Climate change is a long-term change in the Earth's climate. Climate can be defined as the average and variation of weather in a region.

In current usage, climate change can cause many different effects, such as an increase in the Earth's average temperature, sea level rise, melting of glaciers, and an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

The main cause of climate change is greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by human activities. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the Sun in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm up.

The gases that we release into the atmosphere as a result of the current system and lifestyle we live in and that cause climate change are as follows:

Carbon dioxide (CO₂): The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and agricultural activities are the main sources of greenhouse gases.

Methane (CH₄): Agricultural activities, especially animal husbandry, are the main source of methane emissions.

Nitrogen oxide (N₂O): Agricultural activities, industrial processes and fertilizer use are the main sources of nitrogen oxide emissions.

In addition, the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere, which protects the Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun, is being depleted and destroyed by greenhouse gases and chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) caused by human activities.

Ozone depletion increases the amount of ultraviolet rays reaching the Earth, causing skin cancer, cataracts and other health problems in addition to environmental damage.

The effects of climate change are felt all over the world. The main impacts of climate change are:

Increasing average temperature: The Earth's average temperature has increased by about 1.1°C over the last century. This increase has caused many different effects, such as sea level rise, melting of glaciers and an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Sea level rise: Sea level rise is one of the most visible impacts of climate change. Sea level rise floods coastal areas and causes salt water to mix with fresh water resources.

Melting glaciers: Another obvious effect of climate change is the melting of glaciers. The melting of glaciers causes the sea level to rise and fresh water resources to decrease.

Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events: Climate change causes an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Extreme weather events cause natural disasters such as floods, storms, droughts and forest fires.

To prevent climate change, it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The following measures can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

Reduce the use of fossil fuels: Renewable energy sources (solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, etc.) should be used instead of fossil fuels.

Prevent deforestation: Forests play an important role in absorbing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In order to prevent deforestation, forest protection and afforestation activities should be carried out.

Applying sustainability principles in agricultural activities: Agricultural activities are an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. By applying sustainability principles in agricultural activities, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced.

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing the world. International cooperation and joint efforts are necessary to prevent climate change.