Climates have changed throughout Earth's history and will continue to change indefinitely. While some changes are brief, lasting only a few decades, others can plunge much of the planet into an icy wasteland or a steaming tropical jungle for hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years. Many factors contribute to both short- and long-term changes within the atmosphere, and scientists continue to study the agents that impat the changing conditions of Earth's climate. Changing Climates helps readers gain a better understanding of climate and the global warming issue by explaining how the atmosphere works, how and why climates have changed in the past, and the consequences of climate change.