A change of climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods. (see global warming, Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC)
scientific evidence is growing that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are having a noticeable effect on the earth's climate. In the future, the earth's climate could warm by as much as 3oC over the next 100 years. The social, environmental and economic costs associated with this could be huge.
Changes in global weather patterns resulting from the build-up of man-made gases in the atmosphere. The effects include changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, potential droughts, habitat loss and the trapping of the sun's heat (known as "global warming" or "the greenhouse effect").
Describes the full extent of the implications of the greenhouse effect. Whilst the average temperature of the Earth may increase, it is the changes in the Earth's climate systems that will be most dramatic. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, cyclones and frosts may effect areas previously unaffected or strike with increased frequency. Rising sea levels may affect rainfall patterns, soil erosion and local ecosystems.
Climate change is a change in the weather over a regular period of time.
Changes in climate attributed to the human-induced increase in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
(Also called climatic change.) Any systematic change in the long-term statistics of climate elements (such as temperature, pressure, or winds) sustained over several decades or longer. Climate change may be due to natural external forcings, such as changes in solar emission or slow changes in the earth's orbital elements; natural internal processes of the climate system; or anthropogenic forcing.
The natural progression of an environment changing in temperature and climate
a change in the world's climate
a specialized team within CSA Group - a knowledgeable and experienced asset for government and industry as they help Canada adapt to a changing climate and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
(used to be Global Warming) refers to the increase in world temperatrues due to gases, like carbon dioxide, that are trapping more of the sun's rays. More on Climate Change definitions
as defined by the IPCC, is any change in climate over time, whether resulting from natural causes or from human activity. These changes typically persist for decades or longer, and may affect either the average state of the climate or its variability. This definition differs from that of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which draws a distinction between climate change attributable to human activities, and climate variability attributable to natural causes. (The CARA website uses the IPCC definition).
Most generally, the variability in climate, usually globally. This phrase, however, is used in slightly different ways by different groups. Climate change can refer to any element of climate, be it precipitation, temperature, or wind patterns. It is frequently used interchangeably with the phrase global warming. Many scientists point out that global warming will not happen uniformly, and that some areas will, in fact, be cooler, so "climate change" is a more accurate description. Some organizations, including the United Nations, have used the phrase "climate change" to refer to human-caused global warming.
Climate change is a change in the "average weather" that a given region experiences. When we speak of climate change on a global scale, we are referring to changes in the climate of the Earth as a whole, including temperature increases (global warming) or decreases, and shifts in wind patterns and precipitation.
The long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Also a popular term for current changes in the Earth's climate commonly attributed to the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations since the start of the industrial revolution. (Source: Adapted from Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center)
originally meant changes in climate over a period of time, although now it has come to mean the changes in climate, in particular temperature and rain, over the last few decades, and widely considered to be due to changes in industrial processes. Also called "Global Warming" see below)
short-term climate variability and longer-term trends or shifts in climate caused by natural mechanisms or by human activity (see also global warming).
Changes in global weather patterns, including predicted warmer average temperatures, caused by buildup of gases in the atmosphere from human activity. These gases trap the sun's heat within the earth's atmosphere.
effect on the earth's climate caused by man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Also referred to as global warming.
A warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by increases in the atmosphere of certain gases that absorb the radiation emitted by the Earth, thereby retarding the loss of energy from the system to space.
Concerns about enhanced warming of the planet because heat radiating from the ground is absorbed by greenhouse gases such as C0 to an increasing degree as more of these gases are produced from the burning of fossil fuels.
Climate change, also described as global warming, denotes the result of a concentration of greenhouse gases which trap infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, a process known as the greenhouse effect. This effect is a natural phenomenon, which helps maintain a stable temperature and climate on Earth. Human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and some industrial processes have led to an increase in greenhouse gases concentration. Consequently, more infrared radiation has been captured in the atmosphere, which causes changes in the air temperature, precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, and melting of glaciers.
Compare? This term is commonly used interchangeably with "global warming" and "the greenhouse effect," but is a more descriptive term. Climate change refers to the buildup of man-made gases in the atmosphere that trap the sun's heat, causing changes in weather patterns on a global scale. The effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts, habitat loss, and heat stress. The greenhouse gases of most concern are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides. If these gases in our atmosphere double, the earth could warm up by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees by the year 2050, with changes in global precipitation having the greatest consequences.
Terms used for the global environmental change also known as the greenhouse effect and global warming. A worldwide scientific consensus has emerged that emissions of certain pollutants (particularly CO) are causing the sun's heat to be trapped rather than remitted to space, causing a global average increase in temperature, resulting in potentially significant regional changes in climate, such as increased storm frequency, drought and sea level rise.
A change in the climate. This might involve an increase in the average temperature, or an increase in precipitation each year. Climate must not be confused with weather, which is a short term phenomenon.
This is the phenomenon that results from the 'greenhouse effect' (see Global Warming) whereby the heating of the surface of the Earth is causing changes in weather patterns.
The long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. External processes, such as solar- irradiance variations, variations of the EarthUs orbital parameters (eccentricity, precession, and inclination), lithosphere motions, and volcanic activity, are factors in climatic variation. Internal variations of the climate system, e.g., changes in the abundance of greenhouse gases, also may produce fluctuations of sufficient magnitude and variability to explain observed climate change through the feedback processes interrelating the components of the climate system. Source: EPO.
the international concern that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere are changing the climate in ways deterimental to our social and economic well-being.
Sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency; in other cases used as a synonym for global warming.
gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet.
The term climate change is commonly used to mean global warming, but it also includes natural changes in the Earth's climate. Climate change refers to the build-up of man-made gases in the atmosphere that trap the sun's heat, causing changes in weather patterns on a global scale. Effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts, habitat loss, and heat stress.
(UF Global Warming): Human activities are altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the build-up of greenhouse gases that trap heat and reflect it back to the earth's surface. This is resulting in changes to our climate, including a rise in global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.
Any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or because of human activity. Human activity leading to climate change primarily includes emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to less radiation of heat and global warming.
Results from the greenhouse effect and will cause major disruptions in various ecosystems around the world.
A phenomenon caused by increased concentrations of CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gases that has begun to affect municipalities adversely around the world through more extreme weather events, such as droughts, heat waves, floods, and storms.
Defines the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. It's currently used to describe the dramatic changes in average annual temperature and other weather patters that are currently occurring, almost certainly because of human activity.
Term used to describe the view that the Earth’s temperature and climate will change, in part, due to the buildup of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
The chemical composition of the atmosphere is being altered through the build-up of greenhouse gases that trap heat and reflect it back to the earth's surface. This is resulting in changes to our climate, including a rise in global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. Ecosystems around the world are being damaged threatening the health of future generations through increased disease, freshwater shortages, worsened smog, and more. Don't idle your automobile for more than 10 seconds (30 seconds in winter) as it wastes more fuel than restarting your engine and produces greenhouse gases. Conserve energy wherever possible. Purchase energy efficient appliances, light bulbs etc.
Upward or downward trends in average conditions or in the incidence of weather extremes.
A term used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, but especially to significant change from one prevailing climatic condition to another. In some cases, "climate change" has been used synonymously with the term "global warming"; scientists, however, tend to use the term in a wider sense inclusive of natural changes in climate as well as climatic cooling.
A change in the "average weather" that a region experiences. Average weather includes all the features associated with weather such as temperature, wind patterns and precipitation. A natural system known as the "greenhouse effect" regulates the temperature on earth. Human activities have the potential to disrupt the balance of this system by increasing the amount of heat-trapping gases (see greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides) in the atmosphere which enhances the warming capability of the natural greenhouse effect. It is the human-induced enhanced greenhouse effect that causes environmental concern. It has the potential to warm the planet at a rate that has never been experienced in human history. Climate change is more than a warming trend. Increasing temperatures will lead to changes in many aspects of weather, such as wind patterns, the amount and type of precipitation, and the types and frequency of severe weather events that may be expected to occur. Climate change could have far-reaching and/or unpredictable environmental, social and economic consequences.
Refers to any long-term trend in MEAN SEA LEVEL, WAVE HEIGHT, wind speed, drift rate etc.
Refers to changes in longer-term trends in the average climate, such as changes in average temperatures, precipitation, wind, storm patterns, humidity, sea surface temperature and the concentration and thickness of sea ice. Climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a direct or indirect result of human activity.
An alteration in measured quantities (e.g., precipitation, temperature, radiation, wind and cloudiness) within the climate system that departs significantly from previous average conditions and is seen to endure, bringing about corresponding changes in ecosystems and socioeconomic activity. Changement climatique
means a change of climate, which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Often regarded as a result of human activity and fossil fuel consumption.
A significant change in the average weather conditions for a place taken over a period of time
A change in the average, long-term climate conditions characteristic of a region or the earth. (See also global warming.)
refers to the consequences of the buildup of anthropogenic gases in the atmosphere which trap the sun's heat, causing changes in the weather pattern on a global scale.
The increasing mean global surface temperature of the Earth caused by gases in the atmosphere (including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluorocarbons). The greenhouse effect allows solar radiation to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere but absorbs the infrared radiation returning to space.
Also defined as global warming. Human activity contributes to the present warming of the global environment and its resulting effects which range from higher temperatures to eccentric weather patterns and melting of the ice caps.
Refers to changes in longe-term trends in the average climate, such as changes in average temperatures. In IPCC usage, climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity. In UNFCCC usage, climate change refers to a change in climate that is attributable directly or indirectly to human activity that alters atmospheric composition.
Sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, but because the Earth's climate is never static, the term is more properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. In some cases, 'climate change' has been used synonymously with the term, 'global warming'; scientists however, tend to use the term in the wider sense to also include natural changes in climate.
Changes in the world's climate caused by increased concentration of greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with global warming.
a regional change in temperature and weather patterns. Current science indicates a discernible link between climate change over the last century and human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels.
Gradual alterations in worldwide climate patterns due to global warming – the rising temperature of the Earth's surface recorded since the industrial revolution. Compelling evidence exists that much of this warming has been caused by human activities, which emit gases that are changing the chemical composition of the atmosphere and the oceans.