"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 long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including the effects of human activity on the environment and natural climate cycles.
Greenhouse Gases: The atmospheric gases responsible for trapping heat and contributing to climate change.
Climate System: The complex set of interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice that determine the Earth's climate.
Weather vs. Climate: Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term trends in temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables.
Earth's Energy Balance: The balance between energy from the sun and energy radiated back to space determines the temperature of the Earth.
The Carbon Cycle: The flow of carbon through the Earth's air, land, and water systems, encompassing both natural processes and human activities.
Extreme Weather Events: Increase in frequency and severity of events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods due to climate change.
Ocean Acidification: The absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean is leading to more acidic conditions -- directly affecting marine life.
Global Warming: The process by which the Earth's average temperature is increasing due to the release of greenhouse gases.
Climate Models: Comprehensive computer simulations of the Earth's climate that try to predict how the climate will change.
Impacts on Human Health: Climate change can affect human health in many ways, including through air pollution, heat waves, and the spread of infectious diseases.
The Paris Agreement: The agreement among world leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, signed in Paris in 2015.
Clean Energy Solutions: Clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can substantially mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Warming: An overall increase in the Earth's average temperature caused by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Ocean Acidification: The gradual decrease in the pH level of the Earth's oceans caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide.
Glacial Retreat: The shrinking of glaciers and ice sheets due to warmer temperatures, resulting in rising sea levels.
Extreme Weather: Occurrences of more frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and droughts, due to changes in weather patterns.
Desertification: The spread of arid and barren land caused by a decrease in rainfall and soil erosion.
Melting of Arctic Ice Caps: The decline in the size of the Arctic sea ice due to warmer temperatures, resulting in negative impacts on wildlife habitats and rising sea levels.
Ocean Current Changes: Disruptions in ocean currents and patterns that can have cascading effects on local and global climates.
Sea Level Rise: An overall increase in sea level caused by the melting of ice caps and glaciers.
Changes in Precipitation: Changes in the amount, frequency, and intensity of precipitation in different regions, leading to flooding or droughts.
Altered Ecosystems: The impact that temperature changes can have on different ecosystems and the species that rely on them.
"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."