Earth's Changing climate

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What is climate change?

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Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the planet.

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What are fossil fuels?

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Fossil fuels are natural substances formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, oil, and natural gas, that are burned for energy.

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How do human activities contribute to climate change?

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Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, increase greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming.

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What is carbon dioxide (CO2)?

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Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fossil fuels and is a major greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

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What role does transportation play in climate change?

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Transportation, particularly the use of cars and trucks that burn fossil fuels, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

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What is public transportation?

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Public transportation includes systems like buses, trains, and subways that are available for use by the general public, often reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road.

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How does using public transportation affect energy use?

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Using public transportation can decrease overall energy use by reducing the number of cars on the road, leading to lower fossil fuel consumption.

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What is deforestation?

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Deforestation is the clearing of forests, which reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2, contributing to increased atmospheric carbon levels.

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What are renewable energy sources?

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Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, are energy sources that can be replenished naturally and have a lower environmental impact.