A Changing Climate

Climate describes the usual pattern of weather in a place over a long time. Climate change is a lasting shift in those patterns, including changes in average temperatures. Earth’s climate has changed naturally before, but today’s rapid warming is mainly linked to human activities. Coal, oil and natural gas are called fossil fuels. People burn them to make electricity, heat buildings and power vehicles. Burning these fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the layer of gases surrounding Earth. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas: it holds some heat near the planet, much like an extra blanket. Other human activities, including clearing forests, also add to the problem. As the planet warms, some glaciers and ice sheets lose ice. Water from melting land ice, together with the expansion of warmer seawater, contributes to rising sea levels. A warmer climate can also change rainfall patterns and make some kinds of extreme weather more likely or more intense. The effects are not the same everywhere. In Aotearoa New Zealand, changing rainfall can bring extra pressure to farms and communities. Coastal places may face a greater risk from rising seas and coastal flooding. Native plants and animals can also be affected when the conditions in their habitats change. Communities, scientists and governments are working on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for changes that are already happening. People can help reduce emissions by using less fossil-fuel energy, choosing public transport or walking when practical, improving energy efficiency, and planting or protecting forests. They can prepare for change by planning for coastal flooding and adapting farms to changing rainfall.

Part A: Check Your Understanding

Part B: Words in Context

Part C: Write About the Passage