Global Climate Change in AP Environmental Science

Definition

Global climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns across the entire planet, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It leads to various impacts like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect:

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, leading to an increase in global temperatures.

Carbon Footprint:

A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product.

Mitigation:

Mitigation refers to efforts aimed at reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases to lessen the severity of climate change impacts.