Climate change is “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.” - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Article 1
 
Climate change is one of the most important global environmental issues of our generation. It is distinct from natural climate variability in that it exists because of human activities that have altered the composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Climate change can lead to things such as desertification, more intense storms, melting of the polar ice caps, and rising sea levels, changing the physical face of the Earth and the pattern of our everyday lives. While the possible consequences of climate change are alarming, there are many ways for every individual to take part in preventing these consequences from reaching their most dangerous potential.