Climate Change is Human Induced?
Climate is the most vital element of our planet and its live ability is key concern for every habitat. From Silent Spring till present debate is on about humankind’s impact on nature. Since its establishment in 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been playing pivotal role in raising public concerns on human-induced climate change through its various assessment reports. These reports follow exhaustive review process, and are widely accepted. In 2007, IPCC`s 4th assessment report- ‘Climate Change 2007 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability’ came in question on Himalayan glacier melt. The Climate gate in 2009 further strengthened the confusion on credibility of IPCC`s projections. Present study analyses district level temperature and rainfall patterns of Uttarakhand- a Himalayan state, and examines the validity of IPCC`s projection. Uttarakhand is a tourism oriented economy. State is best known for its religious places and natural sites. Rapid urbanisation in mountainous regions is disturbing regional eco-balance, but increasing vehicular pollution in climatesensitive areas seems to have greater impact on temperature and precipitation patterns. Result shows a noticeable shift in the variability of temperature and rainfall, and a significant warming especially in mountainous districts, However human activities does not correlate very well with these changes.
