By Manya Vashishtha, Jagriti Luthra, Reena and Yoshita Bhardwaj
via ugent.be
Climate refers to the normal weather conditions of a particular place over a long period of
time. Climate change is a global phenomenon of climate transformation characterised by
changes in temperature, precipitation and wind. This is usually a result of human activities
which causes disparity in the ecological balance of Earth. As climate change has potential
long term effects, it risks the future of our planet.
El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño and La Niña events are natural occurrences in the global climate system resulting
from variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is the warming phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a cyclical weather pattern that influences temperature and rainfall across the globe. It is a warming of the central to the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. While La Niña is the opposite. It is the cooling phase of ENSO.
Scientifically, ENSO is a single climate phenomenon, it has three states or phases, it can be
in “El Niño”, “La Niña” (the two opposite phases), or “neutral” (neither El Niño nor La Niña).
To qualify as an El Niño event, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), sea surface temperatures (SSTs) must remain at or above 0.5°C
(about 1°F) for at least three months. For La Niña, the SSTs are below average rather than above. A La Niña episode may, but does not always, follow El Niño. Hence, no relation is well
established yet.
How often does it occur?
The pendulum between an El Niño and La Niña phase swings back and forth, i.e, every
three to seven years an episode occurs. The Last El- Nino episode- The last episode began in 2015. The 2015/2016 El Niño was one of the three strongest episodes on record. There were super El Niño events in 1972-73, 1982-83, and in 1997-98.
How long do El Niño and La Niña typically last and when do they develop?
El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9-12 months generally. But, the La Niña event
can last longer up to 2–3 years than an El Niño, which rarely persists for more than a year at
a time. They both develop during the spring (March-June), reach peak intensity during the
late autumn or winter (November-February), and then weaken during the spring or early
summer (March-June).
Does Climate Change impact Nature’s weather makers?
There is no doubt that El Nino and La Nina are very important natural climate phenomena
occurring over the Pacific Ocean. However, with climate change becoming more and more
severe, numerous researchers have suggested that it could impact the El Nino and La Nina
events, causing them to become more extreme and frequent, according to a report in IE. The
report cited in Nature Climate Change, notes that the future simulated ENSO sea surface
temperature variability could be weakened due to the increase of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. The increase could weaken the intensity of the temperature cycle of ENSO.
Study co-corresponding author Prof Axel Timmermann said that the research showed that
these powerful natural phenomena could be silenced by rampant global warming.
Can we predict El Niño and La Niña episodes before they occur?
Yes, scientists can often predict the onset of El Niño and La Niña several months to a year in
advance, by the usage of modern climate models and observations data (which includes sensors on satellites and ocean buoys), which constantly monitors changing conditions in the ocean and atmosphere. The first model-based ENSO predictions started in the late 1980s. Today, a number of computer models around the world use current ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions to project the state of ENSO, looking a year or more into the future. Among the leading sources of regular ENSO forecasts are NOAA’s Climate Prediction Centre, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University (working with NOAA), and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. But, still, the weaker, more variable ENSO events pose a challenge to forecasting.
Causes of Climate Change
The causes for climate change can be categorised into two parts, that are natural causes and causes due to human activities i.e., anthropogenic causes.
via yonature.com
Natural Causes
Volcanic Eruptions- During volcanic activity gases like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter like ash are released into the atmosphere. These gases and matter may cool or warm Earth’s surface depending on the sunlight interaction.
Continental Drift- About 200 million years ago all the continents were joined together but there are continuous movements of tectonic plates. The continents we are familiar with today are the result of this drifting of landmasses. This drifting is still continuous but it’s a slow process. As we are aware, the climate near the poles is very different from that near the equator. So, slowly but definitely drifting continents causes climate change.
Solar Variation- Sun is the main reason for the warm climate of earth, but the energy output of Sun is variable. This variable nature of the sun causes the change of climate.
Anthropogenic Causes
Global Warming, that is the gradual increase in the Earth’s temperature generally due to emission or increase in the amount of greenhouse gases. Human activities that causes global warming includes increased use of fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive farming, waste disposal, overconsumption and mining.
Climate Change is a Human Right Issue
Climate change isn’t just a political or economic issue anymore. It has become a human rights issue now, and that to one of the biggest seen in the human history. When we continue spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we not only destroy ecosystems and drive species to extinction, we are indirectly violating the human rights. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human rights of our generation, as it is posing a serious risk to the fundamental rights to life, health, food and an adequate standard of living of individuals and communities across the globe.
It took long time for us to recognize that a clean, healthy and functional environment is integral to the enjoyment of human rights, such as the rights to life, health, food and an adequate standard of living. Climate change is already affecting temperatures, hydrologic conditions, ecosystem functioning, and agricultural productivity in several parts of the world like rapidly melting Arctic and low-lying coastal areas. Considering the current scenario it’s absolutely not wrong to whoop about the fact that climate change has become a human right issue, the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources, ecosystems, and human settlements are depriving access to clean water, food, shelter, and other basic human needs and ultimately interfering with livelihoods; and displacing people from their homes.
via oikoumene.org
Human Rights Implications of Climate Change:
(A) Impacts on Ecosystems and Natural Resources
(i) Freshwater Resources: Climate change is seen to significantly reduce surface water and groundwater resources in most dry subtropical regions in the world, increasing the frequency of droughts, thus directly intensifying competition for water among agriculture, ecosystems, settlements, industry, and energy production, and affecting the regional water, energy, and food security.
The right to water and sanitation, right to health, right to life, right to food, and right to an adequate standard of living are affected.
(ii) Terrestrial Ecosystems: Over the recent decades it is seen that most of the plant and animal species are seen to move their ranges and changed their behaviour in response to observed climate change. Climate change thus “reduces the populations, vigour, and viability” of many species, especially those with restricted/endangered populations, and will increase the extinction risk for many species. The following are the rights that are affected: right to food, right to an adequate standard of living and right to health.
(iii) Ocean Systems: Climate change is altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean; scientists have already observed large-scale distribution shifts of species and altered ecosystem composition as a result of ocean warming (e.g., the distribution of many fish and invertebrates have shifted poleward and/or to deeper, cooler water). This has serious implications for marine productivity and food security in tropical areas. The following are the rights that are affected : right to food, right to an adequate standard of living and right to health.
(B) Impacts on Physical Infrastructure and Human Settlement
(i) Urban Areas: Climate-related phenomena such as rising sea levels, coastal storms, heat stress, extreme precipitation, inland and coastal flooding, landslides, drought, increased aridity, water scarcity, and air pollution have profound impacts on a lot of city functions, infrastructures, and services. The risks of all these implications are seen to be amplified for those who live in informal
settlement, hazardous areas, who lack basic essential infrastructure and adaptive capacity, as well
as individuals that are more vulnerable due to of age, income, or disability. The following are the rights that are affected: right to life, right to housing, right to health, right to water and sanitation, right to an adequate standard of living and right to property.
(ii) Rural Areas: Climate change majorly affects water supply, food security, and agricultural incomes in rural areas. This has implications to human health, livelihoods, incomes, and migration patterns. Some impacts that risk the basic rights of rural communities include: rising temperatures and heat waves, changing precipitation patterns, and other extreme weather events. Rural areas are uniquely more vulnerable to the effects of climate change because: (i) have greater dependence on agriculture and natural resources, such as fisheries and forests; and (ii) existing vulnerabilities caused by poverty, lower levels of education and physical isolation. The following are the rights that are affected: right to life, right to health, right to housing, right to food, right to water and sanitation and right to an adequate standard of living, right to property.
(iii) Human Health: Climate change has already contributed to health problems in some regions, and if climate change continues as projected under various scenarios, the major health impacts will include: (i) greater risk of injury, disease, and death due to more intense heat waves and fires; (ii) increased risk of under-nutrition resulting from diminished food production in poor regions; (iii) health
consequences stemming from lost work capacity and reduced labour productivity in vulnerable
populations; and (iv) increased risk of food-, water- and vector-borne diseases. The following are the rights that are affected: right to health and right to life.
(iv) Human Security: Climate change threatens human security indirectly, this is by increasing the scarcity of key resources (e.g., water, food, land, and other natural resources), subverting livelihoods, increasing displacement and migration, and challenging the ability of states to provide the conditions necessary for human security. The following are the rights that are affected: right to life, right to an adequate standard of living, right to a nationality, right to self-determination, right to mobility and right to property.
via amnesty.org.uk
Provable Solutions for Climate Change at Individual and National level
The Earth is now about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record. People believe climate change mainly means warmer temperatures. But temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Because the Earth is a
system, where everything is connected, changes in one area influences changes in all others.
In the future, the number of “climate refugees” is expected to rise. In a 2018 UN report, 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 livable climate. Yet based on current national climate plans, global warming will reach 2.7°C by the end of the century.
It’s time, that everyone takes climate action, people and countries creating more of the
problem have a greater responsibility to act first. Many climate change solutions can deliver
economic benefits while improving our lives and protecting the environment. We also have
global agreements to guide progress, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change and the Paris Agreement. Three broad categories of action are: cutting emissions, adapting to climate impacts and financing required adjustments.
Switching energy systems from fossil fuels to renewables like solar or wind will reduce the emissions driving climate change. But we have to start right now. While a growing coalition of countries is committing to net zero emissions by 2050, about half of emissions cuts must be in place by 2030 to keep warming below 1.5°C. Fossil fuel production must decline by roughly 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2030.
We should agree that we all have contributed to the process of climate change, whether
directly or indirectly, it's necessary to contribute to the process of reducing the temperature
of the earth too. Apart from the solutions which we have read in our books and newspapers,
here are some practical steps for this contribution.
Individual Level:
● Plant and take care of at least one tree on your own , as a fully grown tree absorbs around 21 kilograms of CO2 per year.
● Try not to misuse or overuse ( switch off unnecessary lights ,fans and all, turn off lights during night etc.) the electricity produced by thermal power plants as these plants use coal to produce electricity which emits greenhouse gases. Use renewable energy at maximum. Government also provides subsidies on solar systems and also you can store them.
● Try to use electric vehicles wherever possible and for the long run use public transport or shared vehicles. Stop using bikes and cars for a short distance which can be travelled by a bicycle .
● Strictly say no to plastic, use bags of clothes for shopping, keep a water bottle with you to avoid plastic bottles, whenever you use plastic make sure it will be recycled, never use non degradable plastic.
One can only be able to save the earth when he/ she knows about it. So give some time to
understand about your home and also make others aware. Learn to ask questions to the politicians, to the CEOs, to the entrepreneurs about what they planned to do for the safety and security of our Earth and about climate change.
National level:
● Protect and restore the small eco systems (forests , mangroves and all). Develop some schemes to encourage people to plant and take care of trees by providing little benefits to them.
● Promote renewable energy resources by using solar panels at every government office , implying such policies which encourage private organisations and common people to use solar energy.
● Develop and maintain the public transportation system ,in such a way, so that people would be attracted towards them . Also promote electrical vehicles on the roads.
● Government should avoid such development projects which cause any type of injury to nature like cutting down forests for roads, railway lines, dams, industries , mining etc., making changes in the natural flow of rivers.
● Ensure that all industries produce plastic and pollution to a minimum. And strictly imply all the policies without any loophole.
● Follow and achieve the oaths of the Paris climate agreement properly.
● Public should be kept aware through awareness rallies, debates and media shows etc.
References:
https://www.unocha.org/themes/el-ni%C3%B1o/el-ni%C3%B1o-and-la-ni%C3%B1a
Youmatter.word
https://www.earthday.org/climate-change-is-a-human-rights-issue/
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/ClimateChange/COP21.pdf
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/climate-change-and-human-rights
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/climate-change-and-human-rights-can-courts-fix-it
Really informative and indeed beautiful 🌺