Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
Climate change means long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Since the 1800s, human activities, mainly burning coal, oil and gas, have been the main driver, warming the planet by more than 1Β°C on average.
The greenhouse effect
Gases like carbon dioxide (COβ), methane and nitrous oxide trap heat in the atmosphere, like a blanket. Some greenhouse effect is natural and keeps Earth liveable. Adding more gases thickens the blanket and warms the planet.
Main causes
- Burning fossil fuels for electricity, transport and industry.
- Cutting down forests that absorb COβ.
- Agriculture: methane from livestock and rice paddies; fertiliser emissions.
- Cement and steel production.
Effects on India
| Impact | What it means |
|---|---|
| Heatwaves | More frequent and intense extreme heat, especially in north and central India |
| Monsoon changes | More erratic rainfall: heavy downpours and longer dry spells |
| Glaciers | Himalayan glacier retreat affects rivers like the Ganga in the long term |
| Coasts | Sea-level rise and stronger cyclones threaten cities like Mumbai and Kolkata |
| Farming | Heat stress can reduce wheat and rice yields |
What the world and India are doing
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries aim to keep warming well below 2Β°C and pursue 1.5Β°C. India has committed to net-zero emissions by 2070 and is rapidly expanding solar and wind power, targeting 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030.
What you can do
- Save electricity: LED bulbs, 5-star appliances, AC at 24-26Β°C.
- Use public transport, cycle, walk or switch to an EV.
- Reduce food waste.
- Plant and protect trees.
- Consider rooftop solar; the PM Surya Ghar scheme offers subsidies for homes.
Frequently asked questions
Is climate change the same as global warming?
Global warming is the rise in average temperature; climate change includes all the resulting changes in weather patterns.
Is India a major emitter?
India is the third-largest emitter in total, but its per-person emissions are far below the world average.
Can climate change be stopped?
Warming can be limited by cutting emissions quickly; some changes are already locked in, so adaptation is also needed.
Keep exploring
Facts are based on widely accepted official, scientific and historical sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
