Climate change

Today’s climate change involves not only global warming—the continuous rise in the planet’s average temperature—but also its broader impacts on Earth’s climate system.

In a wider sense, climate change also refers to past long-term shifts in Earth’s climate. The recent increase in global temperatures is mainly caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas since the Industrial Revolution.

Climate change news

Only a determined government can capture the economic advantages of transitioning to net zero for Australians, yet such determination is scarce.

The Labor Party keeps sending mixed signals, establishing a cautious target range in line with its typical pragmatism, while at the same time supporting the growth of fossil fuels despite the dire climate risks facing the region.

What is climate change

Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can occur naturally, such as from variations in solar activity or massive volcanic eruptions. However, since the 19th century, human actions have been the primary cause of climate change, mainly through the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.

When fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases that function like a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and increasing global temperatures.

Climate change definition

Climate change refers to the regular alterations in Earth’s climate caused by shifts in the atmosphere, along with the interactions between the atmosphere and other geological, chemical, biological, and geographic components of the Earth system.

The atmosphere is a constantly moving fluid, continuously changing its state. Its characteristics, as well as the speed and direction of its movement, are affected by numerous factors such as sunlight, the placement of continents, oceanic currents, the position and alignment of mountains, the composition of the atmosphere, and the vegetation present on land.

Is climate change real?

All organisms react to climate and its variations, even when the changes are small or short-term. For instance, flowering plants often drop their leaves during periods of low water, and animals may seek shelter or enter dormancy in response to colder or drier conditions.

This shows that life on Earth is somewhat adapted to fluctuating climates, which itself is evidence that climate changes naturally. Additionally, our personal experiences with weather, combined with scientific data, clearly demonstrate that climate change is occurring.

What causes climate change

Using fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and manufacturing produces greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Activities such as agriculture, deforestation, and excessive fishing are worsening the problem. Human actions are clearly driving climate change, which also means we have the power to reduce it.

Best climate change

The 2024 Climate Change Performance Index, a yearly global assessment of climate action, reviewed 63 nations along with the European Union to measure their progress and strategies in addressing climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions have the greatest influence on the score, accounting for 40%, while the other three categories each contribute 20%.

Effects of climate change

Recognizing these effects allows us to anticipate current challenges, prevent avoidable harm, and plan for future impacts, helping to safeguard all communities.

While climate change affects everyone, the people in the world’s poorest nations—who have done the least to cause it—are the most at risk.

Climate change 2025

According to the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy, 2025 could mark the start of a major shift in the energy landscape, where the focus moves toward achieving energy security and self-sufficiency.

This approach emphasizes “risk management” in an unpredictable environment and the development of resilient, decentralized, and clean energy systems, rather than prioritizing climate change mitigation alone.

Climate change articles

Are you interested in learning more about climate change? There are countless articles online, making it hard to know where to begin, but some sources stand out for explaining the issue clearly.

Climate change is having a devastating impact on our planet, yet it remains a controversial topic among the public. To help you understand both the science and the debate, we’ve selected the most informative articles to read.