Climate variability and change

A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions. A drought can last for days, months or years. Drought often has large impacts on the ecosystems and agriculture of affected regions, and causes harm to the local economy. Annual dry seasons in the tropics significantly increase the chances of a drought developing, with subsequent increased wildfire risks. Heat waves can significantly worsen drought conditions by increasing evapotranspiration. This dries out forests and other vegetation, and increases the amount of fuel for wildfires.

accounting of the energy flows which determine Earth's surface temperature and drive its climate

all the variations in the climate that last longer than individual weather events

landform

aspect of the history of science

system of interaction and processes that regulate the Earth's climate

amount of heat energy received at any location on the globe affecting climate

mathematical estimate of planetary temperatures

1988 world climate change conference held in Toronto, Canada