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Global warming is happening now, and scientists are confident that greenhouse gases are responsible. To understand what this means for humanity, it is necessary to understand what global warming is, how scientists know it's happening, and how they predict future climate.

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Global warming is happening now, and scientists are confident that greenhouse gases are responsible. To understand what this means for humanity, it is necessary to understand what global warming is, how scientists know it's happening, and how they predict future climate.

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Global warming is caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation and farming.

Burning fossil fuels

When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to create electricity or power our cars, we release CO ₂ pollution into the atmosphere.

Australians are big producers of CO ₂ pollution compared to the rest of the world. Our level of CO ₂ pollution per person is nearly double the average of other developed nations and more than four times the world average.

Electricity generation is the main cause of carbon pollution in Australia because 73% of our electricity comes from burning coal and 13% from burning gas . The remaining 14% comes from renewable energy sources like hydro, solar and wind, which do not emit carbon pollution .

Reducing the amount of electricity generated from coal and gas, and increasing the amount of electricity from clean, renewable energy sources like solar and wind, means less carbon pollution is emitted. This is one of the main ways we can address global warming.

A large coal power station in the UK with barbed wire in the foreground © Global Warming Images / WWF

Deforestation

Plants play an important role in regulating the climate because they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen back into it. Forests and bushland act as carbon sinks and are a valuable means of keeping global warming to 1.5°C.

But humans clear vast areas of vegetation around the world for farming, urban and infrastructure development or to sell tree products like timber and palm oil. When vegetation is removed or burnt, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO ₂, contributing to global warming. Up to one-fifth of global greenhouse gas pollution comes from deforestation and forest degradation.

Preventing deforestation as well as planting trees, through reforestation and afforestation, are important actions in the fight against global warming.

A huge peat swap is burnt in Indonesia © WWF-Indonesia / Samsul Komar

Farming

Animals, particularly livestock like sheep and cattle, produce methane, a greenhouse gas. When livestock are grazed at a large scale, as in Australia, the amount of methane produced is a big contributor to global warming.

Some fertilisers that farmers use also release nitrous oxide, which is another greenhouse gas.

Australian farming contributes 16% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Using different fertilisers and different stock feeds can help to reduce farming's contribution to climate change.

Cows gather around a 4WD on a farm © Monique Isenheim / WWF-Aus

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Global warming is caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation and farming. Burning fossil fuels When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to create electricity or power our cars, we release CO 2 pollution into the atmosphere. Australians are big producers of CO 2 pollution compared to the rest of the world.

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TheWorldCounts, 22 March, 2014

Are we using up more than what is available?

Our current global population is 7.2 billion and growing. (1) Earth's total resources are only good for 2 billion people at the current demand. Let's do the math, and it is obvious that the result is a negative.

The way we're living, we are already using 2 to 3 times more of the Earth's natural resources than what is sustainable. If we do not act now, we will see the consequences of depletion of natural resources - and it's not going to be pretty. A desolate, dry Earth is not a fun place to live.

Our Natural Resources are running out

What are the top 3 natural resources being depleted and what are the consequences?

1. Water

What will we drink without water?

Only 2.5% of the world's total water volume is fresh water. Of that 2.5%, 70% is frozen (2).

The depletion of our water resources is more serious that the current oil depletion. There are substitutes for oil but nothing can replace our drinking water.

70% of the available fresh water that remains in used in agriculture, 20% in industry and only 10% is being used for human consumption. (3)

Causes: Increased irrigation, increased use in agriculture, roads and infrastructure prevent water seepage in the soil, rising temperatures

Consequences: Drinking water shortage. Food Shortage. Famine.

2. Oil

Nothing can be moved, manufactured, transported, built, planted, mined or harvested without the liquid fuels that we get from petroleum.

Oil reserves are a non-renewable resource

Oil accounts for 40% of all energy we use (4)

EIA's International Energy Outlook 2013 shows that we have enough Oil to last for 25 years.

Efforts are underway to develop cheaper and more sustainable energy such as solar power, wind power and other forms of renewable energy that can replace oil and fossil fuel.

Causes: Industrial boom. Increased population. Wastage.

Consequences: Less Transportation. Smaller economies. Higher prices. Possibly help push the transition to green energy with reduced CO2 emissions and pollution!

3. Forests

Imagine a world without trees.

An estimated 18 million acres of forests are destroyed each year.

Half of the world's forest has been cleared.

Deforestation contributes 12 to 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. (5)

Trees absorb greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide.

They produce the oxygen we breathe.

Forests are the habitats of millions of species.

Causes: Urbanization, Illegal logging, Agriculture, Subsistence Farming.

Consequences: Soil erosion, Global Warming caused by the rise of greenhouse gases- Extinction of species and loss of biodiversity. Flooding and drought.

You can make a big difference

It may seem like there is nothing you can do as an individual to stop the factors that are depleting our natural resources. But you can do something. If every person contributed to the conservation of our natural resources and reducing their CO2 emissions footprint, we can make a difference.

Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by buying energy efficient appliances.

Cycle, walk or use public transportation whenever possible.

Save trees by going paperless or by using only recycled products.

Plant a tree wherever you can.

Participate in tree conservation projects.

Turn of all appliances when not in use.

Conserve Electricity

Fix leaky faucets and use recycled water for flushing your toilet.

Stop polluting the ocean.

Harvest rainwater when you can. You can use it for cleaning or watering your plants.

References

1. Wikipedia: List of Countries by Population

2. The Guardian: The six natural resources most drained by our 7 billion people

3. FAO.org: Depletion of Fresh Water Resources

4. Oil Depletion: One of the most important problems of the world

5. Live Science: Facts, Causes & Effects

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Consequences of Depletion of Natural Resources

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TheWorldCounts, 22 March, 2014 Our current global population is 7.2 billion and growing. (1) Earth's total resources are only good for 2 billion people at the current demand. Let's do the math, and it is obvious that the result is a negative.

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We're in a climate emergency and the oil, gas, and coal industry is to blame.

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A: Since the Industrial Revolution, the global annual temperature has increased in total by a little more than 1 degree Celsius, or about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Between 1880-the year that accurate recordkeeping began-and 1980, it rose on average by 0.07 degrees Celsius (0.13 degrees Fahrenheit) every 10 years. Since 1981, however, the rate of increase has more than doubled: For the last 40 years, we've seen the global annual temperature rise by 0.18 degrees Celsius, or 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit, per decade.

The result? A planet that has never been hotter. Nine of the 10 warmest years since 1880 have occurred since 2005-and the 5 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2015. Climate change deniers have argued that there has been a "pause" or a "slowdown" in rising global temperatures, but numerous studies, including a 2018 paper published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, have disproved this claim. The impacts of global warming are already harming people around the world.

What causes global warming?

A: Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO ₂) and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth's surface. Normally this radiation would escape into space, but these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. These heat-trapping pollutants-specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic fluorinated gases-are known as greenhouse gases, and their impact is called the greenhouse effect.

How is global warming linked to extreme weather?

A: Scientists agree that the earth's rising temperatures are fueling longer and hotter heat waves, more frequent droughts, heavier rainfall, and more powerful hurricanes.

In 2015, for example, scientists concluded that a lengthy drought in California-the state's worst water shortage in 1,200 years-had been intensified by 15 to 20 percent by global warming. They also said the odds of similar droughts happening in the future had roughly doubled over the past century. And in 2016, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine announced that we can now confidently attribute some extreme weather events, like heat waves, droughts, and heavy precipitation, directly to climate change.

The impacts of global warming are being felt everywhere. Extreme heat waves have caused tens of thousands of deaths around the world in recent years. And in an alarming sign of events to come, Antarctica has lost nearly four trillion metric tons of ice since the 1990s. The rate of loss could speed up if we keep burning fossil fuels at our current pace, some experts say, causing sea levels to rise several meters in the next 50 to 150 years and wreaking havoc on coastal communities worldwide.

What are the other effects of global warming?

A: Each year scientists learn more about the consequences of global warming, and each year we also gain new evidence of its devastating impact on people and the planet. As the heat waves, droughts, and floods associated with climate change become more frequent and more intense, communities suffer and death tolls rise. If we're unable to reduce our emissions, scientists believe that climate change could lead to the deaths of more than 250,000 people around the globe every year and force 100 million people into poverty by 2030.

Global warming is already taking a toll on the United States. And if we aren't able to get a handle on our emissions, here's just a smattering of what we can look forward to:

Disappearing glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages and continue to increase the risk of wildfires in the American West.

Rising sea levels will lead to even more coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard, especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.

Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy downpours, and increased flooding. All of these can damage or destroy agriculture and fisheries.

Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and animal species to extinction.

Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more common due to increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and mosquitoes.

Though everyone is affected by climate change, not everyone is affected equally. Indigenous people, people of color, and the economically marginalized are typically hit the hardest. Inequities built into our housing, health care, and labor systems make these communities more vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change-even though these same communities have done the least to contribute to it.

Where does the United States stand in terms of global-warming contributors?

A: In recent years, China has taken the lead in global-warming pollution, producing about 26 percent of all CO2 emissions. The United States comes in second. Despite making up just 4 percent of the world's population, our nation produces a sobering 13 percent of all global CO2 emissions-nearly as much as the European Union and India (third and fourth place) combined. And America is still number one, by far, in cumulative emissions over the past 150 years. As a top contributor to global warming, the United States has an obligation to help propel the world to a cleaner, safer, and more equitable future. Our responsibility matters to other countries, and it should matter to us, too.

Is the United States doing anything to prevent global warming?

A: We've started. But in order to avoid the worsening effects of climate change, we need to do a lot more-together with other countries-to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and transition to clean energy sources.

Despite the lack of cooperation from the Trump administration, local and state governments made great strides during this period through efforts like the American Cities Climate Challenge and ongoing collaborations like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Meanwhile, industry and business leaders have been working with the public sector, creating and adopting new clean-energy technologies and increasing energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and industrial processes. Today the American automotive industry is finding new ways to produce cars and trucks that are more fuel efficient and is committing itself to putting more and more zero-emission electric vehicles on the road. Developers, cities, and community advocates are coming together to make sure that new affordable housing is built with efficiency in mind, reducing energy consumption and lowering electric and heating bills for residents. And renewable energy continues to surge as the costs associated with its production and distribution keep falling. In 2020 renewable energy sources such as wind and solar provided more electricity than coal for the very first time in U.S. history.

Is global warming too big a problem for me to help tackle?

A: No! While we can't win the fight without large-scale government action at the national level, we also can't do it without the help of individuals who are willing to use their voices, hold government and industry leaders to account, and make changes in their daily habits.

Wondering how you can be a part of the fight against global warming? Reduce your own carbon footprint by taking a few easy steps: Make conserving energy a part of your daily routine and your decisions as a consumer. When you shop for new appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers, look for products with the government's ENERGY STAR ® label; they meet a higher standard for energy efficiency than the minimum federal requirements. When you buy a car, look for one with the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions. You can also reduce your emissions by taking public transportation or carpooling when possible.

And while new federal and state standards are a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done. Voice your support of climate-friendly and climate change preparedness policies, and tell your representatives that equitably transitioning from dirty fossil fuels to clean power should be a top priority-because it's vital to building healthy, more secure communities.

You don't have to go it alone, either. Movements across the country are showing how climate action can build community, be led by those on the front lines of its impacts, and create a future that's equitable and just for all.

This story was originally published on March 11, 2016 and has been updated with new information and links.

This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as grammar); you can't resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you can't republish our material wholesale or automatically-you need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should to let us know when you've used one of our stories.

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What is global warming? Global warming causes, effects, extreme weather, facts, and relation to climate change.

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The smoke is brown, and the text is uh... just text.

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We made a padlet together and put all of our research in it.
https://padlet.com/vongc1/globalwarming

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My buddy gave me feedback, although I hope next time it could be a bit more detailed. It went well, except I didn't have my exhibition journal. I managed to show everything in time. I felt fine about my presentation. Next time I could be a bit more planned....

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I think it is good. I noticed that you linked all of your sources. Find out more on the websites
- Lehar

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Goal: 海報，段，模型

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There is a bug called the "PINE BEETLE". Global Warming is useful to it, and so it eats the forest and all the trees. Pine Beetles need the global warming to survive, then they go and kill all the trees. But we want to save the trees and get rid of the Pine Beetles, right? So we must stop the Global Warming! It will save the world and get rid of the Pine Beetles!

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My inquiry is Global Warming, and I am focusing on how the icebergs are melting.

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https://www.outsideonline.com/2229726/these-artists-are-trying-make-climate-change-feel-visceral
I like how these artists used a lot of creativity to spread their message. Some of them painted icebergs collapsing, just like in real life. Others used objects to represent their messages and put them in a place where the picture would make sense.

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Stop Global Warming! The smoke is RED because it is bad for the environment. (Also because there was no grey!)

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What If All The Ice Melted On Earth? ft. Bill Nye

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2016 was the hottest year on record!

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Global Warming | #aumsum #kids #science #education #children

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1. Carbon Dioxide (Co2)
2. Methane (CH4)
3. Nitrous Oxide (N20)

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Carbon Dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years

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https://climate.nasa.gov/

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1. Dr. Kathleen Miller
2. Richard Armstrong

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Global Warming 101 | National Geographic

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1. What do people do to cause global warming?
2. And why is it warming?
3. How can we prevent this from happening?

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Global Goals
Goal 13 (Climate Action)