Climate Change for Kids | A fun engaging introduction to climate change for kids

Summary

This video explains the difference between weather and climate, emphasizing that weather changes daily while climate changes over long periods. It explores the concept of climate change, particularly global warming, and its impact on Earth. Key causes include fossil fuel burning, farming, and deforestation, which contribute to the greenhouse effect. The video also discusses the consequences of climate change, such as rising temperatures, melting polar ice, and habitat loss. It offers practical tips for reducing the greenhouse effect, such as walking, conserving energy, and recycling, to help mitigate global warming.

Takeaways

• 🌦️ Weather changes daily, while climate refers to long-term patterns over years or centuries.
• 🏜️ Different regions on Earth have distinct climates, such as hot deserts or cold mountain areas.
• 🌡️ Climate change refers to long-term shifts, including global warming, which has increased Earth's temperature by 1.33°F in the last 100 years.
• 🌍 Earth's atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, trapping heat and keeping the planet warm enough for life.
• 🌱 Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide trap heat, contributing to global warming.
• 🐄 Farming, especially from cows releasing methane, contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
• 🌲 Deforestation reduces the Earth's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, increasing the greenhouse effect.
• 🔥 Fossil fuel use, such as burning oil and coal, releases greenhouse gases, leading to global warming.
• 🚶 Walking, carpooling, and using public transport can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lessen the greenhouse effect.
• 🌳 Planting trees, recycling, and using less electricity are small actions that can collectively help mitigate climate change.

Q & A

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions like temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Climate, on the other hand, is the average of these conditions over a long period of time in a particular region.

Why do some people disagree about climate change or global warming?

While nearly everyone can agree on daily weather conditions, people sometimes disagree about climate change or global warming because these changes happen gradually over long periods, and some causes are natural while others are human-made, leading to different opinions on the extent of human impact.

How has Earth's temperature changed in the last 100 years?

Over the last 100 years, Earth's average temperature has increased by about 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the past 200 years, it has increased by about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

What are greenhouse gases, and how do they affect Earth's temperature?

Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat from the sun in Earth's atmosphere, creating a 'greenhouse effect' that warms the planet. These gases form a blanket around the Earth, keeping it warm enough for life but contributing to global warming when they increase.

How do fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

Fossil fuels, like oil, coal, and natural gas, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when burned. This adds to the blanket of gases that trap heat and contributes to global warming.

What role does farming play in contributing to the greenhouse effect?

Farming contributes to the greenhouse effect, particularly through methane emissions from livestock, like cows. With over 1.5 billion cows in the world, the methane they release significantly adds to the Earth's warming.

How does deforestation impact climate change?

Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases. As more trees are cut down, less carbon dioxide is absorbed, which further contributes to global warming.

Why does it matter if Earth's climate gets warmer?

A warmer climate can lead to more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts. It also affects sea levels, melting polar ice, and can disrupt the habitats of animals and ecosystems, leading to food scarcity and higher costs.

What are some actions people can take to reduce their contribution to climate change?

People can walk or bike more, use public transportation, reduce electricity consumption, use renewable energy sources like solar and wind, recycle, and plant trees to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen the impact on climate change.

Why is it important to understand the causes of climate change and global warming?

Understanding the causes of climate change and global warming helps us take informed actions to prevent or reduce the effects. While some causes are natural, many are influenced by human activities, and reducing harmful practices can help mitigate the impact on Earth's climate.

Outlines

00:00

🌦️ Weather vs. Climate

This paragraph explains the difference between weather and climate. Weather changes daily and can vary greatly throughout the day, while climate represents the average temperature and conditions over a long period. It provides examples of different climates around the world, like deserts and rainforests, and notes that while weather can change rapidly, climate changes happen slowly over hundreds or thousands of years. Climate change, particularly global warming, is often discussed in modern times, with evidence from Earth's history showing that the climate has changed before, such as during the Ice Age and the Mesozoic era.

05:03

🔥 The Impact of Fossil Fuels and Agriculture

This paragraph discusses how human activities like burning fossil fuels and farming contribute to climate change. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas release greenhouse gases when burned, adding to the Earth's warming effect. The paragraph explains how farming, particularly methane emissions from cows, adds to the greenhouse effect, and how deforestation exacerbates climate change by reducing the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide. While humans rely on these activities for energy, food, and resources, they also contribute significantly to the global warming problem.

10:04

🌱 Steps to Combat Climate Change

This paragraph outlines practical actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. Suggestions include walking or biking instead of driving, reducing electricity use, and conserving resources by using less. It highlights the importance of planting trees and recycling to offset carbon emissions. While global warming can't be entirely prevented, these steps can help lessen its impact. The paragraph also emphasizes that small changes in daily behavior, like saving energy and reducing waste, can collectively have a positive effect on the environment.

Keywords

💡Weather

Weather refers to the short-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind, and other atmospheric conditions. In the video, weather is described as something that changes frequently, such as cold mornings turning into warm afternoons. It contrasts with climate, which remains relatively stable over long periods.

💡Climate

Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area over a period of time. Unlike weather, climate changes very slowly, over hundreds or even millions of years. The video emphasizes that climate doesn't fluctuate daily like weather but can change gradually due to factors like global warming.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. In the video, it is often associated with global warming, which is caused by increased greenhouse gases. The video explains that while weather changes frequently, climate change is a slow process but one with significant long-term effects.

💡Global Warming

Global warming is the process of the Earth heating up, mainly due to the increase of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The video connects global warming to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, farming, and deforestation, which all contribute to the 'blanket' of gases trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

💡Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet. The video uses the analogy of a greenhouse, explaining that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane act as a 'blanket' that keeps the Earth warm, but too much of these gases can overheat the planet.

💡Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are natural energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years. The video highlights how burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

💡Methane

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere through activities like farming, particularly from cows. The video explains how methane, while less abundant than carbon dioxide, significantly contributes to the greenhouse effect, adding to the 'blanket' of gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the process of cutting down forests to make room for agriculture, roads, and other developments. The video explains how trees absorb carbon dioxide, so when they are removed, less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

💡Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that is primarily released into the atmosphere through activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The video describes CO2 as one of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere and driving global warming.

💡Sustainable Practices

Sustainable practices refer to actions that reduce the negative impact on the environment, such as walking instead of driving, using renewable energy, and recycling. The video provides examples like using less electricity, growing trees, and cutting down on fossil fuel consumption as ways to help mitigate climate change.

Highlights

Weather changes day-to-day, while climate remains stable over long periods.

Climate is the average temperature and conditions over time, and varies by location.

Desert climates are typically hot and dry, while rainforests are warm and humid.

Climate change occurs over thousands or millions of years, unlike daily weather changes.

The Earth's average temperature has increased by 1.33°F in the last century.

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat, warming the Earth.

The greenhouse effect is similar to how a greenhouse traps heat for plants.

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

Farming, particularly from cow emissions, releases methane, contributing to global warming.

Deforestation reduces the number of trees absorbing carbon dioxide, worsening climate change.

The warming of the Earth can lead to more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts.

Rising sea levels and melting polar ice impact animal habitats and can lead to flooding.

To reduce climate change, actions include using less energy, carpooling, and growing trees.

Reducing consumption and recycling can help reduce greenhouse gases from factories.

Though not all global warming is human-caused, changing behaviors can positively affect the climate.

Transcripts

[Music]

climate change

weather changes often in the morning as

you head to school

it might be cold and cloudy by the end

of the day

it could be warm and sunny in tonga

it might downpour for one hour but be

calm

and clear the next and at the south pole

the weather could be clear in the

afternoon but very stormy by evening

weather is always changing but climate

does not change

day to day or even month to month like

weather does

climate is the average temperature and

conditions in a place

over a long period of time the climate

in one place on earth

is different than another place for

example the climate in a desert

can be hot and dry while the climate in

a rain forest is usually warm

and humid and in some mountain areas

the climate is cold all year long

unlike the weather that changes often

that usually takes

hundreds thousands or even millions of

years for changes to occur in climate

day to day you will notice weather

changes

but you probably won't notice changes to

the climate

in the world today when you hear the

word climate change

it usually refers to global warming or

the process

of the earth heating up climate change

and the weather are subjects

that are often discussed by many people

nearly

everyone can agree on things related to

the weather

but sometimes people disagree about

climate change or global warming

the earth is about 4.5

billion years old during all those years

the climate has changed many thousands

of years ago

a large part of the earth was covered in

ice during an

era called the ice age and dinosaurs

once

walked on the earth's surface during

another period

called the mesoic era climate changed

during those first four and a half

billion years

and will continue to change in the

future

for example in the last 100 years

between the 1900s

and the 2000s earth's average

temperature has increased

about 1.33 degrees fahrenheit

and over the past 200 years it has

increased about 1.8 degrees fahrenheit

that may not sound like a big change but

it still affects the earth

have you ever heard of a greenhouse or

seen one

a greenhouse is used by some farmers

florists and others to grow plants

it is a glass-covered building that

absorbs heat from the sun

the trapped heat makes greenhouses very

warm

which allows things to grow inside of

them even in winter

earth is also covered like a greenhouse

but

is not covered with glass instead it is

covered by a layer of atmosphere

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap

heat from the sun warming up

earth and giving it a greenhouse effect

which means it acts just like a

greenhouse

the greenhouse gases are mostly made up

of carbon dioxide

methane and nitrous oxide

these gases are kind of like a blanket

for the earth

similar to the glass on a greenhouse

the gases help keep earth warm enough so

that people

animals and plants can all live there

however when these gases increase

it causes the earth to become warmer

think of it like a heavier blanket

if you are sleeping under a blanket and

all through the night

someone keeps placing more blankets on

you you will get warmer and warmer

climate change causes the earth to get

warmer too

but it happens gradually or takes a long

time

of course when you are sleeping there

may be other reasons you are getting

warmer too

not just the blankets that are being

placed on you

but regardless of why you are getting

warmer

it would probably be best to try and

prevent the blankets

from getting too heavy and too warm

in other words it's probably best to

prevent the earth from getting too warm

as well

we do this by understanding some of the

causes of climate change and global

warming

there may be some causes of climate

change that cannot be prevented

and have very little to do with people

while

others are most likely caused by people

here are three of those things

the burning of fossil fuels

fossil fuels are natural fuels found in

and

on earth such as oil

coal and natural gas

they are formed in the earth from dead

plants and animals over millions of

years

that's why the first part of the name is

fossil

those fossils are then burned and used

for fuel

which is why they are called fossil

fuels

fossil fuels give us heat gas

and oil which are all things that most

humans need

and want however when the fossil fuels

are burned

they release gases into the atmosphere

those gases are then added to the

blanket that covers the earth

making it warmer and adding to the

greenhouse effect

next is farming it may be hard to

believe but farming

also contributes to the greenhouse

effect

methane gas is released into the

atmosphere when a cow releases its gas

or farts

that might not seem like a big deal when

one cow passes gas

but when there are over 1.5 billion

cows in the world farting daily it

really adds to the blanket covering the

earth

deforestation is the cutting down of

trees and

forests to make way for farms

roads oil wells and dams

one of the greenhouse gases that adds to

the blanket around the earth

is called carbon dioxide trees and

forests

absorb carbon dioxide which gets rid of

some of that gas

unfortunately the more trees that are

cut down

the less trees there are to absorb the

carbon dioxide

which further leads to the greenhouse

effect

a lot of people on earth rely on fossil

fuels

farming and forests

fossil fuels are used in many ways

gasoline is used in cars coal produces

electricity

and natural gas is used to heat homes

and for cooking

farming is also necessary since milk and

meat

comes from cows the wood from trees

is used to make furniture desks

homes and other structures

plus coal is often mined beneath forests

that have been cut away so

as you can see this creates a problem

on one hand many people rely on those

things to live and get around

but on the other hand a warmer climate

can affect the planet negatively

so why does it matter if earth gets

warmer

well it can lead to unusual weather or

seasonal changes

which can cause things like heat waves

wildfires

droughts and acid in our oceans

which can harm sea life

melting polar ice affects the habitats

of animals that live

in the north and south poles and sea

turtles

are losing nesting beaches because of

rising sea levels orangutans

birds reptiles and other creatures that

live in the

rain forest are losing their homes when

trees are cut down

and some farmers may face increased rain

floods and droughts this can lead to

certain foods becoming scarce

unavailable or more expensive so what

can we

do if we rely on those things to survive

but we also want to stop the earth from

getting too warm

while it may be impossible to totally

prevent climate change or global warming

there are some things that can be done

to lessen earth's greenhouse effect

here is a list of ways you can help

walk more often in the u.s

transportation is the largest source of

carbon dioxide

by driving less often carpooling

biking or using public transportation

you can cut back on the gases released

into the atmosphere

turn off the lights the second largest

source of greenhouse gases

is from the production of electricity

using less electricity or using

alternative sources

such as solar or wind power can help

decrease the gases released into the

atmosphere

use less stuff most of the stuff

people own or use was made in a factory

and factories release gases into the

atmosphere

using less of the things we don't need

cuts down on the amount of gases

released by factories

grow a tree trees take in carbon dioxide

and release

oxygen so new trees are helpful in some

parts of the world

trees that have been cut down are

replaced

recycling reducing and reusing products

will also help the environment taking

shorter showers

closing blinds on a hot day turning off

power strips when not in use

and not littering are all things that

you can do to help

many scientists believe changing some of

our behavior will have a positive effect

on climate change and global warming

it is difficult to predict the

temperature of the earth in the future

because not all global warming is caused

by humans

but no matter what you may hear about

climate change or global warming

it is good to use less energy when you

can

it is smart and kind not to litter

walking or biking is great exercise

and trees provide shade beauty

and a fun place to climb plus

it never hurts to do our part to make

our earth a little better

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