This document discusses climate change, including its causes and effects. It notes that climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns that are primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels since the 1800s. Major causes of climate change listed include generating electricity, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, deforestation, and buildings. Key effects outlined are hotter temperatures, more severe storms, increased drought, sea level rise, species loss, poverty, and greater health risks. The document concludes by suggesting various actions individuals can take to help address climate change such as saving energy, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy sources, and adopting low-carbon transportation.

1. CLIMATE CHANGE

2. CONTENTS
Definition
1
Causes
2
Effects
3
Actions
4

3. 01 Definition of
climate change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in
temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts
may be natural, but since the 1800s, human
activities have been the main driver of climate
change, primarily due to the burning of fossil
fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces
heat-trapping gases.

4. Generating power
Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil
fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas causes a large
chunk of global emissions. Most electricity is still
produced from fossil fuels; only about a quarter comes
from wind, solar and other renewable sources.
Causes of climate change
2

5. Manufacturing goods
Manufacturing and industry produce emissions,
mostly from burning fossil fuels to produce energy for
making things like cement, iron, steel, electronics,
plastics, clothes and other goods. Mining and other
industrial processes also release gases.
Causes of climate change
2

6. Cutting down forests
Cutting down forests to create farms or
pastures, or for other reasons, causes emissions,
since trees, when they are cut, release the carbon
they have been storing. Since forests absorb carbon
dioxide, destroying them also limits nature’s ability to
keep emissions out of the atmosphere.
Causes of climate change
2

7. Using transportation
Most cars, lorries, ships and planes run on
fossil fuels. That makes transportation a major
contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-
dioxide emissions. Road vehicles account for the
largest part, but emissions from ships and planes
continue to grow.atmosphere.
Causes of climate change
2

8. Producing food
Producing food requires energy to run
farm equipment or fishing boats, usually with fossil
fuels. Growing crops can also cause emissions, like
when using fertilisers and manure. Cattle produce
methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. And emissions
also come from packaging and distributing food.
Causes of climate change
2

9. Powering buildings
Globally, residential and commercial
buildings consume over half of all electricity. As they
continue to draw on coal, oil and natural gas for
heating and cooling, they emit significant quantities of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Causes Of Climate Change
2

10. Hotter temperatures
Nearly all land areas are seeing more hot days
and heat waves; 2020 was one of the hottest years on
record. Higher temperatures increase heat-related
illnesses and can make it more difficult to work and
move around. Wildfires start more easily and spread
more rapidly when conditions are hotter.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

11. More severe storms
Changes in temperature cause changes in
rainfall. This results in more severe and frequent
storms. They cause flooding and landslides,
destroying homes and communities, and costing
billions of pounds.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

12. Increased drought
Water is becoming scarcer in more regions.
Droughts can stir destructive sand and dust storms
that can move billions of tons of sand across
continents. Deserts are expanding, reducing land
for growing food. Many people now face the threat
of not having enough water on a regular basis.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

13. A warming, rising ocean
The ocean soaks up most of the heat from
global warming. This melts ice sheets and raises sea
levels, threatening coastal and island communities.
The ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide, keeping it
from the atmosphere. More carbon dioxide makes the
ocean more acidic, which endangers marine life.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

14. Loss of species
Climate change poses risks to the survival
of species on land and in the ocean. These risks
increase as temperatures climb. Forest fires,
extreme weather and invasive pests and diseases
are among many threats. Some species will be
able to relocate and survive, but others will not.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

15. Poverty and displacement
Climate change increases the factors that
put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep
away urban slums, destroying homes and
livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in
outdoor jobs. Weather-related disasters displace
23 million people a year, leaving many more
vulnerable to poverty.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

16. More health risks
Changing weather patterns are expanding
diseases such as malaria. Extreme weather events
increase disease and death, and make it difficult
for health care systems to keep up. Other risks to
health include increased hunger and poor
nutrition in places where people cannot grow or
find sufficient food.
Effects Of Climate Change
3

17. Actions
 Save energy at home
Much of our electricity and heat is powered by coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by
lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient
electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water or hanging things to dry
instead of using a dryer.
 Walk, cycle or take public transport
The world’s roads are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or petrol.
Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and
help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And
carpool whenever possible.
 Eat more vegetables
Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less meat
and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based
foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy,
land and water.
4

18.  Consider your travel
Aeroplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. That
makes taking fewer flights one of the fastest ways to reduce your environmental impact. When you can,
meet virtually, take a train or skip that long-distance trip altogether.
 Throw away less food
When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow,
produce, package and transport it. And w hen food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful
greenhouse gas. So use w hat you buy and compost any leftovers.
 Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle
Electronics, clothes and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from
the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect our
climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair w hat you can and recycle.
 Change your home's source of energy
Ask your utility company if your home energy comes from oil, coal or gas. If possible, see if you can
switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your roof to generate
energy for your home.
 Sw itch to an electric vehicle
If you plan to buy a car, consider going electric, with more and cheaper models coming on the market.
Even if they still run on electricity produced from fossil fuels, electric cars help reduce air pollution
and cause significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.