Climate Change
The 'climate' is the average pattern of weather in a region that has been recorded over many years. This might be a region like Scotland, or a bigger area like the United Kingdom. The climate is not the same as the weather, which is what we experience every day - for example sunshine, rain, wind, snow, fog.
What is climate change?
The climate of the Earth is always changing. The term 'climate change' is generally used when we refer to changes in the climate that we have seen since the start of the last century.
In the past the climate has changed as a result of natural causes. For example, when a volcano erupts, large amounts of dust are ejected high into the atmosphere and that reduces the amount of sunshine that can reach the earth's surface. Scientists now believe that changes they have seen over recent years are mainly because of human activity, rather than due to natural changes to the atmosphere.
Maybe there is something that you or your family could do to help save energy and reduce emissions? Have a look at the section 'What can I do?' for some ideas.
Test your knowledge on climate change with the quiz!
