Lesson Fourty-Two: Global Temperature Part 2
Here is what we know:
2020 was the hottest year on record.
The sixth hottest years on record were in the last six years.
The average global temperature has risen by 1° Celsius since 1880.
So what does that all mean!?
Global Temperature
It is often mentioned when talking about the climate because it’s one of the clearest signals for increased greenhouse gases (GHGs) in our atmosphere.
Basically: when there is an increase ⬆️ in GHG emissions (from oil, gas, fossil fuels), there is also an increase ⬆️ in global temperature (leading to global warming).
But why should we care about one degree of warming?
After all, temperatures vary by many degrees every day where we live, right?
Yes. And No.
What we’re talking about is the average for the planet.
What we experience locally fluctuates due to cyclical events (night and day, the seasons) and weather patterns.
But the global temp mainly depends on how much energy we receive from the Sun and how much radiates back into space.
Here is why you should care about the global temperature.
It impacts EVERYTHING. As a few examples:
🌡 seasonal temperatures
🌧 amount of rainfall
☀️ heat waves
🌽 food prices
🌊 how fast sea levels rise
⛈ how many storms we get
💧 clean water availability
🌪 rate of natural disasters
🌱 health of trees and plants
🦆 the wild animals we see
But what happens if it keeps getting hotter?
Everything that’s happening now, but much worse.
There will be more hurricanes, bigger forest fires, longer heat waves, mass extinctions, and the equator will slowly become uninhabitable - just to name a few.
Visit my “Global Temp Pt. 1” lesson for detailed lists
Also, if you want to learn more, I highly recommend Six Degrees, by Mark Lynas. It gives an account of what is expected to happen at each degree the temp increases.
That’s all for now! If you have any questions about temperatures or what is happening to our planet, please let me know by writing below!
