Climate change is a process that has changed the Earth’s weather patterns over the past few centuries. It’s a complex issue that impacts people, ecosystems, and agriculture.
Many factors can cause the Earth to warm and cool, including the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the amount of energy from the sun, and changes in ocean circulation. The warming that has taken place in recent decades is caused by human emissions of heat-trapping gases.
Since the end of the last ice age, the Earth has warmed by a large amount. Some of the most important changes have occurred in the late 20th century. There has been more wildfire activity and forest dieoff. Additionally, floods and storm surges have become more frequent. These effects pose major threats to people and ecosystems.
For the past two hundred years, humans have been emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than ever before. This is due to the burning of fossil fuels. Human-made emissions of this gas are also contributing to the melting of ice sheets and lake ice.
Increasing levels of CO2 in the air are making the earth warmer. It also helps the ocean absorb more heat. Warmer air contains more moisture. As a result, plants and trees have bloomed earlier. And, in some cases, plants and trees have begun to thrive in areas that were once considered too cold to support life.
In recent years, people have noticed that climate change has created extreme conditions. For example, hotter temperatures are causing the previously frozen ground in Siberia to melt. Heat waves have always occurred, but have become much more intense in the past few years.
One of the biggest causes of climate change is the human population. People living in poorer countries have fewer resources to cope with changes in weather. They also have less time to evacuate and recover after disasters. Because of their lower income, people in these countries are more likely to live in places that are warmer.
More recently, scientists have used Earth-orbiting satellites to study the big picture. This has allowed them to see that the warming happening since the mid-20th century is unprecedented over millennia. However, it will take a great deal of investment to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, the agreed-upon target for the world. An investment of between $4 trillion and $60 trillion would be necessary to reach that goal.
Other factors that contribute to climate change include changes in solar and volcanic activity. Sea level rise is also a threat. During high tides, streets can flood. When water reaches the surface, it becomes harder for animals to find food and water.
If you’re concerned about climate change, you might want to consider moving to a less dense area. That way, you’ll have more space to shelter from rain and snow. Also, you’ll have a better chance of escaping an earthquake or hurricane before it strikes.
Those in developing countries will be largely impacted by climate change. While they’ve historically emitted less greenhouse gases than other parts of the world, their reliance on natural resources is increasing.