What is Climate Change? | Start Here

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), trap heat from the sun, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

The consequences of climate change are multifaceted and far-reaching. Rising temperatures contribute to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to sea level rise and threatening coastal communities with flooding and erosion. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall, become more frequent and intense, posing risks to human health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Furthermore, shifts in precipitation patterns can disrupt ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and the availability of freshwater resources. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess CO2, threatens marine life and coral reefs, which are crucial for marine biodiversity and coastal protection.

Climate change exacerbates existing social, economic, and environmental inequalities, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations such as low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and developing countries. Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and promote sustainable practices in all sectors of society.