Climate change

Article

Climate change refers to a sustained alteration in the statistical patterns of climate, including changes in average conditions, variability, extremes, or the frequency of particular weather events. It can occur at local, regional, or global scales and over timescales from decades to millions of years.

Natural causes include volcanic eruptions, variations in solar output, changes in Earth's orbit, plate tectonics, ocean circulation, and internal climate oscillations. These influences can produce warming, cooling, or shifts in rainfall and atmospheric circulation.

Modern climate change is dominated by human increases in greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases reduce the rate at which Earth loses heat to space and alter the planet's energy balance.

Climate change affects temperature, precipitation, ice, sea level, oceans, ecosystems, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. Scientists study it using observations, historical records, paleoclimate evidence, physical theory, and climate models.

Source details and credits

• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_(general_concept)