Too Much of a Good Thing
Although some naturally occurring greenhouse gases are necessary to maintain a livable Earth, humans have artificially introduced dangerous quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the past 200 years.
Most of these gases have been produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, gasoline and fossil gas (so-called “natural gas”). A smaller but still significant portion has been produced through agriculture.
These gas emissions have substantially changed the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to absorb more heat. A warmer atmosphere means a warmer global climate, and this warmer climate is what we mean when we refer to “climate change.”
Scientists predict that climate change will lead to many problems, such as draughts, rising sea levels, wildfires, extreme weather events, and catastrophic species loss. Indeed, many of these problems have already begun.
Climate change is arguably the most serious problem humankind has faced, and it is unquestionably our greatest environmental challenge. Fortunately, there is still time to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change, but only if we take decisive and immediate action, transitioning away from fossil fuels and emitting fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.