Climate Change

We hear about climate change in the news—from devastating hurricanes to heat events—but what is it and what can we do to help stop climate change? Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).

Climate change affects people, plants and animals. Scientists are working to better understand future climate change and how the effects will vary by region and over time.

Climate change is often associated with terms like greenhouse gases, which are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (like a greenhouse). Example include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.

Learn more about climate change with the information below.