--- title: Climate Change | Causes, Effects, & How We Can Stop It description: Climate change can be tricky to nail down, as it means different things to different people. But what causes climate change? What are the effects of climate change? And most importantly, what can we do to stop it? image: https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Climate_Change.png --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo-white.4f6047d4.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) **[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing) >** Climate Change # Climate Change ![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/zach-stein.jpeg) Written by Zach Stein | Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts) Updated on October 1, 2024 Fact Checked Why Trust Carbon Collective? ### Table of Contents Climate change is a broad term used to describe the observed increase in average global temperatures and its projected continuation. It could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. It has been linked with damaging weather events such as more frequent and intense hurricanes, floods, downpours, and winter storms. Together with expanding ocean waters due to rising temperatures melting polar ice, the resulting rise in sea level has begun to damage coastlines as a result of increased flooding and erosion. To simply put it, climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. ## **What Causes Climate Change?** The climate has been changing since the Industrial Revolution and it is now happening more rapidly than at any point in human history. The [cause of climate change](https://ec.europa.eu/clima/climate-change/causes-climate-change_en) is largely human activity like burning fossil fuels, like natural gas, oil, and coal. When these materials are burned, they release what are called [greenhouse gases](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/greenhouse-gases) into Earth’s atmosphere. These gases form a sort of invisible blanket around Earth that trap energy from the sun, and this trapped energy makes the Earth’s average temperature rise. It is important to remember that climate is different from weather. Weather is what is happening in your area right now, like a storm or heatwave. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate change happens when this long-term pattern is disrupted and temperatures rise. ## **What Are the Effects of Climate Change?** Climate change does not just make the world warmer. It also causes extreme weather events, like more frequent and more intense hurricanes, floods, downpours, and winter storms. Together with expanding ocean waters due to rising temperatures melting polar ice, the resulting rise in sea level has begun to damage coastlines as a result of increased flooding and erosion. A warmer climate also amplifies other threats like droughts, famine, and displacement of species. ## **How Will Climate Change in the Future?** If we do not stop climate change, the world will continue to warm at an increasingly faster rate. The last few years have been the hottest on record, and scientists expect this trend to continue. We could see a rise in global temperature by the end of this century. And if we do not take action to stop climate change, the world will be a very different place than it is today. With that said, it is not too late to take action. Reducing our emissions can help slow climate change and give us more time to adapt to the changes that are already happening. We can also take steps to protect ourselves and our communities from the effects of climate change. ## **What Can We Do About Climate Change?** Here's what we can do to limit climate change and its effects: **![What_Can_We_Do_About_Climate_Change](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What_Can_We_Do_About_Climate_Change.png?width=1920&name=What_Can_We_Do_About_Climate_Change.png)** - **Recognize the problem:** Climate change is real and caused by human activity. - **Reduce greenhouse gas emissions:** We can do this by using fewer [fossil fuels](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/fossil-fuels), planting trees, and investing in renewable energy. - **Use energy more efficiently:** We can do this by using energy-saving devices and changing our habits. - **Plant trees and restore ecosystems:** Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so planting them helps reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. - **Prepare for climate change:** This means making our homes and communities more resilient to extreme weather events. - **Support climate solutions:** We can do this by voting for leaders who will take climate action, [sustainable investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing), and supporting businesses that are working to reduce their emissions. We need to act now to limit climate change and its effects. The good news is that we have the power to make change happen. ## **How Does UNFCCC Work to Address Climate Change?** The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty that was created at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The UNFCCC’s objective is to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.” The UNFCCC does this by setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a framework for climate action. The [Paris Agreement](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/paris-agreement), which was adopted by the UNFCCC in 2015, is the most recent climate change agreement. The Paris Agreement’s goal is to keep global temperature rise this century well below two degrees Celsius. To achieve this, countries have committed to reducing their emissions and working together to climate-proof our world. The UNFCCC provides a platform for climate action and provides support to countries as they work to meet their climate goals. Read to learn more about the [UNFCCC](https://unfccc.int/) and the [Paris Agreement](https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement#:~:text=The%20Paris%20Agreement%20is%20a,compared%20to%20pre%2Dindustrial%20levels.). ## **The Bottom Line** Climate change is a global problem that requires global action. We need to work together to reduce our emissions and take steps to protect ourselves from the effects of climate change. Global warming is already having an impact on our planet, and we need to act now to limit its effects. The good news is that we have the power to make change happen. The first and most important thing to do is to recognize the problem and its causes. Then we can start taking action to reduce our emissions and slow climate change. We also need to prepare for climate change by making our homes and communities more resilient to extreme weather events. And finally, we can support climate solutions by voting for leaders who will take climate action and supporting businesses that are working to reduce their emissions. ***Climate change is a problem that we need to solve together.*** ## **FAQs** ### **1. What is climate change?** Climate change is a long-term alteration in global or regional climate patterns. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. ### **2. What causes climate change?** Climate change is caused by human activity, like burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests. These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth’s climate to change. Climate change can also be caused by natural events, like volcanic eruptions. ### **3. What are the effects of climate change?** Climate change can cause extreme weather events, like hurricanes and floods. It can also cause droughts, heat waves, and melting glaciers. Climate change can also impact human health, food security, and water supplies. ### **4. Who is working to address climate change?** The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty that was created at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The UNFCCC’s objective is to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.” The UNFCCC does this by setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a framework for climate action. The Paris Agreement, which was adopted by the UNFCCC in 2015, is the most recent climate change agreement. ### **5. What can substitute for fossil fuels?** There are many [renewable energy sources](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/renewable-energy-sources) that can be used instead of fossil fuels, like solar, wind, and hydro-power. We need to invest in these clean energy sources to help reduce our emissions and slow climate change. We also need to use energy more efficiently by using less electricity and water, and recycling more. ### Related Topics - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/) - [Carbon Footprint](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/carbon-footprint) - [Energy Efficiency](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/energy-efficiency) - [Greenhouse Gases](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/greenhouse-gases) - [Net Zero](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/net-zero) - [Renewable Energy Sources](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/renewable-energy-sources) - [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs) ![Attend Our Next Webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Attend Our Next Webinar Join our next Sustainable Investing 101 webinar, get our favorite DIY options, and walk through how we build our portfolios. 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Not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities in jurisdictions where Carbon Collective is not registered. © 2026 Carbon Collective Corporation. All rights reserved. × #### Fact Checked Carbon Collective partners with financial and climate experts to ensure the accuracy of our content. Our team of reviewers are established professionals with years of experience in areas of personal finance and climate. They have contributed to top tier financial publications, such as Reuters, Axios, Ag Funder News, Bloomberg, Marketwatch, Yahoo! Finance, and many others. This team of experts helps Carbon Collective maintain the highest level of accuracy and professionalism possible. × #### Why Trust Carbon Collective Carbon Collective is the first online investment advisor 100% focused on solving climate change. We believe that sustainable investing is not just an important climate solution, but a smart way to invest. We follow ethical journalism practices, which includes presenting unbiased information and citing reliable, attributed resources. Much of our research comes from leading organizations in the climate space, such as Project Drawdown and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Our goal is to deliver the most understandable and comprehensive explanations of climate and finance topics. Our writing and editorial staff are a team of experts holding advanced financial designations and have written for most major financial media publications. Our work has been directly cited by organizations including MarketWatch, Bloomberg, Axios, TechCrunch, Forbes, NerdWallet, GreenBiz, Reuters, and many others. 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