What Climate Change Is All About: The Science Made Simple

Written by: Energy Guardians

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

Everywhere you turn, it feels like climate change is in the headlines; floods, droughts, wildfires, record temperatures. But what is climate change really about, and how do we know it is happening?

In this article, I want to break down the science of climate change in simple terms, because understanding the problem is the first step to taking meaningful action.

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate system, mainly the rise in global temperatures and the shifts in weather patterns caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.

This is not just part of a natural cycle. The key point is that today’s changes are happening faster and more intensely than anything seen in recent history and it is mostly human activities that are driving it.

The Science: How It Works

At the heart of climate change is the greenhouse effect a natural process that has been keeping our planet warm and habitable for millions of years.

Here’s how it works:

• The sun’s energy reaches the Earth.

• Some energy is absorbed by the land and oceans, warming the planet.

• Some energy is reflected back into space.

• Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) trap some of this heat, keeping the planet warm.

  
  

This system has worked well for a long time. But now, we are adding extra greenhouse gases, mainly by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for energy, cutting down forests, and intensifying agriculture. This extra CO₂ is like thickening the Earth’s blanket, trapping more heat and causing global temperatures to rise.

The Evidence Is Clear

Scientists have been studying the climate for decades, and the data is overwhelming:

• Carbon dioxide levels are the highest they have been in at least 800,000 years.

• Global temperatures have risen by about 1.1°C since the late 1800s.

• The past decade was the warmest on record.

• We are seeing more extreme weather; heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods are becoming more frequent and severe.

  
  

This is not a guess or a prediction; it is happening right now, and we have the measurements to prove it.

Why It Matters

Climate change affects everything, from the food we eat to the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the places we live. Some of the key impacts include:

• Rising sea levels threatening coastal areas.

• Melting glaciers and polar ice, changing ocean patterns.

• Disruption of agriculture and food supplies.

• Loss of biodiversity as habitats are destroyed.

• Health impacts like heat stress, air pollution, and the spread of diseases.

And the longer we wait to act, the harder and more expensive it will be to adapt.

What Can We Do?

The science tells us that the biggest driver of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases. So the solution is simple in principle (even if not always easy in practice):

• Reduce emissions by shifting to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, rethinking how we use land and resources, and reducing waste.

• Remove carbon from the atmosphere through reforestation, regenerative agriculture, and emerging technologies.

• Adapt to changes that are already happening by making our homes, cities, and systems more resilient.

Final Thoughts

Climate change can feel like a big, overwhelming topic. But at its core, it is about cause and effect; we know what is causing the problem, and we have the tools to fix it.

By understanding the science, we can move beyond fear and into action, because every decision we make today, big or small, can help shape a more stable, liveable future for ourselves and generations to come.

Let us be part of the solution.