Global Climate, Local Weather
Scientists from around the world have collected evidence from many different sources and have come to one conclusion: Earth’s climate is changing. Climate is the average weather at a location over long periods, usually decades or more. On a day-to-day basis, climate is experienced as weather. Communities across the United States are already experiencing more frequent and more intense weather events, such as droughts, floods, forest fires, and storms. While no single weather event can be attributed to climate change, these types of changes to weather patterns are impacts of a changing climate.
Take a moment to reflect on the weather and climate where you live. Read the questions in the Take Notes section below and record your responses in the space provided.
Glossary Terms
Key vocabulary words and terms are highlighted throughout the lesson.
You can click on each one to see its definition, or click on GLOSSARY at the top of each page for a complete listing.
Take Notes
- What industries or activities in your region are dependent on the climate? Examples may include farming, outdoor recreation, and tourism.
- Which type(s) of severe weather event(s) does the area where you live experience? Examples include droughts, floods, wildfires, heat waves, extreme cold, and storms. Have you noticed any change in their frequency or severity recently? Describe.
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