What does climate change mean?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the earth's climate system, including changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and other meteorological elements. These changes can be caused by natural forces, such as the earth's rotation, solar radiation, etc., or by human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use changes, etc.

From a scientific perspective, climate change usually refers to greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, especially carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which lead to an increase in the earth's surface temperature, thereby triggering changes in the global climate system. This change has had many negative impacts on both human society and the natural environment, such as rising sea levels, frequent extreme weather events, and damage to ecosystems.

In addition to its impact on the natural environment, climate change has also had a profound impact on human society. For example, climate change threatens food production because extreme weather events such as droughts and floods occur frequently, which has a great impact on agricultural production. In addition, climate change may also threaten human health, as extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures and heavy rains may lead to the occurrence and spread of diseases.

Characteristics of climate change:

1. Long-term nature

Climate change is a long-term process, which usually takes years, decades or even longer It takes time to notice clearly. This long-term nature makes the impact of climate change lagging and cumulative, but its impact is far-reaching and may have serious impacts on human society and the natural environment.

2. Global

Climate change is global, that is, the climate of all regions on the earth will be affected by global climate change. This global nature makes the impact of climate change extensive and universal, requiring a joint response from all countries around the world.

3. Irreversibility

Once climate change occurs, its effects are often irreversible. Even if countermeasures are taken, it will take a long time to reverse the effects of climate change that have already occurred. This irreversibility makes the effects of climate change long-term and persistent, requiring long-term and effective response measures to mitigate its effects.