5 Crucial Facts About Climate Change and How It’s Reshaping Our Planet

It’s a sunny summer day, and you’re strolling through the park with your child. They stop to admire the bright, colourful flowers, chasing a butterfly with wide-eyed wonder. 

“Why is the sky so blue today?” they ask, their curiosity bubbling. Their curiosity is endless, and in that moment, it’s clear—they see the beauty in the world with fresh eyes.

But as you look closer, you notice a dry patch on the grass where there used to be a small pond. The air feels heavier, and there’s a faint smell of smoke from a faraway wildfire. You realise these aren’t just signs of nature—they’re signs of change.

Our planet speaks to us through these subtle shifts: unpredictable seasons, intense storms, and the quiet disappearance of things that once seemed permanent. These big and small changes are part of the story of climate change—a story we’re all living in and one we can shape together.

The question is: what kind of world will we leave for our children?

Let’s dive in, explore the facts, and discover how to empower our children to create a future worth dreaming of.

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns on Earth. 

Earth is a delicate system.
The sun warms the planet, and greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere, maintaining an ecological balance.

But human activities—like: 

• Burning fossil fuels: When we burn fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas to power our cars, homes, and factories, we release large amounts of CO₂ into the air.
• Deforestation: Cutting down forests reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂, leaving more in the atmosphere.
• Industrialisation: Factories and industries produce emissions that add to the growing levels of greenhouse gases. 

These actions have created what scientists call an anthropogenic (human-caused) climate crisis, increasing the planet’s carbon footprint—the total amount of greenhouse gases we emit.

While Earth has always gone through natural changes, the speed and scale of today’s global warming are far beyond anything we’ve seen before.

To address this, decarbonisation—reducing the amount of carbon emissions—is essential.
Switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower offers a sustainable way forward.
These steps can help restore the ecological balance and slow the rapid changes affecting our planet.

But what’s really at stake? Let’s explore 5 interesting facts about climate change to understand its profound impact better.

1.  Global Temperature Rise

Imagine you’re in a room where the thermostat has been turned up just a little. It doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but the room becomes uncomfortably warm over time.

Earth’s temperature has risen by about 1.1°C since the late 1800s. While this increase may sound small, its effects are monumental.

Warmer temperatures disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity. Coral reefs, for example, are particularly sensitive to heat. These reefs, which serve as habitats for countless marine species, are now bleaching and dying due to rising ocean temperatures.

This rise affects some areas more than others, creating unpredictable weather patterns and amplifying the impacts on local environments.

2. Melting Ice Caps and Rising Sea Levels

We give you a glass of water with an ice cube in it. What do you think will happen when the ice melts? It raises the water level, right? Now imagine that same concept applied on a global scale.

In the Arctic and Antarctic, massive ice caps and glaciers are melting faster than ever because of rising temperatures. When this ice melts, the water flows into the oceans, increasing sea levels worldwide. This rise in sea levels creates significant challenges for low-lying coastal areas. These regions face more frequent and severe flooding, threatening homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. 

Ice and snow typically reflect sunlight into space, helping to keep the planet cool. When ice disappears, darker ocean water absorbs more heat instead of reflecting it, further warming the Earth. This creates a dangerous feedback loop: melting ice causes more warming, and more warming leads to faster ice melt.

This cycle shows how interconnected and delicate Earth’s systems are and how one change can trigger a cascade of others with widespread consequences.

3. Extreme Weather Is More Common

Storms are becoming more assertive, heatwaves longer, and floods more intense. Climate change intensifies these weather events, making them harder to predict and manage.

For example, hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean waters, which provide them with more energy. The result is storms that last longer and cause more damage.

This increase in extreme weather is not limited to coastal regions. Inland areas are experiencing severe droughts and wildfires, further underscoring the wide-reaching impacts of these changes.

4. The Oceans Are Warming and Changing

The oceans absorb much of the extra heat from global warming, creating several ripple effects. Warmer waters disrupt marine ecosystems and alter migration patterns for fish and whales.

Additionally, the absorption of carbon dioxide by the oceans is making the water more acidic. This acidification affects shellfish and corals, which struggle to survive in these changing conditions.

The ocean’s role as a regulator of Earth’s climate is being tested. With rising temperatures and shifting chemistry, its ability to sustain biodiversity and stabilise global systems is under strain.

5. Climate Change Is Disrupting Farming

Agriculture relies on stable weather patterns, but climate change is turning those patterns upside down. Unpredictable rains, prolonged droughts, and sudden floods make farming increasingly challenging.

Staple crops like wheat, rice, and corn are particularly vulnerable. A slight shift in temperature or rainfall can mean the difference between a successful harvest and widespread crop failure.

This has a domino effect: disrupted agriculture impacts food security, especially in regions facing economic and environmental challenges.

What the Future Holds

The fight against climate change starts with understanding.

When we know what’s happening to our planet, we can start figuring out how to fix it.

The most powerful way to make a difference is by teaching kids—because they’re the ones who will shape the future. If we help them understand things like saving energy, protecting nature, and living sustainably, they can grow up ready to take care of the world.

Education is where it all begins. When kids learn about the environment in fun and engaging ways, it becomes part of who they are—like knowing to be kind to others or to take care of their health.

By showing them how small actions, like planting trees or saving water, make a big impact, we’re helping them build habits that can change the world.

A Better Tomorrow Starts With the Right Knowledge

At Viva Education, we believe every child holds the key to a healthier, brighter planet. The choices they make tomorrow begin with what they learn today. That’s why the first step toward a better world is understanding the beauty of nature, the importance of conservation, and how their actions shape the environment.

That’s the heart of The World Around Us series: guiding children from Classes 1 to 5 to see their role in protecting the world.

Our series makes learning engaging and meaningful through the following:

• Captivating Stories & Illustrations: Ignite curiosity and make learning unforgettable with vibrant visuals that draw children into the wonders of nature.
• Engaging Interactive Activities: Bridge the gap between lessons and real life, empowering kids to see their impact and take action.
• Comprehensive Learning Tools: Go beyond the basics with extra resources, practice materials, and digital aids designed to make understanding effortless and exciting.
• Tailored for Young Learners: Specifically crafted for Classes 1 to 5 to build environmental awareness and instil lifelong values.
• Designed for Impact: Equip children with the knowledge and confidence to care for the planet, shaping a generation of thoughtful, action-oriented leaders.

The journey to a better planet starts here—with the proper knowledge, hearts that care, and the belief that every child can make a difference.

Check out The World Around Us series here.

Let’s build that future, one child at a time.

Conclusion

Climate change is a challenge we face together, but it’s also a chance to build a better, brighter world for the next generation.

By embracing innovation, working together, and making sustainable choices, we can find the balance that supports people and the planet. But most importantly, we need to raise children who feel deeply connected to the Earth—children who see themselves as caretakers of its beauty, resources, and future.

These lessons won’t just stay in their classrooms; they’ll become part of who they are—shaping how they live, care, and lead.

The knowledge we share with them today will be the strength they use to solve tomorrow’s challenges. With your guidance and love, they can grow into the changemakers our world urgently needs.

Let’s give them that gift together. Because every child deserves to inherit a thriving, harmonious planet.