simple drawing of an airplane simple drawing of an ozone layer

These inventions and technologies need energy. That changed as the human population grew, we cut down forests to make way for cities and farms, and important inventions and technology, like in-home electricity and cars, transformed the way we live. Up until about 150 years ago, humans did not produce many greenhouse gases. All these gases are making things hotter than natural, so we need to stop producing them to avoid climate change.

And some greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for a long time, from hundreds to even thousands of years. One type of greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, has reached a level in our atmosphere that the Earth hasn’t seen for more than 400,000 years! Plants, soils, and the ocean can absorb carbon dioxide, but they can’t keep up with all the extra greenhouse gases that we have been releasing. This greenhouse effect is a natural process that makes the planet comfortable to live.īut human activities are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. These heat-trapping gases are called greenhouse gases, and they act like a blanket, keeping the earth warm. The earth’s atmosphere acts like a greenhouse: When light from the sun passes through the atmosphere, some of it is absorbed by the Earth’s surface to heat it, but some heat is also trapped in our atmosphere by certain gases. The greenhouse keeps the plants inside warm even when it’s cold outside because it traps heat from the sun. Imagine a greenhouse made of glass used to grow plants, like flowers and vegetables. But through centuries of studies and experiments, we’ve been able to create a strong understanding of how the system works, and how humans are changing it. The climate is very complex, and there are still some things we don’t know about it. These human activities release gases into the atmosphere called greenhouse gases, which slowly warm the planet, creating climate change. The primary cause of climate change is human activities – like driving cars, creating electricity, and cutting down forests – not natural changes in the climate. Science paints a clear picture: Climate change is happening it is caused mostly by humans and it creates many serious and damaging effects. We’ve also created a list of resources and activities for educators and students of all ages. This page will help you understand the science behind climate change, the impacts of a changing climate, and how you can help slow climate change and prepare for it.

Simple drawing of an airplane simple drawing of an ozone layer