What Is Climate Change?
Global warming may be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear someone say, “climate change.” But climate change is more than rising temperatures. It is changes in usual weather patterns in a region that last a long time. These changes are seen or felt in ice and snow cover, sea level, hot and cold temperatures, rainfall, and wind patterns. Different parts of the world will see different changes.
Some climate change is normal for the Earth, due to natural causes such as changes in the Earth’s orbit. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, contribute to climate change. Scientists worry that human activities increase the rate of climate change, which can seriously affect our:
- Coastlines
- Crops
- Economy
- Energy usage
- Health
- Outdoor activities
- Water resources
- Wildlife
For Kids
Did you know when temperatures rise, people use more electricity? This means more fossil fuel is burned. As more fossil fuel burns, more air pollution is created. This can lead to more respiratory (breathing) disease.