🌡️ Climate Change: A Warming World

🎯 Introduction

Climate change means big, long-lasting changes in Earth’s weather patterns and temperatures. While Earth’s climate has naturally changed over millions of years, scientists have found that human activities are making it warm much faster than ever before.

Climate change affects everything—oceans, animals, plants, and people. Understanding it helps us find solutions to protect our planet.

🌍 What Causes Climate Change?

Greenhouse Effect

• Earth’s atmosphere has gases called greenhouse gases.
• They trap heat from the Sun so Earth doesn’t get too cold.
• Too many greenhouse gases trap extra heat, causing temperatures to rise.

Main Greenhouse Gases:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from burning fossil fuels.
• Methane from farming and landfills.
• Nitrous oxide from fertilizers.

Human Activities:

• Burning coal, oil, and gas for energy.
• Cutting down forests.
• Factories and cars releasing pollution.

🌡️ How We Know Climate Change Is Happening

Scientists use many tools:

• Thermometers show rising temperatures.
• Satellites track ice melting and sea level rise.
• Tree rings and ice cores reveal past climates.

Evidence:

• Earth has warmed by about 1.2°C (2.2°F) since the 1800s.
• Each decade is hotter than the last.

🧬 Classification and Scientific Background

Classification:

• Environmental change
• Global issue

Scientific Details:

• Climate is the average weather over many years.
• Weather is short-term (today’s rain or sunshine).
• Rising CO₂ is the main driver of warming.

Feedback Loops:

• Melting ice reflects less sunlight, warming Earth more.
• Thawing permafrost releases more greenhouse gases.

🌊 Effects of Climate Change

• Melting Ice: Glaciers and Arctic sea ice are disappearing.
• Rising Seas: Coastal cities face flooding.
• Extreme Weather: Stronger storms, heatwaves, and droughts.
• Animal Habitats: Polar bears and coral reefs are in danger.
• Human Health: More heat-related illnesses and food shortages.

🌱 What We Can Do to Help

• Use renewable energy.
• Plant trees.
• Walk or bike instead of driving.
• Save energy at home.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Working together can make a big difference!

🌟 Interesting Facts

• 2016 and 2020 tied as the hottest years on record.
• Antarctica is losing billions of tons of ice yearly.
• Coral reefs can bleach and die if the water gets too warm.

💪 Why Climate Change Matters

• Protects clean air and water.
• Keeps animals and plants healthy.
• Ensures safe homes for future generations.

🧠 Kid-Friendly Summary

Climate change means Earth is getting warmer because of pollution. It melts ice, raises sea levels, and makes storms stronger. But if we work together and use clean energy, we can help our planet stay healthy.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Climate change is mostly caused by human activities.
• Greenhouse gases trap extra heat.
• It affects people, animals, and ecosystems.
• We can all help by saving energy and reducing pollution.

📖 Vocabulary Words