What are the causes and effects of climate change?

 🌍 Causes and Effects of Climate Change

🔥 Causes of Climate Change

• Climate change is mainly caused by human activities that increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

🔹 1. Burning Fossil Fuels

• Coal, oil, and gas release carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Used in electricity, transportation, and industry

🔹 2. Deforestation

• Trees absorb CO₂; cutting them down reduces this effect
• Often cleared for farming or urban development

🔹 3. Agriculture

• Cows and rice paddies emit methane (CH₄)
• Fertilizers release nitrous oxide (N₂O)

🔹 4. Industrial Activities

• Factories emit various greenhouse gases
• Also release pollutants that can trap heat

🌡️ Effects of Climate Change

🔹 1. Global Warming

• Average global temperatures are rising
• Leads to more heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires

🔹 2. Melting Ice & Rising Seas

• Glaciers and polar ice caps melt
• Causes sea levels to rise, threatening coastal areas

🔹 3. Extreme Weather

• More intense storms, floods, and hurricanes
• Weather patterns become less predictable

🔹 4. Ocean Changes

• Ocean warming and acidification harm coral reefs and marine life

🔹 5. Ecosystem Disruption

• Animals and plants struggle to adapt or survive
• Risk of extinctions increases

🔹 6. Impact on Humans

• Food and water shortages
• Health problems (e.g. heatstroke, disease spread)
• Economic loss and climate migration

🧠 Summary Table

• Cause Effect
• Burning fossil fuels Global warming, air pollution
• Deforestation Higher CO₂ levels, loss of biodiversity
• Agriculture More methane, soil degradation
• Melting ice Sea-level rise, loss of habitat
• Extreme weather Floods, storms, droughts