What is climate change?

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate, especially the increase in the average temperature of the planet.

Climate change affects the planet in many ways. With the changes in global temperature, extreme events are more likely to happen – for example, there will be more heatwaves, wildfires, floods, droughts and landslides due to heavy rain.

These events can also affect food and water supplies. People can get sick with more disease and have heat-related illnesses.

Animals and plants are also threatened by climate change. Threats include loss of food sources and water, habitat loss and the collapse of fragile ecosystems, which can result in species extinctions. 

Why is the Earth warming? 

Climate change is caused by the increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. These are gases from the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat reflected from the Earth’s surface (like how heat is trapped in a greenhouse). 

Related articles

• What is climate change?

• Climate connections – why climate change matters

• Aotearoa’s contributions to climate emissions

• Climate change literacy learning links 

• Planning pathways using climate change resources

• Agency in the Anthropocene

• Understanding the basics of climate change

• Exploring climate change education in primary schools

Related activities

• Climate change – challenging conversations

• Drive it Down! – climate change discussions

• Interpreting representations using climate data

Related media

• Human contributions to climate change – video

• Understanding the basics of climate change – webinar

Useful links

• How carbon affects nearly everything on Earth – including our future – video by Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

• Climate change: Our biggest challenge – School Journal Level 4 June 2018

• House of Science Climate Change Kit – these are available throughout the North Island. You will need an account and subscription to order the kit.