Climate Change

Climate change describes the ways in which the Earth’s climate changes slowly over time. In the past, the Earth’s climate has been colder and hotter than it is now. Scientists have discovered that human activities, mostly the burning of fuels, are causing the climate to get hotter much faster than normal.

This increase in temperature is causing ice in the Earth’s polar regions and glaciers to melt faster than normal, leading to rising sea levels.. These changes are affecting living things and people in many ways. As the sea level rises, coastal areas around the Earth are at risk of flooding. Scientists have also discovered that hotter temperatures are causing more extreme weather. There are longer droughts and floods, stronger hurricanes and bigger wildfires.

How will the melting of polar ice sheets affect the animals that live there?

Many plants and animals may not be able to adapt to the changes caused by climate change. Those unable to adapt are at a greater risk of becoming extinct.

AB Activity 9.10

Science Words

Use the words to complete the sentences.

atmosphere water vapor temperature thermometer air pressure barometer anemometer precipitation water cycle evaporation condensation meteorologist weather forecast seasons climate equator climate change

1. Rain, sleet, snow and hail are forms of .

2. Air pressure is measured using a .

3.

of time. describes the typical weather in a region over a long period

4. is a measure of how hot or cold the air around us is.

5. Air contains water in the form of a gas called .

6. The is a layer of air that surrounds the Earth. 7. A prediction of what the weather will be like in the future is called

a .

8. The of the Earth. is an imaginary line that runs through the center

9. A is an instrument used to measure temperature.

10. is caused by the weight of the air pressing down on the Earth’s surface.

11. The is the movement of water between the surface of the

Earth and the atmosphere.