What is the impact of climate change on the world's ecosystems and biodiversity?

 

Climate change has a significant impact on the world's ecosystems and biodiversity. As the Earth's climate warms, many species are forced to adapt to new conditions or face extinction. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can alter the timing of seasonal events such as flowering and migration, disrupt food webs, and create mismatches between species interactions. Rising sea levels can also lead to loss of coastal habitats, such as wetlands and coral reefs. These changes can also lead to increased spread of invasive species, disease and pests. Climate change can also cause changes in the distribution and abundance of species, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Overall, the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity are complex and varied, and can have cascading effects on the entire biosphere.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Human activities release gases that change the makeup of Earth’s atmosphere. These gases are making our atmosphere better at trapping the Sun's heat.