"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 how Earth's climate is changing and the impacts of these changes on natural resources and human societies.
The Greenhouse Effect: Understanding how the greenhouse effect works and how it affects our planet is crucial to understanding climate change.
Climate System: The climate system plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's atmosphere.
Carbon Footprint: Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide that an individual or organization releases into the atmosphere.
Mitigation: Mitigation strategies refer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the severity of climate change.
Adaption: Adaptation strategies refer to adjustments made to cope with the impacts of climate change.
Alternative Energy sources: Moving away from fossil fuels towards alternative energy sources is one of the most significant steps to mitigate climate change.
Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal are examples of renewable energy sources that are not fossil fuel-based.
Climate models: Climate models are computer models designed to simulate and predict climate.
Climate data: Analyzing and interpreting climate data from various sources is essential to understanding climate change.
Carbon trading: Carbon trading refers to buying and selling carbon credits in an effort to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon emissions: Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are causing detrimental effects on the planet.
Green technologies: Technologies such as solar panels and electric cars are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change.
Climate policy: Climate policy refers to the actions taken by governments and organizations to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Carbon storage: Carbon storage refers to the practice of capturing and storing carbon in the atmosphere to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable Development: Sustainable economic growth practices that promote environmental conservation is a significant part of managing climate change.
Air Pollution: Emissions from cars, planes, and factories are causing a rise in greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.
Temperature Changes: The Earth's temperature is rising, which is causing significant changes in natural ecosystems, including hotter and drier conditions in certain areas.
Rising Sea Levels: As temperatures rise, ice sheets melt, and sea levels continue to rise, threatening coastal areas with erosion and flooding.
Changes in Precipitation: Climate change is causing changes in precipitation patterns across the globe, causing floods and droughts in different regions.
Ocean Acidification: Carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater is causing ocean acidification, which can harm marine life and disrupt ecosystems.
Changes in Wildfire Activity: Changes in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation patterns are causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires in many areas.
Alterations in Landscape: Changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic factors are altering natural landscapes, causing shifts in habitats, ecosystems, and drainage patterns.
Changes in Wildlife Migration Patterns: Climate change is affecting the migratory patterns of many species, causing disruptions in breeding, feeding, and other behaviors.
Melting of Permafrost: Rising temperatures are causing the permafrost in many areas to melt, which can release methane and other greenhouse gases, further contributing to global warming.
Changes in Agricultural Productivity: Climate change is affecting crop growth, food production and other agricultural activities through altered precipitation patterns, temperature extremes, and changes in crop pests and diseases.
"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."