Signs of Climate Change We Can See Around Us

Climate change is becoming easier to see in our world. Here are some clear signs that show our planet is changing a lot:

1. Rising Temperatures

• Global Temperature Rise: NASA says the average temperature on Earth has gone up by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 1800s. This is mainly because of higher levels of greenhouse gases.
• Heatwaves: We are experiencing more heatwaves than before. From 2000 to 2019, the number of really hot days around the world has doubled.

2. Melting Polar Ice and Glaciers

• Arctic Ice Decline: Satellites show that the amount of sea ice in the Arctic has dropped by about 40% since 1979. In the summer, there is about 2.7 million square kilometers less ice than there was a few decades ago.
• Glacial Retreat: Many glaciers, like the ones in the Alps and Himalayas, are shrinking quickly. It is believed that by 2100, the Himalayas could lose up to 70% of their ice if things continue as they are.

3. Rising Sea Levels

• Sea Level Increase: The level of the sea has gone up about 20 centimeters since 1880. Now, it is rising faster at around 3.3 millimeters each year, according to satellite measurements.
• Coastal Erosion and Flooding: Higher sea levels lead to more flooding in coastal areas. By 2050, it’s expected that around 150 million people could live in places where the sea rises more than 1 meter.

4. Ocean Acidification

• Increased CO₂ Absorption: The oceans soak up about 30% of the carbon dioxide we release into the air. Because of this, the waters are becoming more acidic. The pH level of ocean surface waters has dropped slightly since the Industrial Revolution, which is harmful to marine life.

5. Changes in Weather Patterns

• Intensified Storms: Climate change makes storms like hurricanes stronger and more frequent. The number of powerful hurricanes has increased from 6 in the 1970s to around 25 recently.
• Altered Precipitation: Rainfall patterns are changing, causing some areas to have droughts while others get too much rain. For example, California has seen more severe droughts, affecting farms and water supplies.

6. Impact on Plants and Animals

• Species Migration: Many animals are moving to cooler places to survive. For example, birds are moving north by about 6.1 kilometers every decade.
• Extinction Risks: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that up to 1 million species may go extinct because of climate change and loss of their homes.

In summary, we can see many signs of climate change in our environment. These changes show that our world is shifting greatly. We need to take action together to help combat these effects.