Is Climate Change real?

Climate change is real and human-made

97 percent of climate scientists in the world agree that climate change is real and driven by human activities. Climate change will become more dangerous if we don’t act on pollution.

Change in global temperature

The global average temperature has increased over the last century. Since 1981 the average rate of growth has been more than twice as fast. The amount of future warming depends on how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases we emit. The 1901-1960 average global temperature will be at least 5 degrees warmer by the end of this century. If emissions increase more slowly and decline more rapidly, temperatures will still be 2.4 degrees warmer than the first half of the 20th century.

Coral bleaching and ocean acidification

June 2010 was the warmest month on record. The global ocean temperature has risen over the last century. Coral polyps lose their algae when water temperatures rise. Ocean acidification slows the rate at which coral reefs generate calcium carbonate thus slowing coral skeleton growth. Sea level rise can be caused by climate change.

Impacts

Warmer temperatures increase the intensity and duration of heat waves. Rising sea level threatens coastal communities and ecosystems in the region. Changes in patterns and amount of rainfall can affect water supplies and water quality.

Looking Ahead

Carbon dioxide will remain in the atmosphere for hundreds or thousands of years. The risk of more severe changes to the climate and the earth’s system increases with the temperature going up.

Myths about climate change

There is a lot of confusion around what climate change actually is with the climate crisis becoming a hot topic in mainstream media. We’ve tried to clear up some myths so that you can tell the truth.

Myth: The climate has always been changing

The temperature rise is at least 10 times faster than the last mass extinction about 56 million years ago. Warming water and oceans taking up more space are caused by the extra heat from global warming. The average surface temperature has risen by about 1.1 degrees since the late 19th century. Major warming occurred over the past 40 years. The oceans absorb most of the extra heat from global warming. Between 1993 and 2019, the island lost an average of almost 300 billion tons of ice. The area lost about 148 billion tons a year. It seems that glaciers are retreating almost everywhere.

Myth: Polar bear numbers are increasing

The rest of the world is warming at a slower rate. For female polar bears it is harder to get onto land in late autumn to build their nests. The population of polar bears is predicted to decline by 30% by the middle of this century.

Myth: There’s no way humans are responsible for climate change

Over a century since industrialisation started global temperatures have been rising. They’ve accelerated in the past 30 years and are now the highest. The scientific community agrees that global warming is a man-made phenomenon.

Myth: Renewable energy is just a money-making scheme

The cheapest way of generating electricity is solar power and onshore wind power. The cost of renewable energy has dropped faster than anyone could have predicted. Despite this the government is still supporting dirty fossil fuels.

Myth: There’s no point doing anything

Climate change is a critical issue. It can be done. The technology and systems needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 have already been developed. Climate change is a threat to humanity and nature.

Myth: Animals will adapt to climate change

Plants, animals and birds have two options when confronted with climate change. It’s becoming impossible for many species to adapt quickly enough to keep up with the changing environment of climate change.

Myth: Solar changes that are causing the earth to warm, not us

The sun keeps the planet warm enough for us to survive. The sun influences the climate in many ways, including the fact that it has a big influence on the ice ages. The global warming we’ve seen over the last few decades is too rapid and dramatic to be linked to changes in Earth’s orbit. Since 1750 the warming caused by greenhouse gases from our burning of fossil fuels is more than 50 times greater than the slight extra warming from the sun.

Myth: Climate change is a future problem

The world’s leading climate scientists warned last year that we only have 12 years to limit global warming to 1.5C. Climate change is already having a devastating effect on global food supplies, migration, conflict, disease and global instability. If we don’t act now, this will only get worse.

Myth: It’s freezing outside!

There’s no reason to dismiss global warming for a cold winter season. The average weather pattern for a specific region and time period. Global warming and climate change refer to a broad temperature shift across the entire earth’s surface over the course of years. 85% of Britons are concerned about climate change The UK is already feeling the effects of the situation. A survey done in late 2019: 62% of Americans see the effects of climate change.

Myth: Getting rid of humans will fix this

WWF’s goal is to build a world where people and nature thrive together. We need to move to 100% renewable energy by 2045, but technology is already available. Business and political leaders need to take action now.

Myth: China is the only country responsible for climate change

China is a big investor in renewable energy. The increase in investment was in response to the rapid growth of green businesses and the need to clean up air pollution in major cities.

Two-thirds of Americans say using fewer single-use plastics makes a big difference for the environment

Americans reduce their food waste for environmental reasons. Baby Boomer and older Americans are more likely to say they try to live in ways that help protect the environment all the time. A quarter of Americans say that eating less meat makes a big difference for the environment, while 38% say this makes a small difference. Most people say they reduce their food waste, use disposable plastic, or use water, but a small majority say they drive less or eat less meat. The people who see themselves as being eco-conscious perform an average of 3.8 actions. A small percentage of Republican men say they eat less meat to help the environment. The gender gap is less pronounced among Democrats.

How Americans view the impact of climate change depends on where they live

Climate change is affecting their community in some way. The figure is fairly constant from last year, when 59% reported some local effects. The degree to which Americans report climate change varies by region. People living in Western states are more likely to experience a fire or a shortage of water. The survey shows that proximity to coastline makes a difference. Democrats and Democratic leaners are more likely to report the effects of climate change.

Renewable energy sources

Most Americans favor expanding solar power or wind power. The public is evenly divided on whether to expand nuclear power or not. More than 75% of conservative Republicans favor expanding offshore oil and gas drilling. Conservative Republicans are more likely to support expansion of the process. Democrats are against expanding either source.

Democrats and Republicans

Most of the adults in the US say they are taking some action to protect the environment. Democrats and Republicans disagree on the causes and effects of climate change. Moderate or liberal Republicans say the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change. Only a small percentage of conservative Republicans say the same. There are also divisions according to the age group. The government is doing too little on climate according to a majority of younger Republicans. Most moderate or liberal Republicans think the U.S. should prioritize alternative energy sources. Conservatives who represent the majority of the party are evenly divided. Support for prioritizing alternative energy development seems to be up compared to 2017.