Climate Change:
Understanding
Causes, Impacts,
and Solutions
Climate Change
Climate change
refers to long-term
shifts in
temperatures and
The Greenhouse Effect:
Driving Climate Change
The greenhouse effect is a
naturally occurring process
that regulates Earth's
temperature. Gases in the
atmosphere trap some of the
Key Greenhouse Gases and Their
Roles:
1.Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – Released from burning
fossil fuels, deforestation, and natural processes
like respiration. It is the most significant human-
caused GHG contributing to climate change.
2.Methane (CH₄) – Emitted from livestock,
wetlands, and fossil fuel extraction. It is much
more effective at trapping heat than CO₂ but
exists in the atmosphere for a shorter time.
3.Water Vapor (H₂O) – The most abundant GHG, it
naturally increases as temperatures rise,
amplifying the greenhouse effect.
Why Are They
Important?
✅ Essential for Life – The greenhouse effect
maintains Earth's temperature at an average of
15°C (59°F) instead of -18°C (0°F), allowing
life to exist.
⚠️Excess GHGs Cause Climate Change –
Human activities increased GHG concentrations,
leading to global warming, rising sea levels, and
extreme weather patterns.
Climate Change: Causes
Greenhouse gas emissions
from human activities, like
burning fossil fuels and
deforestation, trap heat in
the atmosphere.
a natural fuel
such as coal or
gas, formed in
the geological
past from the
remains of
living
organisms.
Electricity
Transportation
ndustry
Daily life
Fossil fuels are used in many ways
to power the world.
Climate Change: Effects
1. Global Warming
•The increase in GHGs, especially
carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane
(CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O),
traps more heat.
•This raises global temperatures,
leading to hotter summers,
2. Climate Change & Extreme
Weather
•Higher temperatures disrupt
global climate patterns,
causing:
✔ Stronger hurricanes and
storms
✔ Droughts and heatwaves
3. Rising Sea Levels
•Warmer temperatures melt
polar ice caps and glaciers.
•This leads to coastal
flooding, loss of land, and
displacement of people.
4. Ocean Acidification 🐠🌿
•The ocean absorbs CO₂,
making seawater more
acidic.
•Acidic water harms coral
reefs, shellfish, and
marine life.
5. Impact on Agriculture &
Food Supply
•Unpredictable weather affects
crop yields and livestock
health.
•Rising CO₂ can increase
weeds and pests, harming
6. Loss of Biodiversity 🦁🌳
•Changing temperatures
destroy animal habitats.
•Species that can’t adapt face
extinction.
•Forest fires, droughts, and
flooding threaten
7. Economic Consequences
💰📉
•Damage to infrastructure,
homes, and industries from
storms and rising seas.
•Higher costs for food,
healthcare, and disaster
recovery.
Climate Change: Solution
How Can We Reduce Greenhouse Gas
✔Emissions?
Switch to renewable
energy
✔ Use energy-efficient
transportation
✔ Reduce waste and
deforestation.
✔ Adopt sustainable
farming and industry
Natural vs. Human-Enhanced
Greenhouse Effect
•Natural Greenhouse Effect:
Essential for maintaining Earth's
temperature.
•Human-Enhanced Greenhouse
Effect: Burning fossil fuels,
deforestation, and pollution increase
greenhouse gases, trapping too much
Give 1 Social and Economic
Consequences of Climate Chan
Displacement and Migration
Rising sea levels, drought and flood force
people to leave their homes, leading to
displacement and migration
