On a global and regional scale, climate change is the long-term modification of climate patterns. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which heightens the greenhouse effect, is a major cause of the current climate change. The greenhouse effect, also referred to as global warming, intensifies as it is present in the atmosphere.

Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases, have the potential to accelerate climate change. Sea level rise, more severe extreme weather events, and altered rainfall patterns are just a few of the many implications of climate change.

What exactly is climate change?

The phrase 'climate change' describes how the climate of the Earth varies over time. People frequently use the term 'climate change' to describe how human actions are affecting our climate, however these changes can also be brought on by long-term natural processes (like changes in the Earth's orbit). 

However, there are other changes as well, such as changes in rainfall patterns and some extreme weather occurrences. The biggest change we are currently experiencing is rising average temperatures, which is also known as global warming.

Why does climate change?

The main contributor to the current state of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions.

Gases that act as greenhouses have a part in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a phenomenon whereby our atmosphere behaves like the glass in a horticultural greenhouse, allowing light to pass through but preventing heat from escaping. Earth would have an average temperature of roughly -18°C without this process, making it inhospitable to life.

The greenhouse effect is crucial and necessary, but it's getting stronger quickly. Human activity, such as burning coal and oil, has been dramatically increasing the amount of greenhouse gases produced since the Industrial Revolution began around 1750. More heat is being trapped due to the greenhouse effect, which is increasing due to the growth of greenhouse gases.The amount of greenhouse gases being emitted globally keeps rising. 

The energy industry is the source of the majority of these emissions (mostly from the burning of coal for electricity and transportation), followed by agriculture, changes in land use, and industrial activities. The greenhouse effect and climate change will be further exacerbated by this. For further information on greenhouse gases and their role in climate change, see the section on climate change causes.

What consequences does climate change have?

Many aspects of people, the environment, and industries are being impacted by our changing climate. Some examples of these effects are:

• 1. a rise in sea level
• 2. A higher risk of wildfires
• 3. more heat waves and other adverse circumstances
• 4. repercussions on the economy
• 5. Changing rainfall patterns, together with an increase in floods and droughts.

Feedbacks from climate

Cloud coverage, altitude, and reflectance can all alter as a result of climate change. These modifications can then either reinforce (positive feedback) or mitigate (negative feedback) the initial modification. 

The increase in altitude of high clouds in the tropics, which improves their ability to trap heat, and the decrease in covering of lower-level clouds in the middle latitudes, which lessens their ability to reflect sunlight, are the main causes of these changes, which are anticipated to have an amplifying, or positive, feedback. Because of the complexity of how clouds and climate interact, it is uncertain how much of a feedback will occur.