Climate change is the long-term shift in Earth’s average temperatures and weather patterns that we’re currently experiencing. It’s caused by human activity, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), and has serious impacts on people and nature worldwide.
The climate system includes the atmosphere, oceans and land surface, and is interlinked, so changes in one part of the system can affect other parts. Scientists have found that since the Industrial Revolution, our planet has warmed – and it’s getting warmer all the time. This warming is the result of a combination of factors, including rising levels of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the air.
These gases trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, similar to how a greenhouse keeps plants warm. Historically, the concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere were much lower. However, since the Industrial Revolution, emissions of heat-trapping gases have increased significantly, which is causing the Earth to warm faster.
We’re already seeing the effects of global warming, from extreme heat to protracted drought to increased flooding and wildfires. These changes are also leading to more frequent and severe insect outbreaks, which can threaten the health of humans and other animals. And rising temperatures make it easier for the diseases that spread through mosquitoes and ticks to survive and thrive, which can put more pressure on healthcare systems and resources.
Thousands of scientists and government reviewers have agreed that limiting future warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius can help us avoid the worst impacts and maintain a stable environment for people and other species. This means urgently curbing emissions to ensure a safe and secure world for everyone.