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Climate Change – UPSC GS3

This module of the GS Paper 3: Economy, Environment, S&T & Security course covers climate science, global negotiations and india's climate policy. It has 3 study lessons and a 24-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. The Science of Climate Change: Causes, Evidence and Impacts

Free 7 min

The natural greenhouse effect: the Sun's shortwave radiation passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth. The Earth emits longwave (infrared) radiation. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) absorb and re-emit part of it, warming the lower atmosphere.…

2. Global Climate Negotiations: UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris and Climate Finance

Premium 7 min

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): adopted at the Rio Earth Summit (1992) and in force since 1994. It has 198 parties, and its secretariat is in Bonn. Its objective is to…

3. India's Climate Policy: NDCs, Mitigation, Adaptation and Carbon Markets

Premium 7 min

Total and per capita: India is the third-largest emitter in total, after China and the US, with about 7% of global GHG emissions. Its per capita emissions are about 2 t CO₂ (about 2.9 t…

 Module quiz: Climate Change (24 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Monthly mean CO₂ at Mauna Loa Observatory (NOAA)
Monthly mean CO₂ at Mauna Loa Observatory (NOAA). Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
Global temperature change since 1880 (NASA)
Global temperature change since 1880 (NASA). Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
The calving front of the Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
The calving front of the Hubbard Glacier, Alaska. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · CC0.
Bar chart of atmospheric carbon dioxide rising from about 280 parts per million before industrialisation to 317 in 1960, 354 in 1990, 390 in 2010 and about 423 in 2024
Current CO₂ levels are the highest in at least 800,000 years.
Table of major greenhouse gases with their sources, 100-year global warming potentials and atmospheric lifetimes
Cutting methane gives the fastest reduction in near-term warming. GWP values vary slightly between IPCC reports.
Card diagram of climate impacts on India: heat, rainfall extremes, Himalayan glacier retreat, coastal threats, and agriculture and health
Impacts fall hardest on the poor, outdoor workers and rainfed farmers.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: The Science of Climate Change: Causes, Evidence and Impacts; Global Climate Negotiations: UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris and Climate Finance; India's Climate Policy: NDCs, Mitigation, Adaptation and Carbon Markets.

Answer: 280 ppm. 280.

Answer: WMO and UNEP. WMO and UNEP.

Answer: water vapour. Water vapour.

Answer: cool the climate. Reflect sunlight.

Related modules

Indian Economy4 lessons
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Public Finance and the Budget3 lessons
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Financial Markets and Institutions2 lessons
External Sector and Trade3 lessons
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Infrastructure4 lessons
Agriculture2 lessons
Agricultural Resources and Production4 lessons
Agricultural Marketing, Pricing and Support3 lessons
Food Processing and Allied Sectors3 lessons
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Science and Technology in Depth5 lessons
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Disaster Management2 lessons
Disasters and their Management3 lessons
Internal Security2 lessons
Internal Security in Depth5 lessons

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