Intel Blog

While there may be an overlap between climate change and climate, starting with the word climate itself. They essentially are two distinct concepts.

And here is why...

Climate refers to the average weather conditions in an area or region over many years (usually at least 30 years). For instance, on the one hand we would describe the climate in Nairobi as warm and temperate. While on the other hand describe the climate in cities like Mombasa and Miami as hot and humid, as opposed to climate change which means a significant change in climate elements, such as temperature, rainfall, or wind, in a span of decades or longer.

It is in understanding the difference between the two that we can begin to have a productive discussion on the reasons we all should be concerned over the current changes in the earth's climatic conditions.

Note that the Earth's climate has changed many times during the planet's history, with events ranging from ice ages to long periods of warmth. However, the difference between the current period of the earth’s history and the past occurrences is that human activities are significantly contributing to natural climate change through our emissions of greenhouse gases. This interference is resulting in increased air and ocean temperatures, droughts, shifting length of rainfall seasons, melting ice and snow, rising sea levels, storms, flooding and other influences.

Did you know that?

Nairobi has two rainy seasons commonly termed as long rains (March to May) and Short rains (October to December).