"Climate change" means a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity

that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate
variability observed over comparable time periods.

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the climate that occur over decades, centuries or
longer. It is caused by rapidly increasing greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere due primarily to
burning fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas).

These heat-trapping gases are warming the Earth and the Oceans resulting in rising sea levels, changes
in storm patterns, altered ocean currents, changes in rainfall, melting snow and ice, more extreme heat
events, fires, and drought. These impacts are projected to continue and in some cases, intensify,
affecting human health, infrastructure, forests, agriculture, freshwater supplies, coastlines, and marine
systems.

Difference Between Weather and Climate

Weather refers to atmospheric conditions such as temperature and rainfall over a short period of time
(a few hours or a few days). Weather is what you experience day to day.

Climate is the average pattern of weather for a particular place over a long period of time, usually at
least 30 years.

Causes

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which has changed the earth's climate. Natural processes,
such as changes in the sun's energy and volcanic eruptions, also affect the earth's climate.

Effects

Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites. It alters sand temperatures, which then affects the
sex of hatchlings.

Sea levels are rising and oceans are becoming warmer. Longer, more intense droughts threaten crops,
wildlife and freshwater supplies. From polar bears in the Arctic to marine turtles off the coast of Africa,
our planet’s diversity of life is at risk from the changing climate.

Climate change poses a fundamental threat to the places, species and people’s livelihoods WWF works
to protect. To adequately address this crisis we must urgently reduce carbon pollution and prepare for
the consequences of global warming, which we are already experiencing. WWF works to:
advance policies to fight climate change

engage with businesses to reduce carbon emissions

help people and nature adapt to a changing climate

Global

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice
on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering
sooner.

Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now
occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.

Temperatures Will Continue to Rise

Because human-induced warming is superimposed on a naturally varying climate, the temperature rise
has not been, and will not be, uniform or smooth across the country or over time.

Because human-induced warming is superimposed on a naturally varying climate, the temperature rise
has not been, and will not be, uniform or smooth across the country or over time.

More Droughts and Heat Waves

Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting days to weeks)
everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less intense everywhere.

Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting days to weeks)
everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less intense everywhere.

Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture, which
exacerbates heat waves, is projected for much of the western and central U.S. in summer. By the end of
this century, what have been once-in-20-year extreme heat days (one-day events) are projected to
occur every two or three years over most of the nation.

Hurricanes Will Become Stronger and More Intense

The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the
strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early 1980s
The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the
strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early 1980s. The relative
contributions of human and natural causes to these increases are still uncertain. Hurricane-associated
storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to increase as the climate continues to warm.

Sea Level Will Rise 1-8 feet by 2100

Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880. It is projected to
rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100

Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880. It is projected to
rise another 1 to 8 feet by 2100. This is the result of added water from melting land ice and the
expansion of seawater as it warms.

In the next several decades, storm surges and high tides could combine with sea level rise and land
subsidence to further increase flooding in many regions. Sea level rise will continue past 2100 because
the oceans take a very long time to respond to warmer conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ocean waters
will therefore continue to warm and sea level will continue to rise for many centuries at rates equal to
or higher than those of the current century.

Arctic Likely to Become Ice-Free

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-century.

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-century.