Learning About Climate Change

Climate
Change
Climate change is a term used by
experts when describing the way that
both weather and climate systems are
changing as a result of humankind’s
activity across the world.
These changes are not good
for the planet.
They pose a challenge for us
now and in the future.

Did you know…?

Scientists think human beings have
caused the world’s temperature to
rise by about 1°C (2°F) since the
mid-19th century.
 Learning About Climate Change

Impact on
the World
There are a lot of changes happening
to our environment because of climate
change. Some changes are
big and some are small.

They include:
• shrinking glaciers; • trees and plants
• rising sea levels; changing their
flowering times;
• plant and animal
species shifting • wildlife becoming
locations; endangered.

Did you know…?

Ice in polar areas is already melting
fast. This affects many polar animals
who need the ice to survive, such as
some seals and polar bears.
 Learning About Climate Change

Causes of
Climate Change
Experts believe that humans are the
main reason why the world’s climate
and weather are changing.
A key factor is the creation of greenhouse
gases caused by human activities.

These human activities include:

• how we produce electricity• how we farm
and heating; animals and
• how we manufacture goods; grow crops.

• our construction methods;

• our transportation methods;

Did you know…?

Heat and electricity generation produces
the most greenhouse gas emissions of all
other sectors in Europe.
 Learning About Climate Change

Greenhouse
Gases
Greenhouse gases that get released into the
atmosphere prevent heat from escaping the Earth.
The result of this is that while the Sun’s rays can
enter the atmosphere to provide our planet with
heat and warmth, not as much can escape.
Therefore, the planet keeps getting hotter and hotter.

Greenhouse gases are the result of natural

processes and also human activity, including:
• carbon dioxide • methane (CH₄) produced
(CO₂) created by livestock like cattle;
burning substances • nitrous oxide (N₂O) used
containing carbon, in rocket fuel, racing cars,
such as fossil fuels hospitals, dental surgeries
like coal and oil; and in fertilisers.

Did you know…?

Greenhouse gases can also
make people very sick by
polluting the air we breathe.
 Learning About Climate Change

Preventing
Climate Change
Some countries, including the UK, have committed
to reducing emissions and finding alternative energy
sources that won’t produce greenhouse gases.

Some ways of preventing

further climate change include:
• building wind farms, solar farms and
other means of creating electricity from
renewable energy;
• supporting the manufacture and purchase
of electric vehicles;
• committing to phasing out the manufacture
of petrol and diesel powered transport.

Did you know…?

The UK has a fantastic source of
renewable energy: the wind! Onshore and
offshore wind turbines generated about
30% of the UK’s total electricity in 2023.
 Learning About Climate Change

Signs of Climate
Change Today
The Sea
Sea levels are rising. Sea temperatures are rising
higher and the water is becoming more acidic.
The Land
Higher temperatures are being
experienced in many parts of the world.
Some places have terrible droughts.
The Weather
More extreme weather such as hurricanes, storms,
heavy rain, unusual snowfall and dry spells are
affecting many countries. Heavy rain leads to
flooding and droughts cause crops to fail and
wildlife to suffer.
The Polar Regions Did you know…?
Sea ice around Warming oceans could
the Arctic Circle cause mass migration
and Antarctica is of different species of
reducing. Glaciers marine animals and kill
are melting and huge areas of coral.
there is less snowfall.