Climate change: The long-term alteration of the Earth’s weather patterns

Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of the Earth’s climate patterns. These changes can unfold over decades, centuries or even thousands of years, until the climate system reaches a new state of balance.

Today, however, the Earth is undergoing global warming at an unusually rapid pace as a result of human activity, particularly the release of greenhouse gases. Rising global temperatures are driving broader climate change, affecting rainfall patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events and disrupting ecosystems. Because these changes are happening so quickly, many species struggle to adapt, increasing the risk of extinction and creating significant challenges for human societies.

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