Climate change refers to the variation in the Earth's global climate or regional climates over time. It describes changes in the variability or average state of the atmosphere—or average weather—over time scales ranging from decades to millions of years. These changes may come from internal processes, be driven by external forces or, most recently, be caused by human activities.
In recent usage, especially in the context of environmental policy, the term "climate change" is often used to refer only to the ongoing changes in modern climate, including the rise in average surface temperature known as global warming. In some cases, the term is also used with a presumption of human causation, including in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC uses "climate variability" for non-human caused variations*.
For information on temperature measurements over various periods, and the data sources available, see temperature record. For attribution of climate change over the past century, see attribution of recent climate change.
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A Beginner's Guide to Global Warming - Written by a scientist at The Woods Hole Research Center, these pages describe the scientific evidence, the culprits, the skeptics and the probable outcome of a world signicantly changed by human-induced climate change.
ACACIA - A Consortium for the Application of Climate Impact Assessments - ACACIA uses the best available scientific tools and knowledge to answer the climate-related questions of sponsors from the industrial, business and policy communities.
Meta Description: [ ACACIA: A Consortium for the Application of Climate Impact Assessments seeks to advance the sciences of climate change and variability, and climate impact assessment;
focuses on the impacts of human activities on climate and the environment, in the context of the natural variability in these sy... ]
Almanac of Policy Issues: Global Warming - News, background information and links on global warming, climate change, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Meta Description: [ News, background information and links on global warming and climate change. ]
Asia Pacific Network on Climate Change - A clearing house for climate change issues sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. Highlighting articles, conference schedules, and related resources.
BBC News: Global Climate Change - An analysis of the science and other issues behind the climate change debate, from BBC News Online.
BBC Science - Climate Change - Key points, articles, pros and cons, and resources regarding climate change.
Meta Description: [ Climate Change from the BBC Weather Centre aims to inform people about the potential changes in our weather in the coming 100 years. The site explains what climate change is and the part the greenhouse effect plays in it. It looks at the evidence that indicates our climate is already getting wa... ]
Bush's CO2 Emissions Flip-Flop - Cartoons about President Bush's reversal of stance on carbon dioxide emissions.
Meta Description: [ Cartoons about President Bush's flip-flop on carbon dioxide emissions regulations. ]
California Global Warming Campaign - Useful and timely information about climate change and California.
Meta Description: [ California Global Warming Campaing's website with information about climate change and California ]
Capacity for Climate Protection - Project focussing on climate protection and funding environmental NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe. Includes a profile, calendar of events, publications, and information on monitoring and mechanisms.
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Carnegie Council - Environmental Ethics - Providing resources on cross-cultural environmental policy, local communities and the environment, and transnational environmental activism.
Meta Description: [ The Environmental Values project compares values and their role in environmental policy-making in China, India, Japan and the United States. Topics include: Joanne Bauer, Environmental values, Paul Harris, Jack Becker, Nitin Desai, transcript, Dipak Gyawali, water development, Maria Rodriguez, Br... ]
Civilization - Use It or Lose It - Audio conversation with William Calvin about rapid global climate changes. Includes related links.
Climate Action Network Australia - Non-profit environmental group dedicated to fighting climate change and finding solutions to the problem. Includes news and current programs.
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Climate Action Network South Asia - A global network of over Non-Governmental Organizations working to promote government and individual action to limit human induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.
Meta Description: [ Looking for professional website design? Need a strong, stylized Internet presence with great, visual appeal? Want to be readily found on the main search engines and directories? we are outsource web development company ]
Climate Ark - Climate change news information portal and archive dedicated to promoting policy that addresses Global Climate Change through reductions in carbon emissions, energy conservation, alternative energy sources and ending deforestation.
Meta Description: [ Climate Ark is a climate change and global warming portal and search engine that promotes public policy that addresses global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, renewable energy, energy conservation and ending deforestation. ]
Climate Change - An overview of climate change, theories and perspectives, and notable weather patterns.
Meta Description: [ earth orbit Milankovitch solar spots Deccan traps volcano
greenhouse CO2 CH4 weather patterns climate jet stream blocking anticyclone gulfstream
Evert Wesker ]
Climate Change Debate - Climate change and global warming science, government policy, energy technology, cost and benefits debated via an unmoderated, uncensored listserve, plus research aides.
Meta Description: [ Climate change and global warming science, government policy, energy technology, cost and benefits debated via an unmoderated, uncensored listserve, plus research aides. ]
Climate Change Research at WRI - WRI identifies opportunities to reduce the risk of global climate change in ways that drive sustainable economic development worldwide.
Climate Change Solutions - Success stories, tools and resources on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Change: An Overview - A discussion of the certainties and uncertainties behind the science of climate change and the impact of greenhouse gasses.
Meta Description: [ The EPA Global Warming Site: Climate section focuses on the science of global warming or climate change. The section relies heavily on the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. ]
Climate Effects on Human Health - A white paper on the potential effects of future climate changes on forests and vegetation, agriculture, water resources, and human health.
Climate Institute - works to protect the balance between climate and life on earth by facilitating the dialogue among scientists, policy makers, business executives and citizens.
Meta Description: [ Protecting the balance between climate and life on Earth. ]
Climate Policy - An Elsevier journal which aims to address the broad spectrum of policy issues raised by the prospect of changes in the global climate. Includes articles, extracts, information on authors and bibliographies.
Meta Description: [ Earthscan - The World's Leading Publisher on Environmentally Sustainable Development - Environmental Books - Earthscan Publications ]
Climate Ticket - Discussing the pollution and climactic effects of air traffic, and environmentally sustainable alternatives.
Climate Trend - Interactive plotting tool for historical global temperature data.
Meta Description: [ Plot historical muti annual monthly min, max, mean temperature profiles
for any geographical location. ]
David Suzuki Foundation: Climate Change - Highlights recent reports and projects, suggested solutions, and background information, focusing on British Columbia and the US Pacific Northwest.
Meta Description: [ The David Suzuki Foundation is a science-based Canadian environmental organization, working to protect the balance of nature and our quality of life, now and for future generations. ]
Destructive Storms Drive Insurance Losses Up - Will Taxpayers Have to Bail Out Insurance Industry? - Scientists now believe that rising global temperatures may exacerbate extreme weather events, leading to increased damages in the decades ahead. [WorldWatch Institute]
Earth's Magnetic Field And How It Reverses - White papers on the earth's magnetic field and global warming by Eugene D. Richards.
Earth's Unruly Tenant - An essay by Jane Lubchenco about climate change and public perceptions of environmental issues.
Meta Description: [ Open Spaces Quarterly Magazine offers well-written, insightful articles on politics, culture, science, music, business, art, education, philosophy, health, food, travel and gardening, as well as stories, essays, poetry and art. ]
Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change - A global collection of Landsat images and text, designed to show environmental changes and to introduce remote sensing. Images and explanatory from every continent.
Meta Description: [ Earthshots is a collection of Landsat images and text, designed to show environmental changes and to introduce remote sensing. From the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center, the world's largest archive of earth science data. ]
EPA's Global Warming Site - Comprehensive information from the USA's Environmental Protection Agency.
Meta Description: [ The EPA Global Warming Site focuses on the science and impacts of global warming or climate change, and on actions by governments, corporations, and individuals that help address global warming issues. The site also features climate change related news, events, publications, reports, presentation... ]
FAQ About the Politics of Global Warming - FAQ arising from the Kyoto Summit.
FluorideAlert.org: Potent and Rare Greenhouse Gas Identified - Article on rising concentrations of a newly identified synthetic fluoride that traps heat more effectively than all other known greenhouse gases.
Fossil-of-the-Day.org - A daily award Presented to the worst countries at UN climate change conferences.
Meta Description: [ Fossil-of-the-Day Prizes: Awarded to countries that block progress at UN climate change negotiations. Presented by the Climate Action Network, an umbrella organisation of Environmental NGOs. ]
Global Climate Change: Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases - A review of market based initiatives to combat global warming, including tradeable permits and carbon taxes.
Global Climate Observing System - An organization ensuring that observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users. Contains a profile, structure, publications and calendar of events.
Global Warming - Discussing facts about global warming, basic steps to take to stop its progress, and links to other pages on climate change.
Global Warming International Center - GWIC is an international body disseminating information on global warming science and policy, serving both governmental, non-governmental organizations, and industries in more than 120 countries. It sponsors unbiased research supporting the understanding of global warming and its mitigation.
Meta Description: [ Global Warming International Center ]
Global Warming: An Issue for Humanity - Paper on the human consequences of global warming.
Green House Network - Non-profit organization focusing on building a grassroots movement to stop global warming pollution. Contains a profile, event calendar, information on speakers, and news archive.
Meta Description: [ The Green House Network (GHN) is dedicated to public education about the dangers of climate change, and the need for urgent action to halt global warming. ]
Hot Air - the Canadian Debate on Kyoto - Issues surrounding the Kyoto Accord and its effect on Canadian citizens.
Meta Description: [ the fifth estate looks at the behind the scenes politicking behind ratifying the Kyoto Accord in Canada ]
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Humanity in the Hothouse - Christian Science Monitor mini-site, including reports from Nov. 2000's Hague conference on climate change and links to other sources.
Meta Description: [ The Christian Science Monitor - an independent daily newspaper providing context and clarity on national and international news, peoples and cultures, and social trends. ]
Interfaith Climate Change Network - Describes ways individuals and congregations can act on the issues of climate change and energy use. Joint project of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - The IPCC assesses the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change.
International Climate Change Partnership - Global coalition of companies and trade associations committed to constructive and responsible participation in the international policy process concerning global climate change. Includes objectives, a list of members, and literature.
International Human Dimensions - An international, interdisciplinary, non-governmental social science programme aimed at improving understanding of human responses to global change. Contains a profile, projects, news, publications and calendar of events.
Many scientists believe runaway greenhouse effect possible - A Greenpeace poll (in 1992) shows that a worryingly high proportion of climate scientists believe it possible that continuing emissions of greenhouse gases can awaken synergistic feedbacks capable of generating a runaway greenhouse effect.
Massachusetts Climate Action Network - A network of local and statewide groups dedicated to halting the threat of global climate change. Contains a profile, legislations, information on local chapters, and calendar of events.
Meta Description: [ Massachusetts Climate Action Network
(MCAN) is dedicated to halting the threat of global climate change.
We are striving to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases,principally
carbon dioxide (CO2), in our communities and the state. ]
Natcom India - Information about greenhouse gas emissions, inventory estimations, vulnerability assessments, and adapting to global climate changes from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India.
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National Climate Change Secretariat - Created to inform Canadians about the process of developing a national implementation strategy on climate change. Provides information, news and resources.
OneWorld: Climate Change Campaign - Includes news, archives and articles on this topic.
Meta Description: [ OneWorld.net ]
Pew Center on Global Climate Change - Advocates taking action to arrest climate change
Meta Description: [ Research on global warming, its causes and effects, greenhouse gas emissions trends, environmental impacts, and possible solutions. ]
Primer on the Kyoto Protocol - Article about this international agreement and how it will be used to combat global warming.
Meta Description: [ Learn about the pros and cons of the Kyoto Protocol, its provisions, and its effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. ]
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Public Interest Research Group: Global Warming - Global Warming FAQ sheet, email petition to the U.S. President, various reports and information to other resources.
Responding to Climate Change - Practical guide to support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Profiles the business community's response with services and resources for greenhouse gas mitigation.
Meta Description: [ Online technology guide for responding to climate change COP conference featuring advertising and editorial from government and industry representatives focused on climate change technologies ]
Rising Waters - Companion web site to the documentary Rising Waters, which includes personal stories of Pacific Islanders and puts a human face on the international climate change debate. Includes archives, stories, white papers and information on filmmakers.
Sierra Club Global Warming Campaign - Clearinghouse for information on global warming.
Stop Esso - A Greenpeace and Friends of Nature sponsored campaign against Esso. Includes an overview of the campaign, information on the company, archives, press releases, and papers on global warming.
Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change - Companion site to the book of the same name. Offers information on climate change, and tips for individuals, companies, municipilaties, governments and developing nations to counter this issue.
The California Climate Action Registry - Organization created by the State of California to encourage companies, government agencies and other organizations to voluntarily measure and report their Green House Gas emissions. Provides information about the program.
Meta Description: [ The California Climate Registry was created to support organizations that are working aggressively to improve energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to lessen their contribution to global warming. ]
The Climate Trust - Promotes climate change and global warming solutions by providing carbon dioxide offset projects and advancing offset policies.
The Great Climate Flip-flop - Could Global Warming lead to Global Cooling? Warming could lead, paradoxically, to drastic cooling -- a catastrophe that could threaten the survival of civilization. Atlantic Monthly.
The Politics of Climate Change - An online guide to the politics and science leading up to and following the signing of the Kyoto Protocol.
Meta Description: [ Information on climate change. ]
U.S. Global Change Research Program - Provides the foundation for increasing the skill of predictions of seasonal-to-interannual climate fluctuations (which can bring excessively wet and dry periods) and long-term climate change.
Meta Description: [ US Global Change Research Program. Helping to understand, assess, predict, and respond to global change. ]
Union of Concerned Scientists Global Warming - Climate scientists have linked the increased levels of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere to human activities, in particular the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and electricity; gasoline for transportation), deforestation, cattle ranching, and rice farming. From the Union of Concerned Scientists.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC - official site for UN Climate Secretariat: Kyoto protocol, COP4 in Buenos Aires, world emissions data.
US Global Change Research Information Office - Provides access to data and information on climate change research, adaptation/mitigation strategies and technologies, and global warming related educational resources for users worldwide.
Meta Description: [ U.S. Global Change Research Information Office. Provides access to data and information on climate change research, adaptation/mitigation strategies and technologies, and global warming related educational resources for users worldwide. ]
US Global Change Research Program: Assessments - Contains major national and international studies on environmental and climatic issues.
Meta Description: [ US Global Change Research Program. Helping to understand, assess, predict, and respond to global change. ]
WEATHERVANE: Resources for the Future's Digital Forum on Global Climate Policy - An online forum designed to provide the news media, legislators, opinion leaders, and the interested public with analysis and commentary on U.S. and global policy initiatives related to climate change.
WWF - Climate Change - Features information and breaking news on climate change, with a focus on resources and actions you can take to help stop global warming.
Meta Description: [ Study climate science at World Wildlife Fund. Find out about the effects of emission reductions and solutions for global warming. ]
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