Climate Change 101: What’s Heating Up Our Planet and How to Cool It Down

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in Earth's average temperatures and weather patterns. Over the past century, human activities have caused the planet to warm up much faster than ever before. This warming is already affecting people, animals, and the environment, but scientists believe that urgent action can still prevent the worst outcomes.

The Earth's temperature has been rising quickly, especially since the 1980s. Each decade has been warmer than the one before, and the ten hottest years ever recorded have all happened since 2015. In 2024, the world experienced its highest average temperature, reaching 1. 6 degrees Celsius above levels from the late 1800s. This increase is mainly due to climate change caused by humans.

Humans are responsible for most of the recent climate change because of the widespread use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. When these fuels are burned in homes, factories, and vehicles, they release greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, making the planet warmer. Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has risen sharply, far above what has been seen in recent history.

The effects of climate change are already visible. There are more frequent and intense weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Ice in glaciers and polar regions is melting quickly, causing sea levels to rise. Forests are shrinking, and wildfires are becoming more common. These changes have serious consequences for people and economies around the world. For example, the Los Angeles fires in January 2025 killed 30 people, forced 200,000 to evacuate, and became one of the most expensive disasters in US history.

In 2022, a severe drought put more than 20 million people at risk of hunger. Climate change makes droughts like this more likely and more dangerous. Poorer countries are hit hardest because they have fewer resources to adapt to these challenges.

The goal is to keep global warming below 1. 5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. Nearly 200 countries have agreed to try to meet this target. If the world warms by 2 degrees or more, the impacts will be much worse: more people will face extreme heat, sea levels will rise higher, food security will be threatened, diseases will spread more easily, and many species could go extinct. Coral reefs could disappear almost completely.

Governments are working to reduce emissions by switching to renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles, and improving energy efficiency. However, carbon dioxide emissions are still too high, and current policies may not be enough to meet the 1. 5-degree target. World leaders meet every year to discuss climate change and make new commitments, but progress is slow and funding for poorer countries is still lacking.

Individuals can also help fight climate change by making changes in their daily lives. This includes flying less, using less energy, improving home insulation, driving electric cars or using public transport, and eating less red meat. While big changes need to come from governments and businesses, everyone can play a part in protecting the planet for future generations.