Climate change means long-term changes in the Earth’s weather, such as rising average temperatures, shifting seasons and more intense storms and droughts. While the climate has always changed over time, today’s changes are happening because of human activities, especially burning fossil fuels. These actions release greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet. Climate change affects everything from sea levels and farming to our health and safety — not only with occasional hot days, but with lasting shifts that reshape how we live.
