Effects of climate change
Effects of Climate Change
Effects of climate change (pronunciation: /ɪˈfɛkts ɒv ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ/) refers to the significant and lasting changes in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions (i.e., more or fewer extreme weather events).
Etymology
The term "climate change" is derived from the words "climate", which comes from the Ancient Greek word "klima", meaning inclination, referring to the climate conditions created by the sun's angle at different times of the year, and "change", which comes from the Old French "changier", meaning to alter or transform.
Related Terms
- Global Warming: An increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.
- Greenhouse Effect: The warming of the Earth's surface and the air above it. It is caused by gases in the air that trap energy from the sun.
- Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Sustainability: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
- Renewable Energy: Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
Effects
The effects of climate change can be seen in various aspects of the environment and human life. These include:
- Rising Sea Levels: As temperatures rise, so do sea levels. This is due to the expansion of seawater as it warms and the melting of ice over land.
- Extreme Weather Events: Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts.
- Biodiversity Loss: Changes in climate can disrupt ecosystems, leading to the extinction of species.
- Human Health: Climate change can impact human health in various ways, from increasing the prevalence of certain diseases to causing deaths due to extreme weather events.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Effects of climate change
- Wikipedia's article - Effects of climate change
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