Global Warming
Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet caused by an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere (IPCC, 2013). These gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space, making the Earth's surface warmer (IPCC, 2013).
The main cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas (IPCC, 2013). When we burn these fuels, we release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air (IPCC, 2013). Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means that it traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere and makes the planet warmer (IPCC, 2013).
Over the past century, the burning of fossil fuels has caused the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere to increase significantly (IPCC, 2013). This increase in carbon dioxide is the main driver of global warming (IPCC, 2013).
The evidence for global warming is overwhelming (IPCC, 2013). The Earth's average temperature has risen by about 1.4°F (0.8°C) over the past century, and the rate of warming has accelerated in recent decades (IPCC, 2013). The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1998 (NOAA, 2020).
The effects of global warming are already being felt around the world (IPCC, 2013). Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense (IPCC, 2013), and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts are becoming more common (IPCC, 2013). These events can have devastating impacts on communities, including loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption (IPCC, 2013).
Global warming also has serious long-term consequences (IPCC, 2013). As the Earth's temperature rises, sea levels will rise as well (IPCC, 2013). This is because warmer water expands, and because melting ice caps and glaciers will add more water to the oceans (IPCC, 2013). Rising sea levels can lead to coastal flooding, which can damage property and infrastructure and displace communities (IPCC, 2013).
The good news is that we can take action to reduce global warming and its impacts (IPCC, 2013). One important way to reduce global warming is to transition to clean, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power (IPCC, 2013). This will help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the air and slow the rate of warming (IPCC, 2013). We can also reduce our carbon footprint by using energy more efficiently, driving fuel-efficient cars, and conserving natural resources (IPCC, 2013).
It's important to act now to reduce global warming (IPCC, 2013). The longer we wait, the harder it will be to reverse the damage that has been done and the more severe the impacts of global warming will become (IPCC, 2013). By taking action now, we can create a better, healthier, and more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come (IPCC, 2013).
References:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2013). Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2020). State of the Climate: Global Analysis for Annual Summary. Retrieved from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/202012.