Climate Change

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. Let's understand what it is and why it matters.

What is Climate?

Climate is the average weather in a place over a long time (usually 30+ years). Weather is what happens day to day. Climate is the bigger picture.

What is Climate Change?

Climate change means the Earth's average temperature is increasing. This is called global warming.

The Greenhouse Effect

1. The sun shines on Earth
2. Some heat is absorbed and warms the planet
3. Gases in the atmosphere (like CO2) trap some heat, like a blanket
4. This is natural and keeps Earth warm enough for life
5. But burning fossil fuels adds MORE greenhouse gases
6. Too much greenhouse gas = too much heat trapped

Causes

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for energy
• Deforestation (cutting down trees that absorb CO2) Farming (cows and sheep produce methane)
• Transport (cars, planes, ships)

Effects

• Ice caps melting, sea levels rising
• More extreme weather (floods, droughts, storms)
• Animals losing habitats
• Food and water shortages in some areas

What Can We Do?

• Use less energy (turn off lights, walk or cycle)
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Plant trees
• Eat less meat
• Use renewable energy (solar, wind)

Key Vocabulary

• Climate, Weather, Global warming, Greenhouse effect, Fossil fuels, Renewable energy, Deforestation