Liberia, Oct. 13 -- When floodwater enters a home, a farmer loses a harvest, or the sea washes away land, families suffer. Children miss school, businesses lose income, and communities struggle to recover. Climate change increases these risks. Understanding it helps us protect ourselves and our country.

By Dr. Emmanuel King Urey YarkpawoloExecutive Director, Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia

Climate change means lasting changes in the Earth's temperatures and usual weather patterns. Weather is what happens today: sunshine, rain, or wind. Climate is the pattern we expect over many years, including our rainy and dry seasons.

The Earth is warming mainly because human activities release gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Burn...