What’s Causing Our Planet to Heat Up?

Ever noticed how hot it gets inside a parked car on a sunny day? That’s because the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping heat from the sun. And as we pump more of those gases into the air, the planet keeps getting warmer. Let’s explore what’s behind this climate change crisis.

The Greenhouse Effect Gone Overboard

The “greenhouse effect” is actually a good thing in moderation. Certain gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide and methane, allow sunlight to pass through but trap some of the heat radiated back from the Earth’s surface. This natural warming is what makes our planet habitable.

However, human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy, cutting down forests, and raising livestock have dramatically increased the levels of greenhouse gases. It’s like wrapping our planet in a thick, cozy blanket - great for staying warm, but not so great when it gets sweltering hot.

Connecting the Dots

So how do we know human activities are the main driver of climate change? Scientists have been studying this for decades, and the evidence is overwhelming:

• Temperatures have risen about 1.1°C (2°F) globally since the late 19th century, with most of that warming occurring in the last few decades.
• Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, have increased by over 40% since the Industrial Revolution, mainly due to burning fossil fuels.
• Arctic sea ice and glaciers around the world are melting at an alarming rate, consistent with a warming planet.

Surprising Climate Change Facts

1. The oceans are absorbing a lot of the extra heat. About 90% of the warming caused by human activities is being absorbed by the oceans, leading to rising sea levels and more intense storms.

2. Climate change is making some areas greener. While this may sound like a good thing, it’s often due to shifts in vegetation patterns that can disrupt ecosystems.

3. Ancient air bubbles trapped in ice cores reveal that current CO2 levels are higher than they’ve been in at least 800,000 years. This rapid change is unprecedented in Earth’s recent history.

A Warmer Future?

The consequences of climate change are already being felt around the world, from more extreme weather events to shifting habitats and food insecurity. But the future isn’t set in stone - by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the changes already underway, we can still mitigate the worst impacts.

Learn More

• The Greenhouse Effect: How certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet.
• Fossil Fuels and Climate Change: The role of burning coal, oil, and natural gas in increasing greenhouse gas levels.
• Climate Change Impacts: How a warming planet affects ecosystems, weather patterns, and human societies.