Science_blog: mitigation

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Showing posts with label mitigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mitigation. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 December 2023

How Agroforestry mitigate climate change ?

Agroforestry may help in mitigating the climate change, as forest/trees absorb more CO2 than the crop itself. The reason is more number of leaves in trees which still belong to the trees even after crop is harvested. Generally, crop is harvested during mid or early summer while trees stands even in hard summer too which increase the times of stomatel opening and there by allowing trees to absorb more CO2. However, leaves from trees fall during winter while the crop which is growing can continue sinking CO2. Hence, in this way, agroforestry can continue sinking CO2 from the atmosphere and thus can help in mitigation of climate change.

However, there are some hurdles which affects application of agroforestry as:

1. Trees: Yes, trees have strong root system than crop hence they can absorb more nutrient and water and this may critical issue for crops especially during flowering time.

2. Shadows: shadows can affect evapotranspiration and photosynthesis as it do not allow or can strict light transfer to crops. Grain would not mature on time.

3. Unwanted guests: trees are home of birds, rats, insects, ants and fungus too during humidity time.

4.  Crop loss: fall of trees due to cyclone or heavy precipitation.

There are many models which can help to modeling of agroforestry such as:

1. APSIM

2. Hi-sAFe

3. SCUAF

4. EPIC for AF

5. SBELTS

6. WaNuLCAS

7. HyPAR

and there are many more according to their type like 2d, 3D, 1D, field level, landscape level (reference) and below figure showed the actual difference among them.



Reference:

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/11/2106

Saturday, 18 March 2023

Climate Change: questions and answers part 3

 Ques: We would appreciate if you can suggest any potential questions for this purpose. Can you say whether the climate change has similar or variable impact on food production at varying latitude? If so, explain the reason for the similar or variable impact?

Ans: Yes, The climate change have a variable impact on food production at varying latitude because change in latitude changes the climate which may be either tropical and temperate and also the belt of vegetation which primarily depends upon climatic conditions. It can be seen that in the tropical climate, higher temperature will create more atmospheric water demand leading to water stress. The developing countries are located in tropical climate which have fewer resources with low adaptive capacity to the changing agricultural production because of climate change. So, it is not necessary that climate will have similar impact on variation of latitude, it will always be variable in nature.


Ques: What are the properties of crop model for its application in climate change impact analysis?
Ans: The properties of crop model for its application in climate change impact analysis:

1) Basic growth processes

2) Phenological development

3) Biomass accumulation

4) Growth and yield

5) Soil water balance

6) Soil carbon and nitrogen balance

Use soil-crop models system (DSSAT, APSIM, Expert-N, InfoCrop) for:

a) evaluation of adaptation options:

– Weather uncertainty

–Input uncertainty (Price and management)


b) evaluation of climate change mitigation:

– Water and nutrient management to reduce greenhouse gas emission

– Organic farming for carbon sequestration


Q: Often precipitation and temperature are the most commonly required parameters used for impact studies. Give some examples of impact study procedures (ex. flood) and the parameters that you would use from climate projections.

Ans: After downscaling either by statistical or dynamical method following procedure are adopted:

A) Qualitative Description

B) Indicators of change

C) Compliance to standards

D) Cost and benefit

E) Geographical analysis

F) Dealing  with uncertainty

 The parameters that would be used from climate projections are:

Precipitation, Temperature, CO2, Land use, Pollution, Water resources, agriculture.

Q: Describe the type of downscaling approach you would use for (a) a flood study and (b) a rice yield change study. Give reasons for your choice

Ans: For flood study dynamic scaling method would be used because,it is based upon assumptions and resolutions and if forced with with observations it can simulate real natural events which is not possible in case of statistical scaling approach.

While, for rice yield statistical scaling method would be used because, it is based upon generation of synthetic series of data at a local variable site between local scale predict and large scale predictors, as results are limited to local climatic conditions and enormous amount of previous year data is needed to compute the analysis.

Q:  What is the difference between climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation?

Ans: Adaptation and mitigation are complementary to each other. For example, if mitigation measures are undertaken effectively, lesser will be the impacts to which we will need to adapt. Similarly, if adaptation measures are strong, lesser might be the impacts associated with any given degree of climate change.
There are some differences between adaptation and mitigation, but if the key vulnerabilities to climate change are to be addressed, adaptation is essential as even after the most rigorous mitigation efforts, climate change will continue in the next few decades. At the same time, mitigation is necessary because reliance on adaptation alone could eventually lead to a magnitude of climate change to which effective adaptation is possible only at very high social, environmental, and economic costs.



Some observed incidents:






Reports

Climate Change: questions and answers part 2

Q: What is the key principle in naming variables in an influence diagram? How can one identify the focus variable in a feedback loop?

Ans: The key principles in naming variables in an influence diagram may be either in increasing or decreasing in a feedback loop,which are as follows :
1. Quantification of variables

2. Use clear language that describes the variables in their neutral sense

3. The links (arrows) in diagram should indicate the flow of influence or information between the variables.

One can identify the focus variable in a feedback loop if it answers the following questions positively by:

1. How the variable effect the environment/object.

2. Will the variable have positive impact.

3. What is the importance of such a variable in a feedback loop.

4. Will the variable have multiple benefits to affected variables.

5. Recognition of benefits by selection of that focus variable.

6. Prior experimental trial or research concluded for selection of focus variable.



Q: climate change can increase disaster losses significantly?
Ans: Climate change can increase disaster losses significantly in following ways:
1) Direct  climate  impact changes  weather  variables  e.g.  average temperature,  rainfall,  wind  speed,  seasonality  and disruptions  to  major  weather  systems  e.g.  ENSO.
2) Indirect  impacts  to  natural  systems  e.g.   changes   to   fire   regimes,   disease   vector   profiles,   ecosystem  functioning,  fauna  breeding  cycles,  flora  pollination  etc.
Indirect  impacts are also  influenced  by  non-climate  anthropogenic  influences.  E.g.  fire regimes  are  affected  by: climate (rainfall, temperature, wind) natural  ecosystem functioning  (vegetation  growth, distribution) and human influences  (deforestation, plantation forestry, fire  prevention). Thus,climate change can increase disaster losses significantly.


Ques: What approaches would you take to reduce climate change associated risks under uncertainty of projections?
Ans: Approaches that should be taken to reduce climate change associated risks under uncertainty of projections are as follows :
1) Imperfection and limitation on science such as feedback and tipping point uncertainties need to be quantified through comparison with observations.
2) coping with extremes associated with uncertainty projections during climate change.
3) Reduction strategies should be adopted.
4) Rare extreme events should have a proper check out else,they will become more frequent causing large damages unless the reduction measures are implemented.


Q: What is your projection of the future (society, economy, CO2 emission, climate)?
Ans: My projection of the future is socio-economic balance of the society in global context. Socio-economic changes are key drivers of projected changes in future emissions and climate, and are also key determinants of most climate change impacts, potential adaptations and vulnerability. They also influence the policy options available for responding to climate change. Many scenarios are developed at a broader scale, requiring downscaling of aggregate socio-economic scenario information. the CO2 emission sources should be regulated so that the concentration of GHG gases in atmosphere is low. Promotion of planting more and more trees should be adopted to safe guard our environment. Economic feasibility study and risk analysis strategies for climate change should be there.


Q: Do you think that we can (should) mitigate the climate change (i.e., reducing CO2 emission very much)?
Ans: Yes, we should mitigate the climate change through reducing the CO2 emission. Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, have caused a substantial increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. This increase in atmospheric CO2 from about 280 to more than 380 parts per million (ppm) over the last 250 years is causing measurable global warming.
Potential adverse impacts include sea-level rise; increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, floods, droughts, and tropical storms; changes in the amount, timing, and distribution of rain, snow, and runoff; and disturbance of coastal marine and other ecosystems. Rising atmospheric CO2 is also increasing the absorption of CO2 by seawater, causing the ocean to become more acidic, with potentially disruptive effects on marine plankton and coral reefs. If we have a proper check and concern  and took proper regulatory measures to the above aforesaid problems then we can mitigate the climate change.

Q: Can you give an example of agricultural production practice for climate change adaptation and mitigation?
Ans:  Climate change mitigation in agriculture production practice can be done in following no. of ways: 
A) Improved cropland management 
– nutrient management,
– tillage/residue management and
– water management
B) Restoration of degraded soils
C) Agriculture can help to mitigate climate change by
– reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and
– sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere in the soil.
D) The potential of organic agriculture for both effects is high. 
E) Inclusion of leguminous crops, to reduce emission of N2O -N
F) Diversified crop rotation with green manure
G) Avoiding continuous flooding in rice will help in reducing emission of CH

The improved practices stops soil erosion and converts carbon losses into gains. If mitigation strategies are adopted effectively, climate change will favor adaptation also, hence crop yield will be enhanced as it would utilize carbon which was preserved during mitigation strategies adopted. 


Increased agricultural output in a region will be there if adaptation and mitigation works simultaneously but complementary to each other.

Q: What do you think about green energy and green world ?

Ans: I hope for 'Green world with green energy' in the near future, comprising of greenery and pollution free environment with emphasis on utilization of green energy in global context.

Monday, 27 February 2023

Mitigation approaches in agriculture

In my opinion, followings could be the mitigation approaches in agriculture engineering 

1. Reducing N2O emissions

2. Reducing leaching 

3. Carbon captured and storage

4. No tillage

5. Plant breeding

6. Agroforestry

7. Restoration of forest

8. wetland

9. Reducing dryland area

Saturday, 20 August 2022

Adaptations and mitigation: Questions and answers part 1

Dear friends,

Some questions and answers related with adaptation and mitigation to cope with climate change.

Q: Why do we need adaptation strategies?

Ans: Climate adaptation activities are efforts to prepare or adjust to future climate changes. Updating building infrastructure to better withstand a hotter climate is one example of adapting to climate change. Adaptation can consist of a wide variety of actions by an individual, community, or organization to prepare for, or respond to, climate change impacts.

Q: How to implement adaptation strategies at the local level?

Ans: Adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects by society or ecosystem. Adaptation can consist of a wide variety of actions by an individual, community, or organization to prepare for, or respond to, climate change impacts.

Implementation adaptation strategies at the local level:

- Information on risks and vulnerabilities to identify needs and appropriate adaptation options

- Build projected climate change related trend to present scenario and vulnerability assessment based on current climate change.

- Integration of climate adaptation into sustainable development policy, resource and
infrastructure planning, and design standards at national to local levels

- Develop robust resource mobilisation mechanisms for adaptation that ensure the flow of both financial and technical support to local people.

- Education and communication

- Learning & knowledge management

- Research and development

Climate preparedness and adaptation


References:



Climate Change: questions and answers part 1

Dear Friends, 

Climate change is now occurring all over world in a different way. Some countries are facing as extreme events such as extreme temperature, high intensity of rainfall and changed rainfall pattern. Some countries are also facing see level rises, high frequency of flood, melting ices and breaking icebergs, high frequency of wild fires due to rising temperature and these events are abruptly increasing and observed. Recently,  one report has been published in dw news "how melting icebergs in all over world" and weather warning in Europe has been increase as Europe now facing unusual stroms. Moreover, one report was published about drying Rhine river due to climate change and there are several incidents in India. However, Climate change is not a new topic. It was happening in historic time and several civilization was over due to extreme events.

Climate change


Further, climate change is long term process and it can not be over in one day. That can stop by spreading awareness about environment and how climate change is happening. There are several programs and research already ongoing funded by several agencies such as FAO, WHO, UNFCC, IPCC and local governments. Some time they also release some regulation regarding the climate change extreme and warnings.

Here, I am presenting some questions and answers which i submitted during one training course " Building resilience to climate change courses I and II" by united nation university Japan at IIT Kharagpur in year 2015. Hopefully, it will to help to under stand climate change. If any you have any question, Please let me know in comment section. Feel free for comments and suggestion.

NOAA logo

  • Atmosphere has been mostly directly affected by human activities.Atmosphere contain the green house gases and these gases directly affect the atmosphere.
  • There is rapid increase in the production of green house gases with increase in the no. of industries and also by methane gas in the atmosphere.
  • Increase in radiative forcing from human activity is attributable mainly to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. CO2 is produced by fossil fuel burning and other activities such as cement production and tropical deforestation.
  • The atmosphere contains several trace gases which absorb and emit infrared radiation. These so-called greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, emitted by the Earth’s surface.
  • The action of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in trapping infrared radiation is called the greenhouse effect.
  • Human activity since the Industrial Revolution has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to increased radiative forcing from CO2, methane, tropospheric ozone, CFCs and nitrous oxide.

Question and answer:

Q: Identify the 6 main components of the biophysical Earth system. Which one do you think has the most important role in determining global climate? Which of these are likely to have been most directly affected by human activities during the last thousand years?

Ans: The 6 main components of the biophysical Earth system is:

1. Lithosphere

2. Hydrosphere

3. Cryosphere

4. Atmosphere

5. Troposphere

6. Stratosphere

Since atmosphere contains the green house gases and is characterized by temperature, wind, precipitation, clouds and other weather elements, so atmosphere has the most important role in determining global climate.

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