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Climate Change

Definition

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns on a global scale. It is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Analogy

Think of climate change as a fever affecting the Earth. Just like how a fever causes our body temperature to rise and disrupts normal bodily functions, climate change disrupts Earth's natural systems and leads to extreme weather events and ecological imbalances.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect: The natural process by which certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, acting like a blanket. However, human activities have intensified this effect, resulting in global warming.

Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the impacts of climate change. Examples include transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing energy-efficient practices.

Adaptation: Strategies and measures implemented to adjust or cope with the effects of climate change. This can involve building seawalls against rising sea levels or developing drought-resistant crop varieties for agriculture.