In this website you will find information on climate change that will allow you to:
- Describe climate change.
- Identify at least three ways in which climate change is affecting you.
- List at least five ways to mitigate climate change; and
- List at least two ways in which you can adapt to the effects of climate change in your community.
What is climate change?
Climate change, also known as global warming, refers to the changes to weather patterns over time –or the climate– which is what is happening with the earth’s increase in temperature.
The planet’s temperature or climate depends on the balance between the heat that enters the earth from the sun during the day and the heat that leaves the earth when it cools off during the night.
The effect by which the earth maintains a temperature that is not too hot or too cold is known as greenhouse effect.This effect is produced by the natural vapors and gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone that make up the earth’s atmosphere.
The intensity of the sun’s rays, the ability of the earth to reflect back the heat or to cool off, or the increase in any of the gases in the atmosphere will change the planet’s temperature.
A change in climate has occurred before in the earth’s history, but it wasn’t until the last 200 years (or since the industrial era) that we have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) on a level that drastically increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When this happens, the heat that enters the earth does not leave the earth in equal proportions and the earth remains heated. This additional heat that is not reflected back to space is increasing the overall average temperature of the earth, though it still goes up and down on a daily basis.
The planet’s temperature or climate depends on the balance between the heat that enters the earth from the sun during the day and the heat that leaves the earth when it cools off during the night.
The effect by which the earth maintains a temperature that is not too hot or too cold is known as greenhouse effect.This effect is produced by the natural vapors and gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone that make up the earth’s atmosphere.
The intensity of the sun’s rays, the ability of the earth to reflect back the heat or to cool off, or the increase in any of the gases in the atmosphere will change the planet’s temperature.
A change in climate has occurred before in the earth’s history, but it wasn’t until the last 200 years (or since the industrial era) that we have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) on a level that drastically increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When this happens, the heat that enters the earth does not leave the earth in equal proportions and the earth remains heated. This additional heat that is not reflected back to space is increasing the overall average temperature of the earth, though it still goes up and down on a daily basis.
How do you contribute to climate change?
We call our contribution to greenhouse emissions “carbon footprint.” Some examples of our personal contribution to the carbon footprint include driving, using electricity and disposing of waste. It is important to know that we all contribute to climate change and it is also importnat to know that we can all do something to reverse the impact of climate change.
Get in touch
I would love to know what you think of this website, if you have ideas for how to improve it, or what actions you have taken to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.