Climate Change & Global Warming

the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person's or organisation's activities

Flying frequently significantly increases your carbon footprint.

a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming

Carbon dioxide is the most well-known greenhouse gas.

the increase in the average height of the ocean caused by melting ice and warming water

Sea level rise threatens many low-lying coastal cities.

the clearing or removal of large areas of forest

Deforestation in the region has accelerated over the past twenty years.

achieving net zero carbon emissions, often by balancing emissions with removal

The company aims to become carbon neutral by 2030.

unusually severe or unpredictable weather events, such as heatwaves or storms

Extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years.

a natural fuel such as coal, oil, or gas formed from the remains of living organisms

Governments are gradually reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

action taken to reduce the severity of climate change

Climate mitigation includes switching to renewable energy sources.

adjusting practices or infrastructure to cope with the effects of climate change

Coastal adaptation measures include building sea defences.

a system allowing companies to buy and sell permits to emit carbon

Carbon emissions trading gives companies a financial incentive to pollute less.

a critical threshold beyond which a change becomes irreversible

Scientists warn the ice sheet may be nearing a tipping point.

the reduction in the variety of plant and animal species in an area

Habitat destruction is a leading cause of biodiversity loss.

a state in which greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removal from the atmosphere

Several countries have pledged to reach net zero by 2050.

a person displaced due to the effects of climate change, such as drought or flooding

Rising seas are expected to create millions of climate refugees.

the long-term rise in the Earth's average surface temperature

Global warming is largely driven by human greenhouse gas emissions.

compensating for emissions by funding an equivalent reduction elsewhere

The airline offers carbon offsetting for passengers who wish to pay extra.

ground that remains permanently frozen, found mainly in polar regions

Melting permafrost releases trapped methane into the atmosphere.