Currently, anthropogenic activities have caused unprecedented destruction of the environment at alarming rates, leading to undesirable alterations in air, land, and water. The process of environment degradation has been accelerated by industrial processes, which result in waste as well as over-consumption of natural resources. The ecological balance has been disturbed, and resources have shrunk. All this has resulted in climate change, which has emerged as a major concern in the 21st century. Changes in the environment are driven by demand for energy, water, and food to raise the standard of living. These are also responsible for climate change, with contributions from deforestation and CO2 emissions from fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.
The present volume discusses some of the main issues regarding environmental degradation and the causes as well as the impact of climate change, which is impacting the ecosystem. The effects of various pollutants, causes of climate change with case studies on geochemistry and glaciers, etc., and measures to reduce the impact on biodiversity, health, etc. are discussed in detail in its chapters.
In a nutshell, this volume discusses in detail the following issues:
• Anthropogenic and natural factors in environmental degradation
• Climate change history, causes, and threats to abiotic and biotic systems
• Case studies on the impact of climate change and living systems
• Mitigation and preparedness for the future
Ranbir Chander Sobti, former Vice-Chancellor Panjab University, Chandigarh &Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Central University), Lucknow is a scientist, an able administrator and dynamic institution builder.
He has published more than 300 papers in the journals of national and international repute such as Mutation Research, Carcinogenesis. Achieves of Toxicology, Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, Molecular Cell Biochemistry, PLOS I to name a few. He has also published more than 50 books by international publishers such as Springers, Academic Press, CRC, Elsevier, and others.
He is a Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences India, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Medical Sciences, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences Canadian Academy of Cardiovascular Diseases and few others. He was the General President of Indian Science Congress for the 102nd session held at University of Jammu in 2013. Dr.Sobti is the recipient of many prestigious awards like, the INSA Young Scientist Medal, UGC Career Award, Punjab Rattan Award, JC Bose Oration and Sriram Oration Awards and of Life Time Achievement Awards of the Punjab Academy of Sciences, Zoological Society of India, and the Environment Academy of India, besides many other medals and awards of national and International levels.
