Climate change

Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. It is caused by an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Climate change has been recognized since at least the mid 20th century, when researchers first started collecting data on greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2). Since then, scientists have observed a progressive rise in temperatures across all regions of the world that cannot be explained solely by natural causes.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change as “a statistically significant variation from what have hitherto been considered normal climatic conditions over time periods ranging from decades to millions of years”. This definition includes both global warming driven mainly by human emissions of greenhouse gases and other aspects related to changes in weather pattern including extreme events such as floods or droughts. Generally speaking, most experts agree that current levels of CO2 are unprecedented for this period within recorded history, making it highly likely that anthropogenic activity is responsible for recent increases in temperature worldwide.

In addition to rising temperatures caused primarily through increased atmospheric concentrations of CO2 there are also secondary effects being seen around the globe which include sea level rises resulting from melting ice caps along with more frequent occurrences of severe storms linked with changing ocean currents and circulations among others. The impacts these shifts can cause range widely depending upon geographic location but may include drought or flooding leading to mass displacement; reduced agricultural yields due decreased water availability; acidification & coral bleaching affecting marine ecosystems; loss/degradation habitats essential for wildlife species survival etc… Therefor it becomes clear why addressing climate change should remain high priority globally if we wish ensure future sustainability our planet’s environment & inhabitants alike!