Climate includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind
and seasons. "Climate change" affects more than just a change in the
weather, it refers to seasonal changes over a long period of time. These
climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems,
and the human economies and cultures that depend on them. Because so many systems are tied to climate, a change in climate can
affect many related aspects of where and how people, plants and animals
live, such as food production, availability and use of water, and health
risks.
For example, a change in the usual timing of rains or temperatures can
affect when plants bloom and set fruit, when insects hatch or when
streams are their fullest. This can affect historically synchronized
pollination of crops, food for migrating birds, spawning of fish, water
supplies for drinking and irrigation, forest health, and more.
Some short-term climate variation is normal, but longer-term trends now
indicate a changing climate. A year or two of an extreme change in
temperature or other condition doesn’t mean a climate change trend has
been "erased.”
Worldwide, people are paying serious attention to climate change. In
Washington state, climate change is already disrupting our environment,
economy and communities. We can help slow it down, but we must take
action now. Climate change is really a big and serious problem all over the world. So we must make a move for the next generation.
