By Arianna Acierno & Antonella Mele
Climate is not static — it has always changed, and it continues to change today. These changes are driven by both natural forces and human influences. In recent decades, however, human activities have become the dominant driver of change, through greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and land use practices that disrupt the planet’s natural balance.
Climate change is not a distant threat; it is unfolding all around us, with clear and measurable impacts. Global warming — defined as the rise in global average surface temperature compared to the 1850–1900 baseline — reached approximately 1.5°C in 2024. Over 90% of the excess heat has been absorbed by the oceans, increasing sea surface temperatures and fueling marine heatwaves. Glaciers and polar ice sheets are melting at accelerating rates, contributing to sea level rise. Rainfall patterns are shifting: some regions experience intense rainfall and flooding, while others endure prolonged droughts. Extreme weather events such as storms and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and more severe.
These global and regional signals are undeniable evidence of a rapidly changing climate. Before discussing how to adapt or mitigate its effects — or how to address the growing challenge of disinformation — we must start from the most fundamental point: understanding what the science has been saying for years. As the IPCC clearly states, there is no longer any doubt — human activities are significantly altering the Earth’s climate.
A fundamental step is understanding the scientific concepts behind climate change and why there is now near-unanimous consensus among climate scientists that the changes we are witnessing are caused primarily by human actions.
There are many scientific aspects that must be carefully understood — from the basic distinction between weather and climate, which is essential to grasp the timescales involved, to definitions such as climate threats, hazards, and risks. It’s also key to understand what extreme weather events are, and how their frequency and intensity are evolving in a warming world.
This module is a condensed version of Adaptation AGORA’s sister Academy focused on accessing and using climate data and monitoring climate risks. Then we also explore the role of climate modelling in understanding past and present climate, along with other key aspects of climate change such as adaptation solutions, the connection between food systems and climate, climate justice, and new frontiers like the use of artificial intelligence in climate research.
Only citizens who are well-informed and aware of the challenges and consequences of climate change can meaningfully participate in co-designing and implementing strategies to limit its impacts and promote transformative adaptation.
Understanding scientific facts is the first step we can take to act on climate change — to actively intervene in decision-making processes, but especially to counter false narratives and promote informed, science-based climate action.
Visit the Digital Academy against Climate Disinformation and explore our full module on Understanding Climate Change. This module highlights the importance of precise and accurate information on climate change, grounded in science, as a prerequisite for citizen engagement and effective climate action.
*Arianna Acierno joined the CMCC Foundation in 2022 as Senior Scientific Manager. She contributes to several EU-funded initiatives where she leads activities related to communication, outreach, and engagement. With a strong background in international external affairs and environmental communication, Arianna holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations (2007) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from LUISS University in Rome (2004), as well as a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Communication from IED Turin (2008).