Question 1

What is climate change?

Accepted Answer

Climate change is when the usual weather patterns change over a long time. This can mean things like winters getting warmer or summers getting longer.

Question 2

Has Earth's climate always been the same?

Accepted Answer

No, Earth's climate has changed a lot over millions of years. Sometimes it was much hotter, and other times it was so cold that there were ice ages.

Question 3

What causes climate change?

Accepted Answer

Climate change can happen because of natural events, like volcanoes, and also because of human activities, like burning coal and oil.

Question 4

What was the Ice Age?

Accepted Answer

The Ice Age was a time when much of the Earth was covered in ice and snow. It was colder than it is now, and it lasted for thousands of years.

Question 5

Why is the climate changing now?

Accepted Answer

The climate is changing now mainly because people are burning fuels like coal and gas. This creates gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Question 6

What is global warming?

Accepted Answer

Global warming is when Earth's temperature gets higher. It's mostly caused by extra gases in the air that keep heat from leaving the planet.

Question 7

Can animals and plants handle climate change?

Accepted Answer

Some animals and plants can adapt to changes in the climate, but others struggle. If the change is too fast, they might not survive.

Question 8

How do scientists study past climates?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study past climates by looking at ice cores, tree rings, and rocks. These things can tell us about what the Earth was like long ago.

Question 9

What are greenhouse gases?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases are like a blanket around Earth. They trap heat and keep the planet warm enough to live on, but too many gases make it too warm.

Question 10

What are some effects of climate change?

Accepted Answer

Climate change can cause more extreme weather, like stronger storms and floods. It can also make some places drier, causing problems for plants and animals.

Question 11

Does climate change affect the oceans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, climate change makes oceans warmer and ice melt faster. It can also make the sea level rise, which can flood beaches and coastlines.

Question 12

How long has the current climate change been happening?

Accepted Answer

The current climate change has been happening for over 100 years. It started to speed up when people began using a lot of coal and oil.

Question 13

How can trees help with climate change?

Accepted Answer

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air. By planting more trees, we can help reduce the gases that cause climate change.

Question 14

What is an ice core?

Accepted Answer

An ice core is a long piece of ice that scientists drill out from glaciers. It has layers like tree rings and can show what the climate was like in the past.

Question 15

Could we have another Ice Age?

Accepted Answer

It's not likely that we will have an Ice Age soon because the Earth is getting warmer, not colder. The extra gases in the atmosphere make it harder for an Ice Age to happen.

Question 16

What can we do to stop climate change?

Accepted Answer

We can help by using less energy, driving less, and planting trees. Using clean energy like wind and solar power can also make a big difference.

Question 17

Does climate change affect everyone equally?

Accepted Answer

No, some places are more affected than others. People living near the coast and in really hot places might see more changes and problems.

Question 18

How do fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, release greenhouse gases when burned. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, making the Earth warmer.

Question 19

Can we see climate change happening?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can see it in melting ice, higher sea levels, and more extreme weather. Even though it happens slowly, these signs show us it's real.

Question 20

Why is it called 'climate change' and not 'weather change'?

Accepted Answer

Climate is how the weather is over a long time, while weather is what happens each day. Climate change is about long-term changes, not short-term weather.

The History of Earth's Climate Change - 20 FAQs Explained Simply