- "Changes in the climate system include an overall warming trend, more extreme weather and rising sea levels." - "The effects of human-caused climate change are broad and far-reaching."
Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity, as it can cause shifts in ecosystems and disrupt species’ ability to adapt.
Greenhouse gases: The gases that trap heat in the earth's atmosphere are known as greenhouse gases. The primary greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Global warming: The steady increase in the earth's temperature over recent decades due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Effects of climate change: Climate change causes numerous effects, such as rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, and increased frequency of natural disasters.
Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms and ecosystems on earth. Biodiversity is negatively impacted by climate change, leading to species loss and habitat degradation.
Impacts on human health: Climate change affects human health by increasing the incidence of natural disasters, heat stress, waterborne diseases, and other health risks.
Renewable energy: Alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower that have lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fossil fuels.
Carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, group, or activity. Reducing the carbon footprint is key to fighting climate change.
Sustainable development: An approach to development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Emissions reduction strategies: Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation measures.
Carbon taxes and carbon markets: Carbon taxes and carbon markets are mechanisms that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon emissions.
Climate adaptation: Strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as improved infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and sustainable land use practices.
Policy and governance: Effective policies and governance structures are necessary to address climate change at local, national, and international levels.
Habitat loss: As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change, some habitats may become unsuitable for certain species. This leads to loss of biodiversity.
Habitat fragmentation: Changes in temperature, rainfall and wind patterns can cause habitats to break up into smaller, isolated patches. These isolated habitats can make it difficult for animals to move around and can lead to fragmentation of populations.
Range shifts: As habitats become unsuitable, some species may move to cooler areas, leading to range shifts. This can impact the balance of ecosystems and lead to further biodiversity loss.
Phenology changes: Climate change can alter the timing of important events in the life cycles of species, such as breeding cycles or migration patterns. This can lead to mismatches between species and their resources, which can also impact biodiversity.
Invasive species: Warmer temperatures can make it easier for non-native species to invade new areas, leading to competition and potential loss of native biodiversity.
Disease spread: Climate change can influence the incidence and spread of diseases within populations, leading to loss of biodiversity.
Ocean acidification: As carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean, it can make the water more acidic. This can impact marine biodiversity and the ecosystems that depend on it.
Food web disruptions: Changes in temperature and rainfall can impact the availability of food resources for wildlife, leading to the disruption of food webs and biodiversity loss.
- "The effects of human-caused climate change are broad and far-reaching." - "Recent warming has had a big effect on natural biological systems. It has degraded land by raising temperatures, drying soils and increasing wildfire risk."
- "There are many effects of climate change on oceans. These include an increase in ocean temperatures, a rise in sea level from ocean warming and ice sheet melting." - "Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is acidifying the ocean."
- "The changes in climate are not uniform across the Earth. In particular, most land areas have warmed faster than most ocean areas." - "The Arctic is warming faster than most other regions."
- "Species all over the world are migrating towards the poles to colder areas. On land, many species move to higher ground, whereas marine species seek colder water at greater depths." - "At 2 °C (3.6 °F) of warming, around 10% of species on land would become critically endangered."
- "Food security and access to fresh water are at risk due to rising temperatures."
- "Climate change has profound impacts on human health. These can be direct impacts via heat stress. They can be indirect changes via the spread of infectious diseases."
- "Humans are vulnerable and exposed to climate change in different ways. This varies by economic sector and by country." - "Wealthy industrialized countries, which have emitted the most CO2, have more resources. So they are the least vulnerable to global warming."
- "Climate change affects many economic sectors. They include agriculture, fisheries, forestry, energy, insurance, and tourism."
- "Some groups may be particularly at risk from climate change, such as the poor, women, children, and indigenous peoples."
- "Recent warming has had a big effect on natural biological systems. It has degraded land by raising temperatures, drying soils and increasing wildfire risk."
- "Climate change can lead to displacement and changes in migration flows."
- "They also include changes to ocean currents including a weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation."
- "Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is acidifying the ocean."
- "At 2 °C (3.6 °F) of warming, around 10% of species on land would become critically endangered."
- "Wealthy industrialized countries, which have emitted the most CO2, have more resources. So they are the least vulnerable to global warming."
- "Climate change affects many economic sectors. They include agriculture, fisheries, forestry, energy, insurance, and tourism."
- "Some groups may be particularly at risk from climate change, such as the poor, women, children, and indigenous peoples."
- "They include increased ocean stratification." - "These include an increase in ocean temperatures, a rise in sea level from ocean warming and ice sheet melting."
- "Recent warming has had a big effect on natural biological systems. It has degraded land by raising temperatures, drying soils and increasing wildfire risk."