As a result of human activity, global temperatures are rising, and climate change threatens every aspect of human life. The changes are uncontrolled; people and nature could face extreme warming, drought will increase, sea levels will rise, and many species will go extinct.
The world is facing a massive problem, but there are potential solutions.
What is climate change?
Climate is the average weather in a place over many years. Climate change is a shift in these average conditions.
The rapid climate change we are currently observing has been caused by humans using oil, gas, and coal for homes, factories, and transport.
When fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases trap the Sun's heat and cause the planet's temperature to rise.
Currently, Earth is about 1.1 °C warmer than in the 19th century, and the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by 50%.
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