The term ‘climate’ refers to the totality of weather and atmospheric conditions at a location. Climate change refers to long-term changes in these conditions, including the changes in global temperature that have been recorded since 1850. In the decade from 2011–2020, global surface temperature was 1.1°C warmer than the 1850–1900 average. Most of this increase has been attributed to human-driven increases in concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Climate change is shifting weather patterns throughout the world. Higher temperatures lead to more rainfall because warmer air contains more moisture. The increased energy in the atmosphere causes more severe storms and flooding, and increased frequency and severity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. In cold environments, higher temperatures cause melting of snow and ice, leading to changes such as the retreat of glaciers.
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