--- title: "Short note: Climate change" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 6 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:climate-change-note" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/climate-change-note site: BCT Engineering --- # Short note: Climate change Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 6: Climate Change - Asked in: 2073 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2070 Asar, 4 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [Climate Change – MIND MAP ENVIRONMENT | Drishti IAS ENGLISH](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3EFSFAEFM) — Drishti IAS : English - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/climate-change-note - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-6 ## Question Write a short note on climate change. ## Short answer Climate change is long-term alteration of Earth's climate, primarily caused by human emissions of CO₂, methane, and other greenhouse gases. It leads to global warming, glacier retreat, sea-level rise, extreme weather, food and water insecurity, health risks, and biodiversity loss. Nepal is highly vulnerable despite minimal emissions. ## Answer **Climate change** is the long-term change in the Earth's average climate – temperature, rainfall, wind and frequency of extreme events – observed over decades or longer. The current rapid change is **mainly caused by human activities** that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Global temperature has already risen about 1.1 °C above pre-industrial levels (IPCC). #### Greenhouse gases and causes - **CO₂** – burning coal, oil and gas; deforestation; cement. - **CH₄ (methane)** – livestock, rice paddies, landfills. - **N₂O** – chemical fertilisers. - **CFCs/HFCs** – refrigerants, aerosols. - **Water vapour** and **black carbon** also add to warming. These gases let sunlight in but trap outgoing heat – the **enhanced greenhouse effect**. #### Impacts - Global warming, heat waves, melting glaciers and sea-level rise. - Irregular monsoon, floods, landslides and droughts. - Lower crop yields, food and water insecurity. - Spread of vector-borne diseases (dengue, malaria) to higher areas. - Biodiversity loss. - **In Nepal:** temperature is rising faster than the global average in the mountains; glacial lakes are growing (GLOF risk); springs are drying; Nepal is among the most vulnerable countries although it contributes a tiny share (well under 0.1%) of global emissions. #### Responses - **Mitigation** – cut emissions: renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric transport, forest protection (REDD+). - **Adaptation** – adjust to impacts: drought-resistant crops, early warning systems, LAPA/NAP in Nepal. - **International efforts** – UNFCCC (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015) to keep warming well below 2 °C and pursue 1.5 °C. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Climate change refers to: A. A change in today's weather B. A long-term change in average climate observed over decades or longer C. Seasonal variation D. A single storm Answer: B. It is a long-term shift in temperature, rainfall and wind patterns. (Key point: Definition) 2. What does the enhanced greenhouse effect mean? A. Gases let sunlight in but trap outgoing heat more strongly B. Gases block sunlight entirely C. Heat escapes faster D. Ozone is created Answer: A. Added GHGs trap more of the heat radiated by Earth. (Key point: Greenhouse effect) 3. Which is an adaptation measure? A. Solar power B. Early warning systems and drought-resistant crops C. Forest protection under REDD+ D. Electric transport Answer: B. Adaptation adjusts to impacts; the others cut emissions. (Key point: Mitigation vs adaptation) 4. The Paris Agreement aims to keep warming: A. Well below 2 °C and pursue 1.5 °C B. Below 5 °C C. Exactly 0 °C D. Below 3 °C Answer: A. The Paris Agreement goal is well below 2 °C, pursuing 1.5 °C. (Key point: Paris target) ## Related in Technology, Environment and Society - [Short note: Causes and impacts of climate change](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aclimate-change-causes-impacts) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 6, asked 2× - [Climate change as threat to civilization](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aclimate-change-threat-civilization) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 3 - [Climate change threat, impact and mitigation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Acc-threat-impact-mitigation) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 3 - [Relation of air pollution and climate change](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aair-pollution-climate-change) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 5 - [Human-induced climate change and international efforts](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Ahuman-induced-cc-international) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 6 - [Short note: Climate change mitigation and adaptation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Acc-mitigation-adaptation-note) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 6 ## Related in other subjects - [Biogas routes and climate change](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Abiogas-routes-climate-change) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 3 - [Climate change and renewable mitigation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Aclimate-change-renewables-mitigation) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 4 - [APA and MLA: newspaper article (Clinton on Climate Change)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aapa-mla-harris-clinton-climate) — Communication English, chapter 4