Climate Change: The Science Behind the Crisis

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain the greenhouse effect and its role in climate change

Identify key climate indicators and their trends

Understand the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms Earth's surface. However, human activities have intensified this effect, leading to global warming.

Key Greenhouse Gases:

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): 76% of emissions

Methane (CH₄): 16% of emissions

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): 6% of emissions

Fluorinated gases: 2% of emissions

Temperature Records

Global average temperature has risen by 1.1°C since 1880

The last decade was the warmest on record

Arctic regions warming twice as fast as global average

Sea Level Rise

Current rate: 3.3mm per year

Caused by thermal expansion and ice sheet melting

Threatens coastal communities and ecosystems

Over 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that human activities are the primary driver of recent climate change.

---

This is a preview lesson. Sign up for free to continue learning and earn XP!