Climate Change

Climate Change: The Basics

Climate change has been in the news for years. But what is climate change? And how will it affect us? You first need to know about the greenhouse effect. The Earth gets it's heat from the sun. 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 into the atmosphere. That's because today we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to do many of our every day activities, like heating our homes, using our computers, and driving our cars. All of 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, more flooding, droughts, and heat waves. And these changes could cause additional problems: like the spread of certain deceases, more wildfires and food and water shortages. Climate change could put entire eco-systems, 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 on less gas. And you can do your part by turning off the lights, the computer, and television 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.