Climate change refers to long-term shifts in Earth’s average temperatures and weather patterns. While the climate has always changed naturally, what’s different now is speed and cause.

Over the last 150 years, human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy, driving cars, manufacturing goods, and clearing forests have released large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, warming the planet faster than natural systems can adapt.

In short:
Weather is what happens today.
Climate is the long-term pattern.
Climate change means those patterns are shifting in ways that disrupt systems we rely on.

Greenhouse gases are gases in the air that trap heat. This is technically a good thing, Earth needs some trapped heat to stay warm enough for life. Ever heard of the Ice Age?

The issue is how much we’re adding and how fast.

When we burn fossil fuels, produce food, clear forests, and create waste, we release extra greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases hang around in the atmosphere and trap more heat than the planet can naturally balance.

Climate change is the result of that heat buildup. More trapped heat means warmer temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and more extreme conditions over time. 

Think of it like adding extra blankets to a bed. One blanket is fine. Five start to get uncomfortable. Eventually, it becomes a problem.

Climate change is one of the most time-sensitive challenges we face, and it’s largely caused by human activity. The science itself is well established.

What often gets debated isn’t the data, but the implications. Addressing climate change requires changing how we produce energy, move goods, grow food, and measure economic success. When short-term profits are prioritized over long-term environmental and social stability, action slows.

In other words, the delay isn’t about a lack of evidence. It’s about competing priorities.

Well, its bigger than polar bears.

You may notice it through:

• Higher energy bills due to extreme heat or cold

• More intense storms, flooding, or wildfires

• Higher food prices when crops fail or supply chains are disrupted

• Increased allergies, asthma, or heat-related health risks

• Insurance costs rising or coverage disappearing in high-risk areas

Even if you never think about “the environment,” climate change affects the systems that keep daily life affordable, stable, and predictable.

Nope. It’s happening now.

The impacts aren’t evenly distributed, but they’re already affecting communities around the world and close to home. Heat waves are lasting longer. Rainfall is becoming more intense but less predictable. Coastal erosion, droughts, and infrastructure strain are no longer rare events.

Climate change doesn’t arrive all at once. It shows up as compounding disruptions. Small stresses pile up until systems start to break down.

• Improving energy efficiency

• Expanding renewable energy

• Designing cities and buildings for resilience

• Reducing waste and rethinking consumption

• Supporting policies and systems that prioritize long-term stability over short-term gain

Climate change is real, it’s happening now, and it affects daily life more than most people realize. Solution? It’s building systems and developing habits that can actually last.