🌡️ What Is Climate Change?
5th Grade 🌱 Environment
Climate change is the long-term warming of Earth and the changes in weather that come with it, caused mostly by people burning fuels like coal, oil and gas.
The greenhouse effect
Gases in the air, like carbon dioxide, trap some of the Sun’s heat — like a blanket around Earth. That keeps Earth warm enough to live on. But burning fuels adds extra gases, making the blanket thicker and Earth warmer.
What is changing
Earth is about 2°F warmer than in the late 1800s. Glaciers and sea ice are melting, sea levels are rising, and heat waves and heavy storms happen more often in many places.
What people are doing
Countries, scientists and families are working on solutions: solar and wind power, electric cars, planting trees, saving energy and wasting less food. Kids can help by turning off lights, walking or biking and learning more.
Quick quiz
Which gas traps heat in the air?
What is the main cause of climate change today?
Which is a clean energy source?