How Land Use Affects Climate Change?

Human interventions are known to transform land, water and local ecologies. Over the past century these changes have profoundly modified the earth. Land use change takes place through human interventions in a number of ways. The land-use changes results in Climate change. In many countries, land under agriculture and forests have been transformed into industry, residential and commercial buildings and associated infrastructure and horticulture. Change in land use pattern influence local and regional weather patterns. This is due to the changes in aerosols, carbon, nitrogen and other gases along with the moisture in air, heat and light.

The growing urbanisation has caused rapid changes in land use and land cover within urban areas. These rapid changes have brought a change in the microclimatic conditions particularly with respect to its thermal structure. The phenomenon of increased higher temperatures within city compared to the surrounding rural areas is known as the ‘Urban Heat Island’ (UHI). The presence of urban heat island poses threats to human life, animals, plants, regional and global climate patterns.

Changes in land use pattern have implications for poverty, food security, water, health, jobs and services. It particularly affects the poor people who are largely reliant on ecosystems for their livelihoods.

Way forward

Preserving ground water and maintaining water in tanks and water bodies are regarded as a precaution for dry spells. Reducing our ecological footprint and living in compact communities are good ways to climate change.