"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."
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change has a profound impact on the natural world and human societies, and is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
Greenhouse effect: The process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet.
Anthropogenic climate change: Climate change resulting directly or indirectly from human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and land-use changes.
Climate models: Computer programs that simulate the Earth's climate and help predict future environmental scenarios.
Global warming potential: A measure of a substance's ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, with carbon dioxide being the standard for comparison.
Climate mitigation: Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
Climate adaptation: Strategies to help communities and ecosystems adapt to the changes in climate that are already underway, such as building more resilient infrastructure and ecosystems.
Climate justice: The idea that the burdens of climate change should not fall solely on the most vulnerable populations, and that policy decisions should prioritize equity and fairness.
Renewable energy: Sources of energy that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Carbon footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases that an individual or organization emits as a result of their activities.
Climate policy: Laws and regulations that address the causes and consequences of climate change, such as carbon taxes and emissions trading.
Sustainable development: Economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Climate impacts: The physical, ecological, and social consequences of climate change, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, and food and water scarcity.
Climate communication: Techniques for effectively communicating the science of climate change to a broad audience, including policymakers, the media, and the public.
Climate science: The interdisciplinary field that studies the Earth's climate system, including natural and human-induced changes.
Carbon sequestration: The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide in natural or artificial reservoirs, such as underground storage sites or reforestation projects.
Greenhouse gas emissions: The increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, leads to a warming effect on the planet, known as the greenhouse effect. This is the primary cause of global warming.
Deforestation and land use changes: When forests are destroyed or degraded, it results in lower carbon uptake from the atmosphere and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Changes in ocean currents and temperature: The oceans act as a sink for carbon dioxide and are responsible for transporting heat around the Earth. Any changes to ocean currents or temperature can affect the planet's climate.
Industrial processes and pollution: Human activities, especially those related to industry and transportation, release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Natural causes: Some natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and solar activity, can also affect the Earth's climate. While these are often short-term events, they can have long-term impacts on the planet's climate.
Melting of ice caps and glaciers: As the Earth's temperature rises, it causes ice caps and glaciers to melt, resulting in sea level rise and changes to ocean currents.
Extreme weather events: Climate change can also result in more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts.
"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."