Earth Is Heating Up: Are We Nearing the 1.5°C Limit?
Hey there! 🌍 Have you ever wondered why summers are getting hotter 🥵 and why we hear so much about climate change? Let’s dive into what’s happening to our planet and why it’s important!
Breaking Temperature Records 📈
In recent years, scientists have noticed that Earth’s average temperatures are rising. For example, 2020 tied with 2016 as the hottest year on record! That’s a big deal.
Places around the world have experienced extreme heat. In 2021, Canada saw temperatures soar above 49°C (that’s over 120°F)! That’s super hot! 🥵
What’s the 1.5°C Limit? 🤔
You might have heard about “1.5 degrees Celsius” in the news. But what does it mean? Well, scientists use the temperature from the late 1800s (before lots of factories and cars) as a starting point. They agreed that if the Earth’s average temperature rises more than 1.5°C above that point, it could cause big problems like more intense storms, droughts, and rising sea levels.
Why Is This Happening? 🚗🏭🌳
The main reason is human activities. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for energy releases gases called greenhouse gases 🏭. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, kind of like a blanket that keeps the Earth warm. While we need some of this warmth to survive, too much causes the planet to heat up too quickly.
Cutting down trees 🌳 also contributes because trees help absorb carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases. Fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide stays in the air.
Extreme Weather Events 🌪️🔥🌊
As the planet heats up, we see more extreme weather. This means stronger storms, more wildfires, and bigger floods.
- Wildfires: In 2020, Australia faced massive wildfires that burned millions of hectares of land and affected many animals 🐨.
- Hurricanes: Warmer oceans can lead to stronger hurricanes and typhoons, impacting communities around the world.
- Heatwaves: Extended periods of extreme heat can be dangerous for people, animals, and plants.
What Can We Do? 🌱
It’s not all doom and gloom! There are lots of ways we can help:
- Save Energy: Turn off lights when you’re not using them 💡.
- Use Public Transport: Riding the bus 🚌 or biking 🚴♀️ can reduce pollution.
- Plant Trees: Trees help absorb carbon dioxide.
- Spread the Word: Talk to your friends and family about climate change.
Together We Can Make a Difference! 🤝
Remember, every action counts. By learning about climate change and making small changes in our daily lives, we can help protect our beautiful planet for ourselves and future generations. 🌿💚
Reference(s):
Temperature breaks records in 2024: Are we at the threshold of 1.5?
cgtn.com
