What is Changing?
The climate is regulated by our atmosphere. The atmosphere lets in a percentage of the light from the sun. The rest is reflected back into space. When that light from space hits the ground it turns into heat. Some of that heat escapes from the atmosphere back out into space. It is as if the planet is ventilating some of the heat so we don't overheat. Greenhouse gasses work like insulation to keep some of the heat in the atmosphere. The heat that doesn't escape is trapped and keeps the Earth habitable. This process is similar to setting the thermostat in your home to a comfortable temperature.
Unfortunately, the Earth’s thermostat is currently stuck on warm. As humans burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), excess carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere. More carbon dioxide means less heat escaping the atmosphere. This is similar to wrapping the planet in a warm, heat-trapping blanket.
Unfortunately, the Earth’s thermostat is currently stuck on warm. As humans burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), excess carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere. More carbon dioxide means less heat escaping the atmosphere. This is similar to wrapping the planet in a warm, heat-trapping blanket.
|
This change in the planet's natural processes can be measured since the Industrial Revolution when we first began to burn large quantities of oil, coal, and natural gas. As we burn these fuels we produce large amounts of carbon dioxide gas which enters the atmosphere. As carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere the planet warms. This disrupts the natural atmospheric balance that keeps the climate stable. In addition to burning fossil fuels, carbon dioxide is released as forests are cut and burned. Forests act as carbon sinks, or large depositories. Adding that carbon back into the carbon cycle increases the risk factor four our planet and makes it more vulnerable to any natural disasters that may occur. You can see the changes in air surface temperature in the video to the left. |