What is global warming?
What is global warming?
Some gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the Sun — these are known as greenhouse gases. Without them, life as we know it wouldn't exist. But their concentration in the atmosphere is rising — and that means temperatures are rising, too. This phenomenon is known as global warming.
Two of the most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane — although there are a range of other gases that contribute to warming. Find out more about rising temperatures and predicting global warming on the UK weather 2080 site.
Why is it happening now?
Although greenhouse gases are present in the atmosphere naturally, modern agriculture and industry, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, mean their concentration is increasing more rapidly than ever before.
Doesn't the Earth's climate always fluctuate?
Although Earth's climate has always fluctuated between warmer and cooler periods, temperatures are being affected by the actions of human beings for the first time. Although there are still some scientists who contest this, they are in the minority. To put our involvement into perspective, Earth's average global temperature is thought to have fluctuated by only 1°C since human civilisation began. Climate models predict temperature increases anywhere up to 5.8°C by 2100 — an unprecedented rise. Scientists studying Antarctic ice cores have found that levels of the Earth's most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, are higher today than they have been in 440,000 years and the 1990s was the warmest decade on record.
Why should we care about global warming?
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, has called global warming a 'truly global threat'. Average global temperatures are rising, as are sea levels. Glaciers are in retreat, releasing more melt-water into the oceans as they do so. More water means more rainfall, so some areas of the world will experience flooding and violent storms. Others will experience overwhelming heat and drought.
Find out how the politicians are reacting to the challenge of global warming or visit the UK Weather 2080 site to find out how global warming could affect the UK in the near future.
Some gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the Sun — these are known as greenhouse gases. Without them, life as we know it wouldn't exist. But their concentration in the atmosphere is rising — and that means temperatures are rising, too. This phenomenon is known as global warming.
Two of the most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane — although there are a range of other gases that contribute to warming. Find out more about rising temperatures and predicting global warming on the UK weather 2080 site.
Why is it happening now?
Although greenhouse gases are present in the atmosphere naturally, modern agriculture and industry, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, mean their concentration is increasing more rapidly than ever before.
Doesn't the Earth's climate always fluctuate?
Although Earth's climate has always fluctuated between warmer and cooler periods, temperatures are being affected by the actions of human beings for the first time. Although there are still some scientists who contest this, they are in the minority. To put our involvement into perspective, Earth's average global temperature is thought to have fluctuated by only 1°C since human civilisation began. Climate models predict temperature increases anywhere up to 5.8°C by 2100 — an unprecedented rise. Scientists studying Antarctic ice cores have found that levels of the Earth's most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, are higher today than they have been in 440,000 years and the 1990s was the warmest decade on record.
Why should we care about global warming?
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, has called global warming a 'truly global threat'. Average global temperatures are rising, as are sea levels. Glaciers are in retreat, releasing more melt-water into the oceans as they do so. More water means more rainfall, so some areas of the world will experience flooding and violent storms. Others will experience overwhelming heat and drought.
Find out how the politicians are reacting to the challenge of global warming or visit the UK Weather 2080 site to find out how global warming could affect the UK in the near future.