"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 impact of climate change on the environment, including the increase in greenhouse gases and their role in global warming.
Greenhouse effect: The process by which greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat and warm the Earth’s atmosphere.
Atmospheric composition: The study of the various gases and particles that make up the Earth’s atmosphere, and how they interact with one another.
Climate modeling: The construction of mathematical models that simulate the Earth’s climate, and how it may change over time.
Climate feedback mechanisms: The ways in which the Earth’s climate system responds to changes within the system, including positive and negative feedback loops.
Carbon cycle: The cycling of carbon dioxide between the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans, and how human activities have disrupted this natural cycle.
Fossil fuels: The use of coal, oil, and natural gas as energy sources, and their contribution to the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Ozone depletion: The reduction in the amount of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere, and the harmful effects it can have on human health and the environment.
Global warming potential: The comparative potency of different greenhouse gases in contributing to climate change.
Sea level rise: The gradual increase in sea level caused by the melting of ice caps and glaciers, as well as thermal expansion of ocean water.
Climate adaptation: The process of planning and implementing strategies to help communities and ecosystems cope with the impacts of climate change.
Mitigation strategies: Actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the effects of climate change.
Climate policy: The development of legal and regulatory frameworks to address climate change, including international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
Global Warming: It is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere caused by the release of greenhouse gases from human activities.
Ozone Depletion: It refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals into the atmosphere.
Ocean Acidification: It is the process by which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean, resulting in a decrease in the pH level of seawater, which can lead to harmful effects on marine life.
Melting Glaciers: It is the loss of ice from glaciers and ice caps due to warmer temperatures, leading to the rise in sea levels and changes in ocean currents.
Changing Weather Patterns: It is the alteration in the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and hurricanes, which can have severe impacts on ecosystems and human societies.
Sea Level Rise: It is the gradual increase in sea levels due to the melting of glaciers and ice caps, leading to the displacement of millions of people living in low-lying areas.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): It is a method of capturing carbon dioxide from power plants, industries, and other sources and storing it in underground geological formations or other storage sites.
Geoengineering: It refers to the deliberate manipulation of the Earth's climate system to counteract the effects of climate change, such as by reflecting sunlight back into space or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
"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."