Climate change means long-term shifts in our planet’s temperature, rainfall and weather patterns.
Some changes in the climate are natural. But carbon emission-generating human activity is speeding up the global warming that causes climate change.
Global warming is the long-term heating of the Earth’s atmosphere caused by our actions. This is mainly from the burning of fossil fuels – like coal, oil and natural gas – which emits carbon dioxide in the air and traps more of the sun’s heat, raising temperatures.
Climate change is impacting people around the world in many ways, from increasingly frequent extreme heatwaves and storms, to disruption of food systems and a rise in disease. It’s threatening Welsh communities, through impacts like flooding, water shortages, wild fires and changes to air quality. Our flood defences, our natural and historic environments, our homes and the businesses that drive our economy – they are all at risk. And it’s only set to worsen.
