Strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change

Abstract

Climate change is defined as the alteration in climate patterns, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from both natural systems and human activities. Human-induced global warming has already increased temperatures by approximately 1.0 degree celsius above pre-industrial levels. If current emission rates persist, this warming could reach 1.5 degrees celsius between 2023 and 2052. In 2018, there were 315 natural disasters worldwide, most of which were linked to climate change, resulting in economic losses totaling $131.7 billion. Storms, hunger, wildfires, and droughts accounted for approximately 93% of the 68.5 million affected individuals. Alarmingly, the economic losses from wildfires in 2018 nearly equaled the total losses from wildfires over the previous decade. Several strategies aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and shift to low-carbon alternatives. These include transitioning away from fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and modifying agricultural techniques. Additionally, climate change may increase erosion rates, potentially decreasing agricultural production by 10-20% or more in extreme cases. Organic farming is a viable and sustainable option for adapting to climate change and variability, with potential for mitigation. By utilizing carbon sequestration, organic farming reduces reliance on non-renewable resources, offers a systematic approach to maintaining biodiversity, and adapts to climate change through crop management. Various policies in India and globally also help mitigate climate change. This article reviews the three primary methods of reducing climate change: conventional mitigation, negative emissions, and radiative forcing geoengineering.