So, what exactly is climate change? What is global warming? What is the difference? Here’s all that you should know.

“Climate is a measure of the average pattern of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time.”

“Climate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer.”

Climate change is the change of the various climates around the world. Examples of climate change include global warming.

“Global warming refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth’s surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is causing climate patterns to change. However, global warming itself represents only one aspect of climate change.”

Over the past hundred years or so, the average temperature of Earth has increased because of this phenomenon. It has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit already, and is estimated to increase from 2-11.5 degrees in the next hundred years. These changes do not sound like much, but a small change in climate can affect the Earth in a very big way. These small changes can cause large, and “potentially dangerous shifts” in weather and climate.

Evidence has been found that clearly proves the existence of climate change.

Effects and    evidence of climate change include the following:

-Changes in rainfall

-Flooding, droughts, or intense rain

-More frequent and severe heat waves

-Warming and increasingly acidic oceans

-Melting ice caps

-Rising sea levels

These signs of climate change pose significant threats to life on Earth.

More indicators of climate change can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/

Who has caused climate change and global warming? Humans.

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial and agricultural practices, release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases blanket the Earth, and trap heat energy under the atmosphere. This causes the overall climate to warm. This is the greenhouse effect, and it is not all bad. The greenhouse effect is necessary—in moderation—to support life on our planet. But the increasing greenhouse effect and the buildup of greenhouse gases has significant consequences.

More causes of climate change: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html

Climate change can change anything connected to our climate—which includes all life on Earth. It can affect water supplies, food supplies, power and transportation systems, the environment, our health, and our safety. It will continue to worsen—Earth will continue to warm until carbon dioxide begins to leave the atmosphere, which can be up to 100 years after it is placed in our atmosphere.

This is kind of depressing, though. People, along with larger organizations and agencies, can take action.

What the EPA is doing: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/EPAactivities.html

What you can do: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/

Calculate your carbon footprint: http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/