Climate Change

Climate change,  more commonly referred to as global warming, is the rise in average surface temperatures on Earth. Many years of scientist research shows that climate change is due almost entirely to our use of fossil fuels. This use and abuse of these substances releases carbon dioxide amongst other greenhouse gases into the air, therefore polluting our atmosphere. These gases are harmful to the planet because they trap heat within the atmosphere, also acting as tin foil, warming up the earth more and more. This rise in temperature can have many effects on ecosystems, like rising sea levels, severe weather events, and droughts. Even small increases in temperature have severe effects. Our planet's average temperature has increased about 1.4° Fahrenheit in the past century and it is predicted to keep rising to as much as 11.5° Fahrenheit in the next century. You might not think that is a lot, but take a moment to consider that the average temperature during the last Ice Age was close to 4º Fahrenheit lower than now in days. Rising sea levels caused by the melting of the polar ice caps and increasing the ocean's mass contribute  more severe weather and storm damage. Rising sea temperatures are associated with these changes in the planet. Rainfall, particularly in severe weather events will lead to flooding and much more damage, as well as an increase in the severity of wildfires. All of these effects play a huge role in th extinction of many species of life on earth as well as our human existence.