Green America: Growing the Green Economy for People and the Planet

Climate & Energy

Economic action to stop global warming

All About Climate Change

The SunClimate change is caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released when fossil fuels are burned or forests are cleared. These gases rise into the atmosphere and can remain for decades or even centuries. As they build up, the gases create a "glass window" over the Earth, trapping in heat that would otherwise escape. As the Earth’s temperature rises, our climate begins to change, resulting in:

  • Decreasing snow cover and sea ice
  • Rising sea levels and increases in water temperature
  • Increasing precipitation over middle and high latitudes
  • Severe drought in lower latitudes, leading to food shortages and starvation
  • Faster spread of disease
  • Increasing frequency of extreme precipitation
  • Compromised living conditions, financial burdens, and social and cultural disruptions will be felt, particularly impacting people of color, low-income, and indigenous communities

The science is clear — climate change is occurring and human activity is the primary cause. The debate is not about whether or not climate change is real. The questions facing us now are: How devastating will its impact be on humans and the environment and what are we going to do about it?

Learn about the greatest challenge, and opportunity, of our time: