"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."
A discussion of the impact of human activities on climate change and the natural environment, including global warming, ocean acidification, and habitat loss. It also covers strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Climate Change: An overall understanding of the phenomenon of climate change, its causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
Greenhouse Gases: Understanding the role of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the greenhouse effect.
Global Warming: Detailed study of the gradual rise in global temperatures and its consequences.
Ozone Depletion: Understanding the process of depletion of the ozone layer and its effects on the environment.
Air Pollution: Analysis of the different types of air pollutants, sources, and impacts on human health and the environment.
Water Pollution: The study of different sources of water pollution, water quality parameters, and the impacts on aquatic life and human health.
Soil Pollution: Analysis of soil pollution sources, types, and impacts on soil fertility, agriculture, and human health.
Renewable Energy: Comprehensive knowledge about various renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and their role in mitigating climate change.
Sustainability: Understanding the concept of sustainability, sustainable development, and the role of individuals, governments, and businesses in achieving it.
Waste Management: Understanding different methods of waste management such as recycling, composting, and landfill, and their impacts on the environment.
Biodiversity: Analysis of biodiversity, its conservation, threats, and the role of ecosystems in mitigating climate change.
Environmental Law and Policy: Understanding environmental laws and policies, their development, enforcement, and the role of international organizations in promoting environmental sustainability.
Environmental Ethics: The study of ethical principles related to the environment, animal rights, and the role of human beings in promoting environmental sustainability.
Environmental Economics: Analysis of the economic principles related to the environment, cost-benefit analysis, and the use of economic incentives in promoting environmental sustainability.
Environmental Education: Understanding the role of education in promoting environmental awareness and behavior change.
Atmospheric chemistry: Study of chemical processes occurring in the Earth's atmosphere, e.g. air pollution, ozone depletion, global warming.
Aquatic chemistry: Study of chemistry in aquatic systems such as oceans, estuaries, and rivers.
Soil chemistry: Study of the chemical processes that occur in soil, affecting soil fertility, plant growth, and soil pollution.
Biogeochemistry: The study of the interactions between living organisms and the chemical and physical environment.
Environmental toxicology: Study of the adverse effects of environmental chemicals on living organisms.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation: Strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changes in weather patterns.
Renewable energy and sustainable development: Research into the development of alternative energy sources and methods of sustainable development.
Green chemistry: Development of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.
Atmospheric physics: Study of the physical properties of the Earth's atmosphere and the interactions between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.
Environmental microbiology: Study of the roles of microorganisms in environmental processes such as nutrient cycling, bioremediation, and soil formation.
"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."