Climate change, is primarily caused by the building up of greenhouse gases (ghg) e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and others in the atmosphere. the global increases in carbon dioxide concentration which have been responsible for the largest part of this build-up, are due primarily to fossil fuel use and land-use change, owing to human activities taking place since pre-industrial times, while those of methane and nitrous oxide are primarily due to agriculture.

Climate Change can be accompanied by higher average temperatures near earth’s surface, changed rainfall patterns, and increased severity and frequency of floods, droughts and cyclones, which can severely impact livelihoods, especially of the poor in developing countries. The change in climate could lead to impacts on freshwater availability, oceanic acidification, food production, flooding of coastal areas and increased burden of vector borne and water borne diseases associated with extreme weather events, etc.

The Challenge of Climate Change

Climate change can slow down the pace of development either directly through increased exposure to climate variability or indirectly through erosion of the capacity to adapt.

Climate change necessitates that the developing countries, though not responsible for climate change, adapt to it and implement response strategies so as to minimize impacts on livelihoods and natural resources. Further, mitigation measures have to be adopted at the global level with a view to minimise further change in climate, and eventually stabilize it.