The Greenhouse Effect is the fundamental mechanism of global warming, where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat that would otherwise escape into space. This process is essential for life in its natural state, but human activity has intensified it to dangerous levels.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) include Carbon Dioxide (), Methane (), and Nitrous Oxide (). Each gas has a different Global Warming Potential (GWP), which measures how much heat a gas traps over a specific time period relative to .
Radiative Forcing is the measurement of the energy imbalance on Earth caused by GHGs. A positive forcing means the Earth receives more energy from sunlight than it radiates back to space, leading to a net increase in global temperature.
Feedback Loops can accelerate climate change; for example, the Albedo Effect occurs when melting white ice (which reflects sun) reveals dark ocean water (which absorbs sun). This absorption leads to more warming and further ice melt, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
| Feature | Mitigation | Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Address the root cause (emissions) | Address the symptoms (impacts) |
| Scale of Benefit | Global (benefits everyone) | Local/Regional (benefits specific area) |
| Time Horizon | Long-term (decades to centuries) | Short to Medium-term (immediate protection) |
| Examples | Solar farms, Electric vehicles | Flood barriers, Early warning systems |
Analyze the Scale: When answering questions about climate change, always identify if the impact or solution discussed is local, national, or global. Examiners look for an understanding that emitted in one country affects the entire planet's atmosphere.
Check for Interconnectivity: Look for links between different environmental systems. For example, warming oceans lead to both sea-level rise (thermal expansion) and more intense hurricanes (energy transfer), showing how one cause has multiple systemic effects.
Verify Units and Terms: Be precise with terminology; do not use 'Ozone Layer Depletion' and 'Global Warming' interchangeably. They are distinct environmental issues with different causes and chemical processes.
Evaluate Feasibility: In policy-related questions, consider the 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities' principle. This suggests that while all nations must act, developed nations have a greater historical responsibility and capacity to lead mitigation efforts.
The 'Ozone' Confusion: A frequent mistake is believing that the hole in the ozone layer causes global warming. While both involve the atmosphere, the ozone hole is caused by CFCs and relates to UV radiation, whereas global warming is caused by GHGs and relates to infrared (heat) radiation.
Linear vs. Non-linear Change: Many students assume climate change will happen at a steady, predictable rate. In reality, the climate system has Tipping Points—critical thresholds where a small change can lead to a large, irreversible shift in the state of the system.
Natural vs. Human Cycles: Some argue that climate change is purely natural because the Earth has warmed before. The key distinction is the rate of change; current warming is occurring much faster than historical natural shifts, leaving species and societies less time to adapt.
