It will be Seted upon sikkim's climate problem and movement work.
GO GREEN MOVEMENT
Climate change is one of the major environmental threats facing the world. Studies have shown that Indian sub-continent is likely to experience a warming of over 3-5°C, increased flood and drought frequency and intensity. Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services. However, climate is one of the most important determinants of vegetation patterns globally and thus climate change can significantly alter the distribution, structure and ecology of forests. Forest type distribution, carbon stocks or emissions and climate change are interlinked processes. Deforestation and land degradation contribute to about 20% of global CO2 emissions and forest sector provides a large opportunity to mitigate climate change, particularly through the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism. This chapter presents an assessment of climate variability and climate change impacts on forest ecosystems of Sikkim using dynamic global vegetation modeling. Climatic variables like precipitation and temperature were taken into consideration to understand the past and current trends. The drought and flood data were also assessed to understand the recent trends. The study shows that the forest sector in Sikkim is unlikely to be adversely impacted by climate change in the short- and medium-term. But keeping in mind the various model limitations, there is a need for multiple climate scenarios and vegetation model-based assessment of climate change impacts at decentralized levels. Critical evaluation of the current national as well as state policies, programs and capacity of institutions are required that will help in increasing resilience of forests. Climate change is one of the biggest environmental threats facing the world, potentially impacting:
• Food production and security, sustained water supply, biodiversity of forests and other natural ecosystems, fisheries, health and settlements. Climate change modeling studies for India show that the Indian sub-continent is likely to experience a warming of over 3-5°C, increased flood and drought frequency and intensity.
• Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as protecting water quality and quantity (including stream flow, drinking water supplies, and groundwater) by retarding runoff, protecting biodiversity, sequestering carbon; providing wood and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and providing an aesthetic element in the landscape that has both important economic and spiritual values (Heal 2000). Although these ecosystem services are generally defined as “the life-support and life-enhancing services of natural ecosystems”, human activities are already impairing the flow of these ecosystem services from the forests on a large scale and if these current trends continue with climate change posing to be an added stressor, a large share of the Earth’s remaining natural forest ecosystems will be altered within a few decades.
Relation between forest and climate change;
Climate is one of the most important determinants of vegetation patterns globally and has significant influence on the distribution, structure and ecology of forests. It is therefore logical to assume that changes in climate would alter the configuration of forest ecosystems. Forest sector is also important in the context of climate change due to three reasons namely; i) deforestation and land degradation contributes to about 20% of global CO2 emissions, ii) forest sector provides a large opportunity to mitigate climate change, particularly the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, and iii) forest ecosystems are projected to be adversely impacted by climate change, affecting biodiversity, biomass growth and forest regeneration.
Based on a range of vegetation modeling studies, “IPCC (2007) concluded that a-third of biodiversity is under the threat of extinction and further, significant impacts of climate change are projected on forest biodiversity and regeneration, especially in tropics and mountain areas.”
A number of studies have been carried out in the past to evaluate impacts and vulnerability towards climate change on a national and global level. But there are very few studies at the regional level. Studies at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) concluded that under the climate projections for the year 2085, 77% and 68% of the forested grids in India are likely to experience shift in forest types under A2 and B2 scenarios, respectively. A recent study from IISc using a dynamic global vegetation model showed that at the national level, about 45% of the forested grids are projected to undergo change by 2030s under A1B climate change scenario.
Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayas has a geographic area of 7096 sq. km with the entire state comprising hilly terrain with forests on hilltops and valleys. 82% of the total geographical area of the state is under the administrative control of the Forest Department and forestry is the major land use in the state. Although one third of Sikkim consists of perpetually snow-covered mountains, forest is an important resource in Sikkim with a predominantly large population living in close association with forests and dependent on it. Terrace cultivation is practiced by the people. The state occupies a significant place in terms of floral and faunal biodiversity, being identified as one of the global biodiversity hotspots in the Eastern Himalayas.
In this chapter, we present an assessment of climate variability and climate change impacts on forest ecosystems of Sikkim using dynamic modeling.
Sikkim has a recorded forest area of 5,841 sq. km which is 82.31% of its geographical area. The total forest and tree cover of the state is 3,377 sq. km, which is 47.59 % of the geographical area (FSI 2009). The protected areas constitute 30.70% of the geographical area of the state. The Sikkim Himalayas falls under the Himalayan (2) Bio –geographic Zones and Central Himalaya (2C) Biotic Province having about 9 forests types (Champion & Seth). However, as per FSI reports, forests in the state can be categorized into 6 types as Tropical Moist Deciduous, Sub Tropical Broad-leaved Hill, Montane Wet Temperate, Himalayan Moist Temperate, Sub Alpine Forests and Moist alpine Scrub.
The carbon sequestration of forests of Sikkim is very significant in India. The distribution of forests along with crown densities in Sikkim is given in Figure 1a. Moderate dense forests account for about 30.45% of the forest area followed by very dense forests accounting for about 7.05%.
Forests are classified as Reserved Forests (93.34%) and Protected Forests (6.66%). Sikkim Himalayas has more than 26% of flowering plants of the country and is very important Phyto-geographical reserve of the country. Sal, Bamboos and orchids are commonly found in the subtropical forests of Sikkim up to a height of 1520m. In the temperate region above 1520m and up to 3960m, Oak, Laurel, Chestnut, Rhododendron, Fir, Maple and Spruce are predominantly found and alpine tundra at the higher elevations. More than 4000 species of plants – Magnolias, Rhododendrons, blue poppies, Gentians and Primulas are found in Sikkim. The rich biodiversity of the state also renders it a huge potential for developing eco-tourism. But, as data showing it is not a reality because forest of Sikkim is in danger as human need are growing more and more so, trees are reducing more and more so, The movement can bring as stable reality for the case. 3. Rationale Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly. Forests help stabilize the climate. They regulate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, play an integral part in the carbon cycle, support livelihoods, and can help drive sustainable growth. Halting the loss and degradation of natural systems and promoting their restoration have the potential to contribute over one-third of the total climate change mitigation scientists say is required by 2030.
• To sensitize youth about climate change, its impacts and about its variable. • To encourage youth for afforestation and aware about hazards of deforestation. • To motivate youth to boycott plastic use and learn about Eco friending material • To educate about waste management. • To contribute to SDG-13: Climate Action from the local level.
The starting point for an investigation of adaptation to future climate change is to develop an understanding on the adaptation to current climate variability. This means that the focus for the investigation of adaptation to climate change should not be based only on scenarios of the future but also on the analysis of present vulnerability in the face of current climate variability. Rainfall and Temperature are subjected to variability on all time scales: intra-seasonal, inter-annual, decadal, centennial, etc. Food production system, water availability, water resources etc. are sensitive to intra-seasonal, inter-annual, decadal variability in these two important climate variables. Global warming and Climate Change is projected to increase the number of extreme temperature and rainfall events, and hence climate variability is expected to show an upward trend. It is very important to understand the past trends and variability in rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature in Sikkim since the knowledge on the past could provide guidance for the future.
‘Climate variability’ refers to variations in the mean state (of temperature, monthly rainfall, etc.) Kiand other statistics (such as standard deviations, statistics of extremes, etc.) of the climate on all temporal and spatial scales beyond that of individual weather events. Variability may be due to natural internal processes within the climate system (internal variability) or due to natural variations (e.g. solar and volcanic) or due to external forcing (external variability). Anthropogenic climate change, on the other hand, is a change in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere (e.g. increase in greenhouse gases due to fossil fuel emissions) or surface characteristics (e.g. deforestation) and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992). In this section, we focus on the current mean climate and climate variability in Sikkim at district level. Precipitation and temperature are used as the key climate variables in this analysis.
As I know Sikkim cover’s 712,249 Sq. km (71.22millon) were in some area tree has been cutting down. We are in land where we have good quality of air. But knower day’s human need is getting higher. For this circumstance we need to conserve environment for better and sustainable future. We have to conserve it for future generation as well. For this. I have a great concept to make people for plantation of to conserve our Environment as “GO GREEN MOVEMENT”. This concept came in mind during the World Environment day 5th June 2020 virtual conference of UNEP. It is as tree plantation movement were people can participate as competition to plant tree. How? My Concept is as we lunch a project were participants has to register for movement between 18 days deadline and they can start to plant tree unto can they can in between in one year. They have to send the picture of plantation each time where they will plant tree to keep as data to make a result as they will provided a Google drive link. In Compilation of 11month in some deadline competition will be over. After, that compiling data to 3 tree planters will be awarded with the cash prize and gift hamper by some officials during Environment day program. AS, the concept can drive people as tree planters were most people can bring out for mass movement.
AGENDA OF WORK
Trees contributes to our needs by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate, amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil and supporting wildlife, tree take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breath. The main reason we like to raise this movements of tree plantation because they are both beautiful and majestic for the human being.
As youth we can start as reducing the use of plastic and paying attention towards the education of waste management were it will build major work on environment conservation road.
Another reason youth can be as main point for the conservation of forest and environment. Youth can change the living value for the environment because every world and we are facing some impact as Climate change and we can have more impact by the climate change so tree plantation movement can be most benefit for the change.
Expected Outcome;
Sikkim forest will increase. It can create mass movement if, Sikkim Government will raise the movement. It will create the very good quality of air and feltier air pollution. As we live in digester zone as landslides and all more tree will hold soil. Youth will be work for the movement. We use most of animals as domestic so it can help people to feed grass and all. Sikkim will get more green energy.