The term "climate change" is generally used to describe how mankind's activities are affecting our climate today in ways that have a serious impact on our environment, our economy, and our lives.

In order to understand human-induced climate change, or global warming,

we need to understand something about burning fossil fuels.

Captions 7-8, Chemistry for All | FuseSchool - How Burning Fossil Fuels Leads to Climate Change

 Play Caption

Wikipedia describes fossil fuel as a material "such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed naturally in the Earth's crust from the remains of dead plants and animals, that is extracted and burned as a fuel." The air pollution caused by fossil fuels causes global warming. Global warming, in turn, is the largely human-caused increase of our planet's temperatures over the last decades. If global warming continues....

... the glaciers will melt

and the level of the seas will rise unpredictably.

Captions 48-49, Once upon a Time... Planet Earth - The Guardians of the Planet

 Play Caption

As a result...

Countless deltas in coastal regions will be flooded.

Caption 50, Once upon a Time... Planet Earth - The Guardians of the Planet

 Play Caption

In addition to these problems...

So there are more floods, droughts, and storms.

Caption 66, Chemistry for All | FuseSchool - How Burning Fossil Fuels Leads to Climate Change

 Play Caption

A drought is the opposite of a flood: instead of too much water, there isn't enough. Without enough water, farmers are unable to grow the kinds of food that they used to in the past. Property, crops, and even human lives are lost as a direct result of storms, floods, and droughts caused by global warming.

The single most effective and significant action

that can be taken in the short term to stabilize global warming

is to stop tropical rainforest destruction.

Captions 6-8, The Prince's Rainforests Project - Prince of Wales' Introduction

 Play Caption

King (formerly Prince) Charles of Great Britain is probably correct in his statement that stopping the destruction of rainforests would help slow climate change. However, it's only going to change if wealthy people like King Charles and large profit-driven corporations are made to take financial and moral responsibility for the destruction they are causing.

But they won't make the necessary changes

because they have put their astronomical profits before people.

Captions 8-9, Breaking News - Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen

 Play Caption

The article above is referring to Facebook, but it's just as valid for companies that continue to make record profits from fossil fuels. Let's hope that the wealthiest people and companies are someday able to recognize that the planet they are polluting is the same planet where they, their families, and their descendants are supposed to be living. But in order to do that, they'll have to put humanity's long-term survival before their own profit margins.

Let's each of us continue to do our small part in reducing our consumption of products that directly lead to global warming!

Further Learning
Go to Yabla English and watch the videos above. You can also search for some of the highlighted words to find more English videos related to climate change.

Many parts of the world are experiencing a heat wave of unprecedented scale this summer. As an extreme example, the United Kingdom experienced temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time in recorded history. Let's talk today about the heat wave and other aspects of hot weather — hopefully with some nice, cool air conditioning running!

DJ, let the beat play, make a heat wave when you replay this.

Caption 50, Madcon feat. Ray Dalton: Don't Worry

 Play Caption

banner PLACEHOLDER

The heat wave referred to here is a metaphor, or figure of speech, but the heat wave enveloping many English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom this summer is very real.

With more energy in the atmosphere, weather becomes more extreme, so there are more floods, droughts, and storms.

Captions 64-66, FuseSchool: How Burning Fossil Fuels Leads to Climate Change

 Play Caption

A common side effect of heat waves is droughts. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "drought" as "a period of dryness especially when prolonged;  specifically, one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth." It is therefore likely that the heat will cause there to be shortages in food production and higher prices in the coming year.

This heat makes more ice melt, which in turn allows more heat to be absorbed.

Caption 80, FuseSchool: How Does Global Warming Affect The Environment

 Play Caption

Another problem with excessively hot weather is the melting of the polar ice caps, which leads to rising ocean levels and floods.

The sea ice acts like the world's air conditioner.

Caption 35, Arctic Sea Ice: Why melting matters

 Play Caption

Many places that are now experiencing heat waves have rarely seen such high temperatures and do not have the infrastructure to deal with them. In some places, living spaces, offices, schools, and public transport do not have air conditioning, which makes day-to-day living uncomfortable and even dangerous. The heat can present a major health risk for the elderly and people suffering from illnesses.

I have a fan, so in the summertime it's cool enough for me to be in here.

Captions 16-17, Creative Space: An Artist's Studio

 Play Caption

If you don't have an air conditioner and are experiencing extreme heat where you live, having a good fan is the next best thing!

Further Learning
Go to Yabla English and search for terms like "heat" and "weather" to find more videos relating to hot weather. If you're experiencing intense sunny weather where you live, be sure and follow some good rules for safety in the sun. Thank you for learning English with Yabla and do your best to stay cool out there this summer!