Climate change is a complex phenomenon that encompasses many of the changes we see around us. It includes rising global temperatures, shifting weather patterns, shrinking ice sheets and sea level rise. It also includes the increase in diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, which are adapting to warmer environments.
Earth’s climate has always changed, but the rate of warming we’re experiencing today is unprecedented over millennia. Evidence of our warming planet comes from natural sources like ice cores and tree rings, as well as from modern instruments and satellites.
Emissions of heat-trapping gases are the primary cause of climate change. When these gases absorb and re-radiate sunlight, they warm the atmosphere and oceans. These changes are being felt worldwide. Some regions are experiencing more extreme weather, including droughts and flooding, while others are seeing lower crop yields or a loss of biodiversity.
Warmer temperatures have already led to the spread of heat-related health issues, such as heat stroke and respiratory illness. They’ve contributed to wildfires, a decrease in water supplies and reduced agricultural yields. And rising sea levels are devastating island nations and causing coastal cities to flood.
The poorest countries are suffering the most from climate change. They’re least able to protect themselves with policies that limit climate pollution and are most likely to lose jobs or be forced from their homes as the effects of climate change worsen. These impacts are also exacerbated by existing social and economic inequalities, making it more difficult to adapt.
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