Climate change refers to a change in the typical weather for a region over a long period of time, such as high and low temperatures and amount of rainfall. It is caused by human activities, such as driving cars, creating electricity, and cutting down forests, which release gases into the atmosphere called greenhouse gases that slowly warm the planet. The rise in global temperature is sometimes called global warming. Climate change affects everyone and can cause melting glaciers, drought, coral reef die-off, and changes in ocean currents that affect global weather patterns.

It is important to understand the difference between weather and climate. Weather describes the conditions outside right now in a specific place, while climate describes the typical weather conditions in an entire region for a very long time – 30 years or more.

To help slow climate change and prepare for it, there are many things that kids can do, such as switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, walking instead of using the car, turning off electrical items when not in use, recycling, and reducing food waste.