Global Climate
Climate Change
To comprehend climate change, we must first
understand the meaning of climate.
The term climate refers to the composite or
generally prevailing weather conditions of a
region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity,
precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness and winds
throughout the year, over a series of years
(usually 3 decades).
However, climate change is a significant and
lasting change in the statistical distribution of
weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions (i.e., more or fewer extreme weather events). The most general definition of climate change is a change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over long periods of time, regardless of cause. The term sometimes is used to refer specifically to climate change caused by human activity, as opposed to changes in climate that may have resulted as part of Earth's natural processes.
( global climate zones )
Climate Change Is Happening
Our Earth is warming. Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.
Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising.
As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment. Many organizations have deemed climate change as one of the biggest global problems in the 21st century.
