The Causes Of Climate Change: What Is Climate Change?

What is climate change?

A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

Some reason why climate changes:

Natural causes:

• Continental drift

The continents that we are familiar with today were formed when the landmass began gradually drifting apart, millions of years back. When these continents drifts or breaks apart it changes the physical features of the land, its position and affects the water bodies which changes the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate.

• Volcanoes

When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, dust, and ash into the atmosphere. This will lead to rain turning into acid rain and also blocking the rays coming from the sun.

• The earth’s tilt

For one half of the year when it is summer, the northern hemisphere tilts towards the sun. In the other half when it is winter, the earth is tilted away from the sun, this way we get to experience different seasons which is basically change in the climate.

• Ocean currents

Ocean currents have been known to change direction or slow down. Much of the heat that escapes from the oceans is in the form of water vapour, the most abundant greenhouse gas on Earth. Yet, water vapour also contributes to the formation of clouds, which shade the surface and have a net cooling