That’s why global efforts to fight climate change are so focused on eliminating the burning of fossil fuels, the most notable source of harmful greenhouse gases.
CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSES:Why scientists say humans are to blame.
What are 5 effects of climate change?
- Rising seas: Warming temperatures heat up oceans, causing water to expand, and melt huge amounts of ice. The higher sea levels aren’t just felt at the coast but also far inland along rivers.
- Drought: A “megadrought” in the West has been supercharged by warmer temperatures and a lack of rain.
- Wildfires: Drought provides ideal conditions for wildfires. What’s worse: Fires release massive amounts of greenhouse gases, which fuels more climate change.
- Rain: A USA TODAY analysis of a century of precipitation data shows how, east of the Rockies, more rain is falling – and in more intense bursts.
- Hurricanes: Evidence shows climate change is causing wetter hurricanes, but scientists say more data is needed before settling questions over future frequency.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE:How they disrupt our daily life, fuel disasters
LATEST NEWS:Greenland sees hottest temps in 1,000 years. How its melting ice sheet has major impact on sea level.
What’s the latest climate change news?
In January, a grim accounting emerged of the world’s extreme weather and climate disasters in 2022.
The nation’s two federal agencies charged with weather and climate observations said in 2022:
- Ocean heat reached a new high
- Arctic sea ice was second lowest level ever recorded
- Europe saw its second warmest year on record, but much of western Europe was the warmest ever
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver