Climate change is a significant shift in the Earth’s average temperature, caused by human activity such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and methane gas production. This can lead to global warming, rising sea levels, harsher weather, and reduced wildlife populations. Lifestyle changes such as conserving energy and recycling can help fight climate change.
Climate change occurs when the Earth’s average temperature changes dramatically over time. A minimum of one or two degrees can be considered a dramatic change because the earth’s ecosystem depends on a very delicate balance and even small shifts can have a far-reaching impact. A drop in average temperature can also be considered climate change, but in modern times people who use the term are usually talking about global warming.
One of the reasons climate change has become a popular and, at times, controversial topic is that many people believe that it is primarily the result of human activity. The burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, produces byproducts such as carbon dioxide. Since there aren’t enough plants on Earth to quickly turn all of this emitted carbon dioxide into oxygen, the gas remains in the atmosphere. Through a process known as the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide traps solar heat, which leads to global warming.
Other causes of climate change that can be traced to humans include widespread deforestation or logging and methane gas production. Methane is typically produced in large quantities from mines, large-scale cattle ranches, rice paddies and landfills. Commercial use of fertilizers that emit nitrous oxide also contributes to pollution levels.
Many people believe that the effects of climate change are already visible, in the melting of permafrost near the North Pole and rising sea levels. Rising ocean levels cause concern about shrinking coastlines and island land masses. A warmer climate can also cause harsher weather, because weather phenomena, such as hurricanes, gain strength from warm, moist air.
Some argue that evidence of global warming can also be found in reduced wildlife populations. Some animal species, such as the polar bear, are slowly losing their frozen habitats and have shown smaller populations in recent years. For this reason, many wildlife groups want the polar bear added to endangered species lists.
The concept of climate change is not new. The ice age of long ago is well documented and was another form of climate change, not caused by humans. Modern climate changes that are the result of human behavior can be positively influenced by altering personal lifestyles. While some people consider global warming just a theory, it is becoming more widely accepted that the planet’s climate is changing and that people are not blameless.
Many simple lifestyle changes that people can make to help fight climate change center around conserving energy resources. Actions such as turning off unnecessary lights, buying used items instead of new, and using public transport or cycling instead of driving cars can make a difference. Recycling as many goods and materials as possible is another useful way to save money. If humans ignore climate change, it could continue to accelerate and dramatically change the planet in both expected and unforeseen ways.
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