Proof that the Earth is warming and that humans are the primary cause
Human activity has produced excessive amounts of greenhouse gases that are trapping additional heat from the sun close to the surface.
As of early 2023, the latest global concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide is now up to 420 ppm.
As you can seen by the NASA chart below, the current level of atmospheric CO2 is easily the highest in at least 800,000 years. Also note the rate of increase since the middle of the 20th century is unprecedented during this period.
Due to this rapid increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth's system, especially carbon dioxide, the rate of global warming is the highest in at least the past 10,000 years. Evidence that supports this fact has been found through analysis of tree rings, ice cores, rocks and modern observations.
Here is the evidence......
The average, observed global surface temperature has risen 2 degrees Fahrenheit since late in the 19th century. The greatest amount of warming has occurred over the past 40 years. By the way, 2016 and 2020 are currently tied for the warmest years on record globally. The observed surface temperature data base goes back to 1880.
The top 100 meters of the world's oceans have warmed 0.6 F over the past 50 years or so. Overall ocean heat content continues to steadily climb.
The world's ice sheets are losing significant mass, especially over the past 30 years.
Spring snow cover has been in decline across the Northern Hemisphere over the past five decades. Snow is also melting earlier, on average, during the spring.
Sea level rise continues to steadily increase at an accelerated rate due to thermal expansion (warming of the oceans) and the melting of land-based ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. The global average sea level rose about 8 inches during the 20th century.
Arctic sea ice is in steady decline, which is leading to more open water during the warmer season. Open water has a much lower albedo than snow and ice, thus more of the sun's energy is being absorbed at the surface in the far north. The Arctic region is now warming at a rate that is three times higher than the rest of the planet.
Extreme weather events are increasing across the United States. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which is leading to more extreme rainfall events. We are seeing longer and more extreme droughts in areas that are typically dry. Hurricanes may not be increasing in number, but an increasing percentage of hurricanes and typhoons are major (super).
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