🌍 Climate Change and Its Effects

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in Earth’s temperature and weather patterns. While climate has changed naturally over millions of years, modern climate change is happening much faster and is largely driven by human activities — especially the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial pollution. These activities increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat and warm the planet.

Understanding climate change is essential because its effects influence ecosystems, weather systems, human health, and global economies.

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🔥 What Causes Climate Change?

The main cause of current climate change is the increase in greenhouse gases, including:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from burning coal, oil, and gas

• Methane from agriculture and livestock

• Nitrous oxide from fertilizers and industry

• Emissions from transportation and factories

These gases create a “greenhouse effect,” trapping heat in the atmosphere and raising global temperatures.

Other contributing factors include:

• Deforestation

• Urban expansion

• Industrial processes

• Waste and landfills

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🌡️ Rising Global Temperatures

One of the most direct effects of climate change is global warming.

Observed impacts include:

• Higher