Explain various anthropogenic factors responsible for climate change. (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 3, Q.22)
Climate change is a global problem caused by both natural and human factors. Anthropogenic factors, or human activities, play a significant role in climate change.
Anthropogenic factors that contribute to climate change include:
- Fossil Fuel Combustion: The primary source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide is the combustion of fossil fuels. When coal, oil, and natural gas are burned, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to global warming. Transportation, electricity generation, and industrial processes are examples of activities that use fossil fuels and contribute to climate change.
- Deforestation is the removal of trees and other vegetation from a landscape, usually for agricultural or commercial purposes. Deforestation reduces the planet’s ability to naturally regulate greenhouse gas emissions because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Clearing rainforests in the Amazon for agriculture or logging, for example, can significantly increase carbon emissions.
- Agriculture: The use of synthetic fertilisers as well as livestock management in agriculture can both contribute to climate change. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a significant source of N2O emissions, and synthetic fertilisers contribute significantly to N2O emissions. During digestion, livestock, particularly cows, emit methane (CH4), another potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural practices that use fossil fuels, such as fieldwork with tractors or machinery, also contribute to climate change.
- Industrial Processes: Large amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted by industrial processes such as cement production, steel production, and chemical production. Cement production, for example, uses high-temperature kilns that emit significant amounts of CO2. The chemical industry generates a wide range of synthetic substances that emit substantial amounts of greenhouse gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Changes in Land Use: Land use changes can also contribute to climate change. Converting grasslands or forests into agricultural land, for example, can release large amounts of carbon stored in the soil. Changes in land use can also alter how energy and water are exchanged between the land and the atmosphere, having a significant impact on regional and global climate patterns.
- Transportation: Fossil fuels are typically used to power transportation machines. As a result, emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, are greatly influenced by the transportation sector.
