"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 alteration of global temperatures and weather patterns due to human activities and natural variations in the Earth's climate system.
Greenhouse gases: The fundamental science behind the factors that contribute to climate change, including the role of greenhouse gases and their effect on global temperatures.
Climate modeling: The process of simulating the Earth's climate system, including factors like temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns, to study past and future climate change.
Climate change feedbacks: Complex mechanisms that amplify and dampen the effects of climate change, such as changes in ocean currents, melting of ice sheets, and the impact on ecosystems.
Biodiversity loss: The role of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance and its relationship with climate change, including the impact of climate change on endangered species, ecosystems, and overall ecological health.
Renewable energy: The importance of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
Sustainable agriculture: The role of agriculture in contributing to climate change and the potential of sustainable farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and promote food security.
Policy and politics: The political and economic dimensions of climate change, including national and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the role of corporations and governments, and the barriers to progress.
Climate adaptation: The strategies and technologies that can help vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, more extreme weather events, and changing agricultural conditions.
Public health: The impact of climate change on human health, including the effects of air pollution, exposure to extreme weather events, and rising temperatures on disease transmission.
Climate communication: Strategies for effectively communicating about climate change, including the role of media, social networks, and scientific consensus in shaping public opinion and influencing policy.
Sea-level rise: Increasing global temperatures cause sea ice to melt, resulting in a rise in sea levels, threatening coastal habitats and human settlements.
Extreme weather events: Climate change can lead to severe weather events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and hurricanes, which can have significant social and economic consequences.
Ocean acidification: The increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are changing the pH levels of the ocean and making the water more acidic, threatening the survival of marine life.
Changes in precipitation patterns: Global warming is causing precipitation patterns to change, resulting in more intense and prolonged droughts in some areas and heavier rainfall in others.
Biodiversity loss: Climate change is causing significant changes to ecosystems and habitats, threatening the survival of many species of plants and animals.
Agriculture and food security: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can have significant impacts on crop yields, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Health impacts: Climate change can also pose significant health risks, including heat-related illnesses and the spread of disease-carrying pests.
"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."