Climate change has been in the news for years.
But what is it?
And how will it affect us?
To understand climate change, you first need
to know about the greenhouse effect.
The Earth gets heat from the sun.
In the atmosphere, greenhouse gases like carbon
dioxide trap this heat and keep it from escaping
back to outer space.
Trapping some heat in the atmosphere is a
good thing, because it keeps the planet warm
enough for us to live.
But there’s a problem.
People all over the world are adding extra
carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
That’s because today we burn fossil fuels
like coal, oil, and gas to do many of our
everyday activities, like driving our cars,
using our computers, and heating our homes.
All this extra carbon dioxide is trapping
more heat in the atmosphere, making the Earth
warmer and causing other climate changes,
too.
The signs of climate change are all around
us.
Temperatures are getting warmer, giant ice
sheets are melting, and the oceans are rising.
In many places, flowers are blooming earlier,
snow is melting sooner, and birds aren't flying
as far south for the winter.
So why does this matter?
Well, if the planet keeps getting warmer,
we can expect more powerful storms and more
flooding, droughts, and heat waves.
And these changes could cause additional problems,
like the spread of certain diseases, more
wildfires, and food and water shortages.
Climate change could put entire ecosystems,
like coral reefs, in danger, and many plants
and animals could become extinct.
The good news is that we can take action!
We can put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
if we generate electricity from clean sources
like solar and wind power instead of burning
coal, oil, or gas.
We can also drive less, use public transportation,
and choose cars that go further using less
gas.
And you can do your part!
Reduce your energy use by turning off the
lights, the computer, and TV when you’re
not using them, and walk or ride your bike
to work or school.
By making smart choices and working together,
we can make a difference.
Check out the rest of this website to learn
more about the causes and effects of climate
change, as well as the practical solutions
that can help protect our planet’s future.
