Climate Change
Climate change is the long-term shift in temperature, rainfall, and weather patterns, linked to greenhouse gases released by human activity. It is studied by scientists around the world, including federal agencies, universities, and international bodies. The topic covers the evidence, the causes, the effects on people and places, and how risks are assessed.
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Topics in Climate Change
Causes and science
Greenhouse Gas Emissions covers where the gases that warm the planet come from, and Climate Science and Projections covers how researchers measure change and model what may follow.
Effects and risk
Climate Impacts covers how a changing climate affects people, economies, and ecosystems, and Climate Vulnerability Assessment covers how communities and systems measure their exposure to harm.
All Articles on Climate Change
How NOAA and NASA Coordinate Climate Monitoring—And What They Tell Policymakers
Several climate records broke at once in 2025: warmest ocean heat content on record, record high sea levels, and lowest winter Arctic ice extent…
How Government Data Shows Climate Change Is Accelerating
The U.S. government measures the pace of climate change. Federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA…
The Future of the National Climate Assessment
The National Climate Assessment sits somewhere between a scientific triumph and a political punching bag. Required by law, written by hundreds of experts, and…
Debate: Climate Skepticism in the United States
The world's climate scientists have reached a clear verdict: Earth's climate is warming faster than ever before, and humans are the main cause. This…
Challenges Facing the Department of the Interior
The DOI has faced challenges in areas such as environmental policy, land management, tribal relations, resource extraction, and climate change.
What the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Does
NOAA efforts range from daily weather forecasts and storm warnings to climate monitoring, fisheries management, and marine conservation.
Climate Predictions for the Next Decade
Our planet's climate is changing faster than at any point in modern history. As we look ahead to the next ten years, understanding these…