Since the Industrial Revolution, when humans began using fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas to power machines and vehicles, Earth has been getting hotter.
In 2024, Earth recorded its hottest year ever, and for the first time, the planet’s average temperature went over 1.5°C (2.7°F) above normal levels. The last 10 years have also been the hottest ever recorded. A study looking at Earth’s temperature over the past 485 million years showed that when the planet heats up, it often leads to dangerous weather and mass extinctions. The same study found that temperatures have never risen as fast as they are rising today.
People often use “global warming” and “climate change” to mean the same thing. But scientists usually prefer “climate change” because it includes more than just rising temperatures. It also covers things like stronger storms, changing animal habitats, rising sea levels, and other changes caused by human activity.
What causes global warming?
Burning fossil fuels sends gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the air. These gases trap heat from the sun and stop it from escaping back into space. This is called the greenhouse effect and it’s the main cause of global warming.
Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. It comes mostly from burning fuel for energy and transport. Cutting down forests for farming or timber also releases a lot of carbon dioxide.
Methane is another greenhouse gas. It’s more powerful than carbon dioxide but doesn’t last as long in the air. It comes from sources like livestock, leaking gas pipes, and landfills. Because it acts quickly, reducing methane can have a big impact in a short time.
What are the effects of global warming?
One of the biggest concerns is how heat affects icy places like the Arctic and mountain glaciers. The Arctic is warming four times faster than other areas. This melts ice, harms animals like polar bears, and messes with weather systems around the world.
Hotter air also holds more moisture. For each degree the temperature goes up, the air holds about 7% more water. That means more floods, heavier rains, stronger hurricanes, and sometimes, even more intense snowstorms.
Scientists from around the world often come together to study these changes and write detailed reports. These reports are called IPCC reports, and they help leaders understand the impact of climate change.
Here are some of the effects:
- Coral reefs are in trouble. When ocean temperatures rise, corals lose the colorful algae they need to survive. This is called coral bleaching, and it can lead to coral death.
- Trees are dying more often due to dry conditions, which changes entire forests.
- Wildfires are becoming more common, even in places where they were once rare.
- Hurricanes are getting stronger and wetter, causing more damage. Some scientists think we might soon need a new category beyond Category 5—maybe even a Category 6.
How can we reduce global warming?
It’s possible to slow down global warming, but it’s not easy. We need to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by:
- Switching from fossil fuels to clean energy like wind and solar.
- Using more electric cars and improving public transport.
- Designing cities that are easier to walk or bike through.
Another idea gaining attention is geoengineering—changing the atmosphere to block sunlight or remove carbon dioxide. Though once seen as science fiction, it’s now being seriously discussed.
Nature also plays a big role. Forests, oceans, and wetlands absorb carbon, so protecting and restoring these areas can help.
Finally, we need to adapt. This means building homes that can handle flooding or extreme heat, and improving cooling systems for hotter days.
In the end, both prevention and preparation are key to handling climate change.