"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 long-term change in the Earth's climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea level.
Greenhouse gases: Understand the role of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, and how they contribute to climate change.
Climate modeling: Learn about computer simulations used to study climate change and predict future change.
Renewable energy: Explore alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Climate policy: Understand international and national efforts to mitigate climate change such as the Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and Clean Air Act.
Carbon footprint: Calculate your individual or organizational carbon footprint to understand the impact of your daily activities on the environment.
Climate adaptation: Explore ways in which we can adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increased storm events, and drought.
Climate economics: Evaluate the economic impact of climate change, including the cost of mitigation and adaptation.
Climate justice: Learn about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, and the need for equitable action to mitigate its effects.
Ocean acidification: Understand how increased carbon dioxide absorption in the ocean leads to acidification, with serious consequences for marine life and global food security.
Extreme weather events: Study the frequency and severity of heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms as they are influenced by climate change.
Temperature rise: This is the most common indicator of climate change, with global temperatures increasing since the late 19th century due to increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Sea-level rise: Global sea levels have risen by around 8-9 inches since the beginning of the 20th century as a result of increasing global temperatures which cause the ice caps and glaciers to melt.
Extreme weather events: Changes in climate have caused a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms.
Ocean acidification: Oceans absorb roughly a quarter of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, causing the ocean to become more acidic which is damaging to marine life.
Species extinction: Changes in climate and their effects on ecosystems have lead to the extinction of many species, with estimates suggesting this rate may be up to 1000 times faster than before human intervention.
Glacial retreat: A result of rising temperatures is the melting of glaciers, which can contribute to the rise of sea levels, change weather patterns, and affect freshwater resources.
Human health effects: Climate change can affect human health through increased air pollution, food and waterborne diseases, and other indirect impacts such as the displacement of populations.
Social and economic impacts: Climate change can have significant social and economic impacts, including the displacement of populations, lower productivity, damage to infrastructure, and other issues.
"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."