Climate Change ‘Many scientists believe that the climate of the world is going through major changes which are caused by the activities of people.’ (i) Name two causes of climate change - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2012

Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, trap heat in the atmosphere. This leads to the greenhouse effect, where the Earth's surface temperature rises due to the accumulation of gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) that prevent heat from escaping into space. This associates closely with increased industrial activity and reliance on polluting energy sources, significantly contributing to global warming.

One significant effect of climate change is the increase in extreme weather events. This includes more frequent and severe hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, and droughts. For example, many regions experience unprecedented rainfall leading to flooding, while others suffer from prolonged drought conditions, which severely impact agriculture and water supply.