"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 system, primarily due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Greenhouse gases: The gases that are responsible for trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere.
The carbon cycle: The natural process by which carbon dioxide is exchanged among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere.
Climate change science: The science behind how the earth's climate system works, including the natural and human factors that influence climate.
Temperature trends: The analysis of long-term climate data to identify and understand trends and patterns.
Global warming: The gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Climate modeling: The use of computer models to simulate and project future climate scenarios based on current and predicted greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon footprint: The measure of a person or organization's impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
Renewable energy: The use of energy sources that can be replenished naturally, such as wind, solar, or hydro power.
Energy efficiency: The use of technology and best practices to reduce energy consumption and waste.
Climate adaptation: The strategies and practices used to prepare for and adapt to anticipated climate impacts, including sea level rise, more frequent extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.
Carbon markets and carbon pricing: The mechanisms used to put a price on carbon and incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions reduction strategies: The policies and practices used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including regulations, incentives, and public awareness campaigns.
Climate policy and governance: The governance structures, policies, and institutions that are responsible for responding to climate change at the national and international levels.
Climate justice: The recognition that climate change and its impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized communities, and the call for equitable solutions.
Climate communication: The strategies and techniques used to effectively communicate climate science to stakeholders and the public, including science communication, risk perception, and behavior change.
Greenhouse Effect: This occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap heat from the sun's rays and prevent it from escaping into space.
Global Warming: Refers to the gradual increase in global temperatures over time, caused primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Ocean Acidification: This refers to the increasing acidity of ocean waters due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can harm marine life and disrupt the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems.
Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps: As temperatures rise, glaciers and ice caps melt, leading to rising sea levels and potential flooding of coastal areas.
Extreme Weather: Climate change can intensify extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
Biodiversity Loss: Changes in climate can disrupt ecosystems, leading to the loss of plant and animal species and a decline in biodiversity.
Desertification: This occurs when fertile land turns into desert due to a lack of rainfall and increased temperatures, leading to soil degradation and loss of agricultural productivity.
Migration and Conflict: Climate change can cause displacement of communities as environmental conditions become less hospitable, which can lead to conflicts over resources and land.
Carbon Footprint: This refers to the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted as a result of human activities such as transportation, energy production, and the use of fossil fuels.
Environmental Policy: Laws and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change, including efforts to increase renewable energy usage, reduce carbon footprints, and limit pollution.
"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."