Causes and Impacts of Global Warming
Global warming is the long-term increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This warming has resulted in various impacts on the environment, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes, as well as changes in precipitation patterns, biodiversity loss, and impacts on human health and food security.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific body established by the United Nations, has warned that urgent and significant actions are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which would require reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by around 45% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Failure to address global warming could have severe and irreversible consequences for human societies and ecosystems around the world
10 key facts about global warming
- Global warming is the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system, caused by greenhouse gas emissions. |
- The scientific consensus is that global warming is primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. |
- The Earth’s temperature has already risen by about 1°C (1.8°F) since pre-industrial times and is projected to rise by another 1.5°C (2.7°F) to 4.5°C (8.1°F) by the end of this century. |
- The consequences of global warming include more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding, as well as rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and the loss of biodiversity. |
- The Arctic is particularly sensitive to global warming and has already experienced some of the most rapid warming on Earth, leading to melting sea ice, thawing permafrost, and changes in ecosystems. |
- Global warming is exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities, with the poorest and most vulnerable populations being most affected by its impacts. |
- Mitigating global warming requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of policies, technologies, and behavioral changes. |
- The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (2.7°F). |
- Despite international efforts to address global warming, emissions are still rising in many countries, and urgent action is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. |
- Individuals can take action to reduce their carbon footprint and support climate solutions, such as reducing energy consumption, driving less, eating a plant-based diet, and advocating for climate policies and investments.