WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change is a change in the usual weather found in a place. This could be a change in how much rain a place usually gets in a year . Or it could be a change in a place´s usual temperature for month´s or season´s.
Climate change is also a change in Earth´s climate. This could be a change in Earth´s usual temperature. Or it could be a change in where rain and snow usually fall on Earth.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Weather can changed in just few hours. Climate takes hundred or even million of years to change.
CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSES
The cycle starts with incoming energy from the sun is absorbed by the Earth system, Earth warms. When the sun’s energy is reflected back into space, Earth avoids warming. When absorbed energy is released back into space, Earth cools. Many factors, both natural and human, can cause changes in Earth’s energy balance, including:
+Variations in the sun's energy reaching Earth.
+Changes in the reflectivity of Earth’s atmosphere and surface.
+Changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the amount of heat retained by Earth’s atmosphere
CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.
SEA LEVEL INCREASE
Sea level rise is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming: the added water from melting land ice and the expansion of sea water as it warms. The first chart tracks the change in sea level since 1993 as observed by satellites. The second chart, derived from coastal tide gauge data, shows how much sea level changed from about 1870 to 2000.
Arctic Sea Ice Minimum
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?
Scientists think we can do things to stop the climate change.We can help by using less energy and water. turn off the lights and TVs when you leave a room. Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth. You also can help by planting trees.
Another way to help is by learning about Earth. While you know more about Earth, you will know more solutions to climate changed
