Climate and Climate Change

Climate

• Definition: Long-term atmospheric conditions in a particular region, including temperature, humidity, cloudiness, wind, and precipitation patterns.

Climate Classification

• Köppen Climate Classification: Most widely used system, categorizing climates into five main groups:
  1. A: Tropical climates (high temperatures and high humidity)
  2. B: Dry climates (low humidity and limited precipitation)
  3. C: Temperate climates (moderate temperatures and precipitation)
  4. D: Continental climates (large diurnal temperature range)
  5. E: Polar climates (low temperatures and limited precipitation)

Climate Factors

• Latitude: Amount of solar radiation received, influencing temperature and precipitation patterns
• Altitude: Increase in altitude leads to decrease in temperature and atmospheric pressure
• Ocean Currents: Warm or cool ocean currents affect coastal climates
• Land Use: Vegetation, urbanization, and topography influence local climate conditions

Climate Change

• Definition: Long-term warming of the planet, primarily caused by human activities
• Causes:
  • Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, methane) trapping heat in the atmosphere
  • Deforestation and land-use changes
  • Fossil fuel burning and industrial processes
• Effects:
  • Rising global temperatures
  • More frequent extreme weather events (e.g., heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall)
  • Sea-level rise and coastal erosion
  • Impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies