"In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to Earth's climate."
The study of how human activities are altering the Earth's climate and the potential ecological consequences of these changes.
Greenhouse effect: The natural process by which certain gases in the earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life.
Carbon cycle: The process by which carbon is exchanged between the earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans.
Glaciers and ice caps: The vast fields of ice found at the poles and in high-elevation mountain ranges, which play a critical role in regulating global temperatures and sea levels.
Temperature records: Historical data on global temperatures, compiled from a variety of sources including direct measurements, tree rings, and ice cores.
Ocean currents: Large-scale movements of seawater, driven by temperature differences and wind patterns, which help to regulate global temperatures and transport nutrients and carbon.
Climate models: Complex computer models that simulate the earth's climate system, allowing scientists to predict how it will respond to different scenarios.
Renewable energy: Electricity generated from sources that can be replenished relatively quickly, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.
Carbon footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or country, often calculated in terms of tons of CO2 equivalent per year.
Climate adaptation: Strategies for coping with the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, drought, and extreme weather events.
Sustainable agriculture: Farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve soil and water resources, and promote biodiversity.
Ozone layer: The layer of gas in the earth's atmosphere that protects it from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
International agreements: Treaties and other agreements between countries aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Carbon trading: The buying and selling of permits to emit greenhouse gases, designed to create market incentives to reduce emissions.
Methane emissions: A potent greenhouse gas emitted by livestock, landfills, and oil and gas production.
Energy efficiency: Strategies for reducing energy usage in buildings, devices, and vehicles, through technologies such as insulation, efficient lighting, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
Climate refugees: People forced to move due to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise or drought.
Biodiversity: The variety of life on earth, which is threatened by climate change and other human activities.
Forest conservation: Strategies for protecting and restoring forests, which absorb and store vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.
Climate justice: The concept that the burden of addressing climate change should be shared fairly among all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status.
Public policy: Laws, regulations, and other government actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices.
Global temperature rise: It refers to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Ocean acidification: Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean and forms carbonic acid. This acidification can threaten various marine organisms and ecosystems.
Melting glaciers: The retreat of glaciers can contribute to rising sea levels, which can cause flooding and other problems for coastal regions.
Ocean warming: An increase in ocean temperature can cause damage to coral reefs and other marine life.
Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change can cause changes in the frequency and intensity of precipitation, leading to droughts or floods.
Changes in weather patterns: Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, heat waves, and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Sea level rise: As sea temperatures continue to rise, the resulting thermal expansion expands seawater's volume, leading to sea level rise, which can cause flooding in low-lying areas.
"The current rise in global average temperature is more rapid than previous changes, and is primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels."
"Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices increase greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide and methane."
"Greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat that the Earth radiates after it warms from sunlight. Larger amounts of these gases trap more heat in Earth's lower atmosphere, causing global warming."
"Deserts are expanding, while heat waves and wildfires are becoming more common. Amplified warming in the Arctic has contributed to melting permafrost, glacial retreat, and sea ice loss. Higher temperatures are also causing more intense storms, droughts, and other weather extremes."
"Rapid environmental change in mountains, coral reefs, and the Arctic is forcing many species to relocate or become extinct."
"Even if efforts to minimise future warming are successful, some effects will continue for centuries. These include ocean heating, ocean acidification, and sea level rise."
"Climate change threatens people with increased flooding, extreme heat, increased food and water scarcity, more disease, and economic loss. Human migration and conflict can also be a result."
"The World Health Organization (WHO) calls climate change the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century."
"Adapting to climate change through efforts like flood control measures or drought-resistant crops partially reduces climate change risks, although some limits to adaptation have already been reached."
"Poorer communities are responsible for a small share of global emissions, yet have the least ability to adapt and are most vulnerable to climate change."
"Many climate change impacts are already felt at the current 1.2 °C (2.2 °F) level of warming."
"Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations collectively agreed to keep warming 'well under 2 °C'."
"With pledges made under the Agreement, global warming would still reach about 2.7 °C (4.9 °F) by the end of the century."
"Limiting warming to 1.5 °C will require halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050."
"Reducing emissions requires generating electricity from low-carbon sources rather than burning fossil fuels."
"This change includes phasing out coal and natural gas-fired power plants, vastly increasing use of wind, solar, nuclear and other types of renewable energy."
"Carbon can also be removed from the atmosphere, for instance by increasing forest cover and farming with methods that capture carbon in soil."
"Electricity generated from non-carbon-emitting sources will need to replace fossil fuels for powering transportation, heating buildings, and operating industrial facilities."
"Carbon can also be removed from the atmosphere, for instance by increasing forest cover and farming with methods that capture carbon in soil."