What is climate?
Weather and climate are not the same thing. Weather can change suddenly, while the climate is the type of weather an area has over a long period of time.
Different places across the world will experience different climates – some parts of our planet will see snowy and cold weather, some will be warm and dry, while others will enjoy a little bit of both.
What is climate change?
The climate doesn’t always stay the same. It usually changes naturally and slowly but recently it has been changing very quickly.
Gases that we release into the atmosphere can cause the climate to change. Carbon dioxide - also known as CO₂ - is produced when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Fossil fuels are used to power cars and aeroplanes, and to produce electricity for homes and the factories that make our toys, clothes and electronic gadgets.
When carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere it causes the greenhouse effect. It traps heat in the atmosphere so that the Earth keeps getting hotter and hotter - just like what happens in a greenhouse. The increase in the Earth’s temperature is called global warming.
Video - Climate change
Climate is what the weather is like in a certain place over a long period of time - things like the temperature, wind and rainfall. And it doesn't always stay the same. In the past, Wales has had ice ages and warm tropical climates, but the changes have happened naturally and slowly. But now the change is turbocharged - the Earth is warming more quickly than it was before. And surprise, surprise - we’re to blame.
We use lots of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to heat our homes, generate electricity, and power cars and planes. They're very useful but there's a problem. Burning them produces carbon dioxide, or CO₂, which traps heat in the atmosphere and makes the Earth warmer - known as the greenhouse effect. And we're starting to see the effect of global warming all over the world.
Summers in places like Australia are getting hotter and drier, making the problem of wildfires worse. Here in Wales, we're beginning to see more extreme weather too, and serious flooding is becoming more common. It’s no wonder that nations around the world are doing more to tackle the problem.
One answer is to get more of our energy from the wind, the tides, and the sun. These are renewable, meaning they won't run out and more importantly, they don't produce carbon dioxide.
What are the things that you can do to fight climate change? Can you think of ways to use less energy? Remember, the smallest actions really can turn the tide.
The effects of global warming
Global warming can affect the planet in different ways.
It is causing the ice near the North Pole and the South Pole to start melting which will cause sea levels to rise.
The warmer temperatures are making the weather more extreme which causes more flooding, drought and storms like hurricanes.
Australia has faced ferocious wildfires that can last for months. Very high temperatures and dry conditions allow the fires to spread quickly. Many homes and large areas of forest have been destroyed by these fires.
More extreme weather isn’t just a problem in faraway countries - it can happen here in Wales too. Towns and villages in south Wales have been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, causing severe damage to homes and businesses.
The coastal village of Fairbourne in Gwynedd could become one of the first communities in the UK to be lost to climate change. It is becoming more difficult to protect it from the sea because of rising sea levels and powerful storms.
Renewable energy
There are ways to produce energy without burning fossil fuels. We are producing more and more energy from sources that are renewable - meaning that they won’t run out. More importantly, they don’t produce carbon dioxide.
Some of the most effective renewable energy sources are:
- wind energy - using the power of the wind to generate electricity
- solar energy - using the heat and light from the sun as a source of power
- tidal energy - using the movement of water caused by the tide to generate electricity
What can we do?
If we are responsible for causing climate change which is harming our planet, we can also be responsible for reducing the effects of global warming. There are lots of things that we can do.
- Use electric vehicles which don’t create harmful gases, instead of petrol and diesel vehicles.
- Raise people’s awareness by explaining the things that all of us can do to save energy whenever we can.
- Generate more renewable energy.
Activities
1. Climate change poster
Design a poster that tells people about climate change and the harm it is causing our planet. Your poster should include:
- an explanation of climate change and its causes
- the dangers of climate change
- ways of preventing climate change
2. Agree or disagree?
Read each statement and decide whether you agree or disagree with each one. Remember to explain why you agree or disagree by providing reasons from your personal experience and from what you have learnt.
- All cars should be banned.
- Humans are to blame for climate change.
- Using renewable energy will help save the planet.
- Extreme weather is affecting us all.
3. Quiz - Climate change
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