# Climate Change
Confidence: high
Last verified: 2026-05-22
Generation: ai_assisted


## TL;DR

Climate change is the long-term shift in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄) since the Industrial Revolution. Global average temperature has risen ~1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. Effects: sea level rise, extreme weather, biodiversity loss.

## Core Explanation

Greenhouse effect: CO₂ and other gases trap heat. CO₂ levels: pre-industrial 280ppm → current 420+ ppm — highest in 800,000 years. Paris Agreement (2015): limit warming to <2°C, pursue 1.5°C. Key solutions: renewable energy (solar, wind), electrification, carbon capture, reforestation. IPCC: 97%+ of climate scientists agree human activity is the primary cause.

## Further Reading

- [IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)](https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/)