Climate change
One of the biggest concerns facing our planet is the possibility of climate
change. Although Earth has swung between extreme heat and cold throughout
its existence, human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, may be
interfering with the natural cycle and heating up the atmosphere.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Trying to predict what will happen as our planet
warms up is not easy. We know that ice at the
poles is melting and this is making sea levels rise.
Warmer temperatures are likely to change other
aspects of the weather. Some countries, such as
those in North Africa, may become hotter and
drier, while other areas such as
Northern Europe, may become
colder and wetter. There will
probably be more intense storms,
droughts, and flooding.ENVIRONMENTAND ECOLOGY
GLOBAL WARMING
Earth is getting warmer. Scientists have
been measuring the temperature and have
noticed that the global average is slowly
increasing. This coincides with the increase
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over
the last 200 years. It is set to keep climbing. If global
warming makes
the glaciers melt,
all the water
locked in them
will enter the
sea. Sea levels
will rise, and
many areas will
be submerged.78Carbon dioxide levels
Temperature levels
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000YEAR2602803003203403601000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000YEAR 55°F (13°C)56°F (13.5°C)57°F (14°C)PPM(parts per million)58°F (14.5°C)(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.