Has the Climate Already Begun to Change and How Do We Know?

PART OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SERIES 

Yes, the climate is changing. Scientists studying this question have arrived at the conclusion that the planet is warming based on millions of thermometer measurements around the world, a global rise in average sea level measured by coastal tide gauges and space satellites, and the loss of snow and ice cover around the world over the past few decades. This evidence is so strong that the National Academy of Sciences concluded, “Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems.”

The Global Change Research Program of the United States found that impacts from climate change are already occurring across the United States, including more heat waves, more heavy downpours, increased drought in some regions and more flooding in others, and loss of mountain snowpacks, with implications for the security of water supplies. These impacts are occurring sooner and more rapidly than expected and are projected to increase in the future.

Source: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Website: http://www.c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/faqs/climate-science

This article is part of our educational series on Climate Change. See related articles below.