Did you know that the Earth’s temperature is rising faster than ever before? Scientists say this is causing extreme weather like heatwaves, floods, and wildfires. Let’s look at what’s happening around the world and why it matters.
Too Much Rain, Too Fast
In Argentina, a city called Bahía Blanca saw heavy rain like never before. In just six hours, 300 millimeters of rain fell! This caused flooding that killed 16 people. Scientists found that climate change made this disaster worse.
But why? Warmer air holds more moisture. When a cold front meets hot, humid air, it leads to heavier rainfall. The result? More floods, damaged homes, and lost lives. Experts warn that this could happen in many other places.
Fires Burning Out of Control
In South Korea, huge wildfires are destroying forests and towns. Over 36,000 hectares of land have burned, and at least 26 people have died. These fires are the worst in the country’s history.
Wildfires are getting worse because of drier land and stronger winds. Climate change is making both of these problems more common. Without rain, plants dry out and catch fire easily. When winds are strong, flames spread faster, making it harder to stop them.
Nature and Culture at Risk
Vietnam is famous for its fish sauce, but this traditional food is now in trouble. Fishers are catching fewer anchovies, which are needed to make the sauce.
Why is this happening? The ocean is getting warmer, which affects the tiny sea creatures that fish eat. Less food for fish means fewer fish for humans. Overfishing also makes things worse.
Many fishers in Vietnam are struggling. Some are even thinking of quitting their jobs because it’s getting harder to catch enough fish. This is just one example of how climate change affects food and culture.
Climate Change and Politics
Some people in power don’t take climate change seriously. For example, a U.S. government report recently left out climate change as a threat to national security. This worries scientists and military leaders because extreme weather can damage important buildings, roads, and even military bases.
Also, the U.S. government recently removed a tool that helped people prepare for extreme weather. This tool showed which areas are at risk of floods, fires, and heatwaves. Without it, many places won’t be ready for future disasters.
How Did Climate Change Start in the First Place?
Climate change began when humans started burning coal, oil, and gas. These fuels, called fossil fuels, release a gas called carbon dioxide (CO₂). This gas traps heat from the sun and makes the Earth warmer.
Before the 1800s, the air had only a small amount of CO₂. But when factories, cars, and power plants started burning more fuels, the amount of CO₂ in the air grew. Over the last 100 years, Earth’s temperature has risen by 1.2°C. That may not sound like much, but even a small increase can cause big changes.
How Did Climate Change Grow?
Climate change got worse over time because:
✔ More factories and cars – They burn more fossil fuels, releasing more CO₂.
✔ Deforestation – Cutting down trees means less CO₂ is removed from the air.
✔ More people, more energy use – As the world’s population grew, so did the need for energy.
Today, the CO₂ level is the highest it has been in 800,000 years! That’s why the Earth is getting hotter, and extreme weather is becoming more common.
Climate change is a big challenge, but we still have time to make a difference. By learning, sharing, and taking action, we can help protect our planet for future generations.
Did you know that planting trees in the right places can cool down cities and reduce air pollution? Scientists say urban forests can lower temperatures by up to 4°C!