climate change free essay

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Environment Problems — Climate Change

Essays on Climate Change

Climate change: essay topics for college students.

Welcome to our resource page designed for college students seeking inspiration for their climate change essays. The choice of topic is a crucial first step in the writing process, reflecting your personal interests and creativity. This page aims to guide you through selecting a compelling essay topic that not only captivates your interest but also challenges you to think critically and analytically.

Depending on your assignment requirements or personal preference, essays can be categorized into several types. Below, you will find a variety of climate change essay topics categorized by essay type. Each topic is accompanied by an introductory paragraph example, highlighting a clear thesis statement, and a conclusion paragraph example that summarizes the essay's main points and reiterates the thesis.

Argumentative Essays

• Topic: The Effectiveness of International Agreements in Combating Climate Change
• Thesis Statement: International agreements, though crucial, are not sufficiently effective in combating climate change without enforceable commitments.

Conclusion Example: In summarizing, international agreements provide a framework for climate action but lack the enforcement necessary for real change. To combat climate change effectively, these agreements must be accompanied by binding commitments that ensure countries adhere to their promises, underscoring the need for a more robust global enforcement mechanism.

Compare and Contrast Essays

• Topic: Renewable Energy Sources vs. Fossil Fuels: A Comparative Analysis
• Thesis Statement: Renewable energy sources, despite higher initial costs, are more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective in the long run compared to fossil fuels.

Conclusion Example: Through this comparative analysis, it is clear that renewable energy sources offer a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to powering our world than fossil fuels. Embracing renewables not only mitigates the impact of climate change but also secures a sustainable energy future.

Descriptive Essays

• Topic: The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs
• Thesis Statement: Climate change poses a severe threat to coral reefs, leading to bleaching events, habitat loss, and a decline in marine biodiversity.

Conclusion Example: The devastation of coral reefs is a stark reminder of the broader impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Protecting these vital habitats requires immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve marine biodiversity for future generations.

Persuasive Essays

• Topic: The Role of Individual Actions in Mitigating Climate Change
• Thesis Statement: Individual actions, when collectively embraced, can drive significant environmental change and are essential in the fight against climate change.

Conclusion Example: In conclusion, the cumulative effect of individual actions can make a substantial difference in addressing climate change. By adopting more sustainable lifestyles, individuals can contribute to a larger movement towards environmental stewardship and climate action.

Narrative Essays

• Topic: A Personal Journey Towards Sustainable Living
• Thesis Statement: Through personal commitment to sustainable living, individuals can contribute meaningfully to mitigating climate change while discovering the intrinsic rewards of a simpler, more purposeful lifestyle.

Conclusion Example: This journey towards sustainable living has not only contributed to climate action but has also offered a deeper appreciation for the importance of individual choices. As more people embark on similar journeys, the collective impact on our planet can be transformative.

We encourage you to select a topic that resonates with your personal interests and academic goals. Dive deep into your chosen subject, employ critical thinking, and let your creativity flow as you explore different perspectives and solutions to climate change. Remember, the best essays are not only informative but also engaging and thought-provoking.

Writing on these topics will not only enhance your understanding of climate change and its implications but also develop your skills in research, critical thinking, persuasive writing, and narrative storytelling. Each essay type offers a unique opportunity to explore different facets of the climate crisis, encouraging you to engage with the material in a meaningful way.

Hooks for Climate Change Essay

Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a pressing global crisis that affects every aspect of our lives. From melting polar ice caps to rising sea levels, the signs of climate change are everywhere, and they are impossible to ignore.

• Imagine a world where natural disasters are a daily occurrence. This is not a dystopian future; it is the reality we face if we do not address climate change now.
• Have you ever wondered why the summers seem hotter and the winters milder? The answer lies in the alarming acceleration of climate change.
• Picture your favorite coastal city submerged under water. This scenario is closer than you think due to the rapid rise in sea levels.
• What if I told you that climate change could lead to the extinction of over one million species by 2050? The clock is ticking for our planet's biodiversity.
• Every time you turn on a light or drive your car, you contribute to a global problem. Understanding the personal impact of climate change is the first step towards meaningful action.

Climate Change Outline Essay Examples

Example 1: causes and effects of climate change, introduction.

Introduce the topic of climate change, its significance, and provide a thesis statement outlining the main points.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Deforestation

Industrial Activities

Urbanization

Rising Sea Levels

Extreme Weather Events

Loss of Biodiversity

Impact on Human Health

Renewable Energy Sources

Afforestation and Reforestation

Policy and Legislation

Public Awareness and Education

Summarize the main points, restate the significance of addressing climate change, and provide a call to action for individuals and policymakers.

Example 2: The Impact of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems

Introduce the importance of ecosystems and how they are threatened by climate change. Provide a thesis statement outlining the main areas of focus.

Coral Bleaching

Ocean Acidification

Disruption of Marine Food Chains

Forest Degradation

Changes in Wildlife Migration Patterns

Alteration of Plant Growth Cycles

Glacial Melt and Reduced Snowpack

Changes in Water Quality

Disruption of Aquatic Species Habitats

Summarize the impacts of climate change on different ecosystems, emphasize the interconnectedness of these systems, and highlight the need for comprehensive conservation efforts.

Example 3: The Role of Policy in Combating Climate Change

Introduce the role of policy in addressing climate change, and provide a thesis statement highlighting the importance of governmental and international efforts.

Renewable Energy Incentives

Carbon Pricing

Regulations on Emissions

Paris Agreement

Kyoto Protocol

UN Climate Change Conferences (COP)

Economic and Political Barriers

Technological Innovations

Public and Private Sector Collaboration

Summarize the role of policy in combating climate change, discuss the need for robust and enforceable policies, and call for increased global cooperation and commitment.

The Causes and Effects of Climate Change: a Comprehensive Analysis

Climate change and global cooperation, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

150-word on Global Warming

The global environmental issues: climate change, pollution and natural resources, climate change in the 21st century: a global health crisis, climate change: issues and strategy to mitigate it, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

How Global Warming Changed Earth's Environment

Analysis of the possible causes of climate change, climate change as a serious threat, global warming and what people can do to save earth, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Mother Nature and Climate Change: We Must Take Action

Climate change: a rhetorical perspective, the global problem of co2 emission and its possible solution, impact of the youth climate movement on climate change, the impact of global warming on climate change, climate change and business and government initiatives, impact of climate change on british columbia's biodiversity, the top three individual contributors to climate change, the issue of climate change in african countries, climate change: greenhouse effect, the crucial importance of addressing climate change, climate change and the australian fires, climate changes: emission of greenhouse gases, human & nature contribution, worsening california's wildfires: climate change, climate change as the one of the biggest threats to humanity now, analysis on climate change and the deterioration of the environment, greenhouse gases and climate change, investigation of the consequences of climate change, india's efforts towards mitigating climate change, the importance of climate change education.

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and more severe natural disasters.

The historical context of climate change spans centuries. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century marked increased fossil fuel use, releasing significant greenhouse gases. By the late 19th century, scientists like Svante Arrhenius linked carbon dioxide to Earth's temperature. Climate change gained attention in the mid-20th century, with the 1958 Keeling Curve showing rising CO2 levels. Key events include the 1988 establishment of the IPCC, the 1992 UNFCCC, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, and the 2015 Paris Agreement.

• Greenhouse gas emissions: The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to global warming.
• Industrial activities: Industrial processes, including manufacturing, construction, and chemical production, release CO2 and other greenhouse gases through energy consumption and the use of certain chemicals.
• Agricultural practices: Livestock farming produces methane through enteric fermentation and manure management, while the use of synthetic fertilizers releases nitrous oxide.
• Land use changes: Converting land for agriculture, urban development, or other purposes alters natural ecosystems and contributes to the release of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
• Waste management: Improper handling and decomposition of organic waste in landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Rising temperatures: Global warming leads to increased average temperatures worldwide, resulting in heatwaves, melting glaciers and polar ice, and rising sea levels.
• Extreme weather events: Climate change intensifies extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires, leading to devastating impacts on ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure.
• Disruption of ecosystems: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns disrupt ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, migration patterns, and the survival of plant and animal species.
• Health impacts: Climate change contributes to the spread of diseases, heat-related illnesses, and respiratory problems due to increased air pollution and the expansion of disease vectors.
• Water scarcity: Changing climate patterns can alter rainfall patterns, causing water scarcity in certain regions, affecting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and ecosystems that depend on water sources.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, along with improving energy efficiency in industries and buildings, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting electric vehicles, public transportation, and biking infrastructure further cuts emissions. Forest conservation and reforestation help absorb carbon dioxide, while sustainable agriculture practices reduce emissions and improve soil health. Embracing a circular economy reduces waste, and strong climate policies alongside public awareness drive collective action against climate change.

• The levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere are currently higher than any recorded in the past 800,000 years. According to data from ice core samples, pre-industrial CO2 levels averaged around 280 parts per million (ppm), while current levels have exceeded 410 ppm.
• The Earth's average temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century.
• The Arctic region is warming at a faster pace than any other part of the planet.
• Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are major contributors to climate change.
• Climate change is also affecting wildlife, with many species facing extinction due to habitat loss.

Climate change is a critical issue that affects all aspects of our lives, from the environment to the economy. It poses a threat to biodiversity, food security, and human health. Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate its impacts. By raising awareness and taking steps to combat climate change, we can protect the planet for future generations.

1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ 2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). Climate change: How do we know? Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ 3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2015). Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement 4. World Health Organization. (2018). Climate change and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health 5. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Climate change indicators: Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/greenhouse-gases 6. United Nations Environment Programme. (2020). Emissions gap report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2020 7. Stern, N. (2007). The economics of climate change: The Stern Review. Cambridge University Press. 8. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. (2019). Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Retrieved from https://ipbes.net/sites/default/files/2020-02/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers_en.pdf 9. World Meteorological Organization. (2021). State of the global climate 2020. Retrieved from https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=10739 10. Cook, J., Oreskes, N., Doran, P. T., Anderegg, W. R., Verheggen, B., Maibach, E. W., ... & Nuccitelli, D. (2016). Consensus on consensus: A synthesis of consensus estimates on human-caused global warming. Environmental Research Letters, 11(4), 048002. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/11/4/048002

Relevant topics

• Global Warming
• Natural Disasters
• Ocean Pollution
• Fast Fashion
• Water Pollution
• Air Pollution

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Climate Change Essay for Students and Children

500+ words climate change essay.

Climate change refers to the change in the environmental conditions of the earth. This happens due to many internal and external factors. The climatic change has become a global concern over the last few decades. Besides, these climatic changes affect life on the earth in various ways. These climatic changes are having various impacts on the ecosystem and ecology. Due to these changes, a number of species of plants and animals have gone extinct.

When Did it Start?

The climate started changing a long time ago due to human activities but we came to know about it in the last century. During the last century, we started noticing the climatic change and its effect on human life. We started researching on climate change and came to know that the earth temperature is rising due to a phenomenon called the greenhouse effect. The warming up of earth surface causes many ozone depletion, affect our agriculture , water supply, transportation, and several other problems.

Reason Of Climate Change

Although there are hundreds of reason for the climatic change we are only going to discuss the natural and manmade (human) reasons.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Natural Reasons

These include volcanic eruption , solar radiation, tectonic plate movement, orbital variations. Due to these activities, the geographical condition of an area become quite harmful for life to survive. Also, these activities raise the temperature of the earth to a great extent causing an imbalance in nature.

Human Reasons

Man due to his need and greed has done many activities that not only harm the environment but himself too. Many plant and animal species go extinct due to human activity. Human activities that harm the climate include deforestation, using fossil fuel , industrial waste , a different type of pollution and many more. All these things damage the climate and ecosystem very badly. And many species of animals and birds got extinct or on a verge of extinction due to hunting.

Effects Of Climatic Change

These climatic changes have a negative impact on the environment. The ocean level is rising, glaciers are melting, CO2 in the air is increasing, forest and wildlife are declining, and water life is also getting disturbed due to climatic changes. Apart from that, it is calculated that if this change keeps on going then many species of plants and animals will get extinct. And there will be a heavy loss to the environment.

What will be Future?

If we do not do anything and things continue to go on like right now then a day in future will come when humans will become extinct from the surface of the earth. But instead of neglecting these problems we start acting on then we can save the earth and our future.

Although humans mistake has caused great damage to the climate and ecosystem. But, it is not late to start again and try to undo what we have done until now to damage the environment. And if every human start contributing to the environment then we can be sure of our existence in the future.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is climate change and how it affects humans?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Climate change is a phenomenon that happens because of human and natural reasons. And it is one of the most serious problems that not only affect the environment but also human beings. It affects human in several ways but in simple language, we can say that it causes many diseases and disasters that destroy life on earth.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can we stop these climatic changes?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes, we can stop these climatic changes but for that, every one of us has to come forward and has to adapt ways that can reduce and control our bad habits that affect the environment. We have to the initiative and make everyone aware of the climatic changes.” } } ] }

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essay Service Examples Environment Climate Change

Argumentative Essay on Climate Change

Table of contents

Understanding climate change: causes and consequences, the health impacts of climate change, debating climate change: denial vs. reality, climate change and its effect on wildlife and ecosystems, the economic perspective of tackling climate change, conclusion: the urgency of addressing climate change.

• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
• Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

• https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-climate-change-affecting-our-lives
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54797743
• https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/12/trump-climate-timeline/
• https://www.sciencealert.com/the-five-corrupt-pillars-of-climate-change-denial
• https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-223
• https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/climate-change/global-warming/cost-of-climate-change
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150430-extinction-climate-warming-animals-species-conservation-wildlife
• https://unherd.com/2019/09/why-climate-change-isnt-the-end-of-the-world/

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

Most popular essays

• Climate Change

Climate change has become such an important global issue that over the past two decades, leaders...

• Global Warming

Global teenage climate activists and over 4 million people around the globe went on a strike last...

• Carbon Dioxide

Global warming is highly controversial issue in this global world where each country facing...

UN Climate Change News, 27 October 2020 – Increasing temperatures and sea levels, changing...

All lies. For years, scientists have claimed that climate change is upon us and that the global...

• Conservation of Forest
• Conversation

Global warming (climate change) is a topic discussed worldwide. A long-term rise in the average...

• Fossil Fuels

Climate change is a growing problem that affects thousands of lives through the form of high...

There are multiple climate change indicators that we can easily associate global warming with,...

By living the way we do, our actions have caused climate change, which may not seem bad to us, but...

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

• About YPCCC
• Yale Climate Connections
• Student Employment
• For The Media
• Past Events
• YPCCC in the News
• Climate Change in the American Mind (CCAM)
• Publications
• Climate Opinion Maps
• Climate Opinion Factsheets
• Six Americas Super Short Survey (SASSY)
• Resources for Educators
• All Tools & Interactives
• Partner with YPCCC

Home / For Educators: Grades 6-12 / Climate Explained: Introductory Essays About Climate Change Topics

Climate Explained: Introductory Essays About Climate Change Topics

Filed under: backgrounders for educators ,.

Climate Explained, a part of Yale Climate Connections, is an essay collection that addresses an array of climate change questions and topics, including why it’s cold outside if global warming is real, how we know that humans are responsible for global warming, and the relationship between climate change and national security.

More Activities like this

Climate Change Basics: Five Facts, Ten Words

Backgrounders for Educators

To simplify the scientific complexity of climate change, we focus on communicating five key facts about climate change that everyone should know. 

Why should we care about climate change?

Having different perspectives about global warming is natural, but the most important thing that anyone should know about climate change is why it matters.  

External Resources

Looking for resources to help you and your students build a solid climate change science foundation? We’ve compiled a list of reputable, student-friendly links to help you do just that!  

Subscribe to our mailing list

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from Yale Program on Climate Change Communication:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Climate Change Essays

Van gogh’s paintings attacked by climate activists 🔥 trending.

Van Gogh’s sunflowers painting was recently a subject of discussion following the environmental protests by individuals from the Just Stop Oil organization. Two women donned…

The layers of the Atmosphere

The layers of the atmosphere entail the various envelopes of gas surrounding the earth from the ground upwards. The atmosphere has got five different layers…

Environmental management for a changing world

Summary The purpose of this essay is to show the proposed updated approaches for global sustainability through the definition of the planetary boundary within which…

Global Warming Evaluation Essay

In the past one decade, the world has been struggling with the problem of global warming. Different organizations have come together to deal with the…

Accident prevention and safety promotion initiative for parents and caregivers…

Environmental factors causing a threat to children Infants are very susceptible to environmental pollution especially if it is indoors. The indoor air contamination can be…

Sustainability and technology forecasting

Sustainability evaluation is a critical aspect of technology forecasting. Technology forecasting just as the name suggests is the process of projecting the future of a…

Difference between science and faith

Scientists are annoyed when it is mentioned that there is no difference between science and faith. For instance, Ben Carson argued that Darwin was propelled…

Rising carbon dioxide levels on puffer fish sensory receptors

Introduction Most studies on the effect of CO2 level in the oceans has suggested that there is increased hypercapnic acid-base disturbance among marine animals (Heuer…

Our personal responsibility toward the natural world

We rely on the natural world as humans. However, our effect has become largely unsustainable. Thus, we ought to change our direction and base our…

Facts and fiction in climate change debates

Which newspaper article did you select and why Out of roughly 800 articles found in Lexis-Nexis academic database, on issues pertaining climate change, I decided…

How has climate change played a big role in the…

Introduction The devastating civil war in Syria is attributed to a variety of complex interrelated factors ranging from religious and social political factors to climate…

Climatic change in Australia and its effect

Australia like any other country in the world have been hit my noticeable climatic changes over the last few years. Climatic change is associated with…

Global warming: causes and mitigation

It is important to appreciate the fact that climate change can be defined as a change in the global climate patterns with particular focus from…

Wicked problem essay

In this essay, the Urban Heat Island effect will be viewed especially in the con text of Phoenix, Arizona. As a phenomenon, urban heat island…

Climate change a human rights issue

Climate change is as important matter just as people human rights are concerned. Some of the serious issues concerning climate change are the extreme weather…

Water Pollution in America: Lead Poisoning

Abstract Issues concerning water quality are a primary challenge facing the human race in contemporary society. American water systems are constructed using lead and iron…

Evidence for Global Climate Change

In such an apparent state that the world is in concerning climate change, it is not surprising to still hear people saying it is a…

Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

Abstract Agricultural sector of an economy is the most crucial one in terms of providing food to the individuals of the nations as well as…

Isotopes in Carbon Dating

Introduction Carbon-14 is a weakly radioactive isotope of Carbon also called radiocarbon. Radiocarbon dating was developed as a technique to measure radioactivity (Andreev, 2007). C-14…

International Environmental Agreements

The environmental conservation has been one of the most debated topics in the 20th and the 21st century. The increasing human population has led to…

What is the best site for researching quality climate change paper samples?

Samples is a website filled with sample essays and papers on the subject of climate change, as well as all related topics on this and many others.

How to use climate change essay examples to create my paper?

The examples are intended to help find primary sources for studying climate-related materials, help to get acquainted with the expertise and structure of writing from our writers and assist in getting acquainted with the features of writing different types of essays.

Is it allowed to submit your climate change essay samples as mine?

It is possible but be prepared that the professor or commission may not accept them since they are all in the public domain and are intended primarily for finding the necessary information, examples of text structuring, etc.

What college paper and essay examples can students find on our site?

The catalogue contains various topics and different types of works (essays, papers, etc.). Consequently, the number of examples in each category can exceed several dozen.

If you have a chance to look inside our climate change essay examples, it may turn out to be your winning ticket to the fascinating world of writing. Here, you may find research papers compiled by professionals. In addition, the range of topics related to climate and human impact on the environment can be used to create persuasive essays of the highest quality.

Climate Change Essay Examples: Problems & Solutions

When writing an essay about climate change, we consider it a distant problem as far as it is not real or visible to the naked eye. However, the suffering of our planet due to human intervention and a long-lasting bad influence on nature resulted in atmosphere changes, the greenhouse effect, and global warming.

The temperature will rise by 1.5 ℃ during the next 20 years. The problem might not seem urgent, but the results may be harmful, hazardous, and irreversible. Students may find it dull to write about the environment. Moreover, they need deep knowledge of geography and have developed analytical skills to predict consequences. Teachers try to guide students in the precise analysis of their effect on the Earth in essays about climate change.

Sample Essay on Climate Change: Ideal to Follow

In writing an argumentative essay, it may be challenging to figure out the main principles of writing and follow a logical outline. You may use any sample essay on climate change from our database to read and follow in such a situation.

Our Essays Inspire and Provoke Thinking

Reading piles of books can overload your mind and mess up your ideas. Sometimes, you need a short but logical and informative paper to grasp concepts for perfect argumentative essay writing. However, reading our samples of climate change essays, you will be excited with certain and understandable content that provides inspiration and food for thinking.

Right Structure and Topic: Crucial Moments

When you write a climate change opinion essay, you may pay attention more to your ideas, scientific facts, and results of further development of climate change. But your teacher considers correspondence of topic to the content and proper structure. Therefore, in our templates of essays on climate change, our writers adhere to all academic writing requirements.

Moreover, on the list of topics, you may find the most interesting and develop your ideas using additional resources. Finally, remember catchy phrases that draw attention from the first sight, as our samples do.

Expert Writers Work Hard on Result

The team of professionals provides writing services to support beginners or guide amateurs. Each global climate change essay is unique and reveals all the issues of every subject and topic. There must be enough experience to write a highly-graded essay, and our authors, with good practice, may teach any willing student the subtleties of perfect writing.

Essays on Climate Change to Any Taste

Not all the students have time to write papers. Many of them have no desire to spend hours in front of the laptop screen. Few of them have enough writing experience. If you are one of those students who have not found a required sample to follow and are ready to pay for an excellent project, you are in the right place. We can cope with climate change college essays of any difficulty level. Be sure of on-time delivery and quality.

Your grades are our reputation!

• ♻️ Recycling
• Air Pollution
• Animal Rights
• Animal Testing
• Climate Change
• Deforestation
• Endangered Species
• Environmental Issues
• Global Warming

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center
• Introduction & Top Questions
• Climatic variation since the last glaciation
• The greenhouse effect
• Radiative forcing
• Water vapour
• Carbon dioxide
• Surface-level ozone and other compounds
• Nitrous oxides and fluorinated gases
• Land-use change
• Stratospheric ozone depletion
• Volcanic aerosols
• Variations in solar output
• Variations in Earth’s orbit
• Water vapour feedback
• Cloud feedbacks
• Ice albedo feedback
• Carbon cycle feedbacks
• Modern observations
• Prehistorical climate records
• Theoretical climate models
• Patterns of warming
• Precipitation patterns
• Regional predictions
• Ice melt and sea level rise
• Ocean circulation changes
• Tropical cyclones
• Environmental consequences of global warming
• Socioeconomic consequences of global warming

How does global warming work?

Where does global warming occur in the atmosphere, why is global warming a social problem, where does global warming affect polar bears.

global warming

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• U.S. Department of Transportation - Global Warming: A Science Overview
• NOAA Climate.gov - Climate Change: Global Temperature
• Natural Resources Defense Council - Global Warming 101
• American Institute of Physics - The discovery of global warming
• LiveScience - Causes of Global Warming
• global warming - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• global warming - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Human activity affects global surface temperatures by changing Earth ’s radiative balance—the “give and take” between what comes in during the day and what Earth emits at night. Increases in greenhouse gases —i.e., trace gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that absorb heat energy emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiate it back—generated by industry and transportation cause the atmosphere to retain more heat, which increases temperatures and alters precipitation patterns.

Global warming, the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near Earth’s surface over the past one to two centuries, happens mostly in the troposphere , the lowest level of the atmosphere, which extends from Earth’s surface up to a height of 6–11 miles. This layer contains most of Earth’s clouds and is where living things and their habitats and weather primarily occur.

Continued global warming is expected to impact everything from energy use to water availability to crop productivity throughout the world. Poor countries and communities with limited abilities to adapt to these changes are expected to suffer disproportionately. Global warming is already being associated with increases in the incidence of severe and extreme weather, heavy flooding , and wildfires —phenomena that threaten homes, dams, transportation networks, and other facets of human infrastructure. Learn more about how the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, released in 2021, describes the social impacts of global warming.

Polar bears live in the Arctic , where they use the region’s ice floes as they hunt seals and other marine mammals . Temperature increases related to global warming have been the most pronounced at the poles, where they often make the difference between frozen and melted ice. Polar bears rely on small gaps in the ice to hunt their prey. As these gaps widen because of continued melting, prey capture has become more challenging for these animals.

Recent News

global warming , the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries. Climate scientists have since the mid-20th century gathered detailed observations of various weather phenomena (such as temperatures, precipitation , and storms) and of related influences on climate (such as ocean currents and the atmosphere’s chemical composition). These data indicate that Earth’s climate has changed over almost every conceivable timescale since the beginning of geologic time and that human activities since at least the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have a growing influence over the pace and extent of present-day climate change .

Giving voice to a growing conviction of most of the scientific community , the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), published in 2021, noted that the best estimate of the increase in global average surface temperature between 1850 and 2019 was 1.07 °C (1.9 °F). An IPCC special report produced in 2018 noted that human beings and their activities have been responsible for a worldwide average temperature increase between 0.8 and 1.2 °C (1.4 and 2.2 °F) since preindustrial times, and most of the warming over the second half of the 20th century could be attributed to human activities.

AR6 produced a series of global climate predictions based on modeling five greenhouse gas emission scenarios that accounted for future emissions, mitigation (severity reduction) measures, and uncertainties in the model projections. Some of the main uncertainties include the precise role of feedback processes and the impacts of industrial pollutants known as aerosols , which may offset some warming. The lowest-emissions scenario, which assumed steep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2015, predicted that the global mean surface temperature would increase between 1.0 and 1.8 °C (1.8 and 3.2 °F) by 2100 relative to the 1850–1900 average. This range stood in stark contrast to the highest-emissions scenario, which predicted that the mean surface temperature would rise between 3.3 and 5.7 °C (5.9 and 10.2 °F) by 2100 based on the assumption that greenhouse gas emissions would continue to increase throughout the 21st century. The intermediate-emissions scenario, which assumed that emissions would stabilize by 2050 before declining gradually, projected an increase of between 2.1 and 3.5 °C (3.8 and 6.3 °F) by 2100.

Many climate scientists agree that significant societal, economic, and ecological damage would result if the global average temperature rose by more than 2 °C (3.6 °F) in such a short time. Such damage would include increased extinction of many plant and animal species, shifts in patterns of agriculture , and rising sea levels. By 2015 all but a few national governments had begun the process of instituting carbon reduction plans as part of the Paris Agreement , a treaty designed to help countries keep global warming to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above preindustrial levels in order to avoid the worst of the predicted effects. Whereas authors of the 2018 special report noted that should carbon emissions continue at their present rate, the increase in average near-surface air temperature would reach 1.5 °C sometime between 2030 and 2052, authors of the AR6 report suggested that this threshold would be reached by 2041 at the latest.

The AR6 report also noted that the global average sea level had risen by some 20 cm (7.9 inches) between 1901 and 2018 and that sea level rose faster in the second half of the 20th century than in the first half. It also predicted, again depending on a wide range of scenarios, that the global average sea level would rise by different amounts by 2100 relative to the 1995–2014 average. Under the report’s lowest-emission scenario, sea level would rise by 28–55 cm (11–21.7 inches), whereas, under the intermediate emissions scenario, sea level would rise by 44–76 cm (17.3–29.9 inches). The highest-emissions scenario suggested that sea level would rise by 63–101 cm (24.8–39.8 inches) by 2100.

The scenarios referred to above depend mainly on future concentrations of certain trace gases, called greenhouse gases , that have been injected into the lower atmosphere in increasing amounts through the burning of fossil fuels for industry, transportation , and residential uses. Modern global warming is the result of an increase in magnitude of the so-called greenhouse effect , a warming of Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere caused by the presence of water vapour , carbon dioxide , methane , nitrous oxides , and other greenhouse gases. In 2014 the IPCC first reported that concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides in the atmosphere surpassed those found in ice cores dating back 800,000 years.

Of all these gases, carbon dioxide is the most important, both for its role in the greenhouse effect and for its role in the human economy. It has been estimated that, at the beginning of the industrial age in the mid-18th century, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were roughly 280 parts per million (ppm). By the end of 2022 they had risen to 419 ppm, and, if fossil fuels continue to be burned at current rates, they are projected to reach 550 ppm by the mid-21st century—essentially, a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations in 300 years.

A vigorous debate is in progress over the extent and seriousness of rising surface temperatures, the effects of past and future warming on human life, and the need for action to reduce future warming and deal with its consequences. This article provides an overview of the scientific background related to the subject of global warming. It considers the causes of rising near-surface air temperatures, the influencing factors, the process of climate research and forecasting, and the possible ecological and social impacts of rising temperatures. For an overview of the public policy developments related to global warming occurring since the mid-20th century, see global warming policy . For a detailed description of Earth’s climate, its processes, and the responses of living things to its changing nature, see climate . For additional background on how Earth’s climate has changed throughout geologic time , see climatic variation and change . For a full description of Earth’s gaseous envelope, within which climate change and global warming occur, see atmosphere .

Climate Change Essay

500+ words essay on climate change.

Climate change is a major global challenge today, and the world is becoming more vulnerable to this change. Climate change refers to the changes in Earth’s climate condition. It describes the changes in the atmosphere which have taken place over a period ranging from decades to millions of years. A recent report from the United Nations predicted that the average global temperature could increase by 6˚ Celsius at the end of the century. Climate change has an adverse effect on the environment and ecosystem. With the help of this essay, students will get to know the causes and effects of climate change and possible solutions. Also, they will be able to write essays on similar topics and can boost their writing skills.

What Causes Climate Change?

The Earth’s climate has always changed and evolved. Some of these changes have been due to natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, floods, forest fires etc., but quite a few of them are due to human activities. Human activities such as deforestation, burning fossil fuels, farming livestock etc., generate an enormous amount of greenhouse gases. This results in the greenhouse effect and global warming which are the major causes of climate change.

Effects of Climate Change

If the current situation of climate change continues in a similar manner, then it will impact all forms of life on the earth. The earth’s temperature will rise, the monsoon patterns will change, sea levels will rise, and storms, volcanic eruptions and natural disasters will occur frequently. The biological and ecological balance of the earth will get disturbed. The environment will get polluted and humans will not be able to get fresh air to breathe and fresh water to drink. Life on earth will come to an end.

Steps to be Taken to Reduce Climate Change

The Government of India has taken many measures to improve the dire situation of Climate Change. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal agency for climate change issues in India. It has initiated several climate-friendly measures, particularly in the area of renewable energy. India took several steps and policy initiatives to create awareness about climate change and help capacity building for adaptation measures. It has initiated a “Green India” programme under which various trees are planted to make the forest land more green and fertile.

We need to follow the path of sustainable development to effectively address the concerns of climate change. We need to minimise the use of fossil fuels, which is the major cause of global warming. We must adopt alternative sources of energy, such as hydropower, solar and wind energy to make a progressive transition to clean energy. Mahatma Gandhi said that “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not any man’s greed”. With this view, we must remodel our outlook and achieve the goal of sustainable development. By adopting clean technologies, equitable distribution of resources and addressing the issues of equity and justice, we can make our developmental process more harmonious with nature.

We hope students liked this essay on Climate Change and gathered useful information on this topic so that they can write essays in their own words. To get more study material related to the CBSE, ICSE, State Board and Competitive exams, keep visiting the BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions on climate change Essay

What are the reasons for climate change.

1. Deforestation 2. Excessive usage of fossil fuels 3. Water, Soil pollution 4. Plastic and other non-biodegradable waste 5. Wildlife and nature extinction

How can we save this climate change situation?

1. Avoid over usage of natural resources 2. Do not use or buy items made from animals 3. Avoid plastic usage and pollution

Are there any natural causes for climate change?

Yes, some of the natural causes for climate change are: 1. Solar variations 2. Volcanic eruption and tsunamis 3. Earth’s orbital changes

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Explore Greyhound Nation

• Loyola Today

Our Future Is Now - A Climate Change Essay by Francesca Minicozzi, '21

Francesca Minicozzi (class of 2021) is a Writing/Biology major who plans to study medicine after graduation. She wrote this essay on climate change for WR 355/Travel Writing, which she took while studying abroad in Newcastle in spring 2020. Although the coronavirus pandemic curtailed Francesca’s time abroad, her months in Newcastle prompted her to learn more about climate change. Terre Ryan Associate Professor, Writing Department

Our Future Is Now

By Francesca Minicozzi, '21 Writing and Biology Major

 “If you don’t mind me asking, how is the United States preparing for climate change?” my flat mate, Zac, asked me back in March, when we were both still in Newcastle. He and I were accustomed to asking each other about the differences between our home countries; he came from Cambridge, while I originated in Long Island, New York. This was one of our numerous conversations about issues that impact our generation, which we usually discussed while cooking dinner in our communal kitchen. In the moment of our conversation, I did not have as strong an answer for him as I would have liked. Instead, I informed him of the few changes I had witnessed within my home state of New York.

Zac’s response was consistent with his normal, diplomatic self. “I have been following the BBC news in terms of the climate crisis for the past few years. The U.K. has been working hard to transition to renewable energy sources. Similar to the United States, here in the United Kingdom we have converted over to solar panels too. My home does not have solar panels, but a lot of our neighbors have switched to solar energy in the past few years.”

“Our two countries are similar, yet so different,” I thought. Our conversation continued as we prepared our meals, with topics ranging from climate change to the upcoming presidential election to Britain’s exit from the European Union. However, I could not shake the fact that I knew so little about a topic so crucial to my generation.

After I abruptly returned home from the United Kingdom because of the global pandemic, my conversation with my flat mate lingered in my mind. Before the coronavirus surpassed climate change headlines, I had seen the number of internet postings regarding protests to protect the planet dramatically increase. Yet the idea of our planet becoming barren and unlivable in a not-so-distant future had previously upset me to the point where a part of me refused to deal with it. After I returned from studying abroad, I decided to educate myself on the climate crisis.

My quest for climate change knowledge required a thorough understanding of the difference between “climate change” and “global warming.” Climate change is defined as “a pattern of change affecting global or regional climate,” based on “average temperature and rainfall measurements” as well as the frequency of extreme weather events. 1   These varied temperature and weather events link back to both natural incidents and human activity. 2   Likewise, the term global warming was coined “to describe climate change caused by humans.” 3   Not only that, but global warming is most recently attributed to an increase in “global average temperature,” mainly due to greenhouse gas emissions produced by humans. 4

I next questioned why the term “climate change” seemed to take over the term “global warming” in the United States. According to Frank Luntz, a leading Republican consultant, the term “global warming” functions as a rather intimidating phrase. During George W. Bush’s first presidential term, Luntz argued in favor of using the less daunting phrase “climate change” in an attempt to overcome the environmental battle amongst Democrats and Republicans. 5   Since President Bush’s term, Luntz remains just one political consultant out of many politicians who has recognized the need to address climate change. In an article from 2019, Luntz proclaimed that political parties aside, the climate crisis affects everyone. Luntz argued that politicians should steer clear of trying to communicate “the complicated science of climate change,” and instead engage voters by explaining how climate change personally impacts citizens with natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and forest fires. 6   He even suggested that a shift away from words like “sustainability” would gear Americans towards what they really want: a “cleaner, safer, healthier” environment. 7

The idea of a cleaner and heathier environment remains easier said than done. The Paris Climate Agreement, introduced in 2015, began the United Nations’ “effort to combat global climate change.” 8   This agreement marked a global initiative to “limit global temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels,” while simultaneously “pursuing means to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees.” 9    Every country on earth has joined together in this agreement for the common purpose of saving our planet. 10   So, what could go wrong here? As much as this sounds like a compelling step in the right direction for climate change, President Donald Trump thought otherwise. In June 2017, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement with his proclamation of climate change as a “’hoax’ perpetrated by China.” 11   President Trump continued to question the scientific facts behind climate change, remaining an advocate for the expansion of domestic fossil fuel production. 12   He reversed environmental policies implemented by former President Barack Obama to reduce fossil fuel use. 13

Trump’s actions against the Paris Agreement, however, fail to represent the beliefs of Americans as a whole. The majority of American citizens feel passionate about the fight against climate change. To demonstrate their support, some have gone as far as creating initiatives including America’s Pledge and We Are Still In. 14   Although the United States officially exited the Paris Agreement on November 4, 2020, this withdrawal may not survive permanently. 15   According to experts, our new president “could rejoin in as short as a month’s time.” 16   This offers a glimmer of hope.

The Paris Agreement declares that the United States will reduce greenhouse gas emission levels by 26 to 28 percent by the year 2025. 17   As a leader in greenhouse gas emissions, the United States needs to accept the climate crisis for the serious challenge that it presents and work together with other nations. The concept of working coherently with all nations remains rather tricky; however, I remain optimistic. I think we can learn from how other countries have adapted to the increased heating of our planet. During my recent study abroad experience in the United Kingdom, I was struck by Great Britain’s commitment to combating climate change.

Since the United Kingdom joined the Paris Agreement, the country targets a “net-zero” greenhouse gas emission for 2050. 18   This substantial alteration would mark an 80% reduction of greenhouse gases from 1990, if “clear, stable, and well-designed policies are implemented without interruption.” 19   In order to stay on top of reducing emissions, the United Kingdom tracks electricity and car emissions, “size of onshore and offshore wind farms,” amount of homes and “walls insulated, and boilers upgraded,” as well as the development of government policies, including grants for electric vehicles. 20   A strong grip on this data allows the United Kingdom to target necessary modifications that keep the country on track for 2050. In my brief semester in Newcastle, I took note of these significant changes. The city of Newcastle is small enough that many students and faculty are able to walk or bike to campus and nearby essential shops. However, when driving is unavoidable, the majority of the vehicles used are electric, and many British citizens place a strong emphasis on carpooling to further reduce emissions. The United Kingdom’s determination to severely reduce greenhouse emissions is ambitious and particularly admirable, especially as the United States struggles to shy away from its dependence on fossil fuels.

So how can we, as Americans, stand together to combat global climate change? Here are five adjustments Americans can make to their homes and daily routines that can dramatically make a difference:

• Stay cautious of food waste. Studies demonstrate that “Americans throw away up to 40 percent of the food they buy.” 21   By being more mindful of the foods we purchase, opting for leftovers, composting wastes, and donating surplus food to those in need, we can make an individual difference that impacts the greater good. 22   
• Insulate your home. Insulation functions as a “cost-effective and accessible” method to combat climate change. 23   Homes with modern insulation reduce energy required to heat them, leading to a reduction of emissions and an overall savings; in comparison, older homes can “lose up to 35 percent of heat through their walls.” 24   
• Switch to LED Lighting. LED stands for “light-emitting diodes,” which use “90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and half as much as compact fluorescents.” 25   LED lights create light without producing heat, and therefore do not waste energy. Additionally, these lights have a longer duration than other bulbs, which means they offer a continuing savings. 26  
• Choose transportation wisely. Choose to walk or bike whenever the option presents itself. If walking or biking is not an option, use an electric or hybrid vehicle which emits less harmful gases. Furthermore, reduce the number of car trips taken, and carpool with others when applicable. 
• Finally, make your voice heard. The future of our planet remains in our hands, so we might as well use our voices to our advantage. Social media serves as a great platform for this. Moreover, using social media to share helpful hints to combat climate change within your community or to promote an upcoming protest proves beneficial in the long run. If we collectively put our voices to good use, together we can advocate for change.

As many of us are stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these suggestions are slightly easier to put into place. With numerous “stay-at-home” orders in effect, Americans have the opportunity to make significant achievements for climate change. Personally, I have taken more precautions towards the amount of food consumed within my household during this pandemic. I have been more aware of food waste, opting for leftovers when too much food remains. Additionally, I have realized how powerful my voice is as a young college student. Now is the opportunity for Americans to share how they feel about climate change. During this unprecedented time, our voice is needed now more than ever in order to make a difference.

However, on a much larger scale, the coronavirus outbreak has shed light on reducing global energy consumption. Reductions in travel, both on the roads and in the air, have triggered a drop in emission rates. In fact, the International Energy Agency predicts a 6 percent decrease in energy consumption around the globe for this year alone. 27   This drop is “equivalent to losing the entire energy demand of India.” 28   Complete lockdowns have lowered the global demand for electricity and slashed CO2 emissions. However, in New York City, the shutdown has only decreased carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent. 29   This proves that a shift in personal behavior is simply not enough to “fix the carbon emission problem.” 30   Climate policies aimed to reduce fossil fuel production and promote clean technology will be crucial steppingstones to ameliorating climate change effects. Our current reduction of greenhouse gas emissions serves as “the sort of reduction we need every year until net-zero emissions are reached around 2050.” 31   From the start of the coronavirus pandemic, politicians came together for the common good of protecting humanity; this demonstrates that when necessary, global leaders are capable of putting humankind above the economy. 32

After researching statistics comparing the coronavirus to climate change, I thought back to the moment the virus reached pandemic status. I knew that a greater reason underlay all of this global turmoil. Our globe is in dire need of help, and the coronavirus reminds the world of what it means to work together. This pandemic marks a turning point in global efforts to slow down climate change. The methods we enact towards not only stopping the spread of the virus, but slowing down climate change, will ultimately depict how humanity will arise once this pandemic is suppressed. The future of our home planet lies in how we treat it right now. 

• “Climate Change: What Do All the Terms Mean?,” BBC News (BBC, May 1, 2019), https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48057733 )
• Ibid. 
• Kate Yoder, “Frank Luntz, the GOP's Message Master, Calls for Climate Action,” Grist (Grist, July 26, 2019), https://grist.org/article/the-gops-most-famous-messaging-strategist-calls-for-climate-action
• Melissa Denchak, “Paris Climate Agreement: Everything You Need to Know,” NRDC, April 29, 2020, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know)
• “Donald J. Trump's Foreign Policy Positions,” Council on Foreign Relations (Council on Foreign Relations), accessed May 7, 2020, https://www.cfr.org/election2020/candidate-tracker/donald-j.-trump?gclid=CjwKCAjw4871BRAjEiwAbxXi21cneTRft_doA5if60euC6QCL7sr-Jwwv76IkgWaUTuyJNx9EzZzRBoCdjsQAvD_BwE#climate and energy )
• David Doniger, “Paris Climate Agreement Explained: Does Congress Need to Sign Off?,” NRDC, December 15, 2016, https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-doniger/paris-climate-agreement-explained-does-congress-need-sign )
• “How the UK Is Progressing,” Committee on Climate Change, March 9, 2020, https://www.theccc.org.uk/what-is-climate-change/reducing-carbon-emissions/how-the-uk-is-progressing/)
• Ibid.  
• “Top 10 Ways You Can Fight Climate Change,” Green America, accessed May 7, 2020, https://www.greenamerica.org/your-green-life/10-ways-you-can-fight-climate-change )
• Matt McGrath, “Climate Change and Coronavirus: Five Charts about the Biggest Carbon Crash,” BBC News (BBC, May 5, 2020), https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/science-environment-52485712 )

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Essay on Global Warming

• Updated on  
• Apr 27, 2024

Being able to write an essay is an integral part of mastering any language. Essays form an integral part of many academic and scholastic exams like the SAT, and UPSC amongst many others. It is a crucial evaluative part of English proficiency tests as well like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. Major essays are meant to emphasize public issues of concern that can have significant consequences on the world. To understand the concept of Global Warming and its causes and effects, we must first examine the many factors that influence the planet’s temperature and what this implies for the world’s future. Here’s an unbiased look at the essay on Global Warming and other essential related topics.

Short Essay on Global Warming and Climate Change?

Since the industrial and scientific revolutions, Earth’s resources have been gradually depleted. Furthermore, the start of the world’s population’s exponential expansion is particularly hard on the environment. Simply put, as the population’s need for consumption grows, so does the use of natural resources , as well as the waste generated by that consumption.

Climate change has been one of the most significant long-term consequences of this. Climate change is more than just the rise or fall of global temperatures; it also affects rain cycles, wind patterns, cyclone frequencies, sea levels, and other factors. It has an impact on all major life groupings on the planet.

Also Read: Essay on Yoga Day

Also Read: Speech on Yoga Day

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century, primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels . The greenhouse gases consist of methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and chlorofluorocarbons. The weather prediction has been becoming more complex with every passing year, with seasons more indistinguishable, and the general temperatures hotter.

The number of hurricanes, cyclones, droughts, floods, etc., has risen steadily since the onset of the 21st century. The supervillain behind all these changes is Global Warming. The name is quite self-explanatory; it means the rise in the temperature of the Earth.

Also Read: What is a Natural Disaster?

What are the Causes of Global Warming?

According to recent studies, many scientists believe the following are the primary four causes of global warming:

• Deforestation 
• Greenhouse emissions
• Carbon emissions per capita

Extreme global warming is causing natural disasters , which can be seen all around us. One of the causes of global warming is the extreme release of greenhouse gases that become trapped on the earth’s surface, causing the temperature to rise. Similarly, volcanoes contribute to global warming by spewing excessive CO2 into the atmosphere.

The increase in population is one of the major causes of Global Warming. This increase in population also leads to increased air pollution . Automobiles emit a lot of CO2, which remains in the atmosphere. This increase in population is also causing deforestation, which contributes to global warming.

The earth’s surface emits energy into the atmosphere in the form of heat, keeping the balance with the incoming energy. Global warming depletes the ozone layer, bringing about the end of the world. There is a clear indication that increased global warming will result in the extinction of all life on Earth’s surface.

Also Read: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources

Solutions for Global Warming

Of course, industries and multinational conglomerates emit more carbon than the average citizen. Nonetheless, activism and community effort are the only viable ways to slow the worsening effects of global warming. Furthermore, at the state or government level, world leaders must develop concrete plans and step-by-step programmes to ensure that no further harm is done to the environment in general.

Although we are almost too late to slow the rate of global warming, finding the right solution is critical. Everyone, from individuals to governments, must work together to find a solution to Global Warming. Some of the factors to consider are pollution control, population growth, and the use of natural resources.

One very important contribution you can make is to reduce your use of plastic. Plastic is the primary cause of global warming, and recycling it takes years. Another factor to consider is deforestation, which will aid in the control of global warming. More tree planting should be encouraged to green the environment. Certain rules should also govern industrialization. Building industries in green zones that affect plants and species should be prohibited.

Also Read: Essay on Pollution

Effects of Global Warming

Global warming is a real problem that many people want to disprove to gain political advantage. However, as global citizens, we must ensure that only the truth is presented in the media.

This decade has seen a significant impact from global warming. The two most common phenomena observed are glacier retreat and arctic shrinkage. Glaciers are rapidly melting. These are clear manifestations of climate change.

Another significant effect of global warming is the rise in sea level. Flooding is occurring in low-lying areas as a result of sea-level rise. Many countries have experienced extreme weather conditions. Every year, we have unusually heavy rain, extreme heat and cold, wildfires, and other natural disasters.

Similarly, as global warming continues, marine life is being severely impacted. This is causing the extinction of marine species as well as other problems. Furthermore, changes are expected in coral reefs, which will face extinction in the coming years. These effects will intensify in the coming years, effectively halting species expansion. Furthermore, humans will eventually feel the negative effects of Global Warming.

Also Read: Concept of Sustainable Development

Sample Essays on Global Warming

Here are some sample essays on Global Warming:

Essay on Global Warming Paragraph in 100 – 150 words

Global Warming is caused by the increase of carbon dioxide levels in the earth’s atmosphere and is a result of human activities that have been causing harm to our environment for the past few centuries now. Global Warming is something that can’t be ignored and steps have to be taken to tackle the situation globally. The average temperature is constantly rising by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the last few years.

The best method to prevent future damage to the earth, cutting down more forests should be banned and Afforestation should be encouraged. Start by planting trees near your homes and offices, participate in events, and teach the importance of planting trees. It is impossible to undo the damage but it is possible to stop further harm.

Also Read: Social Forestry

Essay on Global Warming in 250 Words

Over a long period, it is observed that the temperature of the earth is increasing. This affected wildlife, animals, humans, and every living organism on earth. Glaciers have been melting, and many countries have started water shortages, flooding, and erosion and all this is because of global warming. 

No one can be blamed for global warming except for humans. Human activities such as gases released from power plants, transportation, and deforestation have increased gases such as carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants in the earth’s atmosphere.                                              The main question is how can we control the current situation and build a better world for future generations. It starts with little steps by every individual. 

Start using cloth bags made from sustainable materials for all shopping purposes, instead of using high-watt lights use energy-efficient bulbs, switch off the electricity, don’t waste water, abolish deforestation and encourage planting more trees. Shift the use of energy from petroleum or other fossil fuels to wind and solar energy. Instead of throwing out the old clothes donate them to someone so that it is recycled. 

Donate old books, don’t waste paper.  Above all, spread awareness about global warming. Every little thing a person does towards saving the earth will contribute in big or small amounts. We must learn that 1% effort is better than no effort. Pledge to take care of Mother Nature and speak up about global warming.

Also Read: Types of Water Pollution

Essay on Global Warming in 500 Words

Global warming isn’t a prediction, it is happening! A person denying it or unaware of it is in the most simple terms complicit. Do we have another planet to live on? Unfortunately, we have been bestowed with this one planet only that can sustain life yet over the years we have turned a blind eye to the plight it is in. Global warming is not an abstract concept but a global phenomenon occurring ever so slowly even at this moment. Global Warming is a phenomenon that is occurring every minute resulting in a gradual increase in the Earth’s overall climate. Brought about by greenhouse gases that trap the solar radiation in the atmosphere, global warming can change the entire map of the earth, displacing areas, flooding many countries, and destroying multiple lifeforms. Extreme weather is a direct consequence of global warming but it is not an exhaustive consequence. There are virtually limitless effects of global warming which are all harmful to life on earth. The sea level is increasing by 0.12 inches per year worldwide. This is happening because of the melting of polar ice caps because of global warming. This has increased the frequency of floods in many lowland areas and has caused damage to coral reefs. The Arctic is one of the worst-hit areas affected by global warming. Air quality has been adversely affected and the acidity of the seawater has also increased causing severe damage to marine life forms. Severe natural disasters are brought about by global warming which has had dire effects on life and property. As long as mankind produces greenhouse gases, global warming will continue to accelerate. The consequences are felt at a much smaller scale which will increase to become drastic shortly. The power to save the day lies in the hands of humans, the need is to seize the day. Energy consumption should be reduced on an individual basis. Fuel-efficient cars and other electronics should be encouraged to reduce the wastage of energy sources. This will also improve air quality and reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is an evil that can only be defeated when fought together. It is better late than never. If we all take steps today, we will have a much brighter future tomorrow. Global warming is the bane of our existence and various policies have come up worldwide to fight it but that is not enough. The actual difference is made when we work at an individual level to fight it. Understanding its import now is crucial before it becomes an irrevocable mistake. Exterminating global warming is of utmost importance and each one of us is as responsible for it as the next.  

Also Read: Essay on Library: 100, 200 and 250 Words

Essay on Global Warming UPSC

Always hear about global warming everywhere, but do we know what it is? The evil of the worst form, global warming is a phenomenon that can affect life more fatally. Global warming refers to the increase in the earth’s temperature as a result of various human activities. The planet is gradually getting hotter and threatening the existence of lifeforms on it. Despite being relentlessly studied and researched, global warming for the majority of the population remains an abstract concept of science. It is this concept that over the years has culminated in making global warming a stark reality and not a concept covered in books. Global warming is not caused by one sole reason that can be curbed. Multifarious factors cause global warming most of which are a part of an individual’s daily existence. Burning of fuels for cooking, in vehicles, and for other conventional uses, a large amount of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, and methane amongst many others is produced which accelerates global warming. Rampant deforestation also results in global warming as lesser green cover results in an increased presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is a greenhouse gas.  Finding a solution to global warming is of immediate importance. Global warming is a phenomenon that has to be fought unitedly. Planting more trees can be the first step that can be taken toward warding off the severe consequences of global warming. Increasing the green cover will result in regulating the carbon cycle. There should be a shift from using nonrenewable energy to renewable energy such as wind or solar energy which causes less pollution and thereby hinder the acceleration of global warming. Reducing energy needs at an individual level and not wasting energy in any form is the most important step to be taken against global warming. The warning bells are tolling to awaken us from the deep slumber of complacency we have slipped into. Humans can fight against nature and it is high time we acknowledged that. With all our scientific progress and technological inventions, fighting off the negative effects of global warming is implausible. We have to remember that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors but borrow it from our future generations and the responsibility lies on our shoulders to bequeath them a healthy planet for life to exist. 

Also Read: Essay on Disaster Management

Climate Change and Global Warming Essay

Global Warming and Climate Change are two sides of the same coin. Both are interrelated with each other and are two issues of major concern worldwide. Greenhouse gases released such as carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants in the earth’s atmosphere cause Global Warming which leads to climate change. Black holes have started to form in the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays. 

Human activities have created climate change and global warming. Industrial waste and fumes are the major contributors to global warming. 

Another factor affecting is the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and also one of the reasons for climate change.  Global warming has resulted in shrinking mountain glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, and the Arctic and causing climate change. Switching from the use of fossil fuels to energy sources like wind and solar. 

When buying any electronic appliance buy the best quality with energy savings stars. Don’t waste water and encourage rainwater harvesting in your community. 

Also Read: Essay on Air Pollution

Tips to Write an Essay

Writing an effective essay needs skills that few people possess and even fewer know how to implement. While writing an essay can be an assiduous task that can be unnerving at times, some key pointers can be inculcated to draft a successful essay. These involve focusing on the structure of the essay, planning it out well, and emphasizing crucial details.

Mentioned below are some pointers that can help you write better structure and more thoughtful essays that will get across to your readers:

• Prepare an outline for the essay to ensure continuity and relevance and no break in the structure of the essay
• Decide on a thesis statement that will form the basis of your essay. It will be the point of your essay and help readers understand your contention
• Follow the structure of an introduction, a detailed body followed by a conclusion so that the readers can comprehend the essay in a particular manner without any dissonance.
• Make your beginning catchy and include solutions in your conclusion to make the essay insightful and lucrative to read
• Reread before putting it out and add your flair to the essay to make it more personal and thereby unique and intriguing for readers  

Also Read: I Love My India Essay: 100 and 500+ Words in English for School Students

Ans. Both natural and man-made factors contribute to global warming. The natural one also contains methane gas, volcanic eruptions, and greenhouse gases. Deforestation, mining, livestock raising, burning fossil fuels, and other man-made causes are next.

Ans. The government and the general public can work together to stop global warming. Trees must be planted more often, and deforestation must be prohibited. Auto usage needs to be curbed, and recycling needs to be promoted.

Ans. Switching to renewable energy sources , adopting sustainable farming, transportation, and energy methods, and conserving water and other natural resources.

Relevant Blogs

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu.

Digvijay Singh

Having 2+ years of experience in educational content writing, withholding a Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sports Science and a strong interest in writing educational content for students enrolled in domestic and foreign study abroad programmes. I believe in offering a distinct viewpoint to the table, to help students deal with the complexities of both domestic and foreign educational systems. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, I aim to inspire my readers to embark on their educational journeys, whether abroad or at home, and to make the most of every learning opportunity that comes their way.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

This was really a good essay on global warming… There has been used many unic words..and I really liked it!!!Seriously I had been looking for a essay about Global warming just like this…

Thank you for the comment!

I want to learn how to write essay writing so I joined this page.This page is very useful for everyone.

Hi, we are glad that we could help you to write essays. We have a beginner’s guide to write essays ( https://leverageedu.com/blog/essay-writing/ ) and we think this might help you.

It is not good , to have global warming in our earth .So we all have to afforestation program on all the world.

thank you so much

Very educative , helpful and it is really going to strength my English knowledge to structure my essay in future

Thank you for the comment, please follow our newsletter to get more insights on studying abroad and exams!

Global warming is the increase in 𝓽𝓱𝓮 ᴀᴠᴇʀᴀɢᴇ ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs ᴏғ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ🌎 ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀᴇ

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Responding to the Climate Threat: Essays on Humanity’s Greatest Challenge

A new book co-authored by MIT Joint Program Founding Co-Director Emeritus Henry Jacoby

From the Back Cover

This book demonstrates how robust and evolving science can be relevant to public discourse about climate policy. Fighting climate change is the ultimate societal challenge, and the difficulty is not just in the wrenching adjustments required to cut greenhouse emissions and to respond to change already under way. A second and equally important difficulty is ensuring widespread public understanding of the natural and social science. This understanding is essential for an effective risk management strategy at a planetary scale. The scientific, economic, and policy aspects of climate change are already a challenge to communicate, without factoring in the distractions and deflections from organized programs of misinformation and denial. 

Here, four scholars, each with decades of research on the climate threat, take on the task of explaining our current understanding of the climate threat and what can be done about it, in lay language―importantly, without losing critical  aspects of the natural and social science. In a series of essays, published during the 2020 presidential election, the COVID pandemic, and through the fall of 2021, they explain the essential components of the challenge, countering the forces of distrust of the science and opposition to a vigorous national response.  

Each of the essays provides an opportunity to learn about a particular aspect of climate science and policy within the complex context of current events. The overall volume is more than the sum of its individual articles. Proceeding each essay is an explanation of the context in which it was written, followed by observation of what has happened since its first publication. In addition to its discussion of topical issues in modern climate science, the book also explores science communication to a broad audience. Its authors are not only scientists – they are also teachers, using current events to teach when people are listening. For preserving Earth’s planetary life support system, science and teaching are essential. Advancing both is an unending task.

About the Authors

Gary Yohe is the Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, Emeritus, at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He served as convening lead author for multiple chapters and the Synthesis Report for the IPCC from 1990 through 2014 and was vice-chair of the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment.

Henry Jacoby is the William F. Pounds Professor of Management, Emeritus, in the MIT Sloan School of Management and former co-director of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, which is focused on the integration of the natural and social sciences and policy analysis in application to the threat of global climate change.

Richard Richels directed climate change research at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He served as lead author for multiple chapters of the IPCC in the areas of mitigation, impacts and adaptation from 1992 through 2014. He also served on the National Assessment Synthesis Team for the first U.S. National Climate Assessment.

Ben Santer is a climate scientist and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellow. He contributed to all six IPCC reports. He was the lead author of Chapter 8 of the 1995 IPCC report which concluded that “the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate”. He is currently a Visiting Researcher at UCLA’s Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science & Engineering.

Access the Book

View the book on the publisher's website  here .

Order the book from Amazon  here . 

Related Posts

Sustainable real estate.

Optimizing Mineral Extraction and Processing for the Energy Transition

A recipe for zero-emissions fuel: Soda cans, seawater, and caffeine

China-based emissions of three potent climate-warming greenhouse gases spik...

MIT Climate News in Your Inbox

• Share full article

The Science of Climate Change Explained: Facts, Evidence and Proof

Definitive answers to the big questions.

Credit... Photo Illustration by Andrea D'Aquino

Supported by

By Julia Rosen

Ms. Rosen is a journalist with a Ph.D. in geology. Her research involved studying ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica to understand past climate changes.

• Published April 19, 2021 Updated Nov. 6, 2021

The science of climate change is more solid and widely agreed upon than you might think. But the scope of the topic, as well as rampant disinformation, can make it hard to separate fact from fiction. Here, we’ve done our best to present you with not only the most accurate scientific information, but also an explanation of how we know it.

How do we know climate change is really happening?

• How much agreement is there among scientists about climate change?
• Do we really only have 150 years of climate data? How is that enough to tell us about centuries of change?
• How do we know climate change is caused by humans?
• Since greenhouse gases occur naturally, how do we know they’re causing Earth’s temperature to rise?
• Why should we be worried that the planet has warmed 2°F since the 1800s?
• Is climate change a part of the planet’s natural warming and cooling cycles?
• How do we know global warming is not because of the sun or volcanoes?
• How can winters and certain places be getting colder if the planet is warming?
• Wildfires and bad weather have always happened. How do we know there’s a connection to climate change?
• How bad are the effects of climate change going to be?
• What will it cost to do something about climate change, versus doing nothing?

Climate change is often cast as a prediction made by complicated computer models. But the scientific basis for climate change is much broader, and models are actually only one part of it (and, for what it’s worth, they’re surprisingly accurate ).

For more than a century , scientists have understood the basic physics behind why greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide cause warming. These gases make up just a small fraction of the atmosphere but exert outsized control on Earth’s climate by trapping some of the planet’s heat before it escapes into space. This greenhouse effect is important: It’s why a planet so far from the sun has liquid water and life!

However, during the Industrial Revolution, people started burning coal and other fossil fuels to power factories, smelters and steam engines, which added more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Ever since, human activities have been heating the planet.

Where it was cooler or warmer in 2020 compared with the middle of the 20th century

Global average temperature compared with the middle of the 20th century

+0.75°C

–0.25°

30 billion metric tons

Carbon dioxide emitted worldwide 1850-2017

Rest of world

Other developed

European Union

Developed economies

Other countries

United States

E.U. and U.K.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Advertisement

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Climate Change - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Topics & Essay Examples about Climate Change More Essay writing topics list on Climate Change ❓ Questions on the topic of Climate Change

How To Save The Earth According to Bill McKibben And His Environmental Politics The Reason Why Stopping Deforestation Can Help Us Save The Earth How we pay for using natural resources? How to Stop Global Warming? How Gaming Can Make A Better World?

For many years we have struggled to figure out the real cause of climate change. We tend to go back and forth with it being just nature or it is caused by our society that is not taking good care of our environment. With this essay, I will be explaining why it is caused by nature makes more sense and could be the real cause of our climate change. Some examples that involve nature being the cause of climate change are the eruption of undersea volcanoes, carbon leak, and lastly but not least earth’s orbital variations.

• 📘 Free essay examples for your ideas about Climate Change
• 🏆 Best Essay Topics on Climate Change
• ⚡ Simple & Climate Change Easy Topics
• 🎓 Good Research Topics about Climate Change
• 📖 Essay guide on Climate Change
• ❓ Questions and Answers

Essay examples

Essay topic.

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• Climate Change in Three Cities
• Jason Momoa and Climate Change
• Climate Change and Tropical Biodiversity
• Polar Bears Warming Up to Climate Change
• Biomass and Rural Economies
• Find a Place i would Like to Live
• Facts about Corporate Social Responsibility
• Climate Change
• What is Climate Change?
• Climate Change: Causes and Effects
• Human Activity Causes Climate Change
• CSR and Climate Change
• Climate Change And Human Security
• Deforestation and Climate Changes
• Climate Change And Its Impact on Mental Health
• Laypeople’s View on Climate Change
• Migration and Climate Change
• Climate change: Big lifestyle Changes Are The Only Answer
• An Outline of Global Climate Change on Earth
• Climate Change Communication
• Contemporary Concern of Humanity – Climate Change
• Global Warming and Climate Change: Impact on Human Life
• Global Ecological Collapse and Climate Change
• Stop to Global Warming and Climate Change
• Impact Of Climate Change And Possible Solutions Environmental Sciences
• Climate change occurs when changes in Earth’s climate system result
• Global Climate Change
• Climate change solutions
• Anomalies of Anthropogenic Climate Change
• Example of a Climate Proposal
• Causes And Cosequencesof Probable Global Climate Change
• To What Extent Does Climate Change Affect Society?
• Ocean Acidification and Climate Change
• Climate Change on Earth
• The Popular Disregard of Climate Change & Its Consequences

Volcanoes Spew Lava

We will begin with the eruption of undersea volcanoes, which make the global climate over thousands of years. Volcanoes spew lava, carbon dioxide, and other elements into the deep ocean. Due to volcanoes spewing carbon dioxide into the ocean, the carbon dioxide gets trapped into circulating water, which is cycled to different regions of the ocean, where it gets caught up in upwelling currents and emitted to the atmosphere (Vaidyanathan, Gayathr). The process can take up to 2000 years and most likely will add a fraction of the 88 million metric tons of carbon that is belched out by the volcanoes to the atmosphere. Volcanoes tend to erupt when ocean tides are at their lowest point due to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The future climate could also change due to high tides, suppress underwater volcanic activity, and thousands of years hence (Vaidyanathan, Gayathr).

Carbon Leak From the Southern Ocean

Secondly, carbon leak from the Southern Ocean is another cause of climate change by nature. A carbon leak in the Southern Ocean has gradually warmed the planet for 11,000 years. It is believed that an increase in ocean circulation in the area has triggered the leak of gas which can also be a cause of climate change (Dailymail.com, Mark Prigg For). This is caused by the increasing amounts of water, rich in nutrients and carbon dioxide, welled up from the deep ocean to the surface of the Southern Ocean during the Holocene. Due to the process of locking away greenhouse gas is weakened by activity of the Southern Ocean, the increase in its activity could be the mysterious warmth of the past 11,000 years. The increase of circulation in the Southern Ocean allowed carbon dioxide to leak into the atmosphere, working to warm the planet (Dailymail.com, Mark Prigg For). The new discoveries about ocean changes could also have implications for predicting how global warming will affect ocean circulation and how much atmospheric carbon dioxide will rise due to fossil fuel burning.

Lastly, Earth’s orbital variations and sea ice synch glacial periods also known as Milankovitch climate have been the cause of climate change due to nature. This affects our climate due to the fact that each of the Milankovitch Cycles has an influence on the amount of sunlight the planet receives. Every 100,000, 41,000, and 21,000 years the cycles change (Earth’s Orbital Variations, Sea Ice Synch Glacial Periods). With the 100,000-year cycle alone being the weakest of the three it has been a problem to the degree which it affects solar radiation. New studies have shown that the mechanism in which the 100,000 year cycle and the 21,000-year cycle work together to drive Earth’s glacial cycle. The 21,000-year cycle has to do with precession which is the change in orientation of Earth’s tilted rotational axis, which is what creates Earth’s changing seasons (Earth’s Orbital Variations, Sea Ice Synch Glacial Periods). With the northern Hemisphere being tilted toward the sun, it gets more sunlight and summer experience. On the other hand, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away, which causes it to get less sunlight and more winter experience(Earth’s Orbital Variations, Sea Ice Synch Glacial Periods). This also goes the other way around after a six-month period, so due to this whichever Hemisphere is closer to the sun causes it to summer, which would make the opposite hemisphere further away from the sun causing it to be winter.

Climate Change in Our Environment

In conclusion, nature has a lot to do with climate change in our environment. Three examples of this have been Undersea volcanic eruptions, carbon leaks in the Southern Ocean, and lastly but not least Earth’s orbital variations and sea ice synch glacial periods aka Milankovitch climate. This affects our climate due to the fact that each of the Milankovitch Cycles has an influence on the amount of sunlight the planet receives. The future climate could also change due to high tides, suppress underwater volcanic activity, and thousands of years hence. It is believed that an increase in ocean circulation in the area has triggered the leak of gas which can also be a cause of climate change. New discoveries about ocean changes could also have implications for predicting how global warming will affect ocean circulation and how much atmospheric carbon dioxide will rise due to fossil fuel burning. All these have been researched causes of our climate change and while there are more out there, these are the three I decided to focus on.

FAQ about Climate Change

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates. These changes have a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term.

Changes observed in Earth’s climate since the mid-20th century are driven by human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere, raising Earth’s average surface temperature. Natural processes, which have been overwhelmed by human activities, can also contribute to climate change, including internal variability (e.g., cyclical ocean patterns like El Niño, La Niña and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation) and external forcings (e.g., volcanic activity, changes in the Sun’s energy output , variations in Earth’s orbit ).

Scientists use observations from the ground, air, and space, along with computer models , to monitor and study past, present, and future climate change. Climate data records provide evidence of climate change key indicators, such as global land and ocean temperature increases; rising sea levels; ice loss at Earth’s poles and in mountain glaciers; frequency and severity changes in extreme weather such as hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and precipitation; and cloud and vegetation cover changes.

“Climate change” and “global warming” are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. Similarly, the terms "weather" and "climate" are sometimes confused, though they refer to events with broadly different spatial- and timescales.

What Is Global Warming?

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s surface observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere. This term is not interchangeable with the term "climate change."

Since the pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have increased Earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), a number that is currently increasing by more than 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade. The current warming trend is unequivocally the result of human activity since the 1950s and is proceeding at an unprecedented rate over millennia.

Weather vs. Climate

“if you don’t like the weather in new england, just wait a few minutes.” - mark twain.

Weather refers to atmospheric conditions that occur locally over short periods of time—from minutes to hours or days. Familiar examples include rain, snow, clouds, winds, floods, or thunderstorms.

Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term (usually at least 30 years) regional or even global average of temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns over seasons, years, or decades.

Find Out More: A Guide to NASA’s Global Climate Change Website

This website provides a high-level overview of some of the known causes, effects and indications of global climate change:

Evidence. Brief descriptions of some of the key scientific observations that our planet is undergoing abrupt climate change.

Causes. A concise discussion of the primary climate change causes on our planet.

Effects. A look at some of the likely future effects of climate change, including U.S. regional effects.

Vital Signs. Graphs and animated time series showing real-time climate change data, including atmospheric carbon dioxide, global temperature, sea ice extent, and ice sheet volume.

Earth Minute. This fun video series explains various Earth science topics, including some climate change topics.

Other NASA Resources

Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio. An extensive collection of animated climate change and Earth science visualizations.

Sea Level Change Portal. NASA's portal for an in-depth look at the science behind sea level change.

NASA’s Earth Observatory. Satellite imagery, feature articles and scientific information about our home planet, with a focus on Earth’s climate and environmental change.

Header image is of Apusiaajik Glacier, and was taken near Kulusuk, Greenland, on Aug. 26, 2018, during NASA's Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) field operations. Learn more here . Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Discover More Topics From NASA

Explore Earth Science

Earth Science in Action

Earth Science Data

Facts About Earth

Search the United Nations

• What Is Climate Change
• Myth Busters
• Renewable Energy
• Finance & Justice
• Initiatives
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Paris Agreement
• Climate Ambition Summit 2023
• Climate Conferences
• Press Material
• Communications Tips

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change , primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors  causing greenhouse gases.

Humans are responsible for global warming

Climate scientists have showed that humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200 years. Human activities like the ones mentioned above are causing greenhouse gases that are warming the world faster than at any time in at least the last two thousand years.

The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is now about 1.2°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s (before the industrial revolution) and warmer than at any time in the last 100,000 years. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record , and each of the last four decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850.

Many people think climate change mainly means warmer temperatures. But temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Because the Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area can influence changes in all others.

The consequences of climate change now include, among others, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.

People are experiencing climate change in diverse ways

Climate change can affect our health , ability to grow food, housing, safety and work. Some of us are already more vulnerable to climate impacts, such as people living in small island nations and other developing countries. Conditions like sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion have advanced to the point where whole communities have had to relocate, and protracted droughts are putting people at risk of famine. In the future, the number of people displaced by weather-related events is expected to rise.

Every increase in global warming matters

In a series of UN reports , thousands of scientists and government reviewers agreed that limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C would help us avoid the worst climate impacts and maintain a livable climate. Yet policies currently in place point to a 3°C temperature rise by the end of the century.

The emissions that cause climate change come from every part of the world and affect everyone, but some countries produce much more than others .The seven biggest emitters alone (China, the United States of America, India, the European Union, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, and Brazil) accounted for about half of all global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

Everyone must take climate action, but people and countries creating more of the problem have a greater responsibility to act first.

We face a huge challenge but already know many solutions

Many climate change solutions can deliver economic benefits while improving our lives and protecting the environment. We also have global frameworks and agreements to guide progress, such as the Sustainable Development Goals , the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement . Three broad categories of action are: cutting emissions, adapting to climate impacts and financing required adjustments.

Switching energy systems from fossil fuels to renewables like solar or wind will reduce the emissions driving climate change. But we have to act now. While a growing number of countries is committing to net zero emissions by 2050, emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to keep warming below 1.5°C. Achieving this means huge declines in the use of coal, oil and gas: over two-thirds of today’s proven reserves of fossil fuels need to be kept in the ground by 2050 in order to prevent catastrophic levels of climate change.

Adapting to climate consequences protects people, homes, businesses, livelihoods, infrastructure and natural ecosystems. It covers current impacts and those likely in the future. Adaptation will be required everywhere, but must be prioritized now for the most vulnerable people with the fewest resources to cope with climate hazards. The rate of return can be high. Early warning systems for disasters, for instance, save lives and property, and can deliver benefits up to 10 times the initial cost.

We can pay the bill now, or pay dearly in the future

Climate action requires significant financial investments by governments and businesses. But climate inaction is vastly more expensive. One critical step is for industrialized countries to fulfil their commitment to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries so they can adapt and move towards greener economies.

To get familiar with some of the more technical terms used in connection with climate change, consult the Climate Dictionary .

Learn more about…

The facts on climate and energy

Climate change is a hot topic – with myths and falsehoods circulating widely. Find some essential facts here .

The science

See the latest climate reports from the United Nations as well as climate action facts .

Causes and Effects

Fossil fuels are by far the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, which poses many risks to all forms of life on Earth. Learn more .

From the Secretary-General

Read the UN Chief’s latest statements on climate action.

What is net zero? Why is it important? Our  net-zero page  explains why we need steep emissions cuts now and what efforts are underway.

Renewable energy – powering a safer future

What is renewable energy and why does it matter? Learn more about why the shift to renewables is our only hope for a brighter and safer world.

How will the world foot the bill? We explain the issues and the value of financing climate action.

What is climate adaptation? Why is it so important for every country? Find out how we can protect lives and livelihoods as the climate changes.

Climate Issues

Learn more about how climate change impacts are felt across different sectors and ecosystems.

Why women are key to climate action

Women and girls are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and uniquely situated to drive action. Find out why it’s time to invest in women.

Facts and figures

• What is climate change?
• Causes and effects
• Myth busters

Cutting emissions

• Explaining net zero
• High-level expert group on net zero
• Checklists for credibility of net-zero pledges
• Greenwashing
• What you can do

Clean energy

• Renewable energy – key to a safer future
• What is renewable energy
• Five ways to speed up the energy transition
• Why invest in renewable energy
• Clean energy stories
• A just transition

Adapting to climate change

• Climate adaptation
• Early warnings for all
• Youth voices

Financing climate action

• Finance and justice
• Loss and damage
• $100 billion commitment
• Why finance climate action
• Biodiversity
• Human Security

International cooperation

• What are Nationally Determined Contributions
• Acceleration Agenda
• Climate Ambition Summit
• Climate conferences (COPs)
• Youth Advisory Group
• Action initiatives
• Secretary-General’s speeches
• Press material
• Fact sheets
• Communications tips

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals

Climate change articles from across Nature Portfolio

Climate change refers to a statistically defined change in the average and/or variability of the climate system, this includes the atmosphere, the water cycle, the land surface, ice and the living components of Earth. The definition does not usually require the causes of change to be attributed, for example to human activity, but there are exceptions.

Dry air in the lower-free troposphere intensifies humid heatwaves

Humid heatwaves are often limited by the onset of convective rain, such as thunderstorms. Observational reanalysis data and climate models indicate that dry air 1–3 km above the Earth’s surface can curtail convective storms, allowing humid heatwaves to intensify on the ground. This effect is likely to be exacerbated by increasing global temperatures.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide widens yield gaps

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature unevenly affect the two main rice subspecies, which is predicted to increase the yield gap between low-income and middle- to high-income countries later this century.

• Irakli Loladze

Climate feedbacks from coastal erosion

The erosion of melting permafrost in the coastal Arctic Ocean is projected to lower the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, triggering unexpected carbon–climate feedbacks in the Arctic region.

• Manfredi Manizza

Related Subjects

• Attribution
• Climate and Earth system modelling
• Climate-change impacts
• Climate-change mitigation
• Projection and prediction

Latest Research and Reviews

Pushing the frontiers in climate modelling and analysis with machine learning

Machine learning methods allow for advances in many aspects of climate research. In this Perspective, the authors give an overview of recent progress and remaining challenges to harvest the full potential of machine learning methods.

• Veronika Eyring
• William D. Collins
• Laure Zanna

Preseason maize and wheat yield forecasts for early warning of crop failure

Crop failures are potentially predictable much further in advance than previously thought possible. Using multiyear forecasts of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Anderson et al. show that crop failures can be predicted before the planting season even begins in some countries.

• Weston Anderson
• Shraddhanand Shukla
• Amy McNally

Resistance of ecosystem services to global change weakened by increasing number of environmental stressors

Increasing the number of global changes reduces the resistance of ecosystem services worldwide, according to an analysis of global available observational data and field experiments.

• Guiyao Zhou
• Nico Eisenhauer
• Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo

Electrodeposition of calcareous cement from seawater in marine silica sands

The application of mild electric stimulations to marine soils produces artificial calcareous cementation and has the potential to mitigate coastal erosion by reinforcing vulnerable marine soils, according to electrochemical laboratory experiments

• Andony Landivar Macias
• Steven D. Jacobsen
• Alessandro F. Rotta Loria

Linking the treadmills of production and destruction to disproportionate carbon emissions

• Chad L. Smith
• Gregory Hooks
• Michael Lengefeld

A multi-decadal 1 km gridded database of continental-scale spring onset products

• Emma Izquierdo-Verdiguier
• Raúl Zurita-Milla

News and Comment

AI analysed 1,500 policies to cut emissions. These ones worked

Only 63 climate change interventions led to significant reductions in carbon emissions.

• Xiaoying You

Extreme heat is a huge killer — these local approaches can keep people safe

As the threat of deadly heatwaves rises, scientists are working with cities to introduce low-tech cooling features to protect citizens.

• Alix Soliman

Light bulbs have energy ratings — so why can’t AI chatbots?

The rising energy and environmental cost of the artificial-intelligence boom is fuelling concern. Green policy mechanisms that already exist offer a path towards a solution.

• Sasha Luccioni
• Boris Gamazaychikov
• Carole-Jean Wu

Resisting the carbonization of animals as climate solutions

Large animal conservation and rewilding are increasingly considered to be viable climate mitigation strategies. We argue that overstating animal roles in carbon capture may hinder, rather than facilitate, effective climate mitigation and conservation efforts.

• Ethan S. Duvall
• Elizabeth le Roux
• Andrew J. Abraham

How ‘green’ electricity from wood harms the planet — and people

Many nations have embraced burning wood pellets to produce electricity — under the assumption that it is carbon neutral. But research shows this approach can boost greenhouse-gas emissions and threaten the health of local communities.

• Melba Newsome

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Knowledge is power

Stay in the know about climate impacts and solutions. Subscribe to our newsletters.

• Eye on the Storm News
• Weekly News from Yale Climate Connections

Stay in the know about climate impacts and solutions. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Yale Climate Connections

What should you do to prepare for the climate change storm?

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Like an approaching major hurricane whose outer spiral bands are only just beginning to hit, an approaching climate change storm has begun and will soon grow to ferocious severity — a topic I discussed in detail in my previous post, When will climate change turn life in the U.S. upside down? This immense tempest is already exposing the precarious foundations upon which civilization is built — an inadequate infrastructure designed for the gentler climate of the 20th century. What should you do to prepare?

On a personal level, you should prepare for the intensifying climate change storm like you would for an approaching major hurricane. If you’re going to stay in place, know your risk, get more insurance, stock up on supplies, weatherproof your home, be ready for long power outages (if you can, get solar panels with battery backup), keep extra courses of essential medicines on hand, and get your finances in order. And if you live in a sufficiently risky place, leave.

Consider standing your ground

Moving to a new place strips you from the web of social connections in your community. As journalist Madeline Ostrander has observed, such ties help people cope during emergencies: “Sense of place, community, and rootedness aren’t just poetic ideas. They are survival mechanisms,” she  has written .

So before you pack your bags, first make sure you understand the expected consequences of climate change where you live now. Do those risks outweigh the cost of leaving behind friends, neighbors, family, and professional contacts?

Get insurance

If you decide to remain where you are, it is well worth it to increase your insurance coverage, despite the fact that insurance costs are rising rapidly. Even if you don’t live in a 1-in-100-year flood zone, flood insurance is a good idea for all property owners and renters. The National Flood Insurance Program will insure residential properties for up to $250,000 and the contents for an additional $250,000. Contact your private insurance agent to get a policy.

Defend your home against floods and wildfires

An inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 in damage; check out  FEMA ’s suggestions on protecting your home from flooding. Some examples:

• Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Install check valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into your home.
• Point your downspouts away from your home to prevent pooling at the corners of your house.
• Regrade the area around your home so it slopes away from the house — even slightly.
• Plant native grasses and long-rooted perennials in your yard to soak up floodwaters.
• Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
• Keep an adequate supply of food, candles, and drinking water in case you are trapped inside your home.

To protect against wind damage, consider the FORTIFIED construction method , a voluntary construction standard backed by decades of research, which your roofing contractor or builder can use to help protect your home against severe weather. FORTIFIED structures can qualify for insurance discounts.

The Department of Homeland Security also has guidelines on how to deal with wildfires . For example:

• Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
• Create a  fire-resistant zone  that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
• Store an N95 mask to protect yourself from smoke inhalation.

If necessary, relocate

No place is safe from weather extremes that our rapidly changing climate will bring. But some places are foolish to continue living in. If you live in a flood plain, barrier island, or high wildfire-risk area where insurance impossible to obtain or very expensive, evacuate. Leave permanently. The insurance market is finally beginning to price climate risk appropriately, and it is sending you a message. Get out of your high-risk living situation and move somewhere safer — particularly if the government offers you a taxpayer-funded buyout. Like a high-stakes game of musical chairs, the music will stop for the coastal property market — perhaps even this year — and you don’t want to be the one left without a chair.

One of my favorite parts of the must-read 2024 book by Abrahm Lustgarten, “On the Move” (my review here ), is where the author, who lives in a wildfire-prone portion of the California Bay Area, describes his angst about experiencing the new climate change reality there: skies turned orange by smoke, the constant tension of being prepared to evacuate, rolling blackouts that ruin perishable food, and increased insurance rates. He recounts a phone conversation he had with Tulane University’s urban planning and climate migration expert, Jesse Keenan, where Lustgarten asks him:

“Should I be selling my house and getting —” He cut me off. “Yes!” came his emphatic reply.

Climate havens

The most cited U.S. “climate havens” in research papers , publications by national organizations , and by the media are older cities in the Great Lakes region, upper Midwest, and Northeast. They include Ann Arbor,  Michigan ; Duluth,  Minnesota ; Minneapolis; Buffalo,  New York ; Burlington,  Vermont ; and Madison,  Wisconsin . These locations have the advantage of cooler temperatures and abundant water resources. In addition, they are located far from the ocean coast, where hurricanes and sea level rise will be problematic, and well away from the worst wildfire smoke hazards areas of the West. Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are also potential climate havens.

But some of these places may not be great places to move to if the government, city infrastructure, or social and economic conditions are flawed. For example, I like to tout my home state of Michigan as a climate haven. But Michigan has a poor electrical grid and suffers the second-highest number of power outages of any state, behind Texas — a much larger state (Fig. 1). Thus, it is good to consider the quality of the infrastructure of a state you are considering moving to.

Remember that no place is immune from the consequences of climate change. For example, many of the “havens” listed above experienced severe wildfire smoke in summer 2023. And new research on the critical Atlantic ocean current system known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, has found that it is more likely than not (59% chance) to collapse in the next 25 years. Over a period of decades following such a collapse, a major disruption to the atmospheric circulation would cause a dangerous increase in extreme weather a few decades from now over northern Europe, including the so-called climate havens of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

If you can’t move to a climate haven or you prefer not to, you can aim to find someplace closer to home that minimizes the climate risks endemic to your area.

It’s critical to know the current and future flood risk of any place you might want to live. Check out my 2023 post,  30 great tools to determine your flood risk in the U.S. If you live in Miami, New York City, New Jersey, Charleston, Norfolk, Houston, New Orleans, Houston, or the Florida Keys, check out my review of eight great books on flood risks  in these places; for California, read the new 2023 book, California Against the Sea .

Interactive maps and other resources

One way to explore the pros and cons of living in a particular U.S. city is through the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index . Created by the Environmental Defense Fund, Texas A&M, and Darkhorse Analytics, this features an interactive map to explore environmental, social, economic, and infrastructure effects on a city and county level. Grist did a nice write-up of the tool in 2023 . Note that there are some glaring problems with this tool. For example, northern Vermont is rated as being one of the least vulnerable locations, but it has seen the highest level of disaster declarations of anywhere in the U.S. over the past 23 years (Fig. 3).

FEMA has an interactive National Risk Index for Natural Hazards map that shows which communities are most at risk from  natural hazards . It includes data about the expected annual losses to individual natural hazards, social vulnerability, and community resilience, available at county and census tract levels. A separate National Risk Index tool allows you to access county-level text data on 18 natural hazards. A similar interactive map that allows you to type in an address and see how many major disaster declarations have occurred for that county from 2011-2023 is available from rebuildbydesign.org (Fig. 3)

The tools above merge the physical and environmental risks from climate change with the societal risks that exacerbate weather and climate extremes. This approach provides the most complete picture of the dangers posed to a given community. If you want to consider the physical or environmental component on its own, take a look at these tools:

• An interactive map from The Climate Explorer (NOAA) allows you to explore predicted changes in U.S. temperature, precipitation, and high tide flooding.
• The 2023 National Climate Assessment has individual chapters detailing how climate change is expected to unfold for 10 U.S. regions.
• The American Communities Project has a non-interactive map of county-level climate risks for various hazards.
• Risk Factor   from the nonprofit First Street Foundation provides a widely used, freely available tool for determining past, present, and future climate risk of an individual property. Type in an address to see on a one to 10 scale the risk for flood, heat, wildfire, wind, and air pollution hazards. Keep in mind that tools like this are controversial, though. A July 2024 study, National-Scale Flood Hazard Data Unfit for Urban RIsk Management , evaluated the First Street Foundation flood model with another flood model, and found about a “1 in 4 chance of models agreeing upon which properties are at risk”.

Stiff competition for livable places

If you do manage to find a more livable place to live, you may have plenty of competition from millions of others searching for the same thing. For example, Atlanta, which appears on Architectural Digest’s recent list of the top-10 most climate-resilient cities , faces steep challenges if it is to absorb the 1 million-plus climate refugees that could be headed there in the next 30 years. Water scarcity, deficient transportation and sewage infrastructure, social inequality, and lack of affordable housing head the list of issues for the city.

Climate change futurist Alex Steffen is one of the best at communicating the magnitude of the upheavals coming from the planetary crisis (I’m a subscriber to his excellent newsletter .) He recently commented:

But those homes, connected to systems less exposed to risk, where action to ruggedize is progressing, where institutions are functioning at a high level, where public goods and infrastructure are supported and well-managed, and where large numbers of desperate people are not overwhelming support systems — those homes will appreciate in value. Appreciate, I expect, a lot. A run on durability combined with a slow growth of housing supply will inevitably push those with less wealth out — leading to the bitter irony that young and/or poor people may find themselves among the climate-displaced, even when they’re living in some of the safest places on Earth. The only real answer to this problem is a politics of urgent abundance. We must build at genuinely inclusive scales. If you live in a relatively safe place, and you don’t want it to be trapped in the amber of wealth, your town has to build enough housing (and workplaces and infrastructure and schools and so on) to meet a massive uptick in demand. It will need to go on building for decades. (I  wrote a book  about why building compact communities at scale is also a critical climate/sustainability solution.) Not many prosperous towns are ready to do this. The ones that aren’t could quickly turn into enclaves of wealth. A lot of people will be left outside those gates when they close. Still, if you’re lucky or smart enough to get in, you and your family might find yourselves with some of the brightest futures around.

Those with wealth will be much better positioned to weather the coming climate change storm. So it would be prudent now to begin financial planning for the coming planetary crisis; reducing the amount of debt you carry would be a good place to start. And if you have money tied up in fossil fuel companies, consider that their long-term business model must dim dramatically if our futures are to brighten.

Read: How can I make my retirement plan climate-friendly?

Related posts and resources

This is part four of a four-part series on U.S. climate change adaptation. The other parts:

Part one looked at a number of recent government adaptation efforts to prepare the U.S. for our new climate.

Part two looked at how far short U.S. climate change adaptation efforts fall from what is needed.

Part three is an essay giving my observations and speculations on how the planetary crisis may play out.

• Can a colossal extreme weather event galvanize action on the climate crisis?
• Book review: “On the Move” is a must-read account of U.S. climate migration
• Book review: “The Great Displacement” is a must-read
• Part one of my three-part sea level rise series:  How fast are the seas rising?
• Part two of my three-part sea level rise series:  Eight excellent books on sea level rise risk for U.S. cities
• Part three of my three-part sea level rise series:  30 great tools to determine your flood risk in the U.S.  
• Bubble trouble: Climate change is creating a huge and growing U.S. real estate bubble
• Retreat From a Rising Sea: A Book Review
• Susan Crawford’s Substack feed on climate adaptation policy,  Moving Day
• Climate futurist Alex Steffen’s  newsletter ; he also periodically offers a six-week course, A Crash Course in Personal Ruggedization (both have fees)

Bob Henson and Sara Peach contributed to this post.

We help millions of people understand climate change and what to do about it. Help us reach even more people like you.

more like this

The Pacific comes alive: Tropical cyclone threats to Hawai‘i and Japan

Free online tool kit can help small businesses prepare for climate change

How open spaces can save lives during wildfires

Jeff masters.

Jeff Masters, Ph.D., worked as a hurricane scientist with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990. After a near-fatal flight into category 5 Hurricane Hugo, he left the Hurricane Hunters to pursue a... More by Jeff Masters

Recommended

As a scientist, i’m not allowed to tell the full truth about climate change.

Reprinted with permission from the Free Press .

If you’ve been reading any news about wildfires this summer — from Canada to Europe to Maui — you will surely get the impression that they are mostly the result of climate change .

Here’s the AP: Climate change keeps making wildfires and smoke worse. Scientists call it the “new abnormal.”

And PBS “NewsHour”: Wildfires driven by climate change are on the rise — Spain must do more to prepare, experts say.

And the New York Times: How Climate Change Turned Lush Hawaii Into a Tinderbox.

And Bloomberg: Maui Fires Show Climate Change’s Ugly Reach.

I am a climate scientist. And while climate change is an important factor affecting wildfires over many parts of the world , it isn’t close to the only factor that deserves our sole focus.

So why does the press focus so intently on climate change as the root cause?

Perhaps for the same reasons I just did in an academic paper about wildfires in Nature, one of the world’s most prestigious journals: It fits a simple storyline that rewards the person telling it.

The paper I just published — “Climate warming increases extreme daily wildfire growth risk in California” — focuses exclusively on how climate change has affected extreme wildfire behavior.

I knew not to try to quantify key aspects other than climate change in my research because it would dilute the story that prestigious journals like Nature and its rival, Science, want to tell.

This matters because it is critically important for scientists to be published in high-profile journals; in many ways, they are the gatekeepers for career success in academia.

And the editors of these journals have made it abundantly clear, both by what they publish and what they reject, that they want climate papers that support certain preapproved narratives — even when those narratives come at the expense of broader knowledge for society.

To put it bluntly, climate science has become less about understanding the complexities of the world and more about serving as a kind of Cassandra, urgently warning the public about the dangers of climate change. However understandable this instinct may be, it distorts a great deal of climate science research, misinforms the public, and most importantly, makes practical solutions more difficult to achieve.

Why is this happening?

It starts with the fact that a researcher’s career depends on his or her work being cited widely and perceived as important. This triggers the self-reinforcing feedback loops of name recognition, funding, quality applications from aspiring PhD students and postdocs, and of course, accolades.

But as the number of researchers has skyrocketed in recent years — there are close to six times more PhDs earned in the US each year than there were in the early 1960s — it has become more difficult than ever to stand out from the crowd. So while there has always been a tremendous premium placed on publishing in journals like Nature and Science, it’s also become extraordinarily more competitive.

In theory, scientific research should prize curiosity, dispassionate objectivity, and a commitment to uncovering the truth. Surely those are the qualities that editors of scientific journals should value.

In reality, though, the biases of the editors (and the reviewers they call upon to evaluate submissions) exert a major influence on the collective output of entire fields. They select what gets published from a large pool of entries, and in doing so, they also shape how research is conducted more broadly. Savvy researchers tailor their studies to maximize the likelihood that their work is accepted.

I know this because I am one of them.

Here’s how it works.

The first thing the astute climate researcher knows is that his or her work should support the mainstream narrative — namely, that the effects of climate change are both pervasive and catastrophic and that the primary way to deal with them is not by employing practical adaptation measures like stronger, more resilient infrastructure, better zoning and building codes, more air conditioning — or in the case of wildfires, better forest management or undergrounding power lines — but through policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

So in my recent Nature paper, which I authored with seven others, I focused narrowly on the influence of climate change on extreme wildfire behavior.

Make no mistake: That influence is very real. But there are also other factors that can be just as or more important, such as poor forest management and the increasing number of people who start wildfires either accidentally or purposely. (A startling fact: Over 80% of wildfires in the US are ignited by humans.)

In my paper, we didn’t bother to study the influence of these other obviously relevant factors.

Did I know that including them would make for a more realistic and useful analysis? I did. But I also knew that it would detract from the clean narrative centered on the negative impact of climate change and thus decrease the odds that the paper would pass muster with Nature’s editors and reviewers.

Never Miss a Story

Sign up to get the best stories straight to your inbox.

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Never miss a story.

This type of framing, with the influence of climate change unrealistically considered in isolation, is the norm for high-profile research papers. For example, in another recent influential Nature paper, scientists calculated that the two largest climate change impacts on society are deaths related to extreme heat and damage to agriculture.

However, the authors never mention that climate change is not the dominant driver for either one of these impacts: Heat-related deaths have been declining, and crop yields have been increasing for decades despite climate change.

To acknowledge this would imply that the world has succeeded in some areas despite climate change — which, the thinking goes, would undermine the motivation for emissions reductions.

This leads to a second unspoken rule in writing a successful climate paper: The authors should ignore — or at least downplay — practical actions that can counter the impact of climate change.

If deaths due to extreme heat are decreasing and crop yields are increasing, then it stands to reason that we can overcome some major negative effects of climate change. Shouldn’t we then study how we have been able to achieve success so that we can facilitate more of it? Of course we should.

But studying solutions rather than focusing on problems is simply not going to rouse the public — or the press. Besides, many mainstream climate scientists tend to view the whole prospect of, say, using technology to adapt to climate change as wrongheaded; addressing emissions is the right approach.

So the savvy researcher knows to stay away from practical solutions.

Here’s a third trick: Be sure to focus on metrics that will generate the most eye-popping numbers. Our paper, for instance, could have focused on a simple, intuitive metric like the number of additional acres that burned or the increase in intensity of wildfires because of climate change.

Instead, we followed the common practice of looking at the change in risk of an extreme event — in our case, the increased risk of wildfires burning more than 10,000 acres (15.6 square miles) in a single day.

This is a far less intuitive metric that is more difficult to translate into actionable information. So why is this more complicated and less useful kind of metric so common? Because it generally produces larger factors of increase than other calculations.

To wit: You get bigger numbers that justify the importance of your work, its rightful place in Nature or Science, and widespread media coverage.

Another way to get the kind of big numbers that will justify the importance of your research — and impress editors, reviewers and the media — is to always assess the magnitude of climate change over centuries, even if that timescale is irrelevant to the impact you are studying.

For example, it is standard practice to assess impacts on society using the amount of climate change since the Industrial Revolution, but to ignore technological and societal changes over that time. This makes little sense from a practical standpoint since societal changes in population distribution, infrastructure, behavior, disaster preparedness, etc., have had far more influence on our sensitivity to weather extremes than climate change has since the 1800s.

This can be seen, for example, in the precipitous decline in deaths from weather and climate disasters over the last century. Similarly, it is standard practice to calculate impacts for scary hypothetical future warming scenarios that strain credibility while ignoring potential changes in technology and resilience that would lessen the impact. Those scenarios always make for good headlines.

A much more useful analysis would focus on changes in climate from the recent past that living people have actually experienced and then forecasting the foreseeable future — the next several decades — while accounting for changes in technology and resilience.

In the case of my recent Nature paper, this would mean considering the impact of climate change in conjunction with anticipated reforms to forest management practices over the next several decades.

In fact, our current research indicates that these changes in forest management practices could completely negate the detrimental impacts of climate change on wildfires.

This more practical kind of analysis is discouraged, however, because looking at changes in impacts over shorter time periods and including other relevant factors reduces the calculated magnitude of the impact of climate change, and thus it weakens the case for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

You might be wondering at this point if I’m disowning my own paper. I’m not.

On the contrary, I think it advances our understanding of climate change’s role in day-to-day wildfire behavior. It’s just that the process of customizing the research for an eminent journal caused it to be less useful than it could have been.

As to why I followed the formula despite my criticisms, the answer is simple: I wanted the research to be published in the highest-profile venue possible. When I began the research for this paper in 2020, I was a new assistant professor needing to maximize my prospects for a successful career. When I had previously attempted to deviate from the formula, my papers were rejected out of hand by the editors of distinguished journals, and I had to settle for less prestigious outlets.

To put it another way, I sacrificed contributing the most valuable knowledge for society in order for the research to be compatible with the confirmation bias of the editors and reviewers of the journals I was targeting.

I left academia over a year ago, partially because I felt the pressures put on academic scientists caused too much of the research to be distorted.

Now, as a member of a private nonprofit research center, the Breakthrough Institute, I feel much less pressure to mold my research to the preferences of prominent journal editors and the rest of the field.

This means conducting the version of the research on wildfires that I believe adds much more practical value for real-world decisions: studying the impacts of climate change over relevant time frames and in the context of other important changes, like the number of fires started by people and the effects of forest management.

The research may not generate the same clean story and desired headlines, but it will be more useful in devising climate change strategies.

But climate scientists shouldn’t have to exile themselves from academia to publish the most useful versions of their research. We need a culture change across academia and elite media that allows for a much broader conversation on societal resilience to climate.

The media, for instance, should stop accepting these papers at face value and do some digging on what’s been left out. The editors of the prominent journals need to expand beyond a narrow focus that pushes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. And the researchers themselves need to start standing up to editors, or find other places to publish.

What really should matter isn’t citations for the journals, clicks for the media, or career status for the academics — but research that actually helps society.

Advertisement

Climate Change: Evidence and Causes: Update 2020 (2020)

Chapter: conclusion, c onclusion.

This document explains that there are well-understood physical mechanisms by which changes in the amounts of greenhouse gases cause climate changes. It discusses the evidence that the concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere have increased and are still increasing rapidly, that climate change is occurring, and that most of the recent change is almost certainly due to emissions of greenhouse gases caused by human activities. Further climate change is inevitable; if emissions of greenhouse gases continue unabated, future changes will substantially exceed those that have occurred so far. There remains a range of estimates of the magnitude and regional expression of future change, but increases in the extremes of climate that can adversely affect natural ecosystems and human activities and infrastructure are expected.

Citizens and governments can choose among several options (or a mixture of those options) in response to this information: they can change their pattern of energy production and usage in order to limit emissions of greenhouse gases and hence the magnitude of climate changes; they can wait for changes to occur and accept the losses, damage, and suffering that arise; they can adapt to actual and expected changes as much as possible; or they can seek as yet unproven “geoengineering” solutions to counteract some of the climate changes that would otherwise occur. Each of these options has risks, attractions and costs, and what is actually done may be a mixture of these different options. Different nations and communities will vary in their vulnerability and their capacity to adapt. There is an important debate to be had about choices among these options, to decide what is best for each group or nation, and most importantly for the global population as a whole. The options have to be discussed at a global scale because in many cases those communities that are most vulnerable control few of the emissions, either past or future. Our description of the science of climate change, with both its facts and its uncertainties, is offered as a basis to inform that policy debate.

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following individuals served as the primary writing team for the 2014 and 2020 editions of this document:

• Eric Wolff FRS, (UK lead), University of Cambridge
• Inez Fung (NAS, US lead), University of California, Berkeley
• Brian Hoskins FRS, Grantham Institute for Climate Change
• John F.B. Mitchell FRS, UK Met Office
• Tim Palmer FRS, University of Oxford
• Benjamin Santer (NAS), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• John Shepherd FRS, University of Southampton
• Keith Shine FRS, University of Reading.
• Susan Solomon (NAS), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Kevin Trenberth, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• John Walsh, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• Don Wuebbles, University of Illinois

Staff support for the 2020 revision was provided by Richard Walker, Amanda Purcell, Nancy Huddleston, and Michael Hudson. We offer special thanks to Rebecca Lindsey and NOAA Climate.gov for providing data and figure updates.

The following individuals served as reviewers of the 2014 document in accordance with procedures approved by the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences:

• Richard Alley (NAS), Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University
• Alec Broers FRS, Former President of the Royal Academy of Engineering
• Harry Elderfield FRS, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge
• Joanna Haigh FRS, Professor of Atmospheric Physics, Imperial College London
• Isaac Held (NAS), NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
• John Kutzbach (NAS), Center for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin
• Jerry Meehl, Senior Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• John Pendry FRS, Imperial College London
• John Pyle FRS, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge
• Gavin Schmidt, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
• Emily Shuckburgh, British Antarctic Survey
• Gabrielle Walker, Journalist
• Andrew Watson FRS, University of East Anglia

The Support for the 2014 Edition was provided by NAS Endowment Funds. We offer sincere thanks to the Ralph J. and Carol M. Cicerone Endowment for NAS Missions for supporting the production of this 2020 Edition.

F OR FURTHER READING

For more detailed discussion of the topics addressed in this document (including references to the underlying original research), see:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2019: Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate [ https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc ]
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), 2019: Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda [ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25259 ]
• Royal Society, 2018: Greenhouse gas removal [ https://raeng.org.uk/greenhousegasremoval ]
• U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), 2018: Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States [ https://nca2018.globalchange.gov ]
• IPCC, 2018: Global Warming of 1.5°C [ https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15 ]
• USGCRP, 2017: Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume I: Climate Science Special Reports [ https://science2017.globalchange.gov ]
• NASEM, 2016: Attribution of Extreme Weather Events in the Context of Climate Change [ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/21852 ]
• IPCC, 2013: Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Working Group 1. Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis [ https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1 ]
• NRC, 2013: Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change: Anticipating Surprises [ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/18373 ]
• NRC, 2011: Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts Over Decades to Millennia [ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12877 ]
• Royal Society 2010: Climate Change: A Summary of the Science [ https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/publications/2010/climate-change-summary-science ]
• NRC, 2010: America’s Climate Choices: Advancing the Science of Climate Change [ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12782 ]

Much of the original data underlying the scientific findings discussed here are available at:

• https://data.ucar.edu/
• https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu
• https://iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu
• https://ess-dive.lbl.gov/
• https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/
• https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/
• http://scrippsco2.ucsd.edu
• http://hahana.soest.hawaii.edu/hot/

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. It is now more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that humans are changing Earth's climate. The Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences, with their similar missions to promote the use of science to benefit society and to inform critical policy debates, produced the original Climate Change: Evidence and Causes in 2014. It was written and reviewed by a UK-US team of leading climate scientists. This new edition, prepared by the same author team, has been updated with the most recent climate data and scientific analyses, all of which reinforce our understanding of human-caused climate change.

Scientific information is a vital component for society to make informed decisions about how to reduce the magnitude of climate change and how to adapt to its impacts. This booklet serves as a key reference document for decision makers, policy makers, educators, and others seeking authoritative answers about the current state of climate-change science.

READ FREE ONLINE

Welcome to OpenBook!

You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

Show this book's table of contents , where you can jump to any chapter by name.

...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

Switch between the Original Pages , where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter .

Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

View our suggested citation for this chapter.

Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

Get Email Updates

Do you enjoy reading reports from the Academies online for free ? Sign up for email notifications and we'll let you know about new publications in your areas of interest when they're released.

Trump Revives — and Further Decreases — His Absurdly Low Estimate of Sea Level Rise

By Jessica McDonald

Posted on August 23, 2024

Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino .

On the campaign trail this summer, former President Donald Trump has routinely cast doubt on climate change by falsely claiming that the oceans will rise just “one-eighth of an inch over the next 400 years.” He’s previously used the same measurement over a period of 250 years. In fact, the current rate of sea level rise is already a little more than one-eighth of an inch each year.

“The biggest threat is not global warming, where the ocean’s going to rise one-eighth of an inch over the next 400 years … and you’ll have more oceanfront property, right?” Trump said in an Aug. 12 interview on X with Elon Musk, the platform’s owner. “The biggest threat is not that. The biggest threat is nuclear warming, because we have five countries now that have significant nuclear power and we have to not allow anything to happen with stupid people like [President Joe] Biden.”

Since June, Trump has used the same figures at least three other times to incorrectly minimize — and even question the reality of — current and projected sea level rise, including most recently at an Aug. 17 rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

“The oceans will rise one-eighth of an inch over the next 400 years, but they don’t talk about a madman that’s building nuclear missiles right now. That’s your real global warming. It’s not this,” he said. “Your global warming is going to be nuclear weapons. Nobody talks about that. They don’t ever mention it, but they talk about an ocean that’s rising, which will give you slightly more beachfront property if it happens.”

On another occasion, at a rally in Virginia in late June, the former president upped the time frame to 497 years. 

Trump’s latest sea level rise claims are even more extreme than his previous assertion, in 2019, that sea level rise would total one-eighth of an inch “within the next 250 years,” which we fact-checked at the time . Last year, Trump also used the absurdly low rates of one-eighth of an inch over 300 years and one-hundredth of an inch over 350 years.

It’s unclear, as it was in 2019, whether Trump is using the numbers in earnest. His campaign did not respond when asked to clarify. The takeaway, however, is clear: that the risks of climate change are negligible or even nil, when in fact, they are very much real.

Sea level rise is one of the most visible and devastating impacts of global warming. Contrary to Trump’s suggestion that it might only lead to “more beachfront property,” rising sea levels increase coastal flooding, including storm surges, which puts lives and infrastructure at risk. 

Rising sea levels also contribute to coastal erosion , meaning less beach — not more. For every inch of sea level rise, approximately 100 inches of beach are lost, according to NASA oceanographer and climate scientist Josh Willis.

Sea level rise primarily occurs because higher temperatures are melting land ice, which adds water to the oceans, and because warmer temperatures expand the volume of the existing water. (A much smaller contributor is the movement of water on land, such as in lakes and aquifers, to the seas, mostly via groundwater depletion.) The planet is already significantly hotter than it used to be, and it continues to warm, due to past and present releases of heat-trapping pollution, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels.

Current and Projected Levels of Sea Level Rise

According to the latest data from NASA, the current rate of global sea level rise is 4.2 millimeters, or 0.17 inches, per year. That’s already a bit above one-eighth of an inch annually — and far from Trump’s estimates of that amount over centuries. 

Satellite data show that just since December 2019 — when Trump made his claim of one-eighth of an inch over 250 years — the global sea level has already risen more than five-eighths of an inch.

Sea level rise has accelerated in recent years, and that trend is expected to continue. For example, for much of the last century, oceans rose by an average of 1.4 millimeters, or 0.06 inches, per year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But between 2006 and 2015, the average more than doubled to 3.6 millimeters, or 0.14 inches, per year.

Specific locations may be above or below this average, due to a variety of factors , including ground settling, ocean currents and erosion.

Projections for future sea level rise further dwarf Trump’s already low figures. Per a 2022 NOAA technical report , global sea levels are projected to rise 1 foot above 2000 levels by 2100, even in the most optimistic scenario. Those projections grow to 3.3 feet in the intermediate scenario and balloon to 6.6 feet in the high scenario.

Sea level rise over the next 30 years is projected to be the same as the total rise over the past 100 years, according to the report. By 2050, for example, the report says that the sea level along the U.S. coastline is expected to be on average 10 to 12 inches higher than in 2000, with the Gulf and East coasts experiencing even larger increases. This will quintuple the risk of “major” flooding and make “moderate” flooding more common than “minor” flooding is today.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, from 2021, provides similar projections: a 7-inch increase in global sea levels by 2050 and a 15-inch rise by 2100, assuming low emissions, relative to levels in 1995 to 2014. Those rise to 9 inches and 30 inches by 2050 and 2100, respectively, under high emissions. These estimates  do not factor in  various ice sheet processes that are highly uncertain but could — in an unlikely but possible scenario under high emissions — more quickly melt the ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland and add another 3.3 feet or more of sea level rise by the end of the century.

As an FAQ for the report explains , past and present emissions have virtually guaranteed at least a third of a foot of sea level rise by 2050, regardless of whether the world cuts its greenhouse emissions. That’s because oceans and ice sheets are still responding to increased temperatures. After 2050, the amount of sea level rise is more difficult to predict and also more dependent on total emissions.

Still, by 2300 — a century short of Trump’s 400-year mark — scientists project that relative to 1995–2014, the oceans will be up to 10 feet higher under low emissions and some 5.6 to 22 feet higher under high emissions. This does not consider ice cliff instability , which refers to a theorized self-perpetuating feedback loop that could radically speed up ice sheet loss as the exposed ends of an ice sheet collapse under high stress. When that is included with high emissions, sea level rise could be as high as more than 52 feet — more than 400 times as much as an eighth of an inch.

A study published in Science Advances on Aug. 21 suggests that the Antarctic ice sheet “may be less vulnerable” to ice cliff instability than previously thought, although much uncertainty remains.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through  our “Donate” page . If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

When the world gets closer.

We help you see farthers.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

More about Worldcrunch

Follow us on social media.

To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies. If you continue browsing, you accept our use of cookies. You can review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use.

($19.90) $5 !

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

30-days free access, then $2.90 per month. Subscribe to Worldcrunch

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing. save $14.90. Subscribe to Worldcrunch

Post. Individual Article Access

North-South Divide And The Mirage Of Universal Climate Solutions

The global fight against climate change is essential, but the solutions are not universal. measures must account for the local realities of the global south, where economic development is equally important and where the imposition of strict environmental standards by the north has devastating social and economic consequences..

Engineers preparing solar panels for a new solar farm.

The warning signs of impending ecological catastrophe are multiplying at a frightening rate. Devastating storms, uncontrollable fires, prolonged droughts, melting ice caps, rising temperatures and rising sea levels are just the beginnings of an era of climatic chaos that could render certain regions of the planet uninhabitable. Saving the planet is not just a question of justice and responsibility toward future generations, but a question of survival.

For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here .

Since their independence, the countries of the South have been bogged down in a relentless struggle against underdevelopment, facing the daily challenges of survival, poverty, education and health. These battles, which have never fully been won, constitute a perpetual burden on their path toward a decent life for their populations.

Today, these already vulnerable nations find themselves burdened by a new threat: the environmental constraints imposed by the irresponsibility of the planet's major polluters. The colossal costs of the ecological transition, combined with inevitable inflation in the short and medium term as a result of the gradual abandonment of cheaper fossil fuels, add up to a situation of widespread indebtedness. This will undoubtedly widen the development gap with the North.

Numerous studies demonstrate the negative impacts of the ecological transition on employment, competitiveness and the environment. It would be more honest to speak of "constrained growth," a term that reflects the reality of lower growth than in an unconstrained world.

The legitimate ambitions of the countries of the South for economic development are being sacrificed, suffocated under the weight of ecological demands with their environmental standards, further deepening global inequalities and compromising their fundamental right to a better future.

The roots of injustice

Historically, industrialized nations have built their wealth on the unbridled and reckless exploitation of natural resources . For centuries, the United States, Europe, Japan and other developed powers have polluted the air, land and water without ever being held accountable.

Today, having reached an advanced stage of development, these nations are seeking to impose strict and restrictive environmental policies and standards on the countries of the South, which are still suffering the consequences of this destructive industrialization, thus putting the brakes on any prospect of economic growth.

This historical asymmetry has created a glaring injustice. The countries of the Global North, having built their economies on ecologically destructive practices, now impose stringent environmental standards on developing countries without providing them with the financial and technological means to meet them.

In so doing, they deprive these nations of the right to follow a similar path of growth and force them into economic stagnation, making it almost impossible to reduce the gap separating them from the rich countries.

​Stifled development​​​

For the countries of the South, economic growth is not simply a political objective, as it is in the North, but a matter of survival. It is essential for eradicating poverty, improving infrastructure, providing quality education and accessible health services. Environmental standards, however noble, are insurmountable obstacles for these nations in their quest for progress.

For the countries of the South, economic growth is not simply a political objective but a matter of survival.

Take sub-Saharan Africa, for example. This region has immense reserves of coal, oil and natural gas, which could be exploited to stimulate economic growth and finance development projects. Yet international pressure to limit carbon emissions and promote renewable energies is holding back this exploitation.

Local populations , living in poverty and lacking access to electricity, see their hopes for development hampered by environmental standards dictated by developed countries, the sole decision-makers on global agendas. The inevitable tightening of these standards would constitute the future cursor of desolation and chaos in the countries of the South.

A man moving trash by wheel barrel to a burn site.

A delicate balance

A close look at the economic and social realities of the countries of the South reveals that the blind pursuit of green growth could be a significant brake on their economic development.

Green industries have specific characteristics that often make them less labor-intensive, requiring highly specialized technical skills, due to their massive use of automation and advanced technologies, which can be a brake on employment, a critical impact in countries with galloping demographics.

For example, solar farms and wind farms require significant initial investment in sophisticated, automated equipment. Once installed, these systems operate with minimal human intervention. Maintenance and monitoring can often be carried out remotely, using advanced sensors and software.

As a result, the manpower requirement for the day-to-day management of these facilities is relatively low compared with that of traditional power plants, which require substantial staff for operations management, maintenance and safety. The same applies to biofuel production.

The uniform application of green policies risks perpetuating global inequalities.

Specific case studies illustrate this reality. In Germany, the energy transition known as the Energiewende has led to a significant increase in renewable energies. However, it has also been accompanied by a decline in jobs in the fossil fuel sectors without a commensurate increase in jobs in renewable energies. An analysis of the labor market shows that the jobs created in the renewables sector were more specialized and fewer in number than those lost in the fossil fuel sector.

The transition to a green economy means the decline of traditional, labor-intensive industrial sectors.

True economic intelligence lies in the ability to balance ecological requirements with growth imperatives, taking into account the particularities and priorities of each country. Imposing green guidelines in every growth plan, without taking into account local contexts, is tantamount to imposing a dogmatic straitjacket that excludes any optimal and necessarily flexible solution to meet the urgent needs of populations in the South.

It's time to recognize that the uniform application of green policies , without contextual adaptation and pragmatic flexibility, risks perpetuating global inequalities and hampering the progress of the most vulnerable nations.

The clean energy burden

The transition to renewable energies represents a particularly complex challenge for developing countries. The energy infrastructures of these nations are often rudimentary and largely dependent on fossil fuels. Switching to cleaner energy sources requires massive investment, advanced technologies and technical expertise, all of which are sorely lacking.

Take the case of India , a country facing exponential energy demand due to its demographic and industrial growth. International pressure to reduce carbon emissions is driving the government to invest in solar and wind power. While encouraging, these initiatives are not enough to meet the immediate needs of the population and industry. Coal, a cheap and abundant source of energy, remains an economic necessity despite its devastating environmental impact.

In Southeast Asia, industrial and agricultural expansion is often synonymous with massive deforestation, as in Indonesia, where palm oil cultivation is destroying entire ecosystems.

In Africa, mining, an essential source of foreign currency, leads to severe environmental degradation. These activities, vital to the local economy, are often incompatible with sustainability objectives.

The example of Brazil is revealing. Global pressure to protect the Amazon is in direct conflict with the economic needs of the population and the agricultural and mining industries. Without viable economic alternatives and substantial international support, the country finds itself in an impasse where environmental protection directly threatens economic growth.

A firefighter putting out a fire near the Amazon rainforest.

Fernando Souza/Zuma

Social and economic consequences

The imposition of strict environmental standards has devastating social and economic consequences. By hampering industrial development, these standards reduce employment opportunities and impede wealth creation. Governments, unable to generate sufficient revenues, struggle to finance essential public services such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

In India , for example, pressure to reduce dependence on coal and switch to renewable energies is threatening millions of jobs in mining regions. Local communities, which depend on the coal industry for their livelihoods, find themselves without a viable alternative. The transition to a green economy, without adequate support and careful planning, risks exacerbating inequalities and deepening poverty.

The balance between growth and sustainability seems to be a pipe dream for many developing nations.

The balance between growth and sustainability therefore seems to be a pipe dream for many developing nations. The demands of ecological transition risk condemning them to economic stagnation or even backsliding, amplifying global inequalities. International commitments such as the Paris Agreement, while essential, do not always take account of local realities and the sacrifices they impose on the most vulnerable.

One of the great errors of contemporary economic thinking lies in the idea that green solutions, applied uniformly, are beneficial for all contexts.

Developing economies, for the most part characterized by inadequate infrastructure, fragile institutions and dependence on natural resources, are faced with a cruel dilemma: How can they aspire to rapid growth to meet the immediate needs of their populations, without compromising the environmental sustainability vital to the planet's survival, and knowing that curbing growth in the name of sustainability risks plunging millions of people into precariousness?

This question, which must haunt all responsible decision-makers, often finds a desperately pessimistic answer: The balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability seems unattainable for many countries in the South.

A new ethical approach is possible

To overcome these injustices, a new ethical and pragmatic approach is essential. Climate change knows no borders. It doesn't stop at customs, and it doesn't require a visa. The cost of inaction is too high. It cannot be measured in dollars, but in human lives, species lost and ecosystems destroyed.

Developed countries must acknowledge their historical and current responsibility for global environmental degradation by forgiving the debt of low-impact countries in the South, and assume a fairer share of the burden of ecological transition.

First, it is imperative to increase funding for sustainable development. Promises must be turned into concrete action, with accessible and transparent financing mechanisms. Green technologies must be shared freely, without the intellectual property barriers that limit access.

The universality of green solutions is a utopia.

Second, environmental standards need to be adapted to local realities. A one-size-fits-all approach is inappropriate and counterproductive. It is necessary to develop flexible standards that take into account the specific economic, social and environmental contexts of each country. This implies close cooperation between nations, international organizations and local stakeholders to define realistic and achievable targets.

Third, developed countries must stop dictating rules without offering the means to respect them. Instead, they must become partners in an open and constructive dialogue, aiming to build a future where development and sustainability are no longer in opposition, but progressively in harmony over time.

Ultimately, the ecological imperative, imposed indiscriminately on the countries of the South by the North, risks condemning many developing nations to unsustainable economic stagnation . The transition to a green economy, while vital for the planet's survival, cannot be achieved at the expense of the legitimate aspirations of the countries of the South.

These countries, still bogged down in the fight against poverty and inequality, are held back by rigid environmental standards that threaten to perpetuate their dependence and precariousness. It is essential to recognize that the universality of green solutions is a utopia; only policies adapted to local realities and supported by fair and equitable international cooperation will enable us to reconcile growth and sustainability in the long term.

• Twenty-First Century Land Grab, As Rich Buy Farm Land In Developing World ›
• migration - Worldcrunch ›
• Can Macron's "Creative" Diplomacy Fix The Rift Between The West And Global South? ›
• What/Where is the Global South? | Global South Studies, U.Va. ›
• G20: Everyone's talking about the Global South. But what is it? | AP ... ›
• The Term “Global South” Is Surging. It Should Be Retired. - Carnegie ... ›

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Already a subscriber? Log in

• While U Slept
• Worldcrunch Today
• Worldcrunch The Latest
• Worldcrunch Weekly
• Global Biz & Innovation
• Global Viewpoint
• Global Life
• Eyes on the U.S.
• My Grand-Père`s World
• Worldcrunch Communication

Men, Feelings And Fears: Talking Never Helped Anyone, Right?

Being aware of our own vulnerabilities is not a sign of weakness — it’s what makes us human. but as ignacio pereyra writes, reflecting on his own experience as a man and a father, there's still a fairly long way to go before the "club of men" understands the value of opening up about their fears..

Three men at the summit of a mountain discussing their feelings at sunset.

We say one thing and feel another. How important do you find talking about things — does it feel like you’re exposing yourself and accepting your vulnerabilities?

In one of those very early-in-the-dating-period soul-searching long chats Irene and I had, she revealed she had no fears. From a place of visceral intuition, I dared to make a very risky list of what I thought she might have fears of.

It was one of those momentous talks, hinging on us going forward as a couple. More than 11 years later, we still talk about it and remember it. Not what we talked about — but that inconceivable something that floated in the air during it. I’m unable to repeat the improvised list of fears I poured out at the time; I simply don’t remember it.

Why does it feel like it was such a milestone in our relationship then? Looking back, I’d say it was how it pushed us into positions of vulnerability, intimacy and an openness to new possibilities.

There I was, on the verge of ridicule, making affirmations and speaking bluntly and with conviction about someone who I had only known for days, really.

And there she was, face to face with a guy she was only recently getting to know, who was contradicting what she had said: “You’re right,” she admitted eventually, as those fears seemed to resonate somewhere inside her, “I do have a lot of fears.”

An exercise, another chat

I remembered this chat a few days ago. I was getting lunch ready. A friend was at the kitchen table, and he opened up a piece of paper lying there. “Draw something that scares you,” it said on my 5-year-old son’s homework from school.

“Have you seen this? It’s not cool, no?” said my friend, in a mocking and disapproving tone at the task.

At any other moment of my life up until recently, I would have taken this same tone up with a false complicity, along the lines of: “I know, see? Now they’re breaking our balls about that… It’s only natural that children turn out to be wimps afterwards…” These were the kind of things I’d come up with in the hunt for approval.

Instead I said, yes, I agreed with the task and it seemed like a good one to me, since children my eldest son’s age are starting to identify and discern their emotions, which is a way of learning to know yourself.

Plus, talking never helped anyone, right?

My friend insisted. “It’s a double-edged sword; it’s giving a lot of information.” A child could end up feeling more vulnerable doing this kind of work, even more so given that they are already quite vulnerable at the age of 5. He brought up the subject again later, implying I was naive, ending on an ironic note and a drum roll: “Plus, talking never helped anyone, right?”

Of course it is important to talk about your fears. It’s a way of trying to overcome them, or at least, to learn to live with them. Talking can help alleviate and lighten the load that we can sometimes feel we are carrying.

I think it’s crucial that children, especially boys, learn to express their fears, emotions, feelings, tenderness and doubts. Speaking about such things helps to bridge that divide when it’s hard to name what we don’t really understand. “The limits of my language are the limits of the world," as the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said.

Men talking

My friend tried to justify himself: “Stop, stop — I am not talking about this macho stupidity of men not talking, you know, Talking helps, but not because you’re told it’s what you have to do. People know for themselves what they have to do”

There are many studies about how men relate to fear. This topic is often subject to stereotypes which can indicate, for example, that fear is not socially appropriate behavior for a man. This emotion tends to be attributed more to girls than boys, as pointed out in “ Fear, the last refuge of the hegemonic masculinity model ”, a Spanish-language paper published by two Mexican universities about male firefighters: “It is possible that men prefer not to express their fear or talk about it because they learn early on that it is not consistent with what is expected from their ascribed gender roles.”

My friend is an intelligent adult, who is also insightful and intuitive. We carried on talking, between jokes and jests. We agreed on the fact that no one needs to tell a person what they have to do.

I did however make a case for the fact that men, in particular, need more safe spaces to be able to talk, because telling our stories is so important. It’s an exercise in breaking our hard shells. It is also an invitation to listen to other points of view, and accept that we can’t always fly solo.

And then he asked: “All right, then. So, what are your fears?”

A man self reflecting at sunset

Zanyar Ibrahim/ Unsplashed

My big fear

The fear of something happening to my children has pretty much eclipsed any other fears I had over the past five years.

I was also affected by two tough, raw newsletters I had read. One of them is The Red Hand Files, in which Australian musician Nick Cave replies to reader letters. One reader wrote about how his “beautiful 16 year old” son had died by suicide: “[He] was contacted online by what he believed was a girl he knew. He was extorted and then panicked, hanging himself…He was [a] private person and hated being the centre of attention. His world would have crashed around him at the thought of sexual pictures with his peer group. Our hearts are broken, literally agony.”

Cave has lost two of his sons in the last few years, and his mother. I’d say Cave knows what it means to “be confronted with the impossibility of a future life and the feeling that things will never be bearable again”.

Just then, my eldest son offered:“I am not scared of anything.”

In The New Fatherhood, Kevin Maguire writes in a (subscriber-only) post about the death of children, which his readers tend to write to him about, too (and which leaves him unsure of how to respond). Among other things, Maguire writes: “Pain is another element on a long list of ‘things which men don’t talk about.’”

I hadn’t quite convinced my friend, who said he was talking about fears you could intervene more in — such as the fear of heights or flying.

Irene jumped into the conversation here and raised that old story of ours, of when we met, and spoke about our fears — some of which she reshared. Why was it so natural for her, as a woman, to speak about things that it takes men a while to debate whether it even makes sense discussing them?

Then I spoke about how I used to be afraid of the dark as a child. Just then Lorenzo approached the table, and without having been asked, offered: “I am not scared of anything.”

I still wonder why my eldest son responded this way. Haven’t I told him a hundred times that I worry something will happen to him, and that’s why I am the worrywart who constantly tells him that he absolutely has to look carefully before crossing the road? Where does this insistence of having no fear come from, when I can name five of his fears off the top of my head?

Emotionally mutilated

A couple of years ago the 29th edition of the Barcelona Erotic Show was promoted in an advert criticizing “fragile masculinity”.

Cut the voiceover, deep and low pitched: “How many times have you thought you weren’t big enough? When was the last time that you cried in public? How many times have you seen your father cry?” In this edition of the erotic convention, the organizers made it clear that they welcome all kinds of men who didn’t embody the traditional masculine ideal.

Two years ago, I attended a year-long university diploma focused on masculinities , and one of the classes was taught by Matías de Stéfano Barbero . In my notes from his class, I read that being open to vulnerability allows us to build connections, to let us be affected by others, and to create community. De Stéfano Barbero highlighted the importance of that uncertainty that men have, of opening up to another. He cited the American writer bell hooks , who wrote in her 2004 book The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love that the fear of adults creates emotional mutilation:

"The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. If an individual is not successful in emotionally crippling himself, he can count on patriarchal men to enact rituals of power that will assault his self-esteem."

How will I make my kids learn the value of speaking about their fears?

I think of the fears that we all somewhat consciously share — including the fear of speaking about fears. It’s about how we try to ensure our children don’t suffer in a world which can be cruel by educating them to cancel part of that emotional development of theirs. We end up with adults who are emotionally crippled, as hooks put it.

In that course, de Stéfano Barbero said that women were more open to being vulnerable, while men would s tay silent about situations where they had experienced violence . How many men do we know who have told us that they have been abused? A woman will always be more likely to share it.

“Showing that you have suffered violence is a sign of vulnerability for a man,” de Stéfano Barbero said. “Exposing yourself is against the system, and it is not easy, because recriminations follow.” It’s a way, he said, of “becoming less of a ‘man’ and becoming an object of ridicule, excluded from the club of men;”

Understanding my fears

I don’t actually know if I even convinced myself with what I told my friend about my fears. It’s not that I am not sure about what I said — it’s that it feels incomplete. And that puts a greater fear in a largely external part of me (what will happen to my sons), and to a great extent it puts it outside of my control (which is what my friend was rightly pointing out).

How will I make my kids learn the value of speaking about their fears, of speaking about anything? What is the best way to teach them about emotions?

I’ll start by being open about what I fear the next time a friend asks. I’ll find the safe spaces I need to speak openly with others — with other men, in particular — about what I worry about now. That can be anything from not enjoying my life in the best way, to never being able to finish personal projects, or not making the best decisions (for myself, for my children, for my wife), and even about the fear I’ll never run again because of the pain in my foot, or about the fear my relationship will end.

Being aware of our own vulnerabilities is not a sign of weakness — it’s what makes us human . It’s a step toward overcoming that which can overcome us. It can be an equalizer, and help us be more empathetic towards others.

I hope that making all of these efforts will lead me to a place where, next time, neither of my sons will feel that they had to show off by saying, “I’m not afraid of anything.”

• Uncomfortable Male Moments: Those Awkward Days That Can Push Us To Change ›
• "Be A Real Man": Russia's Testosterone-Fueled Ad Campaign For New Army Recruits ›
• macho culture - Worldcrunch ›
• Communication | Definition, Types, Examples, & Facts | Britannica ›
• 8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills - Professional ... ›
• Effective Communication: Improving Your Interpersonal Skills ›

Why Tehran May Actually Welcome Neighboring Armenia's EU Pivot

Remember when venezuela was a haven of freedom and democracy, modi in kyiv, maduro’s victory confirmed, botswana’s huge diamond, this happened — august 23: the execution of sacco and vanzetti.

Content Search

Strengthening national and subnational capacity for sustainable disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation in maldives, attachments.

Executive Summary

As a low-lying small island, the Maldives is under serious threat from climate change and related hazards, which affects its natural environment, economic development, and wellbeing of its people. This island nation is highly vulnerable to diverse extreme weather events such as floods, sea-level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Climate change has visibly increased the frequency of these events in recent decades, highlighting the urgent need to understand future climate patterns for developing effective adaptation plans.

Since 1950, the Maldives, already a hot tropical country, has been witnessing climate change through further increases in temperature. The increase in maximum and minimum temperature has been sharper in recent decades (1991-2020) mainly due to GHG emissions and socioeconomic development with frequent occurrences of high temperature-related extreme events. The IPCC's sixth assessment report highlights that temperature is likely to increase in the 21st century with probabilities of heat extremes. The increase is greater in the higher emission scenarios and for a longer term. It is likely to increase more in the northern and central atolls. The increase in average temperature may go up to 1.4°C under SSP2 4.5 and 1.6°C under SSP3 7.0.

According to the downscaled CMIP6 climate projection data, the annual precipitation is likely to increase across the country until 2100. The increase is greater in the higher emission scenarios. The central region of the country, including the capital city, is likely to receive the highest rainfall, with an enhanced risk of floods and related events. For the northern atolls (Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Raa, Shaviyani, Noonu, and Raa atoll) the increase in total annual rainfall is the highest. For the southern atolls, including Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, and Seenu atolls, rainfall is likely to decrease.

The sea level anomaly is projected to go above 1m by 2060 under the SSP3 7.0 across the country compared to the level of 2014. The probable rise in sea level is high around the northern and eastern parts of the central atolls and relatively low towards the southern atolls. The northern and central atolls may experience an increase in sea level up to 0.95 m by 2040 and further up to 1.06m and 1.08m by 2060 under SSP2 and SSP3 scenarios, respectively. This trend suggests continuation, accompanied by more intense but less frequent tropical cyclones. With 80 per cent of land below sea level, the increasing threat of sea level rise is particularly significant for the low-lying areas, exacerbating problems such as saltwater intrusion. Critical infrastructures are at significant risk compounded by limited resources, intensifying the challenges posed by sea level rise.

The impacts of climate change are unevenly distributed across sectors and populations, with pre-existing vulnerabilities making it challenging to prepare for and cope with the changes. In addition to directly affecting the population, climate change threatens agriculture, critical infrastructures, and energy sectors. Highly populated areas in the Maldives, such as Malé, are expected to experience increased rainfall, temperature, and the impacts of sea level rise, with the population exposure to very high rainfall increasing under higher emission scenarios. `The central atolls' major agricultural areas will likely face more rain and related impacts.

Climate-induced disaster risk can outpace the country’s resilience. Hence, risk-informed adaptation measures targeted at vulnerable sectors and communities can help avoid losses caused by disasters and enhance the resilience of the country. Identifying the priority areas and continued investment in those areas is needed to strengthen disaster resilience locally and nationally. Policy decisions based on science and evidence can enhance their social and economic outcomes.

Related Content

March 2024 beginner’s handbook: guidebook for landuse/ land cover mapping and climate risk assessment for maldives using geospatial techniques.

Maldives + 1 more

Maldives Assistance Overview, October 2023

Maldives advances its disaster and climate resilience agenda, climate risk country profile - maldives.