Hinglish

Climate Change

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 3: Climates of India · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 3.5

Learn

Climate change means significant, long-term changes in climate: temperature, rainfall and extreme events. Over millions of years natural processes drove it, but since the 19th century it has been driven mainly by human activities: burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas formed from ancient buried life), cutting forests, harmful industry and wasteful consumption.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap the Sun's heat. A little of this keeps Earth warm enough for life, but in just a few centuries we have released huge amounts, causing global warming. In early 2025 India was 1–3 °C warmer than normal and winter was unusually short and mild, affecting crops and small industries. Glaciers melt faster, heat waves and heavy downpours grow more frequent.

We can mitigate (slow) climate change by cutting emissions, planting trees, using renewable energy like solar and wind, saving electricity and living sustainably, and build resilience so communities recover faster. These steps sometimes clash with the wish for fast growth and more consumption, so choices matter at every level, from governments to families. Meher's class starts a "switch it off" drive and a school tree nursery.

Explore: helps or harms the climate?

  1. Sort each action.

Remember

  • Climate change is driven mainly by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
  • Mitigation (renewables, trees, saving energy) and resilience help us face it.

Quick check

The main human cause of recent climate change is …

  1. burning fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases
  2. planting trees
  3. using solar power
  4. rainwater harvesting
Answer

burning fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap extra heat.

Think about it

Name three things your family could change to reduce its contribution to climate change.

One answer

For example: walk, cycle or use public transport; switch off lights and fans; avoid wasting food and plastic; plant trees; use energy-efficient bulbs.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.