Weather represents short-term atmospheric conditions, passing over from
minutes to days, including phenomena like rain, snow, winds, and thunderstorms. Conversely, climate refers to the long-term regional or global average of temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns over periods extending to decades.
Understanding Climate Change:
Climate change indicates the long-term variation in average weather patterns
shaping Earth's local, regional, and global climates. These changes, pushed mainly by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, boost greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere, therefore raising average surface temperatures. While natural processes like cyclical ocean patterns and volcanic activity contribute. However, human actions have become the direct promoters of climate change.
Clarifying Global Warming versus Climate Change:
However usually operated mutually, "climate change" and "global warming"
have sensitive differences. Global warming specifically refers to the continuous increase in Earth's surface temperature since the pre-industrial era, mostly linked to man-made greenhouse gas emissions. It's essential to recognize that global warming is but one part of the broader phenomenon known as climate change.
Exploring the Study of Climate Change:
Scientists use diverse methodologies, including ground, air, and space
observations, associated with advanced computer models, to study past, present, and future climate variations. These efforts are helping us clearly understand the important signs of climate change such as temperature rises, sea level increases, ice loss, extreme weather events, and alterations in vegetation and cloud cover.
Identifying Causes of Climate Change and Natural Factors:
Human activities, significantly the uncontrolled burning of fossil fuels, and
the greenhouse effect. Conversely, natural factors like orbital variations, volcanic eruptions, and fluctuations in solar output also contribute to climate variability.
and societal threats. From rising temperatures and rising sea levels to biodiversity loss and negative health impacts, the effects of climate change spread throughout ecosystems, economic, and social domains.
Considering the Impacts on Businesses and Economy:
Climate change poses significant risks to businesses and economies, going
from infrastructure damage and energy system flaws to agricultural disruptions and tourism declines. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives play a key role in reducing these risks, offering opportunities for businesses to boost sustainability, stability, and innovation by meeting moral duties to stakeholders and the environment.