What is Climate Change? What causes it?
Large variations in climate averages or in its variability, typically persisting for decades or longer, are referred to as “climate change.” We know that the climate system can react to “radiative forcing,” an imbalance between incoming solar radiation (external) and outgoing infrared radiation. We also know that the climate system can be affected by internal interactions among components of the climate system. Over relatively short time periods, these influences cause climate variability. But if they persist and create longer term changes in the average measures of climate or in its variability, then scientists define this as climate change.
Next: The Climate System