The History of Climate Change
The Earth has been through seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat in the last 650,000 years, while humans have only been around 200,000 years we can see the cycles. The last ice age ended abruptly 11, 700 years ago because of human civilization, marking the modern climate era.
The most noticeable change in our climate is the warming of the planet. Scientists believe this trend is of much significance as it is a result of human activity. They estimate it began in the mid-20th century and proceeded at an unprecedented rate over the decades.
Large technological advances from the steam engine train to cities and factories are seen for increases in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Since the late 90s, early 2000s the technology we have become dependent on today has been one of the largest reasons for sea-levels rising and pollution increasing. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
We have satellites and other technological advances allowing scientists to see the big picture by gathering many types of information about our planet and the climate.
Carbon dioxide and other gases have been seen as trapping heat since the mid-19th century. Increased levels of greenhouse gases have caused the Earth to warm in response.
The global temperature has risen about 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 70 plus years, with most occurring in the last 35 years. This is due to an increase in carbon dioxide and other human made emissions into the atmosphere. 2016 wasn’t just the warmest year on record but 8 of the 12 months were the warmest on record, as well.
This has caused oceans to warm and ice sheets to shrink across the world. The oceans have absorbed much of this increased heat, with the top 2,300 feet of ocean warming more than 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969, according to NASA. Data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment show Greenland lost an average of 286 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2016, while Antarctica lost about 127 billion tons of ice per year during the same time period. The rate of Antarctica ice mass loss has tripled in the last decade.
The most noticeable change in our climate is the warming of the planet. Scientists believe this trend is of much significance as it is a result of human activity. They estimate it began in the mid-20th century and proceeded at an unprecedented rate over the decades.
Large technological advances from the steam engine train to cities and factories are seen for increases in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Since the late 90s, early 2000s the technology we have become dependent on today has been one of the largest reasons for sea-levels rising and pollution increasing. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
We have satellites and other technological advances allowing scientists to see the big picture by gathering many types of information about our planet and the climate.
Carbon dioxide and other gases have been seen as trapping heat since the mid-19th century. Increased levels of greenhouse gases have caused the Earth to warm in response.
The global temperature has risen about 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 70 plus years, with most occurring in the last 35 years. This is due to an increase in carbon dioxide and other human made emissions into the atmosphere. 2016 wasn’t just the warmest year on record but 8 of the 12 months were the warmest on record, as well.
This has caused oceans to warm and ice sheets to shrink across the world. The oceans have absorbed much of this increased heat, with the top 2,300 feet of ocean warming more than 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969, according to NASA. Data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment show Greenland lost an average of 286 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2016, while Antarctica lost about 127 billion tons of ice per year during the same time period. The rate of Antarctica ice mass loss has tripled in the last decade.
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Glossary
Carbon Dioxide: A greenhouse gas released into the earth’s atmosphere that contributes to global warming
Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide produced due to human energy use, either individually or as a group
Climate: The average weather conditions in a large area, over a long period of time
Climate Change: Any change to the overall climate of the earth over several years
Fossil Fuels: Fuel (coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth by plant or animal remains
Glacier: A large body of ice that very slowly flows down a slope or spreads across a landscape
Global Change: The climate of the entire planet, as opposed to a specific area like your home state or country
Global Warming: The temperature of the entire planet, that is on the rise
Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and cause global warming
Methane: A powerful greenhouse gas that is found in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere. It is used as a fuel, since it is a part of natural gas.
Nitrous Oxide: A greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere from farms that apply large amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer to help crops grow.
Weather: The daily state of the atmosphere, or air in any given place
Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide produced due to human energy use, either individually or as a group
Climate: The average weather conditions in a large area, over a long period of time
Climate Change: Any change to the overall climate of the earth over several years
Fossil Fuels: Fuel (coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth by plant or animal remains
Glacier: A large body of ice that very slowly flows down a slope or spreads across a landscape
Global Change: The climate of the entire planet, as opposed to a specific area like your home state or country
Global Warming: The temperature of the entire planet, that is on the rise
Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and cause global warming
Methane: A powerful greenhouse gas that is found in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere. It is used as a fuel, since it is a part of natural gas.
Nitrous Oxide: A greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere from farms that apply large amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer to help crops grow.
Weather: The daily state of the atmosphere, or air in any given place