Global warming results from excess heat-trapping greenhouse gases  (GHGs) in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant GHG and, therefore, is considered the primary driver of rising atmospheric temperatures. GHG emissions are also called carbon emissions.

The daily level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time in human history in 20136. Despite valiant efforts made so far, the amount of daily carbon dioxide is hovering over 420 ppm.

The changing climate has far-reaching consequences for human society. Unfortunately, the consequences are not fairly distributed. Although developed countries are the major contributors to climate change, the effects are felt more in developing countries. 

Climate change impacts our environment, economy, physical well-being, and the fabric of society. The rise in sea level increases flooding incidents in coastal communities. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, forest fires, floods, heat waves, and tropical storms are lasting longer and happening more frequently.

Climate change can also affect air quality by increasing ground-level ozone. Agriculture depends on stable climate conditions; therefore, unprecedented droughts, floods, heatwaves, etc., can result in food insecurity. Furthermore, climate change can influence health-determining factors and gravely endanger human health.

Renewable energy is one of the most talked-about climate solutions. It involves harnessing energy from sources other than fossil fuels, such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro, tidal energy, etc.

Embracing the various types of renewable energy has many benefits for climate adaptation. Although it starts out pricey, it can lower long-term energy costs, which is particularly great for low-income communities.

Also, extreme weather events can destabilize the energy supply grid. Most renewable energy options are off-grid and would keep essential services going.

We cannot adapt to climate change without changing how we use land. Land acquisition so far has been based solely on enriching a few pockets. That results in over-exploitation of natural resources, and many people, especially marginalized communities and indigenous people, get victimized in the process.

As climate change begins to impact the availability of natural resources and the viability of land, conflicts may arise. Strong institutions and robust policies are needed to reduce the risk of conflicts.

We need land for conservation, relocating people, shelters, and other purposes. We must also learn how to share the land more harmoniously with nature and other people.

Food security is the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. The availability of food for people of any class and state, gender or religion is another element of food security. Similarly, household food security is considered to exist when all the members of a family, at all times, have access to enough food for an active, healthy life.[1] Individuals who are food-secure do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.[2] Food security includes resilience to future disruptions of food supply. Such a disruption could occur due to various risk factors such as droughts and floods, shipping disruptions, fuel shortages, economic instability, and wars.[3] Food insecurity is the opposite of food security: a state where there is only limited or uncertain availability of suitable food.