5 Startling Facts About Global Warming
1. **Global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate.** The Earth's average temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since the late 19th century. This may not seem like much, but it is already having a significant impact on our planet's climate.
2. **The oceans are warming and expanding.** As the oceans warm, they expand, which is causing sea levels to rise. Sea level rise is a major threat to coastal communities around the world.
3. **The Arctic sea ice is melting.** The Arctic sea ice is an important part of the Earth's climate system. It reflects sunlight back into space, helping to keep the planet cool. However, the Arctic sea ice has been melting at an accelerated rate in recent years.
4. **Extreme weather events are becoming more common.** Global warming is causing extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, to become more common and more severe. These events can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
5. **We are running out of time to act.** The effects of global warming are already being felt around the world. We need to take action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
**What can we do to stop global warming?**
There are a number of things we can do to stop global warming, including:
* **Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.** We can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by driving less, using less energy, and switching to renewable energy sources.
* **Invest in renewable energy.** Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, do not produce greenhouse gases. We need to invest in these technologies to help us transition to a clean energy future.
* **Protect forests.** Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We need to protect forests and plant new trees to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* **Educate ourselves and others about climate change.** We need to educate ourselves and others about climate change so that we can make informed decisions about how to address this issue.
Global warming is a serious threat to our planet, but it is not too late to act. We need to take action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.