Have you ever wondered why the weather seems to be changing, with hotter summers and more extreme storms? It’s all because of something called climate change, which is the process of our planet heating up. While a little bit of warming might not sound so bad, it’s having a big impact on our planet, from the animals that live in the coldest places on Earth to the food we eat every day.

For the past 150 years, human activities like burning fossil fuels have been releasing gases into the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun, like a giant invisible blanket. This is called the Greenhouse Effect, and it’s causing our planet to warm up faster than ever before. In fact, scientists have found that the Earth has warmed by about 1°C since the Industrial Revolution [1].

What’s Causing Climate Change?

Understanding the causes of climate change is the first step to finding solutions. There are three main human activities that are contributing to the problem:

• Burning Fossil Fuels: When we burn oil, gas, and coal for energy to power our homes, cars, and factories, we release greenhouse gases into the air.
• Farming: Believe it or not, cows contribute to climate change! With almost 1.5 billion cows on the planet, their burps release a lot of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas [1].
• Deforestation: Trees are our planet’s natural air conditioners because they absorb carbon dioxide from the air. When we cut down forests to make room for farms and cities, we lose this important natural defense against climate change.

How Does Climate Change Affect Our World?

The warming of our planet is causing big changes to our weather and our environment. We are seeing more rainfall, changing seasons, shrinking sea ice, and rising sea levels [1]. These changes are affecting people and animals all over the world.

“The good news is that we have everything we need now to begin addressing climate change, and the good news is that the solutions are not that expensive.” – Bill Nye, the Science Guy

From the polar bears in the Arctic, whose icy homes are melting away, to the sea turtles whose nesting beaches are disappearing under rising seas, wildlife is struggling to adapt. And it’s not just animals. Farmers in many parts of the world are finding it harder to grow crops because of droughts and floods, which can affect the food we all eat.

Q&A: Your Climate Questions Answered

Q: What is the difference between weather and climate?

A: Weather is what’s happening outside right now, like if it’s raining or sunny. Climate is the average weather in a place over many years. So, a hot day is weather, but a pattern of hotter years is climate.

Q: How can one person help stop climate change?

A: It might seem like a big problem, but every little bit helps! You can make a difference by recycling, reducing your food waste, turning off lights and electronics when you’re not using them, and walking or biking instead of driving. When we all work together, we can make a big impact.

Q: What is Fairtrade?

A: Fairtrade is a way to make sure that farmers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their products, like tea and coffee. This helps them to farm in a way that is better for the environment and to support their families.

Sources

[1] National Geographic Kids. (n.d.). What is climate change: facts for kids. Retrieved from https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/what-is-climate-change/

[2] NASA. (n.d.). A Guide to Climate Change for Kids. Retrieved from https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change/