Think of it like this:
* Action: You drop a pebble in a pond.
* Ramifications: The ripples spreading out, affecting the surrounding water.
Here are some examples:
* "The ramifications of climate change are far-reaching and complex." This means that climate change has many serious and complicated consequences.
* "She didn't consider the ramifications of her decision." This means she didn't think about the potential consequences of her choice.
Essentially, "ramifications" are the unforeseen or long-term effects of something, both positive and negative.