Climate forcing refers to an external factor that influences the energy balance of the Earth's climate system, leading to changes in global temperatures. It includes natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, both of which can alter the planet's climate over varying timescales.

Climate Forcing

Energy balance is the state where the calories consumed through food and drink are equal to the calories expended through basal metabolic rate and physical activity. Achieving energy balance is crucial for maintaining a stable body weight and overall health.

Energy Balance

Earth's climate system

The Earth is like a big blanket that keeps us warm, but sometimes it gets too warm because of things people do, like driving cars and using factories. This extra warmth can make ice melt, change weather, and make it hard for animals to live where they used to.

Global Temperatures

Natural phenomena encompass all observable events or processes that occur in the universe without human intervention, ranging from weather patterns to geological events and astronomical occurrences. Understanding these phenomena is crucial for scientific discovery, environmental management, and predicting future events that impact life on Earth.

Natural Phenomena

Volcanic eruptions are geological events where magma, gas, and ash are expelled from a volcano, significantly impacting the surrounding environment and climate. These eruptions can vary in intensity and frequency, influencing the formation of landscapes and the distribution of ecosystems over time.

Volcanic Eruptions

Human activities encompass the diverse range of actions and behaviors carried out by humans to sustain life, fulfill needs, and pursue interests. These activities impact the environment, society, and economy, shaping the world we live in through both positive and negative consequences.

Human Activities

Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and agricultural practices, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Mitigating these emissions is critical to reducing the impacts of climate change, which include rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.

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