1. Explore – Foundations of Ecosystems and Climate Impact

1.2 What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases (Regoto et al., 2022).

• Greenhouse Effect: Certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, much like the glass walls of a greenhouse. This natural process keeps our planet warm enough to support life. However, human activities are increasing the concentration of these gases (e.g. carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O)), intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming (https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/faq/what-is-the-greenhouse-effect/)

The key impacts of greenhouse effect are rising global temperatures, more frequent and intense heat waves, melting glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns (leading to more severe droughts or floods), and increased frequency of extreme weather events.