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Climate Change 101 with Bill Nye | National Geographic

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Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot make short film on the climate crisis

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Why is Earth getting warmer?

Extra greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are the main reason that Earth is getting warmer. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO ₂) and methane, trap the Sun's heat in Earth's atmosphere.

It's normal for there to be some greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. They help keep Earth warm enough to live on. But too many greenhouse gases can cause too much warming.

The burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil increase the amount of CO ₂ in our air. This happens because the burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO ₂.

It's important that we monitor CO ₂ levels, because too much CO ₂ can cause too much warming on Earth. Several NASA missions have instruments that study CO ₂ in the atmosphere.

Why does it matter that Earth's Climate is changing?

Over millions of years, Earth's climate has warmed up and cooled down many times. However, today the planet is warming much faster than it has over human history.

Global air temperatures near Earth's surface have gone up about 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the last century. In fact, the past five years have been the warmest five years in centuries.

A couple of degrees may not seem like much. However, this change can have big impacts on the health of Earth's plants and animals.

How do we know what Earth's climate was like long ago?

We know what Earth's past climate was like by studying things that have been around for a long time. For example, scientists can study what Earth's climate was like hundreds of years ago by studying the insides of trees that have been alive since then.

But if scientists want to know what Earth's climate was like hundreds of thousands to millions of years ago, they study sediment cores and ice cores. Sediment cores come from the bottoms of lakes or the ocean floor. Ice cores are drilled from deep - sometimes miles - below the surface of the ice in places like Antarctica.

A drilled ice core kind of looks like what you get if you plunge a drinking straw into a slushy drink and pull it out with your finger over the end of the straw.

The layers in an ice core are frozen solid. These layers of ice give clues about every year of Earth's history back to the time the deepest layer was formed. The ice contains bubbles of the air from each year. Scientists analyze the bubbles in each layer to see how much CO ₂ they contain.

Scientists can also use ice cores to learn about the temperatures for each year. As snow accumulates onto a growing glacier, the temperature of the air imprints onto the water molecules in the ice.

Scientists who use trees, ice cores, and lake and ocean sediment to study Earth's climate are called paleoclimatologists. They look at all of these sources of information and compare their findings to see if they match up. If they do, then their findings are accepted as being most likely true. If the findings don't agree, the scientists do more studies and collect more information.

In the case of Earth's climate history, the results from many different kinds of studies agree.

How can so little warming cause so much melting?

It takes a lot of energy to warm up water. However, the oceans do absorb heat, and they do get warmer. This warmer water causes sea ice to begin to melt in the Arctic.

Information from NASA's Earth satellites shows us that every summer, some Arctic ice melts and shrinks, getting smallest by September. Then, when winter comes, the ice grows again. But since 1979, the September ice has been getting smaller and smaller and thinner and thinner. So, just a small amount of warming can have a huge effect over several years.

Arctic Sea Ice Each September From 1979-2018

Glaciers are another form of melting, shrinking ice. Glaciers are like frozen rivers. They flow over land like rivers, only they move much slower. Warmer temperatures cause them to flow more quickly. Many of them flow toward the ocean, breaking into huge chunks that fall into the water.

What does sea level tell us about climate change?

More glaciers are melting into the ocean, and the global sea level is rising. Sea level rise is another clue that tells us Earth's climate is getting warmer. But melting ice is not the only cause of rising sea levels. As the ocean gets warmer, the water actually expands! Scientists have observed that the sea level has risen 7 inches in the last 100 years.

To learn more about how we know Earth's climate is changing, visit the "Evidence" page on the NASA Climate website.

Related Resources for Educators

Story Map: Sea Ice Extent and the Earth System

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We know Earth's climate is changing because of the evidence scientists have collected over many years.

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For Earth Day, we're discovering how the tiny, adorable pika is helping scientists study climate change! Temperatures in their mountain habitat are getting warmer, and rain and snow isn't as predictable as it used to be. Scientists have discovered that the number of pikas in certain areas are shrinking - or even disappearing. But some populations are doing just fine. A scientist named Pika Jo wants to find out why. An unexpected disaster leads her to a surprising discovery.

To find out more about pikas and climate change, check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog!

Has Tumble contributed something meaningful to your family? Please consider pledging to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. It makes a huge difference in making it possible for us to do the show, and we're planning even more awesome stuff for the future! Our Patrons are the first to know - and, you get access to all the educational materials in our teacher store! Pledge today.

Want more Earth Day podcasts? Check out eco-themed episodes from our Kids Listen friends What If World, Ear Snacks, Cool Facts about Animals, Little Stories for Tiny People, and Wow in the World! Find them on the Kids Listen app at app.kidslisten.org.

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Tumble Science Podcast for Kids - The Power of Pika Scientists - 14:43

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For Earth Day, we're discovering how the tiny, adorable pika is helping scientists study climate change! Temperatures in their mountain habitat are getting warmer, and rain and snow isn't as predictable as it used to be. Scientists have discovered that the number of pikas in certain areas are shrinking - or even disappearing.

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Get to know what’s good and bad using these cards.

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Super Science
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Climate change is a complicated topic. These stories help explain what's going on.

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Research about Redwoods & Weather Stations from UC-Berkeley

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Research about Redwoods & Weather Stations from UC-Berkeley

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Inspire your students with thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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The strongest and most consistent winds are found in the jet stream as high as 30,000 feet above the earth. In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about the benefits and challenges of wind energy. In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about the similarities and differences between conventional and airborne wind turbines. Also, explore the benefits and challenges of wind energy.

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Inspire your students with thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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climate change: The change in long-term weather patterns; changes can cause warmer or colder temperatures; annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.

global warming: Refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate; a warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.

greenhouse effect: The effect produced as greenhouse gases allow energy from the sun to pass through the Earth's atmosphere, but prevent most of the outgoing heat from the surface and lower atmosphere from escaping into outer space.

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How Does Climate Change Affect Biodiversity?

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How Does Climate Change Affect Biodiversity?

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In a few sentences, describe some of the impacts that global change in temperature is expected to have on biodiversity.
Drop your paragraphs HERE

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How does climate change affect biodiversity?

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Speaking Out for Earth Earth Science Article for Students | Scholastic SuperScience Magazine

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Kids around the world are demanding action on climate change

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Climate Fighter Earth Science Article for Students | Scholastic SuperScience Magazine

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This 10-year-old is taking the United States government to court over the environment

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Earth's climate is changing at an rate. As a result, storms and are becoming more intense. Temperatures are rising. Polar ice caps are melting. This is causing oceans to rise. Low coastal areas are flooding. Animals are losing their habitats. Scientists are sounding the alarm: If we don't make changes to halt global warming, the planet's climate will become increasingly unbearable.

Climate, unlike weather, describes long-term patterns in the conditions of the . Earth's climate as a whole has changed several times throughout history. In the past 650,000 years alone, there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat. Most of these changes are a natural part of Earth's 4.5 billion-year history. They are due to tiny variations in the Earth's orbit, which alter the amount of solar energy reaching the planet.

Scientists say that recent changes in Earth's climate are not due to natural causes. According to NASA, 97% of climate scientists agree there is a direct connection between human activity and the changes occurring on our planet.

TAYLOR WEIDMAN-BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

The Human Impact

Over the past 150 years, humans have used more and more engines, vehicles, and other machines. These devices burn through fossil fuels like coal and oil. Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases.

Normally, plants, trees, and the oceans absorb carbon dioxide and release it back into the atmosphere as oxygen. But an increase in fossil fuels has created more carbon dioxide than nature can take in. Adding to the problem are other human activities. Deforestation and the destruction of habitats also reduce the number of trees and plants. That makes it even harder to absorb all that carbon dioxide.

When too much carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere, it causes problems for Earth's climate. Sunlight can pass through those gases. But the heat the sun generates cannot escape back out into space. So the gases end up trapping that heat. This then turns the planet into a giant greenhouse.

This greenhouse effect leads to changes in the climate, like increased temperatures. Average temperatures across the planet have not been increasing uniformly. But scientists observe a clear upward trend. Sixteen of the 17 warmest years ever recorded have occurred since 2001.

Scientists believe that climate change will have an impact far greater than milder winters and warmer summers. A warmer planet melts glaciers and other large bodies of ice faster than usual. Earth's glaciers help cool the planet. This means that as ice melts, temperatures will continue to rise. Rising sea levels, flooding, and stronger weather events will occur. And as the planet gets hotter, some places will become uninhabitable for people and animals.

These effects are already being felt around the world. Melting polar ice caps are causing huge chunks of ice to fall into the oceans. The melting ice is causing sea levels to rise about an eighth of an inch per year. That's according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many coastal areas are in danger of flooding. Some scientists predict that if sea levels continue to rise at current rates, entire cities may be submerged in the next 100 years.

In warm, dry regions, increased temperatures are causing severe drought. This leads to wildfires, food shortages, and water insecurity. Global warming has also led to coral bleaching of nearly two-thirds of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The corals provide a habitat for nearly 1,500 different species of fish. This loss of sea life also affects the hundreds of millions of humans who rely on marine creatures for food.

Climate change is also creating more extreme weather events. This puts people and in danger. Scientists believe that global warming is responsible for hurricanes of greater intensity. Other results of global warming include more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, blizzards, and rainstorms.

CHRIS SEWARD-RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER/TNS/GETTY IMAGES

Taking Action

Governments, companies, and individuals are working to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. Countries are joining to fight climate change and its effects. Innovators are working to create Earth-friendly fuels and power sources. And more and more people are using electric and hybrid vehicles. They are also turning to wind and solar power for alternative energy sources.

But humans still need to deal with the large amount of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. One solution being tested is called carbon sequestration. Through this process, carbon dioxide can be captured and stored underground before it goes into the atmosphere. Another proposal is to store carbon by planting more trees-nature's carbon trap.

Time will tell the true impact that climate change has on Earth. But how humans respond and adapt to a warming planet will set the course for years to come.

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Earth's climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. As a result, storms and droughts are becoming more intense. Temperatures are rising. Polar ice caps are melting. This is causing oceans to rise. Low coastal areas are flooding. Animals are losing...

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A polar bear walks along a rocky shore, looking for food. The bear would usually be on the sea ice hunting for seals, pouncing when the seal comes up to breathe. But the ice has started to melt earlier and re-form later than it has in the past. Without the sea ice, the polar bear must scavenge for other, less nutritious food.

These changes in polar sea ice are a result of climate change. But this isn't just affecting polar bears-climate change affects everyone.

What is climate change?

Weather changes day to day-sometimes it rains, other days it's hot. Climate is the pattern of the weather conditions over a long period of time for a large area. And climate can be affected by Earth's atmosphere.

Our Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere made up of gases. When sunlight enters our atmosphere, some of the sun's heat is trapped by the gas, and some bounces back out into space. By trapping that heat, our atmosphere keeps Earth warm enough to live on. Without it, our planet would be very cold, like Mars.

Earth's climate has always naturally cycled through change, caused by how much of the sun's energy was absorbed by the atmosphere. In fact over the past 650,000 years, the Earth has gone through seven ice ages and warming periods.

What's different now?

But during the past few hundred years, oil, gas, and coal have powered homes, cars, and factories. These energy sources release a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This gas traps heat that would otherwise escape Earth's atmosphere. That increases Earth's temperature, which contributes to the planet's warming.

That's why many scientists agree that the Earth is now warming because of human activity. How do they know? Through careful study, they know that the climate is warming about 10 times faster than the average previous warming times. They've also ruled out the natural factors that caused warming in the past.

The Earth's average temperature has increased about 1.5°F in the past hundred years. It doesn't sound like much, but scientists think that the temperature increase has caused melting glaciers, drought, and coral reef die-off. (Coral can't survive in water that's too warm.) They expect the climate will warm another .5°F to 8.6°F by the year 2100.

What could happen?

Climate change affects more than temperature. Warmer water changes the patterns of ocean currents, affecting global weather patterns.

Some places will receive more rainfall, which could lead to flooding, while other places will get less, which might mean drought. Tropical storms could be stronger, and a continuing rise in sea level due to melting polar ice might push people out of their homes.

Hundreds of plant and animal species have already experienced changes because of climate change. The American pika, for example, is a small mammal that lives in cool mountainous areas in western North America-in fact, it can die when exposed to temperatures warmer than 78˚F. So as the mountain climate heats up, the pika climbs the slopes in search of cooler habitat. But what happens when temperatures at the top become too warm for the pika?

Other species will benefit from a warmer world-but in some cases that would be bad news for humans. Because disease-carrying mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet weather, more people could contract illnesses such as malaria as the Earth warms.

What can we do about it?

You can do a lot! It's simple to make a difference to keep the Earth healthy. Try some of these tips to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you add to the atmosphere.

Instead of traveling in a car, use public transportation, walk, or ride your bike when you can. Biking or walking 10 miles each day instead of riding in a car can save up to 1.9 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year.

Reduce and reuse things as much as possible. Factories emit lots of carbon dioxide when making new products. (Buying products that are made with recycled glass and plastic also emits carbon dioxide, though less so.) Fix your appliances and clothes instead of buying new products. Good thing holey jeans are back in style!

Wash your clothes in cold water, and hang them to dry.

Electronics use energy even when they're turned off, so unplug them when you're not using them. It could save your family about $200 a year on its energy bill.

Eat less meat and dairy. Farm animals, er, emit another heat-trapping gas, methane. And some studies have found that livestock account for about half of the world's heat-trapping gas emissions.

Buy locally grown and in-season foods and products to reduce emissions from transporting products.

Wear a warm sweater at home in the winter instead of turning up the heat, and open your windows instead of blasting the air conditioning in the summer.

Talk to your parents and the other adults that you know about climate change. Send a letter or drawing to your mayor, Senate or House representative, or even to the president. These leaders can vote to regulate and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Your everyday actions affect people, plants, and animals all over the world-including polar bears! So be cool by doing your best to keep Earth well ... cool!

Climate: The average pattern of weather conditions over a long period of time. Climate isn't weather-weather changes daily.

Global warming: The increate in Earth's average temperature over a long period of time

Carbon dioxide: A gas released by the burning of coal, natural gas, oil, and wood that traps heat in the atmosphere

Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide one human releases into the environment in a year

Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas, which come from the breakdown of ancient plants and animals over millions of years

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What is climate change? What could happen? Get all the facts you need to know.