GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is the ongoing rise of the average temperature of the Earth's climate system.It  is a major aspect of climate change which, in addition to rising global surface temperatures,  also includes its effects, such as changes in precipitation. While there have been prehistoric  periods of global warming, observed changes since the mid-20th century have been  unprecedented in rate and scale.

Observed temperature from NASA vs the 1850–1900 average as a pre-industrial baseline. The  primary driver for increased global temperatures in the industrial era is human activity, with  natural forces adding variability.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that "human influence on  climate has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century". These  findings have been recognized by the national science academies of major nations and are not  disputed by any scientific body of national or international standing.The largest human  influence has been the emission of greenhouse gases, with over 90% of the impact from carbon  dioxide and methane. Fossil fuel burning is the principal source of these gases, with agricultural  emissions and deforestation also playing significant roles. Climate sensitivity to these gases is  affected by feedbacks, such as loss of snow cover, increased water vapour, and melting  permafrost.

Land surfaces are heating faster than the ocean surface, leading to heat waves, wildfires, and  the expansion of deserts. Increasing atmospheric energy and rates of evaporation are causing  more intense storms and weather extremes, damaging infrastructure and agriculture.Surface  temperature increases are greatest in the Arctic and have contributed to the retreat of glaciers,  permafrost, and sea ice. Environmental impacts include the extinction or relocation of many  species as their ecosystems change, most immediately in coral reefs, mountains, and the Arctic.  Surface temperatures would stabilize and decline a little if emissions were cut off, but other  impacts will continue for centuries, including rising sea levels from melting ice sheets, rising  ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification from elevated levels of carbon dioxide.


GLOBAL WARMING Global warming is the ongoing rise of the average temperature of the Earth 's climate system . It is a major aspect of climate change which , in addition to rising global surface temperatures , also includes its effects , such as changes in precipitation . While there have been prehistoric periods of global warming , observed changes since the mid-20th century have been unprecedented in rate and scale . Observed temperature from NASA vs the 1850–1900 average as a pre - industrial baseline . The primary driver for increased global temperatures in the industrial era is human activity , with natural forces adding variability . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) concluded that " human influence on climate has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century " . These findings have been recognized by the national science academies of major nations and are not disputed by any scientific body of national or international standing . The largest human influence has been the emission of greenhouse gases , with over 90 % of the impact from carbon dioxide and methane . Fossil fuel burning is the principal source of these gases , with agricultural emissions and deforestation also playing significant roles . Climate sensitivity to these gases is affected by feedbacks , such as loss of snow cover , increased water vapour , and melting permafrost . Land surfaces are heating faster than the ocean surface , leading to heat waves , wildfires , and the expansion of deserts . Increasing atmospheric energy and rates of evaporation are causing more intense storms and weather extremes , damaging infrastructure and agriculture . Surface temperature increases are greatest in the Arctic and have contributed to the retreat of glaciers , permafrost , and sea ice . Environmental impacts include the extinction or relocation of many species as their ecosystems change , most immediately in coral reefs , mountains , and the Arctic . Surface temperatures would stabilize and decline a little if emissions were cut off , but other impacts will continue for centuries , including rising sea levels from melting ice sheets , rising ocean temperatures , and ocean acidification from elevated levels of carbon dioxide .