Climate Change

What does climate change mean?

Earth’s climate creates a backbone for weather around the globe. Climate dictates the weather, which is what we experience on a local and daily level. Climate affects how much rain we receive in Washington, as well as what time of year it will fall. The climate could be thought of as Earth’s thermostat, controlling the overall temperature around the globe. Largely because of human actions, we are turning that thermostat up. Even small changes in temperature mean large shifts in local weather patterns.

What are the effects of climate change?

Shifts in local weather patterns could cause longer and more intense droughts, flooding, and wildfires. Sea levels are rising and pushing cities on coastlines inward. Ocean acidity rises as the ocean warms, and shellfish will have difficulty building their shells.

Why does all this matter?

Peoples, plants, and animals are all affected by climate change.