The Earth is experiencing a significant increase in temperature due to the build-up of atmospheric greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat radiated by the Sun, causing the planet’s temperature to rise. This warming is commonly referred to as global warming or climate change, though scientists increasingly use the term human-caused climate change.
The human cause of climate change is mainly the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. This releases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere which absorbs and retains the energy radiated by the sun. This excess heat raises the global average temperature.
Previously, the balance between the natural sources and sinks of these gases was fairly stable, but with the growing industrialization of the world population, the amount of greenhouse gases released exceeded natural processes. As a result, the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere has risen significantly since the late 1800s.
These excess greenhouse gases cause many environmental changes, including a reduction in the snow cover and ice sheets, ocean acidification, sea level rise, intensified storms and droughts, changing temperatures of land and water, altered vegetation patterns, and shortened hibernation times for mammals. The changes are affecting human life, too. For example, warmer temperatures have shifted the ranges of disease-causing mosquitoes in some areas, including those that carry malaria.
Various efforts are being made to prevent global warming and protect the environment, especially for vulnerable people around the world. Some of these include the enactment of laws and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as encouraging people to conserve energy.
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