Global Warming

1. Introduction

Global Warming refers to the long-term rise in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. These gases trap outgoing heat from the Earth’s surface, intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing a gradual increase in global temperatures. Although natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and changes in solar radiation influence the Earth’s climate, scientific evidence confirms that the current phase of Global Warming is predominantly caused by human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution (around 1750).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that human influence has unequivocally warmed the atmosphere, oceans, and land. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the warmest year on record, with the global average temperature approximately 1.55°C above the 1850–1900 (pre-industrial) average. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), are the primary drivers of this warming trend.

It is important to distinguish Global Warming from climate change. Global Warming specifically refers to the increase in the Earth’s average temperature due to enhanced greenhouse gas emissions, whereas climate change is a broader phenomenon that includes long-term changes in temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, sea levels, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Thus, Global Warming is the primary cause, while climate change is one of its major consequences.

Today, Global Warming has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges because it threatens human health, food and water security, biodiversity, economic development, and ecological balance. Recognizing its far-reaching impacts, countries across the world, including India, are taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards sustainable and low-carbon development.

2. Mechanism of Global Warming (How Global Warming Occurs)

Global Warming occurs due to the enhanced greenhouse effect, a process in which greenhouse gases trap an increasing amount of the Sun’s heat within the Earth’s atmosphere. While the natural greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining a habitable temperature on Earth, excessive greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have intensified this process, causing a continuous rise in the Earth’s average temperature.

Incoming Solar Radiation

The Sun is the primary source of energy for the Earth. Most of the incoming short-wave solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth’s surface. A small portion is reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric particles, and bright surfaces such as ice and snow, while the remaining energy is absorbed by land and oceans, warming the planet.

Natural Greenhouse Effect

After absorbing solar energy, the Earth’s surface emits it back as long-wave infrared radiation. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases such as water vapour (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ozone (O₃) absorb part of this outgoing heat and re-radiate it back towards the Earth’s surface. This process, known as the natural greenhouse effect, maintains the Earth’s average temperature at about 15°C. Without it, the average global temperature would be around –18°C, making life as we know it impossible.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrialisation, and intensive agriculture have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The higher concentration of these gases traps more outgoing infrared radiation than under natural conditions, leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect. As a result, more heat remains in the Earth’s climate system, causing a gradual increase in global temperatures and disturbing the natural energy balance.

Role of Major Greenhouse Gases

Different greenhouse gases contribute to Global Warming in varying degrees depending on their concentration and heat-trapping ability.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): The largest contributor to global warming due to its high concentration and long atmospheric lifetime. It is mainly released through burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
• Methane (CH₄): Emitted from livestock, rice cultivation, landfills, and fossil fuel extraction. Although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period than CO₂, it has a much higher heat-trapping capacity.
• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Primarily released through agricultural fertilizers and industrial activities. It has a very high global warming potential and persists in the atmosphere for over a century.
• Water Vapour (H₂O): The most abundant greenhouse gas. It acts mainly as a feedback mechanism, meaning that rising temperatures increase evaporation, which in turn adds more water vapour to the atmosphere and further enhances warming.
• Fluorinated Gases (F-gases): Synthetic gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and industrial processes. Though present in small quantities, they possess an extremely high global warming potential.

3. Causes of Global Warming

Global Warming is primarily driven by the excessive accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and unsustainable consumption patterns have significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions, intensifying the natural greenhouse effect and raising the Earth’s average temperature.

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of coal, petroleum, and natural gas for electricity generation, transportation, industries, and domestic use is the largest contributor to global warming. Burning these fuels releases enormous quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the most significant long-lived greenhouse gas.

• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy sector contributes nearly three-fourths of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Fossil fuels continue to account for around 80% of global primary energy consumption.
• Electricity generation from coal-fired power plants remains one of the largest individual sources of CO₂ emissions worldwide.

Deforestation and Land Use Change

Forests function as natural carbon sinks by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Large-scale deforestation for agriculture, mining, urban expansion, and infrastructure development reduces the Earth’s carbon absorption capacity while simultaneously releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.

• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly 10 million hectares of forests are lost annually.
• Deforestation and land-use change contribute around 10–12% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Tropical forests, including the Amazon and Southeast Asian forests, are among the most important carbon sinks threatened by human activities.

Industrialisation and Urbanisation

Rapid industrial growth has significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions through energy-intensive manufacturing processes, cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical industries. Simultaneously, expanding urban areas consume enormous amounts of electricity, fuel, and construction materials, increasing the overall carbon footprint.

• Cement production alone contributes about 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions due to both fuel combustion and chemical processes.
• According to the United Nations, cities account for over 70% of global carbon dioxide emissions despite occupying a small fraction of the Earth’s land area.
• Increasing demand for air conditioning and cooling in cities further raises electricity consumption and emissions.

Agriculture and Livestock

Agriculture contributes to Global Warming mainly through the emission of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Methane is produced during enteric fermentation in livestock and from flooded paddy fields, while nitrous oxide is released through excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers.

• Agriculture is one of the largest sources of methane emissions globally.
• Methane has more than 80 times the warming potential of CO₂ over a 20-year period, making it a powerful greenhouse gas despite its shorter atmospheric lifetime.
• India’s large livestock population and extensive rice cultivation make this sector particularly significant from a climate perspective.

Unsustainable Consumption and Waste Generation

Changing lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, and increasing consumerism have led to greater demand for energy, transportation, packaged goods, and electronic devices. Improper waste management, especially in landfills, releases methane as organic waste decomposes under anaerobic conditions.

• Municipal solid waste is an important source of methane emissions.
• Rising ownership of private vehicles, electrical appliances, and air conditioners has increased per capita energy consumption worldwide.
• The concept of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) promotes sustainable consumption patterns to reduce individual carbon footprints.

Natural Factors (Limited Contribution)

Natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, variations in solar radiation, El Niño events, and changes in Earth’s orbital cycles can influence the Earth’s climate. However, these factors mainly cause short-term climatic fluctuations and cannot explain the rapid rise in global temperatures observed since the Industrial Revolution.

• The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) concludes that the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century is human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Scientific studies show that natural factors alone would have produced only minor temperature variations compared to the warming caused by anthropogenic activities.

4. Scientific Evidence of Global Warming

Multiple independent scientific observations confirm that the Earth’s climate system is warming. Data from the IPCC, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), NASA, and Copernicus Climate Change Service provide clear evidence that Global Warming is occurring at an unprecedented rate due to human activities.

Rising Global Temperature

• 2024 was the warmest year on record, with the global average temperature about 1.55°C above the 1850–1900 (pre-industrial) average.
• The last ten years (2015–2024) have been the warmest decade ever recorded.
• According to the IPCC, human activities have already caused about 1.1°C of long-term global warming compared to the pre-industrial period.

Increasing Greenhouse Gas Concentration

• Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration has exceeded 420 ppm, compared to about 280 ppm before the Industrial Revolution.
• Methane (CH₄) and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) have also reached record-high concentrations.
• These greenhouse gases trap more outgoing heat, intensifying the greenhouse effect.

Melting Glaciers and Polar Ice

• Glaciers across the world are retreating rapidly due to rising temperatures.
• The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average.
• Continuous melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets is contributing to rising sea levels.

Rising Sea Level and Ocean Warming

• Oceans absorb nearly 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
• Global mean sea level has risen by over 20 cm since 1900, and the rate of rise is accelerating.
• Ocean warming has also increased coral bleaching and marine ecosystem degradation.

Increase in Extreme Weather Events

Rising global temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of:

• Heatwaves
• Heavy rainfall and floods
• Droughts
• Tropical cyclones
• Forest fires
• These events are causing widespread economic losses and humanitarian crises across the world.
• The consistent rise in global temperatures, greenhouse gas concentrations, glacier melt, sea levels, and extreme weather events provides compelling scientific evidence that Global Warming is real, accelerating, and predominantly driven by human activities.

5. Major Impacts of Global Warming

Global warming has profound consequences for the environment, economy, and human society. Rising global temperatures have intensified extreme weather events, disrupted ecosystems, threatened food and water security, and increased health risks. The impacts are more severe in developing countries like India due to high population density, dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, and limited adaptive capacity.

Rise in Global Temperature and Heatwaves

Global warming has resulted in a continuous rise in the Earth’s average surface temperature, making heatwaves more frequent, prolonged, and intense. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the warmest year on record, with the global average temperature about 1.55°C above the 1850–1900 (pre-industrial) average. The last ten years (2015–2024) have also been the warmest decade ever recorded.

• Increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves across the world.
• Higher incidence of heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular diseases, and heat-related deaths.
• Decline in labour productivity, especially among outdoor workers in agriculture, construction, and mining.
• Increased electricity demand due to greater use of cooling appliances, leading to stress on power infrastructure.
• Greater occurrence of forest fires due to prolonged dry and hot conditions.
• Increased evaporation from reservoirs and rivers, aggravating water scarcity.

• India has witnessed a sharp rise in heatwave days, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Odisha.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported increasing frequency and duration of heatwaves over northwestern and central India.
• According to the World Bank, extreme heat could affect the livelihoods of nearly 160–200 million Indians by 2030 and reduce India’s GDP by about 2.8% by 2050 under high-emission scenarios.

Melting of Glaciers and Polar Ice

Rising global temperatures are accelerating the melting of glaciers, polar ice sheets, and seasonal snow cover. Since glaciers store freshwater and regulate river flows, their rapid retreat threatens water security and increases disaster risks.

• Rapid retreat of Himalayan glaciers affecting perennial rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
• Increased formation of unstable glacial lakes, raising the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
• Long-term reduction in freshwater availability for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower generation.
• Disruption of fragile mountain ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Loss of Arctic sea ice reduces Earth’s reflectivity (albedo), further accelerating global warming.

• According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers could lose up to 80% of their ice by 2100 under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
• The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, making it one of the fastest-changing regions on Earth.
• Greenland and Antarctica continue to lose hundreds of billions of tonnes of ice annually, contributing significantly to global sea-level rise.

Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Areas

Global warming causes sea levels to rise through thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets. Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to coastal populations, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

• Increased coastal flooding during high tides and cyclones.
• Accelerated coastal erosion and loss of beaches.
• Saltwater intrusion into groundwater, reducing the availability of freshwater for drinking and agriculture.
• Damage to ports, roads, industries, tourism infrastructure, and coastal settlements.
• Increased displacement of coastal communities and climate-induced migration.
• Loss of productive agricultural land in low-lying coastal regions.

• According to the IPCC, the global mean sea level has risen by more than 20 cm since 1900, with the rate of rise accelerating in recent decades.
• Oceans absorb nearly 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, leading to thermal expansion.
• More than 680 million people worldwide live in low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to sea-level rise.

• India has a coastline of over 7,500 km, making millions of people vulnerable to sea-level rise.
• Coastal cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, and Paradip face increasing risks of flooding and storm surges.
• Low-lying regions such as the Sundarbans are experiencing coastal erosion, saline intrusion, and displacement of local communities.

Increase in Extreme Weather Events

Global warming has significantly increased the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of extreme weather events. Warmer oceans and higher atmospheric temperatures provide more energy and moisture to weather systems, making disasters more destructive.

• More frequent and severe heatwaves causing health emergencies.
• Increase in heavy rainfall events leading to flash floods and urban flooding.
• Prolonged droughts affecting agriculture and drinking water supplies.
• Stronger tropical cyclones with higher wind speeds and intense rainfall.
• Increased occurrence of forest fires due to hotter and drier conditions.
• Greater loss of lives, infrastructure, crops, and livestock.

• According to the IPCC, every additional 0.5°C rise in global temperature significantly increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
• Climate-related disasters have become more frequent over the past five decades, causing enormous human and economic losses globally.

• Cyclones such as Amphan (2020), Tauktae (2021), Biparjoy (2023), and Remal (2024) caused widespread destruction along India’s coastline.
• States like Bihar and Assam experience recurrent floods, while Rajasthan and parts of central India face frequent droughts.
• Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have witnessed increasing cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

Agriculture is one of the sectors most vulnerable to global warming because crop production depends heavily on temperature, rainfall, and water availability. Rising temperatures and changing climatic conditions threaten food production and nutritional security, especially in developing countries.

• Decline in the productivity of major crops due to heat stress and erratic rainfall.
• Increased frequency of crop failures caused by droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.
• Greater incidence of pests, weeds, and crop diseases due to warmer climatic conditions.
• Heat stress reduces milk production, livestock fertility, and poultry productivity.
• Warming oceans adversely affect fisheries and aquaculture, reducing fish production.
• Rising food prices increase the risk of hunger and malnutrition, particularly among poor households.

• According to the IPCC, each additional degree of warming is projected to reduce the yields of major crops in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Agriculture remains highly climate-sensitive, particularly in countries where a large proportion of the population depends on rain-fed farming.

• Nearly half of India’s workforce depends directly or indirectly on agriculture, making climate risks a major socio-economic concern.
• Major crops such as rice, wheat, pulses, maize, and sugarcane are increasingly affected by rising temperatures and unpredictable monsoon rainfall.
• Rain-fed farming areas, which constitute a significant portion of India’s cultivated land, are particularly vulnerable to droughts and rainfall variability.
• Declining agricultural productivity threatens food security, farmers’ income, and rural livelihoods, making climate-resilient agriculture a national priority.

Water Scarcity and Hydrological Changes

Global warming has disrupted the hydrological (water) cycle by altering rainfall patterns, increasing evaporation, and accelerating glacier melt. As a result, many regions experience prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, and declining freshwater availability.

• Increased frequency and intensity of droughts in water-stressed regions.
• Irregular monsoon rainfall reduces groundwater recharge and reservoir storage.
• Accelerated melting of glaciers threatens the long-term flow of perennial rivers.
• Higher evaporation from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs due to rising temperatures.
• Reduced availability of drinking water, irrigation, and industrial water.
• Increased conflicts over water sharing among states and sectors.
• Decline in hydroelectric power generation during prolonged dry periods.
• Greater burden on women and rural communities for water collection.

• According to the UN-Water, nearly half of the world’s population experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year.
• The IPCC projects that climate change will intensify both droughts and floods, increasing water insecurity globally.

• India possesses around 18% of the world’s population but only about 4% of global freshwater resources.
• States such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Bihar increasingly face seasonal water stress due to erratic rainfall.
• Retreating Himalayan glaciers may affect the long-term water security of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus basins.

Threat to Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Global warming is altering ecosystems faster than many species can adapt. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, ocean warming, and habitat degradation threaten biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

• Loss and fragmentation of natural habitats.
• Increased risk of extinction for climate-sensitive species.
• Shift in the geographical distribution of plants and animals towards higher altitudes and latitudes.
• Coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.
• Increased incidence of forest fires and invasive alien species.
• Disruption of ecological balance, pollination, and food chains.
• Decline in ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and water purification.

• According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), nearly one million species face the risk of extinction due to human-induced environmental changes.
• The IPCC warns that 70–90% of warm-water coral reefs could disappear if global warming reaches 1.5°C, and more than 99% may be lost at 2°C.

• Climate change threatens biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats, Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, and Sundarbans.
• Species such as the snow leopard, red panda, Great Indian Bustard, and coral reefs of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are increasingly vulnerable.

Human Health

Global warming has become one of the greatest threats to public health by increasing heat stress, spreading infectious diseases, worsening air quality, and affecting nutrition and mental well-being.

• Increase in heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular diseases, and heat-related mortality.
• Expansion of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis.
• Rise in water-borne diseases after floods due to contamination of drinking water.
• Worsening respiratory diseases because of poor air quality, wildfires, and ground-level ozone.
• Food insecurity leading to malnutrition, especially among children.
• Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following climate disasters.
• Increased burden on healthcare infrastructure during extreme weather events.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies climate change as the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.
• According to the WHO, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress.

• Heatwaves in northern and central India have caused a significant rise in heat-related illnesses.
• States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal frequently report outbreaks of dengue and other vector-borne diseases following changing rainfall patterns.

Economic Losses and Livelihood Crisis

Global warming affects almost every sector of the economy by damaging infrastructure, reducing productivity, disrupting supply chains, and increasing the frequency of climate-related disasters.

• Declining agricultural productivity and farmers’ income.
• Damage to roads, bridges, railways, ports, and power infrastructure.
• Reduced labour productivity due to extreme heat.
• Heavy losses to fisheries, forestry, tourism, and construction sectors.
• Increased expenditure on disaster relief, rehabilitation, and climate adaptation.
• Rising insurance costs and financial risks.
• Slower economic growth and widening regional inequalities.

• According to the World Bank, climate change could push more than 100 million people into poverty by 2030 without adequate adaptation measures.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that heat stress could result in the loss of over 2% of total working hours globally by 2030, equivalent to around 80 million full-time jobs.

• Agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and informal labour are among the most climate-sensitive sectors.
• The World Bank estimates that extreme heat could reduce India’s GDP by around 2.8% by 2050 under high-emission scenarios.

Climate-Induced Migration and Displacement

Global warming has emerged as an important driver of human migration. Rising sea levels, floods, droughts, cyclones, and declining agricultural productivity force people to leave their homes in search of safer living conditions and better livelihood opportunities.

• Large-scale displacement due to floods, cyclones, droughts, and sea-level rise.
• Increase in rural-to-urban migration, leading to pressure on housing, healthcare, sanitation, and employment.
• Loss of livelihoods among farmers, fishermen, and coastal communities.
• Greater risk of poverty, unemployment, and social conflicts.
• Increased vulnerability of women, children, and elderly populations during displacement.
• Emergence of climate migration as a major humanitarian and development challenge.

• According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), millions of people are displaced every year due to weather-related disasters.
• The World Bank’s Groundswell Report estimates that up to 216 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050 across six world regions if urgent climate action is not taken.

• Recurrent floods in Bihar and Assam, cyclones along the eastern coast, droughts in central and western India, and coastal erosion in the Sundarbans have contributed to increasing internal migration.
• Climate-induced migration places additional pressure on urban infrastructure and challenges inclusive and sustainable development.

Ocean Warming and Ocean Acidification

Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, continuous global warming has increased ocean temperatures and altered seawater chemistry, threatening marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.

• Oceans absorb nearly 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming, resulting in a steady rise in sea surface temperatures.
• Increased absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) has caused ocean acidification, reducing the pH of seawater.
• Frequent coral bleaching due to prolonged marine heatwaves.
• Declining fish populations and disruption of marine food chains.
• Reduced productivity of fisheries, affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
• Increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms and marine biodiversity loss.
• Weakening of the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, further accelerating global warming.

• According to the IPCC, oceans have absorbed about 25% of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and nearly 90% of the excess heat generated since the 1970s.
• Ocean acidity has increased by about 30% since the Industrial Revolution, posing a serious threat to coral reefs and shell-forming organisms.

• Coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, Gulf of Kachchh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are increasingly affected by coral bleaching.
• Declining fish stocks threaten the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on India’s marine fisheries sector.

Social Inequality and Poverty

Global warming disproportionately affects economically weaker and socially vulnerable sections of society. Poor households generally have fewer resources to adapt to climate change, making them more susceptible to disasters and livelihood losses.

• Increased poverty due to repeated crop failures and loss of livelihoods.
• Small and marginal farmers face severe income insecurity.
• Women and children bear a greater burden of food insecurity and water scarcity.
• Tribal communities and forest-dependent populations lose access to natural resources.
• Increased unemployment in climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.
• Rising food prices and inflation disproportionately affect low-income households.
• Widening regional and socio-economic inequalities.

• According to the World Bank, climate change could push over 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030 if adequate adaptation measures are not implemented.
• Developing countries are the most vulnerable despite contributing relatively less to historical greenhouse gas emissions.

• Rain-fed farmers, landless labourers, fishermen, and tribal communities are among the most vulnerable groups.
• States such as Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, and Chhattisgarh are particularly susceptible due to high dependence on climate-sensitive livelihoods.

Threat to Sustainable Development

Global warming has emerged as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving sustainable development because it affects economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being simultaneously.

• Slows economic growth by damaging productive sectors and infrastructure.
• Increases the cost of disaster management, adaptation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Reduces agricultural productivity, threatening food and nutritional security.
• Aggravates water scarcity and energy insecurity.
• Hampers poverty reduction and employment generation.
• Weakens ecosystem services essential for sustainable livelihoods.
• Increases fiscal burden on governments due to rising climate-related expenditures.

• According to the United Nations, climate change threatens the achievement of almost all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• SDG 13 (Climate Action) is closely linked with goals relating to poverty, hunger, health, water, energy, cities, oceans, and terrestrial ecosystems.

• Climate change poses a major challenge to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by affecting agriculture, water resources, public health, and infrastructure.
• Achieving sustainable development requires balancing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social equity through climate-resilient policies and green technologies.

6. Measures to Control Global Warming

Global warming is a transboundary challenge that requires collective international action along with strong national policies and individual participation. The focus should be on mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (reducing vulnerability to climate impacts) to achieve sustainable development.

(i) Global Measures

Paris Agreement (2015)

The Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in Paris, is the most significant global agreement to combat global warming under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

• Limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Make efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
• Every country submits Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Review and strengthen climate commitments every five years.
• Promote climate adaptation, technology transfer, and climate finance.
• Nearly all countries are parties to the Agreement.
• Provides the global framework for achieving net-zero emissions during this century.

Net Zero Emissions

Net Zero means balancing greenhouse gas emissions with their removal through forests, carbon capture technologies, and other carbon sinks.

• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Promote renewable energy and clean technologies.
• Improve energy efficiency across sectors.
• Increase afforestation and ecosystem restoration.
• Develop Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
• More than 140 countries have announced or are considering Net Zero targets.
• These countries account for the majority of global GDP and emissions.

Renewable Energy Transition

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources is one of the most effective ways to reduce global warming.

• Expansion of solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy.
• Electrification of transport through Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• Promotion of green hydrogen as a clean industrial fuel.
• Development of smart grids and battery storage systems.
• Reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
• Enhances long-term energy security.
• Creates green employment opportunities.

Climate Finance and Technology Transfer

Developing countries require financial and technological support to transition towards low-carbon development.

• Developed countries should provide climate finance to developing nations.
• Strengthen the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund.
• Facilitate transfer of clean technologies.
• Enhance capacity building for climate resilience.
• Enables developing countries to pursue sustainable development without compromising economic growth.
• Supports adaptation in vulnerable regions.

Afforestation and Nature-Based Solutions

Healthy ecosystems naturally absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and reduce the impacts of climate change.

• Large-scale afforestation and reforestation.
• Protection of forests, wetlands, mangroves, and grasslands.
• Restoration of degraded ecosystems.
• Sustainable land-use management.
• Carbon sequestration.
• Biodiversity conservation.
• Flood and drought mitigation.
• Improved soil and water conservation.

Sustainable Lifestyle and Circular Economy

Behavioural changes can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs).
• Sustainable consumption and production.
• Energy conservation.
• Public transport and non-motorised mobility.
• Reduction of food waste and single-use plastics.
• Reduces carbon footprint at the household and community level.
• Complements government-led mitigation efforts.

(ii) India-Specific Measures

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Launched in 2008, the NAPCC serves as India’s overarching framework for addressing climate change.

• Integrates climate action with sustainable development.
• Focuses on both mitigation and adaptation.
• Comprises Eight National Missions, including:
  • National Solar Mission
  • National Water Mission
  • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
  • Green India Mission
  • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
  • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
  • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
  • National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

India updated its NDCs in 2022 under the Paris Agreement.

• Reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
• Achieve about 50% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forests and tree cover.
• Demonstrates India’s commitment to low-carbon economic growth while ensuring energy security.

Panchamrit and Net Zero Target

At COP26 (Glasgow, 2021), India announced its Panchamrit (Five Nectar Elements) and Net Zero target of 2070.

• Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030.
• Meet 50% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
• Reduce cumulative projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.
• Reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030.
• Achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

Launched in 2023 with a financial outlay of ₹19,744 crore.

• Produce 5 million metric tonnes of Green Hydrogen annually by 2030.
• Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
• Decarbonise industries such as steel, fertilizers, refining, and transport.
• Position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.

Renewable Energy Expansion

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets.

• National Solar Mission.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme.
• Solar Parks Scheme.
• Offshore Wind Energy Programme.
• Bioenergy Programme.
• India ranks among the world’s leading countries in installed renewable energy capacity.
• Renewable energy has become a key pillar of India’s energy transition strategy.

Green India Mission

The Green India Mission aims to improve forest quality and increase carbon sequestration.

• Increase forest and tree cover.
• Restore degraded forests.
• Improve biodiversity conservation.
• Enhance ecosystem services.
• Strengthen livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities.

Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles through behavioural change.

• Encourages energy and water conservation.
• Promotes waste reduction and recycling.
• Supports sustainable mobility and responsible consumption.
• Encourages citizens to become active participants in climate action.
• Shifts climate action from government-centric policies to a people-led movement.

Electric Mobility and Energy Efficiency

India is promoting low-carbon transportation and energy-efficient technologies.

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME).
• Promotion of electric buses and charging infrastructure.
• Energy-efficient appliances under the Standards & Labelling Programme.
• LED distribution through the UJALA Scheme.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme for industries.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture

To reduce the impact of global warming on agriculture, India is promoting:

• Climate-resilient crop varieties.
• Micro-irrigation through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
• Natural and organic farming.
• Soil Health Card Scheme.
• Crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
• Climate-smart agricultural practices.

Controlling global warming requires a multi-level approach—global cooperation through agreements like the Paris Agreement, national commitments such as India’s Panchamrit and Net Zero target, and active participation by individuals through sustainable lifestyles. Only coordinated action at all levels can limit global warming to 1.5°C and ensure a climate-resilient future.

7. Conclusion

Global warming has emerged as one of the greatest environmental and developmental challenges of the 21st century. Scientific evidence clearly establishes that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of the unprecedented rise in global temperatures. Its impacts—ranging from melting glaciers and sea-level rise to extreme weather events, food insecurity, health risks, and biodiversity loss—pose serious threats to human well-being and sustainable development.

Addressing global warming requires a balanced approach that combines rapid decarbonisation, renewable energy expansion, climate-resilient infrastructure, ecosystem conservation, technological innovation, and sustainable lifestyles. India’s initiatives such as Panchamrit, Mission LiFE, Green Hydrogen Mission, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and the Net Zero target of 2070 demonstrate its commitment to climate action while pursuing inclusive economic growth.

Ultimately, limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as envisioned under the Paris Agreement, requires collective global action, national policy reforms, and responsible individual behaviour. Timely and coordinated efforts today are essential to safeguard the planet for present and future generations and to achieve the vision of sustainable development and climate justice.

BPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. What is global warming? Discuss its major causes and explain how human activities have accelerated the process.
2. Examine the major environmental, economic and social effects of global warming. How does it pose a challenge to sustainable development in India?
3. Discuss the major global and India-specific measures to control global warming. Explain the significance of India’s Panchamrit, Net Zero 2070 target and Mission LiFE in addressing climate change.

Learn More About Global Warming

For official information on India’s climate-change policies, programmes and climate action, visit the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change – Climate Change