterns: Changes in heat distribution over Earth’s surface have led to
changes in wind patterns. Speed, frequency, and direction of winds over Earth’s surface
have fluctuated unpredictably for several years. Some scientists believe that the unusual
wind patterns have helped increase the melting of ice in the Arctic.
6. Changing Wind Patterns:
High temperatures increase the rate of evaporation. When warm, moist air rises & cools it
produces rain or snow. Since 1948 the average annual temperatures across Ontario have
increased as much as 1.4 oC . Annual precipitation and total number of days per year that
precipitation falls have increased. Ie. In Northern Ontario there has been an increase in
number of snowfalls and quantity.
7. Storm Intensity and Frequency: The temperatures of tropical waters, where tropical
storms start, have increased by 0.33oC since 1981. Over the same period the strongest
storms have become stronger. warmer seas hold more energy to potentially convert to
hurricane- speed winds.
8. Changing Biomes: The plants and animals that are adapted to a particular region may no
longer be able to survive there if the climate conditions change. More than 1 million species
are threatened with extinction worldwide as a result of climate change.
Effect of Global Climate Change on Human Health
• Heat waves can lead to heat stroke and dehydration, and are the most common cause of
weather-related deaths. E.g. 2003 summer heat wave in Europe claimed 35,000 lives.
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HKBK College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course: Conservation of Natural Resources (21CV654)
)
• Climate change may affect allergies and respiratory health.
• Climate change may enhance the spread of diseases through food, water, and animals.
• According to WHO, malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition and floods related to climate change
cause about 150,000 worldwide deaths.
• IPCC reported 250 million more Africans are without potable water due to climate
related stress.
• Flooding linked to rising sea levels displaced millions of people.
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